Aber i Aber

 
 
 

….Aber i Aber

Aber i Aber: Exploring Coastal Welsh Identity

Following the success of our Ffordd Sain project, which celebrated communities along the A470, we shifted our focus to the coast, exploring Welsh identity in estuary towns and coastal communities across Wales.

With support from the Arts Council of Wales’ Create Lottery programme, we worked with ten diverse communities, connecting with young people, cultural groups, environmental organisations, and local historians. Aber i Aber set out to explore what it means to be Welsh in these unique coastal areas, delving into identity, heritage, and the cultural significance of the word Aber.

These coastal towns, often bilingual, historically rich, and facing modern challenges such as tourism pressures, housing issues, and environmental concerns, shared a common desire: to have their voices heard and their sense of place recognised.

Over 300 people took part in creative workshops, producing original music and videos that express their experiences of living in Aber communities.

You can explore the map showcasing more of the incredible work created by these inspiring communities:

Explore The Map

Expand the map to find more videos, audio and pictures from Aber i Aber and past CMW projects

..Aber i Aber

Aber i Aber: Archwilio Hunaniaeth Arfordirol Cymru

Yn dilyn llwyddiant ein prosiect Ffordd Sain, a oedd yn dathlu cymunedau ar hyd yr A470, fe wnaethom symud ein ffocws i'r arfordir, gan archwilio hunaniaeth Gymreig mewn trefi aberoedd a chymunedau arfordirol ledled Cymru.

Gyda chefnogaeth gan raglen Creu Loteri Cyngor Celfyddydau Cymru, fe wnaethom weithio gyda deg cymuned amrywiol, gan gysylltu â phobl ifanc, grwpiau diwylliannol, sefydliadau amgylcheddol, a haneswyr lleol. Aeth Aber i Aber ati i archwilio beth mae'n ei olygu i fod yn Gymro yn yr ardaloedd arfordirol unigryw hyn, gan ymchwilio i hunaniaeth, treftadaeth, ac arwyddocâd diwylliannol y gair Aber.

Roedd y trefi arfordirol hyn, sy'n aml yn ddwyieithog, yn gyfoethog yn hanesyddol, ac yn wynebu heriau modern fel pwysau twristiaeth, problemau tai, a phryderon amgylcheddol, yn rhannu awydd cyffredin: cael eu lleisiau wedi'u clywed a'u synnwyr o le wedi'i gydnabod.

Cymerodd dros 300 o bobl ran mewn gweithdai creadigol, gan gynhyrchu cerddoriaeth a fideos gwreiddiol sy'n mynegi eu profiadau o fyw yng nghymunedau Aber.

Gallwch archwilio'r map sy'n dangos mwy o'r gwaith anhygoel a grëwyd gan y cymunedau ysbrydoledig hyn:

Archwiliwch y Map

Ehangu'r map i ddysgu mwy am Aber i Aber

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….Aber Hafren

Beginning with a series of online sound design workshops, Community Music Wales joined forces with Living Levels for an immersive sound recording project that launched on a sunny St David’s Day. This community sound event brought people together to explore and capture the distinctive acoustic environments of Welsh estuaries. Part of Aber i Aber—a creative project connecting estuary communities—and the Sound Levels initiative, the experience celebrated the rich natural audio landscapes of South Wales. The project began at Newport Wetlands Centre, a stunning nature reserve perfect for sound exploration and outdoor learning. CMW tutors Joel Lipman and Jack Egglestone, along with naturalist Ed Drewitt, guided participants in discovering and recording the unique sonic character of the area.

..Aber Hafren

Ymunodd Cerdd Gymunedol Cymru â Lefelau Sain ar gyfer prosiect recordio sain trochol a ddechreuodd ar Ddydd Gŵyl Dewi heulog. Fel rhan o Aber i Aber—prosiect creadigol sy'n cysylltu cymunedau aberoedd—a'r fenter Lefelau Sain, tynnodd y profiad sylw at amgylcheddau sain naturiol cyfoethog De Cymru. Dechreuodd y prosiect yng Nghanolfan Gwlyptiroedd Casnewydd, gwarchodfa natur syfrdanol sy'n ddelfrydol ar gyfer archwilio sain a dysgu yn yr awyr agored. Daeth â phobl ynghyd i archwilio a chipio tirweddau sain unigryw aberoedd Cymru.

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….You can find out more by listening to the podcasts below.

..You can find out more by listening to the podcast below.

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….Aberarath

In Aberarth, Community Music Wales worked with members of the DYMA NI group for young adults with disabilities, to create a  vibrant, multi-arts project. Led by CMW tutor and creative movement facilitator Alexander Holloway, the project combined visual art, free-form dance, music-making, and storytelling inspired by local myths.  The project provided diverse opportunities for creative self-expression and cultural exploration. Designed to build confidence, independence, and physical well-being, sessions were responsive to individual needs through ongoing feedback. Participants developed new artistic skills, strengthened social bonds, and thrived in a safe and inclusive environment that encouraged collaboration, imagination, and personal growth. 

