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Last updated
29 August, 2010

Events in 2009

Gwrych Castle Exhibition

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Dundonald Heritage Celebration

2009 marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of Winifred Countess of Dundonald (16th April 1859), heiress to the Bamford Hesketh family who built Gwrych Castle, St. Cynbryd’s Parish Church, and supported many other village amenities. The celebrations also reflect the life and work of today’s Church and village. In recognition of this, a special weekend of celebrations, organized by Mrs. Pamela Jenkins, is planned for Friday 7th, Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th of August 2009 in Llanddulas.

The programme for the weekend will include:

A concert given by Llanddulas Male Voice Choir, at 7.30pm on Friday 7th August. Tickets are available from St. Cynbryd’s Church, Siop Ganol, Llanddulas Post Office or from Cynbryd Church members. Tickets are £5 for adults and £3 for schoolchildren and OAPs.

An exhibition by local artists and of the Churchyard Project and guided tours in St. Cynbryd’s Church, with opportunity for private devotion.

Gwrych Castle and Llanddulas village history, on Saturday 8th August in Llanddulas Village Hall between 11am and 5pm.

A United Service in St. Cynbryd’s Church on Sunday 9th August, 10am.

Guided walks and tours in the Church and a history and nature study in the Churchyard on Sunday 9th August, from 2pm to 5pm.

A Songs of Praise Service in St. Cynbryd’s Church with music by young musicians will take place on Sunday 9th August at 7pm. The concert will include two works specially composed for the concert by Alexander Thacker, a Cardiff-based composer: an organ composition entitled ‘Tribute to Gwrych Castle’ and a composition for solo harp drawn from Welsh folk tunes. There will also be a selection of Welsh songs arranged for piano and soprano/mezzo soprano and for harp and soprano.

We believe that many of the residents in the holiday parks in Llanddulas and Rhyd y Foel will enjoy learning more about the area’s history and wildlife, and will find much of interest and entertainment during the weekend.

We shall also be pleased to show people around St. Cynbryd’s Community Gardens, following a four year programme of hard work by volunteers and grants from various bodies which has created a place of peace and beauty in the centre of the village. The Community Gardens have gained several special awards from, among others, Wales in Bloom, Green Pennant and Snowdonia Wildlife Gardening Project.

Refreshments, toilets, disabled access are all available all weekend. For information regarding any and all of the above events, please call Pamela Jenkins, the local contact, on 01492 518 550.

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Gwrych Castle Fete

On Saturday 13th of June at 2pm, St. Michael’s Church in Abergele is holding a Fete in the Gwrych Castle Grounds. This is in celebration of the 190th anniversary of the laying of the first foundation stone of our landmark castle.

All are welcome, so please come along and take this opportunity to see the progress being made on the castle first-hand! Despite the current recession, great progress has been made in clearing away the foliage in order to make way for the upcoming work on the castle.

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Anniversary Concert

2009 sees the anniversary of the 1200th anniversary of the death of Saint Elfod who was the founder of the Christian church in Abergele. It is, of course, also the 150th anniversary of the birth of Winifred, the Countess of Dundonald.

Among various events taking place throughout the year to mark the occasion, one will be a concert on the 16th April, organized by and taking place at St. Michael’s Church, Abergele, beginning at 7.30pm. Headlining the concert is the world-renowned organist Graham Eccles, who will be premiering two works written especially for the evening, among other pieces. It is also approximately 10 years since the organ at St. Michael’s church was moved and renovated - yet another anniversary! Performances will also be given by outstanding musicians from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Cardiff.

Welsh composers and Welsh music permeate the concert: the late William Mathias’s Improvisations for harp (a composer closely connected with Abergele) will be performed, as will a work by the Welsh composer Christopher Painter. Furthermore, one of the specially-commissioned organ works is based on the hymn tune ‘Abergele’!

Tickets will be sold n the door at £5. The concert promises to be an excellent event and we would encourage all to attend - get there early, though, as tickets may sell out! We hope you can make it!

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More events:

The Trust hopes to be conducting country house tours during 2009. The Trust will also be participating with Pam Jenkins and the Llanddulas community with celebrations during summer 2009 to commemorate the work of Winifred, the Countess of Dundonald.

Another date for your diary: The Annual Christmas Dinner 2009 is booked for Saturday the 5th of December. The Trust will be contacting members closer to the date with further information and forms with which to book places. Remember, seats are booked quickly, so return your forms as quickly as possible to avoid disappointment!