Dinefwr Literature Festival Programme

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Literature Music Comedy Family/Children Welsh Language Event

dinefwrliteraturefestival.co.uk

29 June - 1 July 2012

2This programme is subject to change. Correct at time of printing.

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Welcome to Dinefwr – Croeso i Ddinefwr!

The big weekend has finally arrived, and after months of fevered planning, we’re thrilled to share your company in luscious Carmarthenshire. Whether you live just down the road or have ventured from far away, this festival will offer you new experiences, friendships and a weekend to remember.

When the National Trust, Literature Wales and Coracle first met to discuss working together, we immediately thought of the same idea - a fully bilingual literature festival at Dinefwr Park. A very generous grant from the Arts Council of Wales’ festivals fund gave us the go-ahead to turn our dreams into reality.

The history of this magical place marks it out as the ideal location. Twelfth-century Welsh ruler, Rhys ap Gruffudd (Lord Rhys), resided in Dinefwr. His reign was marked by major cultural achievements - he sponsored court poets and in 1176 organised a festival of music and poetry in Cardigan – the first incarnation of the National Eisteddfod.

What makes this place so bewitching is that it is freighted with history. You have probably already noticed some rather special creatures grazing here on the grounds. These are the White Cattle of Dinefwr, an ancient breed which has sustained the grasslands here since the days of Hywel Dda. Birds also resonate with the history of Dinefwr. In the Dark Ages, the Ravens of Urien were said to have protected the son of Urien Rheged, Owain, from his mortal enemies. The ravens feature in the coat of arms of the Dynevor family. Their descendents

are omnipresent, so we have adopted them as our festival totems; our lucky mascots.

Dinefwr Literature Festival offers a boutique festival experience. We’ve got pizza-making next to poetry readings; giant puppet shows next to writing workshops; beat-boxers next to bird-watchers. Every nook and cranny of the wonderful Newton House is crammed with activity – performances in the cellar, a cinema room, talks in the dining room and an exclusive art exhibition inspired by Dinefwr’s fantastical beasts.

We’ve also asked some of the most experimental literary and music groups to curate new shows for the festival – theAbsurd from north Wales, Bragdy’r Beirdd and In Chapters from Cardiff, the pan-European Caught by the River and the wonderful Brautigan Book Club from London, will no doubt provide some of the festival highlights.

We’ve worked with Swn, the music promoters fronted by Radio 1’s Huw Stephens, to bring you some of the best sounds around: Gruff Rhys, Julian Cope, Jodie Marie, Cowbois Rhos Botwnnog, The Staves. And we’ve joined forces with The Junket Club to bring you side-splitting comedy from Tom Wrigglesworth, Josie Long and John Hegley.

This will be a literature festival like no other. We will push boundaries and create new possibilities. In this ancient land the future lies, as we celebrate culture in a never-ending circle of laughter, song and hwyl.

Lleucu Siencyn (CEO Literature Wales), Justin Albert (National Trust Wales Director), Medwin Hughes (Vice-Chancellor University of Wales Trinity Saint David)

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Friday 29 June

5.00 pm

Welcome to Dinefwr Literature Festival!Venue: Rhys StageWhat better way to open the first ever Dinefwr Literature Festival than by being serenaded with wonderful words, rhymes and cynghanedd from some of Wales’ best loved poets including Rhys Iorwerth, Paul Henry, Philip Gross and the National Poet of Wales Gillian Clarke. There will also be a special performance from local Llyn y Fan choir.

Caught by the River presents Richard KingVenue: Rhodri Stage Producer, editor and journalist Richard King has worked at the heart of the independent music business for twenty years. He’ll be chatting to Caught by the River’s Robin Turner and Jeff Barrett about researching and writing his first book How Soon Is Now, a history of British independent music.

Llandeilo’s Literary Ladies Venue: Dining Room (Newton House)Llandeilo’s nineteenth-century literary ladies Anne Beale and Bertha Thomas placed the town and its environs at the centre of their compelling fiction. Jane Aaron and Kirsti Bohata will introduce the work of these two writers, discussing their relevance to Llandeilo and the intimate portrayals of nineteenth-century people and place. In association with Honno Press.

Gillian Clarke 5.00pm

Georgia Ruth 7.30pm

Howard Marks 6.15pm

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5.30 pm

Brautigan Book Club presents Please Plant This BookVenue: Gruffudd Stage This family-friendly, interactive performance, inspired by Richard Brautigan’s poem Please Plant This Book, has been especially created to mark the very first Dinefwr Literature Festival. In the poet’s own words: it is time to plant books!

6.00 pm

POETicaVenue: Rhodri Stage POETica present 60 minutes of advanced-level lyrical artistry featuring David J and Martin Daws on the mics, Mr Phormula on the beatbox and Huw Vaughn Williams on double bass. Somewhere between poetry, hip-hop, improvisation and a twenty-first century joust with words.

Tom and Eurig’s Surfing AdventureVenue: Dining Room (Newton House)Welsh-learner Tom Anderson’s successful writing career began with his riveting travel books and various articles about his surfing journies. As a challenge for the Dinefwr Literature Festival, and with the help of poet Eurig Salisbury, Tom has been attempting to coin new surfing terms in Welsh whilst also teaching Eurig to surf in the cold Welsh waters! Surf on over.

6.15 pm

Howard Marks: An Audience with Mr NiceVenue: Rhys StageJoin Mr Nice, the notorious drug smuggler-turned-author, for his unmissable one-man show. This raucous tour of his life stops off at childhood in south Wales, studying at Oxford University and incarceration at America’s toughest penitentiary.

6.30 pm

The Fantastic Science Fiction of Doctor WhoVenue: Gruffudd Stage From the destruction of the Daleks to the technicalities of time travel, science fiction author Mark Brake and rap artist ‘with a difference’ Jon Chase explore the science fiction of Doctor Who. Forget secondary-school slumber and prepare for a science lesson like no other.

7.00 pm

Pascale Petit on Poetry and PaintingVenue: Dining Room (Newton House) Poet and Tate Modern tutor Pascale Petit’s recent collection What the Water Gave Me: Poems After Frida Kahlo explores the iconic artist’s vision by creating a voice for her. Pascale will speak to critic Jasper Rees about the connection between poetry and the visual arts.

