Lit in Place: A Space for Writers in Bethesda

“Yn raddol, i gyfeiliant afon Ogwen
mae’r drain yn llacio a phob
gwên yn gwneud lle i rywbeth mwy.”

“Gradually, the thorns loosen

to the accompaniment of the river Ogwen

and each smile makes room for something more.”

(from ‘Y Diosg’ by Casia Wiliam)

The author and poet Casia Wiliam has recently established a new creative writing group in Bethesda, Gwynedd with the support of Literature Wales, Partneriaeth Ogwen and GwyrddNi. The writing group has been meeting since April at Canolfan Cefnfaes in Bethesda and is called ‘Diosg’. The name is inspired by a poem by Casia which discusses her experiences with the writers.

Diosg is part of Literature Wales’ Lit in Place scheme.  In partnership with WWF Cymru, Lit in Place contributes to the wider discussions on practical solutions for the effects of the nature and climate crisis. The project in Bethesda has received further funding from Cyngor Gwynedd through the Levelling Up scheme.

The aim of this project is to develop the creative voices of the community and utilise writing to alleviate climate anxiety. The group meet every other Wednesday at Canolfan Cefnfaes in Bethesda, usually going out to Parc Meurig or another green space locally to enjoy nature and write.

“We use writing and literature as a way of getting closer to nature and the environment in our sessions; taking a creative opportunity to explore what nature and the local community mean to us. We look at different styles of writing, look at the work of different writers, hear from local experts and go out to enjoy nature around us in the sessions. A great group attend the sessions and we really benefit from coming together to enjoy, learn and write.”

– Casia Wiliam

Casia Wiliam is a busy writer and poet, she’s a former Bardd Plant Cymru and creative practitioner who runs writing workshops for children all over Wales. The Lit in Place scheme offers her the opportunity to gain experience working with adults. Casia is being mentored on the scheme by the author and facilitator Iola Ynyr, who herself ran the Lit in Place scheme in Rhosgadfan last year.

Leusa Llewelyn, Artistic Director of Literature Wales, said, “Literature and creativity are at the core of the identity and heritage of the people of Bethesda and Dyffryn Ogwen and we’re so lucky to support the wonderful project there led by Casia Wiliam.

One of the aims of the scheme in Bethesda is to establish a group that will take root and continue to meet and extend beyond the duration of this project and working together with Partneriaeth Ogwen and GwyrddNi we’re very confident that the creative energy and vision will continue.”

Meleri Davies, Chief Executive of Partneriaeth Ogwen is a local poet and was the driving force behind this project in Bethesda. She said:

“All the members of the group are women, unexpectedly – which is proof of the creative energy of local women. It has been so nice to see the project motivate many to resume their writing while other members have started writing for the first time. It’s a special project with a warm and supportive atmosphere to each session and I can’t wait to see these new writers sharing more of their work.”

The project is also supported by GwyrddNi. Among the priorities of GwyrddNi’s Dyffryn Ogwen Community Climate Action Plan is establishing a creative writing group that offers a safe place to share personal writing, with an emphasis on writing about nature and the environment. They aim to continue to support the writing group when the current project ends in December.

Lit in Place is a national scheme devised by Literature Wales in partnership with WWF Cymru, which offers funding to writers and facilitators to create, set up and carry out activity in their local community. In 2022-2023, three projects received support, namely Gwledda led by Iola Ynyr in Rhosgadfan, The Fruits of our Fire, led by Siôn Tomos Owen in Treherbert and The LUMIN Syllabus managed by Sadia Pineda Hameed and Beau W Beakhouse in Swansea. There is another project underway in St David’s which will start in the autumn.