Dragon Festival
Permanent “Heart of the Dragon Wales” website is under development at www.heartofthedragonwales.org
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PROGRAMME FOR DRAGON FESTIVAL SAT JULY 4th 2009
Download programme as printable document
| TIME | EVENT | LOCATION |
| 10.00 | Official opening – Mayor of Newcastle Emlyn Cllr Peter Lewis cutting ribbon | Front of castle |
| ALL DAY | Medieval Fayre and Stalls | Lower Riverside grounds |
| ALL DAY | Attic Players Open Day | Attic Theatre |
| ALL DAY | Hanes Emlyn Exhibition | Under the Clock Tower |
| ALL DAY | Our Lady Queen of Peace Open Garden | Castle Entrance |
| ALL DAY | Live webcam broadcast onto Heart of The Dragon website | www.heartofthedragonwales.org |
| 10.15 | Story reenactment In the New Beginning, the Egg arrived on the Coracle! | Right hand path down to river |
| 11.00 | Story reenactment The Birth of Baby Dragon | Lower Performance Area |
| 11.30 | Songwriting competition | Front of castle |
| 12.00 | Wisdom of Owls and Hawks | Lower Performance Area |
| 12.30 | Red and White Dragon battle | Lower PerformanceArea |
| 1.30 | Childrens storytelling and making workshop | Lower Performance area |
| 2.00 | Finish your costumes in time for the procession with Trysordy | Riverside Grounds and Lower Performance Area |
| 2.30 | Dragons Gather! Preparation for the procession | Ysgol y Ddwylan primary school |
| 2.45 | Depart from castle to meet dragons | Walk through town |
| 3.00 | Dragon Procession | Ysgol y Ddwylan primary school to castle |
| 3.30 | Naming ceremony | Lower Performance Area |
| 4.00ish | The Uninvited Guests | Lower Performance Area |
| 5.00 – 5.30 | Medieval Fayre closes | |
| 6.00 | Owain Glandwr and Merlin Return to Newcastle Emlyn | Horses ride through town |
| 6.30 | Kissing the Hag | Front of castle |
| 7.00 | Marriage Feast | Front of castle |
| 9.00 | Wedding Ceremony – Formal Adoption and First Flight of Named First Dragon | Into the castle |
| 10.00 | Lantern and Candles, Sacred Burning Heart of Dragon Fire Sculpture | Castle |
| Ends: 10.30ish | ||
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Story © Pamela Gaunt Jan 2009 |
Heart Of The Dragon Festival Newcastle Emlyn
Gŵyl Calon y Draigg Castell Newydd Emlyn
July 8th 2007: Newcastle Emlyn’s first Dragon Festival a roaring success. A high turnout of dragon lovers. A great time was had by all on this beautiful sunny weekend.
The Story
The Last Dragon in Wales was killed in Newcastle Emlyn.
On a hot summers day the townsfolk were gathered for the annual fair. Suddenly above the noise of tradesmen, cattle, music and song was heard the most extraordinary sound.
Grown men quaked in their boots and the onlookers were paralyzed with fear. There, in the sky above them, was hovering an enormous winged serpent. After circling for some time it came to alight upon one of the turrets of the castle and appeared to fall asleep.
The people were desperate to be rid of this fearsome beast. At last a tall young man strode to the front of the crowd, a red shawl under his arm, and a musket over his shoulder. He strode in to the river until he was waist deep and spread the shawl over his shoulders and took steady aim. The serpent rose in to the clear sky. A shot rang out. The Dragon swooped towards the floating shawl and clutched it in its talons.
Writhing in a whirlpool of blood, shawl and venom the serpent sank beneath the water never to be seen again. As for the brave man, as soon as the shot had left his gun he had dived beneath the water and swum to the farther bank of the river and climbed out, none the worse for his ordeal. It was said that the fishing on the Teifi was not good that year. Whether it was due to the contaminated water or fear of the beast no one is sure.
The Facts
Stories are passed down, over hundreds of years by many tellers, and later written at points in history, generally from one point of view for political propaganda (as well as entertainment!) The version above is the well known and recorded legend of Newcastle Emlyn…where heroes are good and dragons are bad…..
But are they?
All around the world, for thousands of years, the dragon was a creature representing the power of nature, and still is beloved and revered in many cultures. In Wales we still see the magnificent creature on our flag, a symbol of national pride. The castle in Newcastle Emlyn is one of the few built by the Welsh, and tracing the various versions of the story back over the different dates given, is, in itself, a fascinating exploration of Welsh history, of invasions, occupations and resistance.
Research reveals that the story originated as a record of a battle in 1403 when chieftain Owain Glyndwr.(Whose standard was a red winged Gwiber/serpent) seized the castle briefly from the occupiers, but the falling of his flag and the accompanying bloodshed ended this resistance… so is it a tragedy or a heroic feat, This killing of the Dragon?