7.30 pm

Georgia RuthVenue: Rhodri Stage Growing up on the west Wales coastline, singer and harpist Georgia Ruth Williams became quickly accustomed to sea mists and the collection of folk records in her parents’ house in Aberystwyth. She has since drawn comparisons with Fairport-femme Sandy Denny for her compelling hybrid of folk and blues. Described by Radio One’s Huw Stephens as “exquisite,” Georgia will be recording her debut album this August.

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7.30 pm

theAbsurdVenue: Rhys StageNorth Wales performance collective theAbsurd take to the stage to celebrate avant-garde-poetry-noise, including The Museum for Disappearing Sounds, a poetry and disambient noise performance by Zoë Skoulding and Alan Holmes; Annwfn: postrockpoetryopera featuring Rhys Trimble, Hywel Edwards, Ben Stammers, Sam Durrant, Hannah Wardle and Steve Collings; and DRKMTR: an experiment in poetry, art & sound presented by Sophie McKeand, Andy Garside, Steve Nicholls, Sophie Ballamy and Steff Owen.

7.45 pm

Naughty Boys StorytimeVenue: Gruffudd Stage A twilight treat for children and parents alike. Let Horatio Clare and Tom Anderson regale you with their tales of mischief, mayhem and adventure.

8.00 pm

Nat Segnit in conversation with Mike ParkerVenue: Dining Room (Newton House)Mike Parker is the author of the bestselling Map Addict, which celebrates his lifelong love affair with the humble map. Nat Segnit is the author of Pub Walks in Underhill Country, a novel which takes the form of a practical guide for walkers. Ramble on over for a humorous discussion on fictional and factual travel.

8.30 pm

Chose Your Own Adventure with Dewi PrysorVenue: Gruffudd Stage Especially for Dinefwr, popular Welsh language author Dewi Prysor has written a brand new Choose Your Own Adventure story – where the audience get to vote on what happens next!

Friday 29 June

8.45 pm

The StavesVenue: Rhodri StageHaving recently supported Grammy Award-winning Bon Iver on their USA and Canadian tour, The Staves are steadily gaining admirers the world over. With their sublime harmonies and songwriting, sisters Emily, Jessica and Camilla simultaneously evoke the dappled roads of 1970s Laurel Canyon and the darker roots of traditional English folk.

9.15 pm

Siarad Cerddi a Cherddi’n Siarad with Ceri Wyn Jones and Mererid HopwoodVenue: Dining Room (Newton House)Relax in the company of two of Wales’ best known poets, Ceri Wyn Jones and Mererid Hopwood as they discuss the magic of contemporary Welsh poetry.

John HegleyVenue: Gruffudd Stage Jump aboard the ‘Family Word Ship’ in the company of your gallant shipmate John Hegley, “one of the funniest men alive” The New Statesman. Having performed on the streets of London in the early Eighties, fronting the Popticians, with whom he also recorded two sessions for John Peel, this eminent word-subverter is not to be missed!

9.30 pm

Caca Milis Irish CabaretVenue: Rhys Stage“A little post-modern vaudeville”, declares the subheading on the Caca Milis mission statement, modestly. We’d go a few steps further by telling you that this all-singing-all-dancing collective from Wexford, Ireland will be one of the most entertaining spectacles you witness this year. Harping, belly-dancing, miming, story-telling, singing, and much more - let yourself be transported into a world of burlesque bewitchery and Music Hall joie-de-vivre.

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10.00 pm

Simon Munnery’s Hats Off to the 101ersVenue: Gruffudd Stage The Star of BBC2’s Attention Scum and Radio 4’s Where Did It All Go Wrong? presents his brand new show. It’s an extravagant mess of foaming bubble hats, superlative jokes, bad guitar riffs, delightful monologues, hand-made engineering feats and an overly ambitious one-man punk musical about the R101 airship of the 1930s. All performed with a plum - or some other fruit.

Gruff RhysVenue: Rhodri StageThe incomparable doyen of Welsh psych-pop, and Super Furry Animals frontman, headlines our Friday night line-up. Gruff’s latest album, Hotel Shampoo (Turnstile) was released in 2011 to great critical acclaim, scooping the inaugural Welsh Music Prize in the process. He recently toured America and Europe, accompanied by north Walian shadow-surfers Y Niwl.

10.15 pm

A Gymri di GymruVenue: Dining Room (Newton House)Two local actors, Rhian Morgan (recently seen on popular S4C drama Gwaith/Cartref) and Llio Silyn performs sketches, songs and reminisce about Wales.

The Staves 8.45pm

John Hegley 9.15pm

Gruff Rhys 10.00pm

Mike Parker 8.00pm

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Saturday 30 June

8.30 am

Matt Sewell: Bird Painting Workshop (Caught by the River)Venue: Gruffudd Stage Since its first appearance in July 2009, avid ornithologist and artist Matt Sewell’s ‘Bird of the Week’ feature for the Caught by the River website has quickly become a cult hit. Join Matt for a watercolour bird painting workshop and learn how to paint a blue tit, robin and maybe even a jay. A fun morning for the whole family.

9.00 am

Local Schools PerformanceVenue: Rhys Stage In preparation for the Dinefwr Literature Festival, local Llandeilo schoolchildren have been writing their own poetry masterpieces. Come and listen to Wales’ future bards recite their work.

10.00 am

Dinefwr: Place and PageantVenue: Rhys Stage A magical land of power and influence for more than 2,000 years, Dinefwr Park and Castle holds an iconic place in the history of Wales. From ravens to the Renaissance and kings to cattle, Prys Morgan, Hazel Walford Davies and Justin Albert will discuss the history of the landscape and Newton House.

Bx3: Eurig Salisbury, Catrin Dafydd and Aneirin KaradogVenue: Rhodri Stage A brand new show from Arad Goch Theatre Company and Literature Wales featuring three of Wales’ best loved poets and musician Llyr Edwards. The performance will entice the audience into a fantasy world of adventure and dreams.

Storytelling with AtinukeVenue: Gruffudd Stage Storyteller Atinuke collects old myths and ancient tales from Yorubaland in Nigeria, England, Wales, Spain, Portugal and China. She is also the author of Anna Hibiscus and the No. 1 Car Spotter series.

25 years of Women’s WritingVenue: Dining Room (Newton House) Authors Elin ap Hywel and Sarah Jackman join editors Penny Thomas and Stephanie Tillotson to discuss and read from All Shall be Well: 25at25, a new anthology of Welsh women’s short-story writing. This anniversary anthology celebrates 25 years of publishing by independent Welsh women’s press Honno. In association with Honno Press.

