Mari Lwyd in Caerleon – a Community event

Mari Lwyd in Caerleon – a Community event

On Saturday 12th January the start of the traditional Welsh New Year – HEN GALAN – was celebrated with the arrival of the MARI LWYD in Caerleon.

Thanks to Henry Lutman for his ingenuity in making the Caerleon Festival’s own Mari, not forgetting little Harry, it was the Mari of all Maris. Henry put her through her paces, together with Loraine Lutman (Lol) who restrained and controlled their Mari with authority.

There were two visiting Maris, one under the control of Terry Banfield, Criw Croesy; and another guest Mari from Brecon. They were joined by Julie Page on her hobby-horse, a Tourney called “Malarkey” an Aardman award winner of the Sidmouth Folk Festival Horse Trials.

All appeared at the Bell Inn to be greeted by musicians, Meg and Dave Cox; Dai Bach Band; Don & Dica Stewart of “Crimes against Folk”, choirs with Peter Brodie leading Cor Dreigiau, Casnewydd; Nigel Gaen & Zoe Stollery of Cor Afon Lwyd, singer Dianne Beddoe, with many other musicians and well-wishers.

Music, song and verbal exchanges entertained, and a torch-lit procession, a party on the hoof, visited the Ship Inn, White Hart pub, the Doghouse and the Hanbury Arms, where rituals were repeated.  With Maris amok, music and merrymaking this celebration of community life was a welcome tonic in troubled times.

Thanks go to:

• Greville Hunt for organising this splendid event.
• Stewards for control of torches, traffic & crowds.
• Photographers, Paul Huntley, Chris Sheehy.
• All the pubs and the public for participating.

Thank you Caerleon.

Question: Were you there?

Mari Lwyd yng Nghaerllion – Digwyddiad Cymunedol

Ar ddydd Sadwrn 12ed Ionawr oedd dechrau’r flwyddyn newydd Gymreig draddodiadol – HEN GALAN – dathlwyd gyda’r dyfodiad MARI LWYD yng Nghaerllion.

Diolch i Henry Lutman am ei ddyfeisgarwch yn gwneud Mari’r Gŵyl Caerllion, peidio â sôn am Hari bach, y gair olaf yn Maris. Rhoddodd Henry y Fari drwy ei chamau gyda Loraine Lutman (Lol) a oedd yn cadw eu Mari dan law gydag awrdurdod.

Roedd dwy Fari yn ymweld, un dan reolaeth Terry Banfield, Criw Croesy; a’r llall o Aberhonddu. Cafon nhw eu ymuno gan Julie Page ar ei cheffyl pren, Tourney o’r enw “Malarkey” a oedd enillwr Gwobr Aardman yn nhreialon ceffyl Gŵyl Gwerin Sidmouth.

Ymddangosodd pob un wrth Tafarn Y Gloch a chafon nhw eu cyfarch gan cerddorion, Meg a Dave Cox; Band Dai Bach; Don & Dica Stewart o “Crimes against Folk”, Pete Brodie gyda Chôr Y Dreigiau; Nigel Gaen & Zoe Stollery o Gôr Afon Lwyd, canwr Dianne Beddoe, gyda llawer o gerddorion eraill a dymunwyr daioni.

Darparodd cerddoriaeth, caneuon a phwnco adloniant ac ymwelodd gorymdaith gyda’r ffaglau â Thafarn Y Llong, Tafarn Y Hydd Gwyn, Tafarn Y Ty Cŵn ac Arfau Hanbury ble cafodd pawb hwyl dro ar ôl tro. Roedd hwn yn ddathliad o fywyd cymunedol gyda sawl Mari yn rhedeg yn wyllt, llawer o gerddoriaeth a sbort. Yn wir roedd y digwyddiad yn iechyd i galonnau pawb yn ystod cyfnod aflonydd.

Diolch i:

• Greville Hunt am drefnu’r digwyddiad campus.
• Stiwardiaid am reoli’r ffaglau, traffig a thorfeydd.
• Ffotograffwyr, Paul Huntley, Chris Sheehy.
• Pob Tafarn a’r cyhoedd am eu cefnogaeth

Diolch i Gaerllion.

Cwestiwn: Oeddech chi yno?