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On March 19th and 20th 2015, the Cymerau team held two community consultation events. One at the Community Hall in Borth and the other at the Memorial Hall in Tal-y-bont.
Attendance at the events was quite modest, but we did manage to have some very interesting conversations with a number of the local residents who came to talk with us. At each event, community members were invited to help us to create maps of the area, signally places of interest and significance by cutting, sticking, writing and drawing. Some of the contributions to our maps Included wells, historic water courses and sites of past events. Attendees were also invited to complete our Water Questionnaire. 
Photograph: Lucy Morus-Baird
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These are some of the responses to our water questionnaire.
A yw dŵr yn bwysig i chi? Pam? |
Is water important to you? Why?
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Yes- I am always thirsty
Water is very important to me. Particularly the coast. I can't imagine living far from a coast. And of course, Water is our life force, without it we wouldn't be here. So it has a vital and elemental quality. Nourishment Beauty Habitat Rely on natural springs for animals on our land Grown up swimming in the river and playing near them for the whole summer I remember a time when the well dried up and having to collect river water Where to start? The foundation of life- critical to our survival and wellbeing- and a precious natural resource to which all humanity should have access to, not to mention being crucial to flora, fauna etc Rydw i'n meddwl llawer iawn am ddwr, fel amgylcheddwr. 'Dw i'n mwynhau nofio awyr agored ac wrth fy modd yn cymeryd llluniau o ddwr a clywed dwr. Rain, plants need it |
Critical ecosystems that provides a range of ecosystem services
Shower Cooking Wash with it All aspects of life I work in a bog, I live by the sea, we all need water Water is life, but in a local context The sea is a spiritual and emotional tie for me to the area. It's what we are made of, so it is vital to all of us and I'm sure that it will become a much more precious resource . It's necessary to grow food, manage land, and for leisure. It's nice to keep clean, cook, etc. Clean Water tastes good! I grew up on spring-water which regularly ran out, and I've lived a lot where I've had to carry my own water so I really appreciate now living with a reliable bore-hole To live and keep environment going |
Photographs: Lucy Morus-Baird
Pa lefydd "dŵr" sy'n bwysig i chi? Rhestrwch hwy. |
What local 'watery places' are important to you? |
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The Clettwr River Ynys Las
The Sea! Nant y Groegllwyd Pistyll y Llyn Borth bog All- atmosphere to seas Y Llyfnant Y Ror y Pwll y Ty Nant y Môch Wallog River Dyfi Llyn Clywedog We have navigated the Leri in Kayaks- only really works in high water levels. We also use Ynys Las/Dyfi/Borth |
The coast and bog River Leri Artist Valley
Clettwr valley Cwm Einon Moel y Llyn The Swimming pool Eglwys Fach Waterfall Dovey Estuary Beach dunes Seaside Rivers Lakes Springs Water Tap |
Pam y mae’r lleoedd hyn yn bwysig? |
Why are these places important?
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The shaped the local landscape, wooded valleys etc
The habitats that live close to water Movement of water Tides We love Kayaking and Canoeing! We love our brilliant environment and like to get out in it to play! Nostalgic reasons to do with my parents' farm in Glaspwll, others because they are a part of my daily life Potential hydro (micro) These are places I visit where I find great tranquility on some days, and on others a sense of awe and wonder. Because of the habitats they provide The sensuous and physical experience of being near (or in) water feels completely essential to me, as a way of reconnecting with something more elemental and important. The cold tingling on my skin, or the salty residue left by the sea, the smell and sound of that particular watery environment, and the wildlife, like birds.....It has been a God-send when stressed in work. Beauty, fresh air Hydrosphere is essential to all life Sense of place and space |
Daily walks by unpolluted watery places refreshes my spirits and reminds me how lucky I am to live here!
Sustains life Wildlife Visual Aspect For children to learn swimming Some of these are landmarks that remind me of home Aesthetic- the lakes at Moel-y-Llyn are lovely Biodiversity Vulnerable landscapes Aesthetics (keen photographer) Swimming Looking at the sea and taking my children to play on the beach is an essential and central part of my life. Feels healthy and like 'quality time', always. Relaxation Beauty Can't live without it Nature Pleasant places to be Interesting wildlife I enjoy Kayaking and Canoeing. They connect communities and history, they are constant yet ever-changing experiences to walk by, swim in, look at, and listen to. |
Petai yna broject celfyddydau cymunedol sy'n archwilio 'dŵr' yn yr ardal hon, pa fath o themâu a materion fyddai'n bwysig canolbwyntio arnynt yn eich barn chi?Filmmaking Song-writing Documenting with people a moving landscape Sea level rise Springs- own water supply Flood control River control Thinking through varieties of time and temporality related to this theme ecosystem services-what they are-who benefits, where and how? Water isn't just for drinking! How to save water and use it wisely Project on how to use water with children or what to do with it The importance of protecting clean water for drinking and for eco-systems- threat of pollution, fracking etc The potential of waterpower, possibilities of hydropower or reinstating waterwheels, etc |
If there was a community arts project exploring water in this area, what sorts of themes and issues would be important to focus on, in your opinion?Whatever floats your boat! Community engagement with watersports/ Outdoor activities. Enjoying our physical environment. Something about access to water and conflict with other water users (e.e: we would love to paddle the Dyfi but this would create conflict with fishing community. We would be interested in potentially supporting evcents from the water. Renewable energy source- hydro. Small-scale hydro schemes were once a mainstay of local energy creation How people engage with it artistically, locally and in their leisure time Cleaning flood water- on land and residential areas Pollution issues relating to water Wildlife- water quality Storms History of Connection to the Sea |