John Hegley Comedy WorkshopVenue: Drawing Room (Newton House) Knock knock! Who’s there? John Hegley, one of the funniest men alive and he’s ready to give you a workshop on how to do comedy.

Joe Dunthorne 12.00 noon

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11.00 am

Jasper Rees and Tony Bianchi discuss Wales and identityVenue: Rhodri Stage After his year-long quest to relearn the French horn, Bred of Heaven author, journalist and Englishman Jasper Rees decided upon another quest: to learn Welsh. Jasper will be in conversation with award-winning writer Tony Bianchi, who’s learnt the language so well that he has written all but one of his novels through the medium of Welsh.

Forgotten Footprints with John HarrisonVenue: Rhys Stage Forgotten Footprints takes audiences into the heads and hearts of those who have been driven to explore the unknown land of Antarctica, led by a man who can’t keep away himself. John has travelled to 60 countries in 6 continents and his adventures now lead him to Dinefwr.

An Audience with Philip ArdaghVenue: Gruffudd Stage Expect serious silliness: it’s Philip ‘Beardy’ Ardagh and his impressive beard in person. Roll up for an audience with the writer and reviewer of children’s literature best known for his award-winning Eddie Dickens Trilogy.

Archie Miles on the Heritage Trees of WalesVenue: Cinema A professional photographer for more than thirty years, Archie Miles has travelled the length and breadth of the British Isles to photograph many of the country’s greatest and rarest trees. In Dinefwr’s 18th century parkland and medieval deer park, Archie will be in his element whilst presenting his brand new book, Heritage Trees Wales.

11.15 am

Hannah Ellis in Conversation with Dylan Thomas’ biographer Andrew LycettVenue: Dining Room (Newton House) 2014 will see the centenary of the birth of Wales’ most famous poet, Dylan Thomas, and we’re delighted to welcome his granddaughter Hannah Ellis to Dinefwr. Hannah will be in conversation with Thomas’ biographer Andrew Lycett on her grandfather’s work and life. Don’t miss this special event.

11.30 am

Nature Stroll with Horatio Clare Venue: Meet at Partners Stall Let Horatio Clare lead you through the ancient woodland of Dinefwr Park as he reminisces about the classical Romantic poets and writers who idealised the great outdoors. You may even spot a bird or two along the way!

Huw Aaron’s Comic Workshop Drawing Room (Newton House)Have a go at drawing funny comic strips with professional cartoonist Huw Aaron – a man who loves telling jokes and eating red jelly!

12.00 noon

Choose Your Own Adventure with Joe DunthorneVenue: Rhodri Stage Ever wished you could save a book’s characters from their fate? Novelist and poet Joe Dunthorne (author of Submarine and Wild Abandon) hands the audience the controls in Choose Your Own Adventure.

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Saturday 30 June

12.00 noon

An Audience with Jeremy StrongVenue: Gruffudd Stage Jeremy Strong used to work in a bakery, putting the jam in doughnuts. One day he decided it was too boring and he started writing books for children instead, and now you can find his work in bookshops everywhere. He’s here to tell us how it all happened. Splendid.

Jam BonesVenue: Rhys Stage Jam Bones, the brainchild of performance poet Mab Jones, is a Cardiff-based spoken word enterprise. The diverse poetic styles of John Tripp Award-winner Rhian Edwards, rock ‘n’ roll poet Jack Pascoe, lit-hop sensation Liam Johnson plus Nick Whitehead, Sue Hamblen, Susie Wild and the hilarious Mab Jones herself are crafted together to form a scintillating and mind-expanding experience that will shake you to your very bones.

12.15 pm

John Davies and The History of Dinefwr Venue: Dining Room (Newton House) Historian John Davies will recreate the history of Dinefwr over the centuries. Who lived in the castle? What mischief did the bards and princes of the Deheubarth get up to? What happened upstairs and downstairs in Newton House? And what’s the significance of the raven on the Dinefwr Literature Festival logo?

1.00 - 5.00 pm

Circus skills workshop with Circus DazeVenue: Croquet Lawn Want to learn a new party trick? Our circus experts will be on hand to teach all kinds of skills including juggling, balancing, diablo, chinese ribbons, poi, spinning plates, flower sticks, stilts, fun wheels, basic acrobatics and clowning. Supported by Llandeilo Town Council

1.00 pm

Jasper Fforde & Alastair Reynolds talk Sci-Fi and FantasyVenue: Gruffudd Stage Two authors in conversation about what they do best. Leaving the shackles of our world behind, Jasper Fforde (best known for the multi-genre Thursday Next series) and science fiction writer Alastair Reynolds, talk about the infinite realms of science fiction and fantasy.

Sir Andrew Motion presents Silver: Return to Treasure Island. Venue: Rhodri Stage The former Poet Laureate introduces Silver, his eagerly awaited sequel to Treasure Island, featuring a cast of noble seamen, murderous pirates and tales of love, valour and terrible cruelty.

1.15 pm

Huw Aaron on Satirical CartoonsVenue: Dining Room (Newton House) In 1980, Huw Aaron hatched from an egg with a pencil between his teeth and a glint in his eye. His cartoons regularly tickle the pages of Private Eye, Reader’s Digest and The Oldie among other magazines. He’s currently working on his first graphic novel.

Pryd yn y Byd? Venue: Cinema (Newton House) Children from Nantgaredig introduce the film they made about their local area.

1.30 pm

Datblygu: Pat Morgan in conversationwith Daniel GlynVenue: Cellar (Newton House) Pat Morgan, one half of the legendary experimental pop duo Datblygu, will be at Dinefwr to talk about the last 30 years of performing songs and their influence on the Welsh music scene.

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1.45 pm

An Audience with Jez AlboroughVenue: Rhys Stage Jez Alborough is an author and illustrator of over 45 books for children. His Eddy and the Bear trilogy has sold nearly four and a half million copies and was made into a Bafta award-winning animated series. And did you know that Jez plays the guitar in a blues band?

2.00 pm

Stwnsh and Eurig SalisburyVenue: Gruffudd Stage Anni and Owain from S4C TV show Stwnsh will step out of the TV set and hurry down to Dinefwr to entertain you. And look out for Bardd Plant Cymru (Wales’ Children’s Poet Laureate) Eurig Salisbury joining them on stage - he’d better be careful not to be stwnsh’d…!