However, all good stories have new beginnings….this one is called…
In midsummer 2006, a story was found in Newcastle Emlyn’s shop windows….. telling of peoples love for the dragon…..the scouts had made a nest… Protectors of the Dragons Nest and Guardians of the Dragons Story were appointed and over a hundred people called from the hill top of the castle ruins. They were rewarded with finding a floating coracle on the serpent shaped river, which contained a dragon’s egg! This is now growing in a shop window…. the dragon is promising to return where last seen!!
The Festival
Newcastle Emlyn will host a two day Heart of the Dragon Festival to be held on 7th and 8th of July 2007. The festival will be literally stepping into a story at the castle, with a medieval fayre and reenactment of the Last Dragon of Wales! There will be a prop making and historical costumes tent, birds of prey, music, storytelling, puppets and much, much more for everyone to enjoy and participate in.
There will be an exhibition of the history of the castle and Owain Glyndwr for people to visit.
Then to bring the present into the stories of bloodshed and the wars of history. It is anticipated that local schools, community groups and youth groups will be making processional dragons for a parade through the town. Marching bands, stilt walkers and jugglers will accompany them on their celebration of the return of the dragon …… We hope that the giant egg may even hatch on the Sunday! With the birth of a new Baby Dragon celebrated in a welcoming ceremony. Followed by a dragons picnic.
The Workshops
Thanks to funding from Awards for All Heritage Lottery Heart of the Dragon is now able to offer workshops to schools, community groups and youth groups in the areas to explore the story, Dragon making, drama, costumes and much more.
The aim is to inspire everyone to be involved and learn of their local heritage, participate and make something spectacular for the festival.
All workshops will be led by local community artists with many years of experience. Bookings are being taken now …… cost you nothing …… and will take place in February, March and April. There is the option to request a further workshop to help with progressing/finishing or animating your creations.
Contact: Deborah Howlett – 01559 370842 or by email – thehowletts@homecall.co.uk
Y Stori
Lladdwyd y Ddraig Olaf yng Nghymru yng Nghastellnewydd Emlyn.
Ar brynhawn poeth o haf, roedd trigolion y dref wedi ymgasglu ar gyfer y ffair flynyddol. Yn sydyn, uwchlaw swn y masnachwyr, y gwartheg, sain cerdd a chân, clywyd y dwndwr rhyfeddaf erioed.
Dechreuodd dynion mewn oed grynu yn eu hesgidiau a pharlyswyd pawb oedd yn gwylio gan ofn. Yno, yn hedfan yn yr awyr uwch eu pennau, roedd sarff enfawr asgellog. Ar ôl troelli yno am beth amser, glaniodd ar un o dyrrau’r castell ac yna syrthiodd i gysgu, i bob golwg. Roedd y bobl bron â drysu eisiau cael gwared â’r bwystfil ofnadwy hwn. O’r diwedd, brasgamodd gwr ifanc tal i flaen y dyrfa; cariai siôl goch dan ei fraich, a mwsged dros ei ysgwydd.
Camodd i’r afon a cherddodd hyd ei ganol i’r dwr; taenodd y siôl dros ei ysgwyddau ac anelodd ei wn heb betruso am eiliad. Cododd y sarff ar ei hadenydd i’r awyr glir. Atseiniodd ergyd o’r gwn.
Plymiodd y Ddraig i gyfeiriad y siôl a arnofiai ar wyneb y dwr a’i chipio yn ei chrafangau. Gan wingo mewn trobwll o waed, siôl a gwenwyn, suddodd y sarff dan y dwr a diflannu oddi ar wyneb daear am byth. A’r gwr ifanc dewr? Wel, cyn gynted ag y saethodd yr ergyd o’i wn, plymiodd yn syth dan y dwr; nofiodd i’r lan yr ochr draw ac yna dringo allan, heb fod fymryn gwaeth wedi’r profiad.
Yn ôl y sôn, ni chafwyd fawr o hwyl ar bysgota yn y Teifi y flwyddyn honno. Does neb yn siwr iawn ai’r dwr llygredig neu’r dychryn rhag y bwystfil oedd i gyfrif am hynny.
Y Ffeithiau
Bydd straeon yn cael eu trosglwyddo o’r naill genhedlaeth i’r llall, dros gannoedd o flynyddoedd gan nifer o chwedleuwyr, a’u hysgrifennu’n ddiweddarach ar gyfnodau mewn hanes, o un safbwynt arbennig fel arfer, a hynny ar gyfer propaganda gwleidyddol (yn ogystal â difyrrwch!) Y fersiwn o chwedl enwog Castellnewydd Emlyn sydd ar gof a chadw yw’r uchod ~ lle mae arwyr yn bobl dda a dreigiau yn greaduriaid drwg. Ond ydyn nhw mewn gwirionedd?
