Press Releases

St Fagans: National History Museum 03.08.08, 2pm: Trafferth Mewn Tafarn: (Contest in a Cockpit), Welsh Language Poetry Contest 07.08.08, 11am-1pm and 2pm-3pm: ‘Tafarn yr Iorwerth Peate' - ‘A Tavern in the Cockpit' Free Entry Opening Hours: St Fagans is open daily: 10am-5pm

Press Release 24.07.08

A Pub for St Fagans: National History Museum

As St Fagans: National History Museum celebrates its 60th birthday, for the first time ever, a tavern called "Tafarn yr Iorwerth Peate" will be opened at the Museum.

Dr Iorwerth C. Peate was the founder of the open-air museum at St Fagans in Cardiff, and he was strongly opposed to re-building a pub, but artist Bedwyr Williams is convinced that to truly reflect Welsh life the Museum must have a pub, and so he'll be creating his own tavern inside the old cockfighting pit.

To coincide with the visit of the National Eisteddfod to Cardiff this summer, at 2pm, Sunday, August 3, Bedwyr Williams and others will be taking part in a poetry contest in the cockpit under the title of "Trafferth Mewn Talwrn" (Trouble in a Cockpit). The title is a play on words on "Trafferth Mewn Tafarn" (Trouble in a Tavern) one of the most famous works by 14th-century Welsh poet Dafydd ap Gwilym. Bard Twm Morys will be the referee on the day. Booking is essential by phoning (029) 2057 3424.

On Thursday, August 7, visitors will have the chance to join Bedwyr Williams for a drink and maybe take part in a few pub games at "Tafarn yr Iorwerth Peate".

Bedwyr Williams explained:

"The reason why I chose to build a pub is that Iorwerth Peate was against opening one at St. Fagans, but I'm sure most visitors would agree with me that we need a Welsh pub at the Museum - and that's why I've named the tavern in his honour.

"Dr Peate was also an accomplished poet, so what better place to stage a spontaneous poetry competition than in a tavern inside a real cockpit?"

The Cockpit at St. Fagans was originally built in the 17th century and stood outside the ‘Hawk and Buckle' public house in Denbigh, North Wales; the building was opened at St. Fagans in 1970.

Cockfighting was enjoyed for centuries in Wales by all social classes. Crowds flocked to witness gory encounters where birds fought each other to death. Gambling was rife; bouts were riotous and chaotic affairs, often ending in pandemonium.

There won't be any betting or blood-letting at St. Fagans this August, but visitors will be given the exclusive chance to see an original performance by one of Wales's most exciting artist. Visitors will also be able to enjoy a beer thanks to the kind sponsorship of Rhymney Brewery, Dowlais.

Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales operates seven national museums across Wales. These are National Museum Cardiff, St Fagans: National History Museum, National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon, Big Pit: National Coal Museum, Blaenafon, National Waterfront Museum, Swansea, National Wool Museum, Drefach and the National Slate Museum, Llanberis. ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

For press information and high resolution photographs please contact, Iwan Llwyd, Communications Officer. Call: 029 2057 3486 / 07920027054 Email: iwan.llwyd@museumwales.ac.uk Visit: www.museumwales.ac.uk

• Entry to St. Fagans: National History Museum is free, thanks to the support of the Welsh Assembly Government.

• Principality - Wales's biggest building society - is one of the event sponsors - they also sponsor Oriel 1 gallery, one of St. Fagans' newest attractions. By investing in the new gallery, which was created in partnership with local groups, schools, authors, artists and poets, Principality Building Society is honouring its longstanding commitment to supporting the communities of Wales. Formed in 1860, Principality Building Society now has 50 branches across the country and over 420,000 members. For further information, please visit www.principality.co.uk

ARTIST PROFILE

Bedwyr Williams Bedwyr Williams was born in St. Asaph, North Wales in 1974 and was raised in Colwyn Bay. Following a BA in Fine Art from Central St. Martins School of Art in 1997 he attended Ateliers, Arnhem, studying for the Dutch equivalent of a UK MA. After living in London, he returned to live and work to Rhostryfan near Caernarfon, North Wales in 2002.

He makes and uses videos, photography, performance, drawing, text and the occasional stand-up comedy and karaoke. He was short-listed for the BECKS Futures prize in 2006, represented Wales at the 2006 Venice Biennale and won the prestigious Paul Hamlyn Award for Visual Art in 2004.