Valleys Discovery Festival

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GWYL GANFOD Y CYMOEDD

Mai 14 – 21, 2011

VALLEYS DISCOVERY FESTIVAL

May 14 – 21, 2011

www.valleysdiscoveryfestival.com

http://www.valleysdiscoveryfestival.com/

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The valleys have a proud tradition of producing and influencing scientists, technologists,

engineers, and doctors whose discoveries and inventions have shaped and created the world we

live in. These include: Donald Davies, one of the inventors of ‗packet switching‘, a key concept that led to the

development of the internet, was born in Treorchy;

Abertillery-born Tecwyn Williams who made great insights into how drugs and

medicines are metabolised in the body so leading to safer medicines;

William Morgan, eminent physician, who was the father of actuarial science and the

first person to ‗visualise‘ X-rays;

Alfred Russel Wallace started to develop his theories on evolution whilst working as a

land surveyor in the Vale of Neath.

Gwen Rees from Aberdare whose pioneering work on parasites led to her becoming the

first Welsh woman to be elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society

Lyn Evans, also from Aberdare, head of the Large Hadron Collider project which sets out

to discover the secrets of the Big Bang and the birth of our Universe

The valleys have also proved a fertile breeding ground for science fiction and fantasy, e.g., Bill

Roberts, an engineer born in Merthyr, was the man who built the Daleks for Cardiff-born Terry

Nation whilst the landmark film, HG Wells‘ Things to Come was shot partly in the valleys.

Through a week-long series of events and activities across the valleys, the Valleys Discovery

Festival will celebrate the area‘s scientific and technological heritage and showcase new ideas

and initiatives taking place in the area that will shape all our futures.

The Valleys Discovery Festival will put the valleys on the map for new and unexpected reasons

that will attract visitors, generate increased community pride and prosperity, and help inspire a

new generation of scientists, technologists, engineers, doctors and creative minds.

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PROGRAMME OF EVENTS

IMPORTANT:

Please note that not all events are funded through the WECAN project or

organised by Valleys Regional Park.

We do not take any credit for those events, which are down to the hard

work and dedication of the events‘ organisers concerned. However, we are

delighted to be associated with those events as shown and thank the

organisers for the opportunity to promote them.

Not all events are free and where there are costs involved, these are

indicated where we know that is the case. All WECAN-funded events are

free

You are advised to contact the organisers for details where necessary and

please note that open-air events might be weather dependent so checks

are advised beforehand.

More details can be found at www.valleysdiscoveryfestival.com or phone

David Llewellyn on 07967 292325

http://www.valleysdiscoveryfestival.com/

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Saturday 14th May

Be nice to

nett les

Environmental

Resource Centre

Ebbw Vale

Gwent Wi ld l i fe Trust Event

Tutor: Veronika Brannovic

10 am – 12 pm

more information on 01495 307525

Cost: FREE but donations always welcome

No need to book. Why should we be nice to the

humble stinging nettle? What‘s it ever done for

us? Find out about this amazingly useful plant,

especially why it is good for wildl ife.

Family History Day:

Keep it in the

family

Tredegar Library

Tredegar

Blaenau Gwent Adult Learners week event

This event celebrates Adult Learners week at

the Local History/Family History centre for

Blaenau Gwent. Come along and trace your

family tree

10 am - 3 pm

More information on 01495 357869

Cost: FREE

Welsh Future

Home Open Day

The Works Ebbw Vale

With the Works and delivered in partnership with

Willmott Dixon, Morrison, Leadbitter and Kier

Come and visit the Welsh Future Homes, a

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development of energy efficient eco houses

unique to Ebbw Vale and see what houses of

the future may look l ike.

10 am – 4 pm

Meet the contractors on site and find out about

the latest developments.

The Welsh Future Homes are next to Ysbyty

Aneurin Bevan, Ebbw Vale.

Please do not park in the hospital car park;

parking is available opposite the homes.

If you need directions or a disabled parking

space please contact Rhian Bevan 01495

353300 or [email protected]

Spring Cleaning

Gwanwyn

Festival

Llancaiach Fawr Nr. Nelson

Caerphilly CBC Event

How things were done in the Manor House

before modern cleaning products were invented

Normal Admission to the Manor applies.