2.15 pm

Claire Keegan in conversation with Jon GowerVenue: Rhodri Stage We’re delighted to welcome multi award-winning writer Claire Keegan to Dinefwr. Claire will read from and discuss her short stories, including her most recent title Foster. Beautiful, sad and eerie, it is a story of astonishing emotional depth.

Inspired by Nature: Prize-giving eventVenue: Dining Room (Newton House) National Poet of Wales Gillian Clarke will present the prizes for the Inspired by Nature writing competition. The competition, now in its fourth year, is organised by Natur Cymru, the magazine that flies the flag for the nature of Wales. Main prizes are sponsored by WWF Cymru and Ty Newydd with runner-up prizes from the Wildlife Trusts Wales and Dolphin Survey Boat Trips.

2.45 pm

Writing Workshop for Kids with David Orme, Helen Orme and Phil CarradiceVenue: Drawing Room (Newton House) Between them David Orme and Helen Orme have written over 400 books, including children’s fiction and non-fiction, graphic novels, poetry, and books for teachers. Phil Carradice is a novelist, poet and story writer. Phil’s most recent novels, The Black Chair (the story of poet Hedd Wyn) and Saving SS Shannon, were both short-listed for the Tir na n-Og Prize.

From Swan Pedalo to Container Ship: Horatio Clare Interviews Iain SinclairVenue: Rhys Stage Psychogeographer, writer and film maker Iain Sinclair is one half of Swandown, a film and arts project which documents a long journey in a swan pedalo. In 2011 Horatio Clare was writer in residence on the cargo ship Gerd Maersk. Who knows in which direction this conversation may sail.

Jeremy Strong 12.00 noon

Huw Aaron 11.30am and 1.15pm

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3.00 pm

David Greenslade and David Rees DaviesVenue: Gallery (Newton House) The poet talks to the artist about the process of collaborating on Homuncular Misfit; a collection of poems described by Richard Gwyn as ‘both bonkers and brilliant’. A friendship with a crow and other stories included in Greenslade’s collection were the stimulus for Davies’ paintings, some of which are exhibited right here in the festival gallery.

Crime-Writing WorkshopVenue: Cellar (Newton House) Caution: to attend this event, courage is compulsory. Sally Spedding is a successful crime writer who recently published her sixth crime mystery, Cold Remains. Amongst the ghosts of the Newton House Cellar, she will lead a workshop in crime writing, with a challenge of setting a criminal tale at Dinefwr itself.

Catherine Fisher and Jenny SullivanVenue: Gruffudd Stage Catherine Fisher, Wales’ first Young People’s Laureate, and Jenny Sullivan, winner of the Tir na n-Og English Award 2012 are two of the most successful Welsh writers of children’s literature. Discover the intrigue of two author’s perspectives on a shared world in these stimulating back-to-back readings.

3.15 pm

South Wales Wildlife Trust – Nature Walk Venue: Meet at Partners Stall Botanist Ray Woods will guide you through the Wildlife Trust’s Castle Woods nature reserve via Dinefwr Castle. Discover the large numbers of veteran trees which are hundreds of years old, and home to a wide range of rare insects, lichens, fallow deer and pied flycatchers. Please note, this walk includes some steep slopes.

Daniel Glyn presents Yellow SnowVenue: Dining Room (Newton House) Daniel Glyn is always full of surprises, and this one is the best yet! He’s co-written an audio drama, Yellow Snow, which tells the story of a gang of schoolboys in a remote village conquering a pack of vicious snowmen by peeing on them. If that wasn’t enough of an appeal, the radio drama features Rhys Ifans as every character – excellent!

3.30 pm

What the Future Might Hold: An Audience with Robert Minhinnick and Peter FinchVenue: Rhodri Stage Peter Finch and Robert Minhinnick discuss poetry, the short story, Cardiff, Porthcawl, the psychogeography of the coast, the keys of Babylon, the places where Wales runs out, and literature in a changing world.

Saturday 30 June

Tom Wriggleswroth 5.00pm

Jodie Marie 5.15pm

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3.45 pm

Nocturne: A Journey in Search of MoonlightVenue: Rhys Stage James Attlee’s recent book Nocturne deals with the broken connection between mankind and the moon. He will talk to Tom Anderson about his journey to rediscover this relationship, revealing the strange cast of artists, poets, novelists, politicians, astronomers and musicians who he met along the way.

4.00 pm

Ancestral Houses: The Lost Mansions of WalesVenue: Cinema (Newton House) Discover the secrets behind old walls as Damian Walford Davies talks to photographer Paul White about their recent collaboration on the striking volume Ancestral Houses: The Lost Mansions of Wales / Tai Mawr a Mieri: Plastai Coll Cymru. In association with Gomer Press

4.15 pm

Naughty Boys Storytime Venue: Gruffudd Stage An afternoon treat for children and parents alike: Jasper Fforde and Joe Dunthorne will regale the audience with their tales of mischief, mayhem and adventure.

Datblygu and the Welsh Music SceneVenue: Dining Room (Newton House) Music producer Dyl Mei, former NME music journalist Iestyn George and Owain Llyr, who’s currently creating a film about Datblygu, will discuss the impact of the experimental pop band on the Welsh language music scene. Datblygu are celebrating 30 years this year.

5.00 pm

Tom WrigglesworthVenue: Gruffudd Stage Yorkshire funny man Tom Wrigglesworth became a national have-a-go-hero when he rescued a little old lady from the jaws of Virgin train bureaucracy, only to be arrested for begging. His subsequent sell-out show, Tom Wrigglesworth’s Open Return Letter to Richard Branson, bagged him the Chortle award for Best Show 2010, and a nomination for the main Edinburgh Festival Comedy gong. He has his own Radio 4 series – Tom Wrigglesworth’s Open Letters.

Bark Weaving DemonstrationVenue: Croquet Lawn Terry ‘The Weaver’ Dunne is one of Ireland’s leading tapestry artists and rug weavers. His work includes woven tapestries, memory pouches and sculptural forms woven from different varieties of tree bark, wool, cotton, linen, silk, raffia, pine needles and paper, and we’re pleased to welcome him to the festival to demonstrate his process and skills.