..Aberarath

Fel rhan o'n prosiect yn Aber i Aber yn Aberarth, bu Cerdd Gymunedol Cymru yn gweithio gydag aelodau o grŵp DYMA NI ar gyfer oedolion ifanc ag anableddau, i greu prosiect bywiog, aml-gelfyddydau. Dan arweiniad tiwtor CMW a hwylusydd symudiad creadigol Alexander Holloway, cyfunodd y prosiect gelf weledol, dawns rhydd, creu cerddoriaeth, ac adrodd straeon wedi'u hysbrydoli gan fythau lleol. Darparodd y prosiect gyfleoedd amrywiol ar gyfer hunanfynegiant creadigol ac archwilio diwylliannol. Wedi'u cynllunio i feithrin hyder, annibyniaeth a lles corfforol, roedd y sesiynau'n ymatebol i anghenion unigol trwy adborth parhaus. Datblygodd y cyfranogwyr sgiliau artistig newydd, cryfhaodd nhw fondiau cymdeithasol, a ffynnu mewn amgylchedd diogel a chynhwysol a oedd yn annog cydweithio, dychymyg a thwf personol.

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….Holywell

Along the Estuary of the River Dee, lies the market town of Holywell. As part of the Aber i Aber project, CMW and our tutor Julie Bulman, worked in partnership with mental health charity Kim Inspire, to deliver a song writing project with their adults living with different mental health challenges. The project explored life in Holywell, living on the estuary and explored the Welsh identity living close to the border of England to produce their own video and songs. The majority of the video was filmed in St Winefride's  Chapel, which is home to St Winefride's Well, which is the Holy Well that Holywell was named after.  

..Treffynnon

Ar hyd Aber Afon Dyfrdwy, mae tref farchnad Treffynnon. Fel rhan o brosiect Aber i Aber, bu CMW a'n tiwtor Julie Bulman, yn gweithio mewn partneriaeth â'r elusen iechyd meddwl Kim Inspire, i gyflwyno prosiect ysgrifennu caneuon gyda'u hoedolion sy'n byw gyda gwahanol heriau iechyd meddwl. Archwiliodd y prosiect fywyd yn Nhreffynnon, byw ar yr aber ac archwiliodd yr hunaniaeth Gymreig o fyw'n agos at ffin Lloegr i gynhyrchu eu fideo a'u caneuon eu hunain. Ffilmiwyd y rhan fwyaf o'r fideo yng Nghapel Santes Gwenffrewi, sy'n gartref i Ffynnon Santes Gwenffrewi, sef y Ffynnon Sanctaidd y cafodd Treffynnon ei henwi ar ei hôl.

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….Abertawe

Aber i Aber Abertawe explored the hidden history of Swansea’s smuggling past through music, storytelling, and community engagement. Led by local Swansea musician and workshop facilitator Boyd Erlam, this creative heritage project brought a 17th-century Welsh folktale to life with original music compositions. Featuring performances by local community groups Aber Taiko, Shiko, and The Singing Armadillos, the project celebrated Swansea’s cultural heritage in a dynamic and immersive way. The programme offered interactive songwriting workshops, giving participants a chance to explore Welsh history through music and contribute to Swansea’s thriving arts and culture scene.

..Abertawe

Archwiliodd Aber i Aber Abertawe hanes cudd gorffennol smyglo Abertawe drwy gerddoriaeth, adrodd straeon, ac ymgysylltu cymunedol. Dan arweiniad y cerddor lleol o Abertawe a hwylusydd gweithdai Boyd Erlam, daeth y prosiect treftadaeth greadigol hwn â stori werin Gymreig o'r 17eg ganrif yn fyw gyda chyfansoddiadau cerddoriaeth gwreiddiol. Yn cynnwys perfformiadau gan grwpiau cymunedol lleol Aber Taiko, Shiko, a The Singing Armadillos, dathlwyd treftadaeth ddiwylliannol Abertawe mewn ffordd ddeinamig a throchol. Cynigiodd y rhaglen weithdai ysgrifennu caneuon rhyngweithiol, gan roi cyfle i gyfranogwyr archwilio hanes Cymru drwy gerddoriaeth a chyfrannu at olygfa gelfyddydau a diwylliant ffyniannus Abertawe.

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….Conwy

On the North Wales coastline, CMW collaborated with TAPE Community Music and Film, based in Old Conwy and Conwy Mind to explore the myths, legends and stories of the ancient coastline and its communities. The participants who had lived experiences of mental health challenges, worked with CMW tutor Neil Wiliams and TAPE, to create their own film and soundtrack based on these ancient stories.