Ers miloedd o flynyddoedd, ym mhob cwr o’r byd, mae’r ddraig wedi bod yn greadur sy’n cynrychioli grym natur, ac mae’n dal yn anifail sy’n cael ei garu a’i barchu mewn sawl diwylliant. Yng Nghymru, mae’r creadur ysblennydd hwn i’w weld o hyd ar ein baner, fel arwydd o falchder ein cenedl. Castell tref Castellnewydd Emlyn yw un o’r ychydig gestyll a godwyd gan y Cymry, ac mae olrhain gwahanol fersiynau o’r stori dros yr amryfal ddyddiadau sydd ar gael, ynddo’i hun, yn arch wiliad hynod ddiddorol o hanes Cymru – yn oresgyniadau, meddianiadau a gwrthsafiadau.
Dengys ymchwil fod y stori hon yn tarddu o hanes brwydr a ddigwyddodd yn y flwyddyn 1403 pan gipiwyd y castell gan Owain Glyndwr (llun gwiber / sarff asgellog goch oedd ei faner ef) am gyfnod byr o ddwylo’r meddianwyr, ond pan syrthiodd ei faner a’r tywallt gwaed a ddaeth yn sgil hynny, daeth y gwrthsafiad i ben. Felly, ai tragedi neu gamp arwrol oedd lladd y Ddraig hon? Beth bynnag, mae i bob stori dda sawl dechreuad newydd. Yr enw ar hon yw:
Ganol haf 2006, gwelwyd stori yn cael ei harddangos yn ffenestri siopau Castellnewydd Emlyn, yn adrodd am gariad pobl tuag at ddreigiau. Roedd y Sgowtiaid wedi mynd ati i lunio nyth. Cafodd Amddiffynwyr Nyth y Ddraig a Gwarcheidwaid Stori’r Ddraig eu penodi a chlywyd dros gant o bobl yn galw o ben y bryn sydd yng nghanol adfeilion y castell.
Cawsant eu gwobrwyo drwy ddarganfod cwrwgl yn arnofio ar yr afon nadreddog, ac roedd y cwrwgl hwnnw’n cynnwys wy draig! Mae hwn, erbyn hyn, yn tyfu yn ffenestr un o’r siopau. Mae’r ddraig yn addo dychwelyd i’r fan lle gwelwyd hi ddiwethaf!!
Yr Wyl
Ar Orffennaf 7fed ac 8fed 2007, bydd Castellnewydd Emlyn yn estyn croeso i Wyl Calon y Ddraig ~ gwyl ddeuddydd. Bydd yr wyl, yn llythrennol felly, yn camu i mewn i stori yn y castell, a chaiff ffair ganoloesol ac ail berfformiad o hanes y Ddraig Olaf yng Nghymru eu cynnal yma hefyd! Bydd yno babell gwneud celfi a gwisgoedd hanesyddol, adar ysglyfaethus, cerddoriaeth, chwedleua, pypedau a llawer iawn mwy i bawb eu mwynhau a chyfranogi ohonynt.
Bydd arddangosfa o hanes y castell ac Owain Glyndwr i’w gweld hefyd er mwyn dod â’r presennol i ganol rhyferthwy’r hanesion am dywallt gwaed a rhyfeloedd y gorffennol.
Rhagwelir y bydd ysgolion lleol, grwpiau cymunedol a grwpiau ieuenctid yn creu dreigiau gorymdeithiol i’w harddangos wrth gerdded drwy’r dref. Bydd bandiau gorymdeithio, cerddwyr ar stilts a jyglwyr yn ymuno â nhw wrth iddynt ddathlu dychweliad y ddraig.
Ein gobaith hefyd yw y bydd yr wy enfawr yn deor ar y dydd Sul! Byddwn yn dathlu genedigaeth Draig fach newydd mewn seremoni groesawu. I ddilyn, cynhelir picnic dreigiau.
Y Gweithdai
O ganlyniad i’r nawdd ariannol a dderbyniwyd gan y Loteri Awards for All Heritage , mae Calon y Ddraig bellach yn gallu cynnig gweithdai i ysgolion, grwpiau cymunedol a grwpiau ieuenctid yn yr ardal er mwyn archwilio’r stori hon, cynnal sesiynau gwneud Dreigiau, drama, gwisgoedd a llawer iawn mwy.
Y nod yw ysbrydoli pawb a’u hannog i gymryd rhan ac i ddysgu am eu treftadaeth leol a mynd ati i greu rhywbeth ysblennydd ar gyfer yr wyl.
Bydd pob un o’r gweithdai yn cael eu harwain gan arlunwyr ac artistiaid cymunedol sydd â blynyddoedd o brofiad yn y maes.
Erbyn hyn, rydym wrthi yn derbyn ceisiadau – ni fydd hyn yn costio dim i chi – ac fe gynhelir y gweithdai yn ystod misoedd Chwefror, Mawrth ac Ebrill. Gallwch ddewis gwneud cais am weithdy ychwanegol er mwyn eich cynorthwyo i fynd ymlaen/gorffen neu animeiddio eich creadigaethau. Cysylltwch â: Deborah Howlett 01559 370842 neu anfonwch e-bost i: thehowletts@homecall.co.uk