5.15 pm

Jodie MarieVenue: Rhys Stage Narberth-born Jodie Marie is that rarest of entities: a refreshingly pure talent with a collection of deeply personal songs that manage to genuinely to affect the listener. Having drawn comparisons with Carole King and Bonnie Raitt, it is hard to believe that the singer-songwriter is only 20. Signed to Decca, she worked with Bernard Butler on her debut album.

5.30 pm

James AcasterVenue: Gruffudd Stage One of the most hotly-tipped young comedians in Britain. James has appeared on Russell Howards Good News (BBC Three), Dave’s One Night Stand and Chris Addison’s Show and Tell (E4).

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Saturday 30 June

5.15 pm

Caught by the River presents...Venue: Dining Room (Newton House)

Robert Penn: 5.15 pmListen to writer and cycling enthusiast Robert Penn, author of It’s All about the Bike: the Pursuit of Happiness on Two Wheels, talking about his journey to build his dream bicycle and the impact of the bicycle on human history.

Idle Travels & the Perfect Pub: 6.30 pmA session with Robin Turner (one of the editors of of Caught by the River and co-author of The Search for the Perfect Pub) and Dan Kieran (longtime Idler editor and author of The Idle Traveller) in conversation about the pleasures of slow travel, lost afternoons in boozers and the beautiful coincidence of the two.

Neil Ansell: 7.45 pmAward winning television producer Neil Ansell has travelled in over fifty countries, including five years spent living on a remote hillside in Wales. He’ll be sharing anecdotes of this experience, many of which can be found in his first book, Deep Country: Five Years in the Welsh Hills.

More about Caught by the River Nature and culture website Caught by the River is an online “antidote to indifference” that has been posting daily from the bankside for five years. During that time, the people behind the site have published two collections of essays, Words on Water and On Nature. We’re very excited to see them at Dinefwr, curating events and activities across the weekend.

5.30 pm

Gareth Potter - Gadael yr Ugeinfed GanrifVenue: Cellar (Newton House) The actor, DJ and music fanatic Gareth Potter goes underground, to Newton House cellar, to give a short version of his theatre show Gadael yr Ugeinfed Ganrif about the performer’s relationship with music. What ghosts from the past might you meet?

5.45 pm

Luke Wright: Your New Favourite PoetVenue: Rhodri Stage Expect thigh-slapping acerbic wordplay and bawdy bar room ballads as Luke Wright introduces you to a cast of greedy politicians and boozy ne’er-do-wells. This brand new show is exclusive to just 5 venues this year. Meet Jeremy, the public schoolboy who draws penises on everything; kung-fu fighting French copper Jean-Claude Gendarme; and witness the world’s first B-movie set in Brentwood.

6.30 pm

Gangsters in Welsh LiteratureVenue: Rhys Stage Poet and TV presenter Ifor ap Glyn will be in conversation with authors Dewi Prysor and Alun Cob on the subject of gangsters and other taboos in contemporary Welsh language literature. And don’t forget your shades.

Literature Across Genres with Lucy Caldwell and Tishani DoshiVenue: Gruffudd Stage Indian born dancer, poet and novelist Tishani Doshi and Irish novelist and playwright Lucy Caldwell both work across a variety of different literary (and creative) genres. They will read from their recent work and discuss how they choose to make their ideas come to life.

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6.45 pm

Josie LongVenue: Rhodri Stage Edinburgh Comedy Award Nominee 2011 and 6Music presenter Josie Long is back with her fifth solo show. The show has two clear aims: 1. Fight some sort of a cool gang or something. 2. Fight injustice! And it will probably have a play in it where Josie plays every one of the Brontës, if that’s your bag?

7.15 pm

Dal dy DafodVenue: Rhys Stage 2012 celebrates fifty years since Saunders Lewis broadcast his influential radio speech Tynged yr Iaith (Fate of the Language) which led to a wave of campaigning for Welsh language rights. This show, which was first performed at Maes C at the Wrexham National Eisteddfod in 2011, relives the oppression and campaigns of the past through poetry and song.

Josie Long 6.45pm

Deborah Kay Davies 7.45pm

7.45 pm

Desert Island Discs Dinefwr Style Venue: Gruffudd Stage Deborah Kay Davies is the author of Grace, Tamar and Lazlo the Beautiful which won the Wales Book of the Year Award in 2009. Tyler Keevil is the author of the Salinger-esque Fireball, which was voted People’s Choice for Wales Book of the Year Award in 2011. In an event led by comic performance poet Mark Blayney, they will both choose three songs that would keep them company on a faraway island.

8.15 pm

Brautigan Book Club present H. Hawkline, Gruff Rhys and Martin CarrVenue: Rhodri Stage Q: What happens when you invite three musicians of a varying psych-persuasion to deliver an original song-cycle forged from their admiration for Richard Brautigan? A: The Brautigan Suite. You’ll be swimming in Watermelon Sugar after hearing this very special performance which includes a sneak preview of the dreamlike opera, Tonseisha – The Man Who Abandoned the World curated by the wonderful Brautigan Book Club.

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Saturday 30 June

Byron Vincent 9.15pm

Tim Burgess 11.45am

Julian Cope 10.00pm

9.00 pm

Write4Word: Poems & PintsVenue: Dining Room (Newton House) Write4Word’s regular Poems & Pints evenings provide a fun environment for anyone who has an interest in creative writing. Whether you’ve dabbled here and there with verse or are thinking of starting to write, this is a great place to listen to new writing and try out a few lines in a friendly atmosphere.

9.15 pm

Late Night PoetsVenue: Gruffudd Stage If cynical stanzas, amusing anecdotes and vivacious verse are your thing, let poets and raconteurs Molly Naylor, John Osborne, Byron Vincent and Ifor Thomas entertain you late into the evening with their verbal brilliance. A perfect way to finish off a jam-packed day of poetic activities.

Steve EavesVenue: Rhys Stage Poet and songwriter Steve Eaves has been highly influential in shaping the sound of contemporary Welsh-language roots music. Blending mellow folk-rock with the melancholy of blues and country, his sound is endlessly compelling. Not to be missed.

10.00 pm

Julian CopeVenue: Rhodri Stage Principal Black Sheep and visionary rock pioneer Julian Cope has released over 20 solo albums, countless collaborative projects, and six acclaimed books (including the much-praised Krautrocksampler). To quote The NME: ‘the man should have his own blue plaque’. Expect the unexpected. We are beyond delighted to welcome Julian to Dinefwr.

