About us

The Festival’s purpose is to encourage interest and enjoyment, mainly amongst children, relating  to Welsh history, and create unique opportunities to learn about characters and stories from the past; discover sites of historical importance, and celebrate Wales’ rich heritage. 

 

The festival was first held in September 2015, following one of the festival’s founding Board members, Eleri Twynog, seeing a performance for children,  based on the story of Henry Tudor, at Raglan Castle. It was a thrilling experience which planted the idea of holding an annual festival at locations all over Wales, to celebrate Welsh history. 

 

The festival is a charity, and every September and October,  over a period of six weeks, heritage sites come to life with performances; workshops and exhibitions. As well as live events, many sessions are held online thus extending the festival’s reach and appeal. Since it’s inception, and with the support of many partners, the festival has co-ordinated hundreds of events and welcomed thousands of children to take part.

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Festival Board

Rhian Tomos

Rhian is originally from Llandecwyn in Ardudwy. Since graduating in Welsh at Bangor Univesity, her working life has varied from being a French  and Welsh Teacher in a Secondary school, a children’s book editor and marketing. She currently lectures at the Education Department at Bangor University. Her main research interests include developing employability opportunities for students as well as literacy and dyslexia in bilingual students. 

 

Gwyn Ellis

Gwyn has lived in the Porthmadog area all his life, and following a period as a Teacher at Ysgol Tanycastell, he became Head Teacher at Ysgol Llanystumdwy for thirteen years. He then became a lecturer at Bangor University and led teacher training courses. He is currently the Education Officer at Gwynedd Archives, supporting schools in their efforts to learn about local history. 

 

Rheon Tomos (Chairman)

Orignally from the village of Llanrug in Gwynedd, Rheon’s work as an Accountant has meant spending over forty years in South Wales. He is a father to two sons, and also has two grandchildren, and has spent many hours exploring historical locations throughout Wales. He has vast experience in being a Trustee,having been with Urdd Gobaith Cymru for over fifteen years, as well as roles with Estyn, Qualifications Wales and Y Ganolfan Dysgu Cymraeg Genedlaethol. He is currently a Trustee at Bangor University and is a board member of the Welsh Revenue Authority. 

 

Nia Downes 

Nia, who is originally from the village of Trefor at the foot of the Eifl, is Head Teacher at Ysgol Gymraeg Tonyrefail in Rhondda Cynon Taf. Her love for history began at Primary school, and she is passionate about the importance of teaching Welsh history to every child in Wales. 

 

John Dilwyn Williams

A native of Llŷn, Dilwyn has lived in Dyffryn Nantlle for over thirty-five years. He graduated in Welsh from Bangor, before training further as an archivist and as a primary school teacher. His interest in local history was sparked when he visited Caernarfon Archives at the age of nine. He spent the last twenty years of his career as an Education Officer with the Gwynedd Archives and Museums Service, as well as being a self-employed History Researcher. He is now retired but continues his passionate interest in history.

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