Prosiect Epynt Article
Prosiect Epynt
In the winter of 1939, Epynt and Bwlch-y-groes inhabitants received news from the War Office that would turn their world upside down. All homes were to be vacated by the summer of 1940, for a military training site to stand in their place.
‘Winter soon set in, one of the coldest winters in living memory. The weather was cold and everyone’s heart was stone cold at the thought of having to move and wondering where they could find another home.
They wondered if it was worth doing any hedging, was it worth sowing basic slag, was it worth digging a gutter, was it worth repairing the roof of the barn. Many of the older folk I am sure were wondering if it was worth living any more.’
Ronald Davies - ‘Epynt Without People’ 1971
Powys based creative dance organisation Impelo is embarking on an innovative community project, Epynt, that will bring together local communities and professional performers to present historic stories and contemporary responses to the Epynt Clearance of 1940 through dance, music and theatre..
The project explores themes of Welsh language, sense of place, displacement and the impact of the Epynt Clearance. There will be a collaborative production process with Welsh speaking communities, young people and professional artists to develop and present a dance performance as well as a web-based digital learning resource for schools.
Ysgol Calon Cymru Builth Campus are partners in the project and pupils there have the opportunity to take part in this project through a series of Welsh Language workshops and then to join the design team to be part of the final dance performance. This might be through designing the set or costumes, music composition or production, working alongside Lead Artist Bethan Cooper, Dramaturg Naomi Keevil and a team of professional dancers, musicians and designers. The pupils will also get involved in the research, by interviewing people who have stories about the Epynt, but also recently displaced Ukrainian people who are currently living in the area. These recorded interviews will create new archive material for the future. The school element of the project is well underway at Ysgol Calon Cymru Builth Campus.
A second community element of the project is a series of Socials - events open to the wider public to find out about this history and the current project. The first Social took place on 4th March at y Gaer in Brecon, and shared historic photographs, records and interview recordings of people who had experienced the Clearance. Around 85 people from near and far joined this three hour event, creating a warm sharing of memories and stories, as well as generous offers to share more throughout the rest of the project. There are two further Socials planned with Brecon Folk Club and More at The Muse in Brecon, and at Ysgol Calon Cymru Builth Campus in May.
The project is funded by the National Heritage Lottery Fund and partners include Y Gaer Museum and Library and Ysgol Calon Cymru with support from Menter, The Muse Brecon and Llanwrtyd & District Heritage and Arts Centre.
Epynt Project Dates for your Diary
Social with Brecon Folk and More Club at The Muse, Brecon - 3rd May, 2023
Join us at Brecon’s Folk’n More Club for an Epynt themed evening for families and adults… the evening will be filled with music, poetry.. And as the name suggests… more!
Come along for family music and movement workshops and delicious food then settle in to listen to, (and maybe take part in) some live folk music and spoken word.
Social at Ysgol Calon Cymru - 19th May, 2023
Join us in celebrating the work created by Prosiect Epynt’s design team of Ysgol Calon Cymru students. Here their costume, set, music composition and design ideas will be shared in an informal event, remembering the Epynt story.
Performance at y Gaer Brecon - 30th June, 2023
Join us to experience a new community dance performance created with professional and non-professional performers and artists at Y Gaer, followed by a celebration at The Muse Brecon.
FANCY GETTING INVOLVED?
Impelo is seeking a mixed cast of professional and NON professional performers ages 10+ to be part of a creative dance piece responding to the stories of the lost Epynt community in Powys. Participants will need to be available for rehearsals at Ysgol Calon Cymru (Builth Campus), on Tuesdays between 9th May and 27th June (except half term), and for the final performance on Friday 30th June.
Prosiect Epynt will be delivered bilingually - so a brilliant opportunity to improve your Welsh!
Want to know more? Email Lead Artist bethan@impelo.org.uk for more information