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dinefwrliteraturefestival.co.ukSunday 1 July

8.30 am

Matt Sewell: Bird Painting Workshop (Caught by the River) Venue: Gruffudd Stage Since its first appearance in July 2009, avid ornithologist and artist Matt Sewell’s ‘Bird of the Week’ feature for the Caught by the River website has quickly become a cult hit. Join Matt for a watercolour bird painting workshop and learn how to paint a blue tit, robin and maybe even a jay. A fun morning for the whole family.

9.45 am

Three Angry Men Venue: Rhys Stage Join our three angry men for a morning of rants, shouting and the odd bit of Boney M. Performance poets Mark Blayney and Ifor Thomas are joined by author Rob Lewis and given the stage to rant and rave about something that’s been getting up their noses.

10.00 - 4.00 pm

Scrabble SundayVenue: Croquet Lawn Bring your dictionary, it’s Scrabble Sunday. We’ll give extra points to whoever manages to spell Dinefwr, or isn’t that allowed…? Be there AND be square.

10.00 am

An audience with Gillian Clarke Venue: Rhodri Stage Join National Poet of Wales Gillian Clarke for a powerful performance of her work, and her thoughts on the poetry of the Dinefwr site itself.

10.15 am

Taliesin MagazineVenue: Dining Room (Newton House) The Welsh-language cultural magazine, Taliesin, takes literature from the page to the stage in this multi-platform discussion.

Jackie Morris Venue: Gruffudd Stage Head on over for a chat and a few stories from author and How the Whale Became illustrator, Jackie Morris.

10.45 am

Jeb Loy Nichols (Caught by the River)Venue: Rhys Stage Mid-Wales based musician, writer and artist, Jeb Loy Nichols, has been dubbed “the high priest of country cool” by Rolling Stone Magazine. As a printmaker, he’s had successful exhibitions in New York, Berlin, Tokyo, London and Cardiff. An integral member of the Caught by the River collective will sing Dinefwr Literature Festival to life.

11.00 am

Elevenses with Wendy Cope Venue: Rhodri Stage Grab a cup of tea, a spot of elevenses and head on over for a special poetry reading from the world-renowned, multi-award-winning poet Wendy Cope. Wendy has enjoyed great literary success from her first collection Making Cocoa for Kingsley Amis (which sold over 100,000 copies) to her best-selling life’s work Two Cures for Love.

11.15 am

Lucy Christopher Venue: Gruffudd Stage Lucy’s touching novels have gripped children and young people’s imaginations worldwide. Amongst her most popular stories is Stolen, about a young girl who’s kidnapped and taken to an Australial desert.

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11.15 am

T. James Jones presents Iolo Morganwg Venue: Dining Room (Newton House) With the National Eisteddfod coming to Iolo Morganwg’s patch this year, who better than the Archdruid himself to tell tales about the legendary scoundrel.

11.45 am

Tim Burgess (Caught by the River) Venue: Rhys Stage The Charlatans frontman Tim Burgess will discuss his new autobiography Telling Stories with Dan Keiran. This is a festival highlight not to be missed.

12.00 noon

An Audience with David Crystal Venue: Rhodri Stage It takes a certain amount of flair to receive an OBE for your services to the entire English language - it takes a David Crystal portion of flair, in fact. This legend of linguistics is here to talk about his latest book, The Story of English in 100 Words, which represents the formation of contemporary English in just 100 words and speculates about what a similar exercise would produce in Welsh.

12.15 pm

Beastly Ballads and Jungle Jingles Venue: Gruffudd StageRoaring lions, cackling hyenas and trumpeting elephants - these are just a few of the creatures found in this dynamic singing and poetry workshop for children of all ages led by WNO Max.

Jim Perrin in conversation with Jon GowerVenue: Dining Room (Newton House) Jim Perrin is one of our finest writers on mountains and climbing, nature and human nature. He is also an inveterate traveller with an innate sense of how to conjure up places and people. Jim talks about his restless peregrinations, his daredevil climbs and scaling the heights of writing.

Let’s Make Some Noise Workshop Venue: Drawing Room (Newton House)Rap artist Rufus Mufasa is coming to Dinefwr to make a lot of NOOOOISE, come join in the fun!

1.00 pm

Gillian Slovo, English PEN and the road to Welsh PEN Venue: Rhodri Stage Gillian Slovo is the author of twelve novels and currently the president of English PEN, a branch of the international association of writers that fights for freedom of expression and acts as a powerful voice on behalf of writers harassed, imprisoned and sometimes killed for their views. Tom Cheesman will be interviewing Gillian and discussing the possibility of starting a Welsh PEN.

Visual Poetry Workshop with Clare PotterVenue: Drawing Room (Newton House)Clare Potter is a writer, performance poet and teacher. Clare, who taught for a number of years in New Orleans, will lead a workshop for children and families on visual poetry.

1.15 pm

In Chapters 13: NatureVenue: Rhys Stage Turn the metaphorical page to see how the next chapter of Cardiff’s quirky, genre-defying music and literary revue, In Chapters (based in Cardiff’s Chapter Arts Centre), will unfold. Led by musician Richard James and author John Williams, the In Chapters gang and their special guests will present a show, in honour of Dinefwr, on the theme of ‘Nature’.

Sunday 1 July

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Ianthe Brautigan SpeaksVenue: Gruffudd Stage California-based writer and novelist Ianthe Brautigan joins the Brautigan Book Club for a lunchtime chat. Her memoir You Can’t Catch Death detailed her life as Richard Brautigan’s daughter and his profound effect on her.

1.30 pm

Rising Stars of ComedyVenue: Dining Room (Newton House) The Junket Club’s Benjamin Partridge presents several new acts on the comedy block. Followed by Quiz Quest, the multimedia pub quiz extravaganza with a literary theme.

2.15 pm

Emmy the GreatVenue: Rhodri Stage Described by The Guardian as “one of the boldest young writers in pop today”, Emmy the Great is a project based around the words and music of singer-songwriter Emma-Lee Moss. As one of the forerunners of the anti-folk movement, she has also performed with Lightspeed Champion and Noah & The Whale. Bold and delicate in equal parts, this is music to enchant.

Illustration Workshop with Jackie MorrisVenue: Gallery (Newton House, First Floor) Jackie Morris is an illustrator of children’s books that have a wild, haunting quality. After illustrating books such as Ted Hughes’ How the Whale Became she began writing herself. In this workshop for adults, learn the art of picture-book-making from Jackie’s unique perspective.