From 10 am

For further detai ls please telephone Llancaiach

Fawr Reception on 01443 41224

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Sunday 15th May

Nature

Discovery

Walk

Wern Ddu Nature Reserve Nr. Caerphilly

with Neville Davies, Ecology Cymru.

10.30 am -12.30 pm approximately

The meeting place is the entrance to the site

which is Coed-y-Werin Woodlands at the

bottom of the old Wern Ddu Lane, off Van

Road.

Park by the forestry commission land just

past the turning in for Coed-y-werin.

Cost: FREE

Life in 19th

century Merthyr: a

historical guided

walk

Tourism Info Centre

14a Glebeland Street

Merthyr Tydfil

Merthyr Tydfil

Merthyr Tydfil Learning Festival Event

A historical guided walk starting at the

former workhouse. The walk will give the

history around Life in Merthyr during the 19th

Century; the rich the poor, sanitation, crime

and more.

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Booking Required.

Contact: Christopher Parry 01685 723112

[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

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Spring Cleaning

Gwanwyn

Festival

Llancaiach Fawr

Nr. Nelson


How things were done in the Manor House

before modern cleaning products were

invented

Normal Admission to the Manor applies. From

10 am

For further details please telephone

Llancaiach Fawr Reception on 01443 412248

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Monday 16th May

In these bones

horizons sing....

Clydach Libary

Featuring Mark Brake with Jon Chase, have

fun and explore how we learned to view the

modern world through the amazing story of

the Red Lady of Paviland

3 pm – 5 pm

Cost: FREE

In conjunction with City and County of

Swansea Library Service

Discovery Cafe

Live - Alastair

Reynolds and

Neil Hook

Clwb-y-Bont, Pontypridd

A Science Fiction special cafe evening with

the valleys-based, Barry-born, world-

renowned author, Alastair Reynolds,

presented by Neil Hook and Huw James

7 pm start

Cost: FREE

CSI - The Valleys

Llanhilleth Institute

Llanhilleth

With the valleys very -own renowned forensic

scientist, Nigel Hodge who will give you a

very special view of how modern molecular

biology can solve serious crimes

7 pm start

Cost: FREE

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Tuesday 17th May

DNA Day - It‘s

all in the genes!

Ebbw Vale Institute Ebbw Vale

What is i t , how does make us who we are

and how we inher i t our ancestors ‘

character ist ics?

With Drs Rachel I redale, Kim Madden and

Rhian Morgan from the Univers i ty of

Glamorgan, and Claudine Anderson from

Cardi f f Univers i ty/Techniquest/Wales Gene

Park.

And look up your her i tage with Janet Karn

and the Blaenau Gwent Local/family history

team! Robots and al l . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

With Univers i ty of Glamorgan Genomic

Pol icy Unit , Cardi f f

Un ivers i ty/Techniquest/Wales Gene Park

and in conjunct ion with EVI , Blaenau Gwent

CBC and EVAD

CSI - The

Valleys

Ebbw Vale Institute

Ebbw Vale

With the val leys very -own renowned forensic

sc ient ist , Nigel Hodge who wi l l g ive you a

very special v iew of how modern molecular

bio logy can solve ser ious cr imes

12.30 pm start

Cost : FREE

Wellbeing event

Environmental Resource Centre

Ebbw Vale

Gwent Wi ldl i fe Trust with EVAD Communi t ies

F i rs t team and Morphious.

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The day wi l l inc lude f ree taster sessions of

massage, ref lexology , reiki , pottery and a

range of other crafts .

10.30 am and 2.30 pm


Welsh Walk and

Talk

Cefn Coed

Merthyr Tydfil


Start Point at Cefn Coed Community Centre ,

Old

Dr i l l Hal l Road,

10:30 am - 12 :30 pm

A guided walk with the opportunity to learn

some basic Welsh en route.

Start ing f rom outside Cefn Coed Communi ty

Centre and f inish ing at Soar Theatre ( the

former Soar Chapel ) . wi th a tour of the

Chapel and new fac i l i t ies .

Contact : Sal ly Mcintyre 01685 383758

sal ly .mcintyre@vamt .n et

In these bones

horizons sing....

Pontarddulais Library

Pontarddulais

Featur ing Mark Brake with Jon Chase, have

fun and explore how we learned to v iew the

modern wor ld through the amazing story of

the Red Lady of Pavi land

3 pm – 5 pm

Cost : FREE


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In conjunct ion with C ity and County of

Swansea L ibrary Service

Science Junkie

Show

Abertil lery Community

Theatre

Abertil lery

Presented by the val leys -own Huw James -

Sc ient ist , Presenter , Mot ivat ional Speaker

and Adventurer , explore the wonders of

sc ience through extreme sports and

adventure .