..Conwy

Ar arfordir Gogledd Cymru, cydweithiodd CMW â TAPE Community Music and Film, sydd wedi'i leoli yn Old Conwy a Conwy Mind i archwilio mythau, chwedlau a straeon yr arfordir hynafol a'i gymunedau. Gweithiodd y cyfranogwyr, a oedd wedi cael profiadau byw o heriau iechyd meddwl, gyda thiwtor CMW, Neil Williams, a TAPE, i greu eu ffilm a'u trac sain eu hunain yn seiliedig ar y straeon hynafol hyn.

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….Aberteifi

This bilingual creative songwriting mentorship programme for musicians aged 18+ took place at Mwldan, Cardigan, during autumn 2024. As part of the Aber i Aber project, participants explored themes such as confluence, local history, myths, landscape, and environment to inspire original songwriting. Emerging artists with prior songwriting and performance experience were selected to develop their creative practice in a supportive and vibrant musical community. The programme culminated in a live sharing event at Mwldan in December, showcasing the work created during the mentorship and celebrating the talent and creativity nurtured throughout the sessions.

..Aberteifi

Cynhaliwyd y rhaglen fentora gyfansoddi creadigol ddwyieithog hon ar gyfer cerddorion 18 oed a hŷn yn Mwldan, Aberteifi, yn ystod hydref 2024. Fel rhan o brosiect Aber i Aber, archwiliodd y cyfranogwyr themâu fel cymer, hanes lleol, mythau, tirwedd ac amgylchedd i ysbrydoli cyfansoddi caneuon gwreiddiol. Dewiswyd artistiaid sy'n dod i'r amlwg â phrofiad blaenorol o gyfansoddi caneuon a pherfformio i ddatblygu eu harfer creadigol mewn cymuned gerddorol gefnogol a bywiog. Daeth y rhaglen i ben gyda digwyddiad rhannu byw yn Mwldan ym mis Rhagfyr, gan arddangos y gwaith a grëwyd yn ystod y fentora a dathlu'r dalent a'r creadigrwydd a feithrinwyd drwy gydol y sesiynau.

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….Caernarfon

CMW worked in partnership with Gisda, a charity based in Caernarfon for young people either experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness. The young people who participated in this project, explored what it was to live near water, and using their experiences, they created a film and wrote their own music based on this theme. They visited the studio in Sain and created this emotive video.

..Caernarfon

Bu CMW yn gweithio mewn partneriaeth â Gisda, elusen yng Nghaernarfon ar gyfer pobl ifanc sydd naill ai'n profi digartrefedd neu mewn perygl o fod yn ddigartref. Archwiliodd y bobl ifanc a gymerodd ran yn y prosiect hwn beth oedd byw ger dŵr, a gan ddefnyddio eu profiadau, fe wnaethant greu ffilm ac ysgrifennu eu cerddoriaeth eu hunain yn seiliedig ar y thema hon. Ymwelasant â'r stiwdio yn Sain a chreu'r fideo emosiynol hwn. 

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….Abergwaun

In Abergwaun, Community Music Wales partnered with the Aberjazz Festival in Fishguard—a vibrant five-day celebration of world music, with a special focus on jazz and blues. Through this project, we offered fun, inclusive music experiences to both festivalgoers and the local community, creating a welcoming space for creativity and self-expression. Participants had the chance to explore musical instruments, songwriting, and performance, while developing new skills and collaborating with others. Workshops ranged from learning Welsh through song, to ukulele sessions, and beatboxing with pedal loops. These activities inspired people of all ages, promoting cultural exchange and musical creativity, while strengthening the connection between communities.

..Abergwaun

Yn Abergwaun, partnerodd Cerdd Gymunedol Cymru â Gŵyl Aberjazz yn Abergwaun—dathliad bywiog pum niwrnod o gerddoriaeth y byd, gyda ffocws arbennig ar jazz a blues. Drwy’r prosiect hwn, fe gynigiom brofiadau cerddoriaeth hwyliog a chynhwysol i fynychwyr yr ŵyl a’r gymuned leol, gan greu lle croesawgar ar gyfer creadigrwydd a hunanfynegiant. Cafodd y cyfranogwyr gyfle i archwilio offerynnau cerdd, cyfansoddi caneuon a pherfformio, wrth ddatblygu sgiliau newydd a chydweithio ag eraill. Roedd y gweithdai’n amrywio o ddysgu Cymraeg drwy gân, i sesiynau iwcalili, a beatboxing gyda dolenni pedal. Ysbrydolodd y gweithgareddau hyn bobl o bob oed, gan hyrwyddo cyfnewid diwylliannol a chreadigrwydd cerddorol, wrth gryfhau’r cysylltiad rhwng cymunedau.

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The Arts Council of Wales is an independent charity, established by Royal Charter in 1994.  

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Elusen annibynnol yw Cyngor Celfyddydau Cymru, ac fe’i sefydlwyd drwy Siarter Frenhinol ym 1994.

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