David Crystal 12.00 noon

2.30 pm

Y Bragdy Bach - presenting Catrin Dafydd, Rhys Iorwerth and Osian Rhys JonesVenue: Gruffudd Stage There’s a rumour that three talented poets (and special guests) have been entertaining Cardiff folk for months with their poetry, music and goat curry in Bragdy’r Beirdd. And we’re delighted to reveal that a raven arrived at Dinefwr Literature Festival HQ with a message in its beak to say that the poets are on their way to Llandeilo…

Small World TheatreVenue: Courtyard It’s all aboard the high seas with Captain Fillet and his crew in this enchantingly funny show. You can expect magical puppetry, a 3.4 metre-tall fisherman, sea shanties, slippery fish and a flock of bicycle-powered seagulls!

3.15 pm

Cowbois Rhos BotwnnogVenue: Rhys Stage These three brothers from the Llyn Peninsula blend country music with the more melancholy roots of Welsh folk. This is slow-burning Americana at its most beautiful, telling of mountains and skies. Close harmony, heartbreaking lyrics of love and loss, and even the odd hoe-down; you’ll want to dance, and if you’re anything like us you’ll also want to cry your heart out.

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3.30 pm

Celia PaqcuolaVenue: Dining Room (Newton House) Multi award-winning comedian and Australian klutz, Celia Pacquola, never thought she’d move overseas. She also never thought squirrels were real. In 2010, Celia moved to the UK, and was wrong on both counts. Her UK TV appearances include The Rob Brydon Show, Chris Addison’s Show & Tell and Russell Howard’s Good News.

3.45 pm

An Audience with Elen CaldecottVenue: Gruffudd Stage Calling the authors of the future. Elen Caldecott is a gifted and award-winning writer of children’s books whose titles include How Kirsty Jenkins Stole the Elephant and her more recent Operation Eiffel Tower. In this interactive talk for kids Elen explains her writing process by getting you to join in and invent your own stories.

4.00 pm

GhostpoetVenue: Rhodri Stage Nominated for the Mercury Music Prize in 2011, wordsmith, singer and producer, Ghostpoet (Obaro Ejimiwe), layers woozy electronica under a torrent of playful, wry social musings. He is currently working on his highly-anticipated second album, to be released in 2013 by PIAS Recordings.

Celia Paqcuola 3.30pm

Ghostpoet 4.00pm

Sunday 1 July

On Site Extras

Hunga Munga Craft Collective: Make Stuff, Make Friends, Make a Mess Venue: Old Laundry, Courtyard The Hunga Munga craft room is a space for adventure, calm and creativity for children and adults alike. They provide games, activities and a wide range of materials but most importantly they provide the freedom to make whatever stuff you want. Pull up a rug and get stuck in.

Coracle Theatre ProjectVenue: The Back Garden The Coracle Theatre Project’s latest performance is a fast-paced, physical and devised interpretation of ‘The Dream of Rhonabwy’. They will be performing around the festival site each day of the festival so keep an eye out for them popping up in unexpected places. Friday 7.00 pm, Saturday 4.00 pm and 8.00 pm, Sunday 1.00 pm

CinemaRanging from a musical filmed in a tower block in Newcastle to a spooky animation about a guinea-pig, the cinema’s diverse repertoire includes short films by artists working in Wales, the UK and internationally. Extracts from Aberystwyth Arts Centre’s Box series will be shown alongside films by local students. There’s sure to be something here for everyone. Cinema is located on the first floor in Newton House.

Cinema highlight: Pop Art by Amanda Boyle. Hailed by Dazed & Confused as a “prodigiously talented British Film-maker”, we’re delighted to screen a film by Amanda Boyle at this year’s festival. Based on a short story by American writer Joe Hill, this short film follows a developing friendship that leaps between the harsh reality of everyday life and the surreal world of the imagination.

GalleryDon’t miss Dinefwr Literature Festival’s Gallery, showing work on the theme of Fantastical Beasts. The visual art space, situated on the first floor in Newton House, is based on the totems of Dinefwr’s history. The exhibition includes drawings, photography and paintings from artists David Rees Davies, Penny Hallas, Anna Barratt, Katherine Bujalska, Jackie Morris and Lewis Wright.

Gallery highlight: We are beyond delighted and honoured that the renowned author and occasional illustrator, Philip Pullman, has kindly loaned us his very own original chapter-heading vignettes from the His Dark Materials trilogy.

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WorkshopsA variety of workshops for children and adults are scheduled to take place across the site throughout the weekend. Check your events schedule for times and locations. Places on the workshops must be booked on in advance at the Partners Stand stand in the inner courtyard.

Explore the Great Outdoors Given that the festival is happening in the National Trust’s Dinefwr Park, with its 18th century parkland and medieval deer park, and quite possibly the most beautiful landscape on the planet…you would be silly not to take advantage of our organised walks (check your events schedule for times and departure points) or embark on your own exploration of the Castle, the boardwalk or the ancient woodland.

Pizza - Making Workshops with Taste from the FireVenue: Courtyard (start times: 10.30 am, 12.30 pm, 2.30 pm, 4.30 pm)Create a totally authentic, wood-fired pizza using amazing Welsh ingredients - always fresh, seasonal and sometimes totally wild! These very hands-on workshops for all ages allow you to make and bake your own Dinefwr dish.

Food and DrinkBring your appetite to Dinefwr - we’ve sourced a selection of fantastic local food and drink stalls to prepare you a feast that the Princes of the Deheubarth themselves would drool over.

BookshopMake the Dinefwr Literature Festival feeling last by buying your favourite festival performers’ books from the onsite festival bookshop run by Carmarthen’s Waterstones.You might even catch a book signing if you’re lucky!

Record StallGrab a record or two of some of Dinefwr Literature Festival’s fantastic musicians from the Record Stall, organised by Carmarthen’s Tangled Parrot, and located at the back of the Rhodri Stage.

We want you to have the best possible weekend at The Dinefwr Literature Festival. Please familiarise yourself with the following important health and safety information:

Important Information

1. Wristbands must be shown when asked, failure to show a valid wristband may result in ejection or access to the festival site being denied.

2. It is against the law to smoke in public indoor or confined spaces. Please respect other festival goers and only smoke in designated areas.