This event i s restr ic ted to an inv i ted

audience

Pond Survey

and

Bat Walk

Sirhowy Woodlands

Tredegar

Learn about the biodivers i ty of the area

around Sirhowy Woodlands high above

Tredegar with ecologist C lai re Pooley ,

undertaking a pond survey and f inishing the

evening looking for and detect ing bats !

Meet ing at 8 pm at the entrance to Si rhowy

Woodlands alo ng Thomas El is way - l ikely to

f inish around 10 pm

Supported by Tredegar Communit ies First

and Blaenau Gwent County Borough Counci l .

Cost : FREE

Cordell Country

Cwm Library

Cwm

Local histor ian and tour ist guide Ivor Beynon

takes you on a discovery tour of the area

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made famous by Alexander Cordel l .

7 .00pm — 8 .30pm

Cost : FREE

Bat Walk

Bryngarw Country Park

Bryngarw

Bridgend CBC Event

In celebrat ion of the ―Year of the Bat‖ , this

i s a great opportunity to discover the

fasc inat ing wor ld of bats , dur ing an exc i t ing

after -dark guided walk

8 .15 pm start

Sett ing off at sundown, tune in to the night

t ime and ident i fy d i f ferent species of ba ts

using habitat c lues and ul t rasound

detectors .

Admission is £2 per person with f ree car

park. Please note this event is weather

dependent .

Advanced booking is essent ial as p laces are

l imited .

For further detai ls cal l the rangers off ice on

01656 725155 or emai l

[email protected] .uk

The Language

of Flowers – A

Victorian

Evening

Cyfarthfa Castle Museum

Merthyr Tydfil


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Historian Sally Pointer explores the language

of lowers, their myths, stories and medical

applications. This event is part historical talk

and part workshop.

6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Booking Required

Contact: Christopher Parry 01685 723112

[email protected]

Dark Sky Wales

St Joseph's Church

Cwmaman

The beauty of our night sky has enthral led

people throughout the ages and has made a

last ing impression in both the sc ience and

humanit ies. Discover and marvel at that

beauty with a superb stunning state -of - the-

art d ig i tal p lanetar ium show from val leys -

based Dark Sky Wales designed by

professional astronomers.

Start 7 pm

Cost : FREE

supported by Cwmaman Communit ies First

Rock Guitar in

11 Dimensions

with the Guitar

Doctor

Ebbw Vale Institute

Ebbw Vale

―What causes the revolut ionary , h istory -

changing sound of rock gui tar , and how does

i t help us to understand the nature of the

stuf f we‘re made of? Famelab winner Mark

Lewney explains the phys ics of rock using

r i f fs f rom Vivaldi to AC/DC, expla ins the

secret of the St radivar ius , and shows how

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s t r ing v ibrat ions might l ie at the heart of the

Big Quest ions about the universe.‖

"Gobsmacking ly amazing . . . a h igh energy

per former" Simon Singh, sc ience wr i ter

"A c ross between E inste in and J imi Hendr ix"

CBBC

7 pm start

Cost : FREE

more information on 01495 708022

With EVI , B laenau Gwent CBC and EVAD

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Wednesday 18th May

Why the Bee? Dowlais Library Dowlais


Learn why bees are so important , and

how you can help . There wi l l be a talk

f rom a bee expert , t ime for quest ions

and discussion, d isplays and more.

10 am - 2 pm

Booking Required .

Contact : S ian Anthony 01685 723051

resources . l ibrar ian@merthyr .gov .uk

Introduction to

Otter Surveying and

Holt Building

Rock UK summit

centre

Trelewis


An introduct ion to Otter survey

techniques and habitat improvements

inc luding bui ld ing a ho l t

10 am - 5 :00 pm

Booking Required .

Contact : Paul Kent 07875 662803

paul .kent@keepwalest idy .org

In these bones

horizons sing....

Morriston Library Swansea

Featur ing Mark Brake with Jon Chase,

have fun and explore how we learned to

v iew the modern wor ld through the

amazing story of the Red Lady of

Pavi land.

3 pm – 5 pm

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Cost : FREE



Archaeology Walk Parc Nant-y-Waun Nantyglo

A walk to discover the archaeological

and histor ica l s i tes around Brynmawr

and Nantyglo in the company of h ighly

knowledgeable and entertaining Frank

Olding

Cost : FREE

Contact 01495 211488 for detai ls

With Abertillery and Cwmtillery Communities

First

Introduction to Wildlife

Gardening

Environmental

Resource Centre

Ebbw Vale

Gwent Wi ld l i fe Trust Event

Have you ever wondered how you can have a productive garden that is also beneficial to wi ldl i fe? Find out on this one-day introduction. There may be some opportunities to get your hands dirty, so wear suitable clothing.

Cost: £5 members, £8 non-

members

Booking essential

Dark Sky Wales Boys and Girls Club Pontlottyn

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The beauty of our night sky has

enthral led people throughout the ages

and has made a last ing impression in

both the sc ience and humani t ies.

Discover and marvel at that beauty with

a superb stunning state -of - the-art

d ig i tal p lanetar ium show f rom val leys -



Cost : FREE

Cwm Gwrelych

Geo Heritage Trail

Cwm Gwrelych SSSI Glynneath

Walk back in time and discover the rich industrial

heritage and internationally important geology of

this unique site. Situated right on the edge of the

South Wales Coalfield this secluded valley gives

access to rocks that would only usually be found

deep below the valleys of South Wales. Discover

coal seams, iron rich rocks and wonderful plant

fossils that tell the story of ancient environments

and past climate change.

Adults and Chi ldren welcome - Chi ldren

must accompanied by an

parent/guardian

Meet 6.30pm Pont Walby, Glyn Neath

Cwm Gwrelych SSSI, Pont Walby, Glyn Neath.

Sat Nav Post Code SA11 5LR , Grid Ref SN891

063

Cost : FREE

Ben Evans 07816 519172

[email protected]

In conjunct ion with the British Institute for

Geological Conservation

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Life and Death in

Victorian Times

Ebbw Vale Institute Ebbw Vale

The incomparable Roger Morgan dons

his Victor ian surgeon‘s garb , d ims his

oi l - lamp and sharpens his instruments

for an evening of surgery and medic ine

in Victor ian t imes with humour , horror

and knowledge!

Cost : FREE


With EVI , B laenau Gwent CBC and EVAD

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Thursday 19th May

Science Junkies

Live and Andrei

Burton Cycling

Events

Glyncorrwg Ponds

Glyncorrwg

With the val leys -own sc ient ist and

adventurer , Huw James and co -Science

Junkie Greg Foot , sel f -confessed hal f

sc ience -geek, hal f adrenal ine - junkie ,

who pushes himsel f and sc ience to the

l imit , explore the wonders of sc ience

through extreme sports and adventure .

And the boys are jo ined by team

members f rom Andrei Burton Events for

a fantast ic event at Glyncorrwg Ponds,

deep in the Afan Forest !

Afternoon (3 pm) and Evening (6 pm) -

Cost : FREE

In these bones

horizons sing....

Hafod Swansea

Featur ing Mark Brake with Jon Chase,

have fun and explore how we learned to

v iew the modern wor ld through the

amazing story of the Red Lady of

Pavi land

3 pm – 5 pm

Cost : FREE



Dark Sky Wales

with Martin Griff iths

Blaengarw

Workmen‘s Hall

Blaengarw

http://www.huwjames.com/

http://www.gregfoot.com/

http://www.andreiburton.com/

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The beauty of our night sky has

enthral led people throughout the ages

and has made a last ing impression in

both the sc ience and humani t ies.

Discover and marvel at that beauty with

a superb stunning state -of - the-art

d ig i tal p lanetar ium show f rom val leys -



C o st : F REE

With Creat ion Development Trust

What Lies Beneath Ffos-y-Fran

Reclamation Site

Merthyr

Visit the void, hunt fossils and find out what

fascinating discoveries have been made at Ffos-y-

fran as Miller Argent reclaim over 1000 acres of

acutely derelict land.

This is a wonderful opportunity to experience the

geology of the Merthyr area and find out more

about the areas 300 million years of local history.