3. No alcohol is permitted on the festival site unless purchased at the festival. Caterers and bar staff will apply ‘Challenge 25’. Please do not be offended if you are asked to show proof of age.

4. Please drink responsibly - Security reserve the right to remove any persons behaving inappropriately from the festival site.

5. The promoter reserves the right to refuse admission to a ticket holder if, in the reasonable opinion of the promoter, admission might pose a risk to the safety of the audience or staff.

6. No private sound systems, illegal substances, glass, open fires, barbeques or fireworks will be permitted on the campsite and festival site.

7. In the event of a fire please meet at the closest fire point as indicated by stewards.

8. We ask that you leave the festival site in a quiet and orderly manner, please respect our residents and neighbours.

9. No animals will be permitted on site unless needed for assistance.

10. Camping is only permitted in the official campsite area with a weekend camping ticket. Any persons found to be contravening the Campsite Rules or causing damage to the environment will be instructed to leave the festival.

11. Caravans, motor homes and RVs are only entitled to park in the designated area. We advise for your own safety that you do not park in unofficial sites.

12. In the event that you need assistance or become unwell and need medical attention, please make yourself known to a staff member.

13. All children must be accompanied by an adult, in the event of children and their parent/guardian becoming separated please make your way to the lost children / first aid area located on the ground floor of Newton House.

14. Please respect boundaries and no-access areas, they exist for your safety.

15. Please use the litter bins and recycling points located around the site.

16. It is recommended you do not leave money or valuables in tents or cars. All items left on site are left at the owners risk; the organisers do not accept any liability for theft, loss or damage. If you lose something please ask a member of staff who will check lost property.

17. Lasers and strobe lighting may be used at the festival.

18. Be aware music played may be in excess of 100 decibels and prolonged exposure can damage hearing especially to young children.

19. Cameras are allowed for personal use. No unauthorised recording of events is permitted. All images and sound recordings remain the property of Literature Wales, the National Trust and Coracle.

20. Ticket holders consent to the filming, sound recording and photography of themselves as part of the audience.

21. Please note that there is no cash machine available on site. The nearest cash machine is situated in Llandeilo town centre, roughly a 10-15 minute walk away.

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Disabled Access at Dinefwr Literature Festival

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Staff will be on hand throughout the festival to help with any access requirements you may have. Staff will be easily identified by their brightly coloured Dinefwr Literature Festival t-shirts, or a high visibility jacket. Please don’t be afraid to ask for what you need, we are here to help. If you would like to discuss your requirements over the festival weekend please speak to a member of staff in the Festival Box Office located in the Dinefwr Welcome Centre.

The festival programme will take place in three marquees with grass flooring and in and around Newton House. Each performance area will have seating available, please ask a member of staff if you can’t locate a chair or if you would like one moved to a specific place. The first and second floors and basement of Newton House require access via stairs and so unfortunately may not be accessible for wheelchair users and other people with a mobility impairment, however we will arrange to re-locate workshops for any participants who are not able to use stairs, where possible. Due to a limit on numbers, all festival-goers must book on workshops in advance, at the Festival Partners stand located in the inner courtyard, where you will have the opportunity to state if you cannot access the upper and lower levels of Newton House.

Large print versions of the festival programme (in 20pt Verdana font) are available from the Festival Box Office. There is onsite provision for charging scooter batteries. Please ask a member of staff at the Festival Box Office located in the Dinefwr Welcome Centre for details.

We are happy to welcome registered assistance dogs. Please ensure dogs are wearing their appropriate identification as we do not otherwise allow animals on site. There are designated areas for dogs to be exercised and toileted – please be sure to pick up and dispose of excrement in the bins provided.

The campsite is approximately 450 metres from the main festival site and is accessed along a country path which remains relatively dry even in wet weather. The pathway is mostly flat but does include some variation in gradient in parts. Please ask a member of staff based on the campsite or in the Festival Box Office, for information on assisted access to and from the campsite and festival site.

Please also feel free to make suggestions on how we can better the service we provide, either in person at the Dinefwr Welcome Centre, or via our feedback form which can be found at the following address: www.surveymonkey.com/s/XHNMTY9

Opening Times:

Box Office

The campsite opens for early arrivals at 10.00am on Friday 29 June and closes at 6.00pm on Sunday 1 July.

The main festival site will be open from 1.00pm to 12.00 midnight on Friday 29 June, 8.00am to 12.00 midnight on Saturday 30 June, 8.00am to 6.00pm on Sunday 1 July.

The festival Box Office will be open from:10.00am to 12.00 midnight on Friday 29 June 8.00am to 12.00 midnight on Saturday 30 June8.00am to 6.00pm on Sunday 1 July.

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Tudalen Llofnodion / Autograph Page

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Literature Wales is the national company for the development of literature in Wales. Literature Wales’ many projects and activities include Wales Book of the Year, mentoring and writers’ bursaries, the National Poet of Wales, Writers on Tour funding scheme, writing courses at Ty Newydd Writers’ Centre and Young People’s Writing Squads. It also has fieldworkers working specifically to develop literature activity in the south Wales valleys and north Wales. www.literaturewales.org The National Trust was founded in 1895 to care for places of historic interest or natural beauty. In Wales it cares for over 45,000 hectares of countryside, 140 miles of coastline as well as some of the finest castles and gardens. The Trust is the largest conservation organisation in Europe, supported by four million members, more than 100,000 of whom live in Wales. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dinefwr University of Wales Trinity Saint David as lead partner in the Coracle programme and through its Schools of Cultural Studies and Performing Arts has invested in developmental activities in Wales and Ireland to further the impact of creative practice upon the commercial growth of the regions. These activities are part funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the interreg 4a programme. www.coracle.eu.com

The Dinefwr Literature Festival’s music line-up comes courtesy of Swn. Curated by Jon Rostron and BBC Radio 1 DJ Huw Stephens, Swn promotes and celebrates new music coming in and out of Wales. The 2012 Swn Festival will be held in Cardiff from 18 - 21 October. www.swnpresents.com

The festival’s comedy strand has been curated by The Junket Club, a nomadic comedy venture run by digital storyteller Lisa Heledd Jones and comedian Benjamin Partridge. The Junket Club has been curating comedy events in various locations since 2008. www.thejunketclub.com

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Dinefwr Literature Festival Programme

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Transcript of Dinefwr Literature Festival Programme