Dogs not allowed,

Not suitable for children under 5 years of age

All children must be accompanied by an adult

Suitable outdoor clothing and sturdy footwear

essential

Cost : FREE

Booking with Ben Evans essential- Numbers

limited to 30 people

Ben Evans 07816 519172

[email protected]

In conjunct ion with the British Institute for

Geological Conservation and Miler Argent

http://www.millerargent.co.uk

http://www.millerargent.co.uk/

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Rock Guitar in 11

Dimensions with

the Guitar Doctor

Abertil lery

Community Theatre

Abertil lery

What causes the revolut ionary , h istory -

changing sound of rock guitar , and how

does i t he lp us to understand the

nature of the stuf f we’re made of?

Famelab winner Mark Lewney exp lains

the phys ics of rock using r i f fs f rom

Vivald i to AC/DC, explains the secre t of

the Strad ivar ius , and shows how str ing

v ibrat ions might l ie at the heart of the

Big Quest ions about the un iverse .”

"Gobsmackingly amazing . . . a h igh

energy performer" Simon Singh,

sc ience wr i ter

"A cross between E inste in and J imi

Hendr ix" CBBC

7 pm start

Cost : FREE

more in format ion on 01495 211488

In conjunct ion with Abert i l lery and

Cwmti l lery Communit ies F irst

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Friday 20th May

Science Junkie

Show

Glyncorrwg Pond Glyncorrwg

In conjunct ion with Glyncorrwg Ponds

Presented by the val leys -own Huw

James - Sc ient ist , Presenter ,

Mot ivat ional Speaker and Adventurer ,

explore the wonders of sc ience through

extreme sports and adventure .

Morning (10.30 am) and Afternoon (2

pm)

Cost : FREE

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Saturday 21st May

Discovery Zone Cyfarthfa Park Merthyr

Enjoy a great day with the Discovery Zone

With Techniquest , Dark Sky Wales , Mark

Brake and Jon Chase with Space Hoppers ,

Bi rd Fl ight shows and more

in conjunct ion with Adult Learning Week

Merthyr Tydf i l . Merthyr Tydf i l CBC and

Merthyr Tydf i l Global Vi l lage.

10.30 am - 3 pm

More detai ls on 01443 849963

Cost : FREE

Green Dayz Fedw Hir Eco -Centre L lwydcoed

Groundwork Merthyr RCT event

For a fun family day out why don‘t you go

along to our Greendayz Weekend at

Groundwork Merthyr & Rhondda Cynon

Taff ‘s Fedw Hir Eco Cent re near L lwydcoed.

I t i s a fantast ic and enjoyable way to learn

more about crafts and the countryside, in

our beaut i ful green surroundings . The day

wi l l feature a wide range of countrys ide

crafts for everyone to t ry and enjoy , wi th

exper ienced crafts people on hand to show

you how i t ‘s done! The Weekend is f ree

entry with most of the act iv i t ies being f ree

of charge, al though there wi l l be a nominal

charge for some. Each day starts at 10 am

and wi l l f in ish at 4 pm. The Green Days

Weekends are part of Groundwork Merthyr

& Rhondda Cynon Taf f ‘s Green Ski l ls for

Greener Futures programme, which is

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funded by the Big Lottery Fund and the

Countryside Counci l for Wales . The Fedw Hir

Eco Cent re is set in 14 acres of green

space, with woodland, grassland, and

orchards, and is located below the

L lwydcoed Cremator ium.

I f you require further information please

r ing Richard Phipps or Rebecca Lewis on

01685 883880 for more detai ls or emai l

rebecca. lewis@groundworkmerthyrrct .org .uk

The Big Green

Event

Waunfawr Park Cross Keys


An exciting new family festival that offers something

for people of all ages.

The ‗Big Green Festival‘ takes place boasts live music,

sporting sessions, animal displays, healthy activities

For more information please contact Natalie Haynes

01495 235461 or Steve Trew 01495 247962 or e-

mail [email protected]

Landscape

Lecture

B laenafon Wor ld

Her i tage Centre

B laenafon

Tor faen CBC Event with Blaenafon Mountain

Tours

Join Blaenafon Mountain Tours for an

enjoyable and informative talk of the

mountain landscape and some of i ts hidden

story .

• FREE entry to the lecture start ing at

7pm on 10th May

• Learn about the di f ferent ways to

tour the landscape and jo in Gerry

Woodhouse for a FREE ―Off The Beaten



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Track‖ guided walk at 10 am on 21st

May

Places l imited , booking essent ia l - 01495

742333

Valleys Discovery Festival

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