: Gwirfoddoli

Zoe and I completed a work experience week with the Museum. This is my diary of the week. 

Day 1: 

To begin the week, Zoe and I were able to work with Verdun, the Learning Officer, and shadow him whilst he took a primary school class on what the museum calls a ‘Walk with the Romans’, around the Amphitheatre and Barracks. It was clear to me throughout this experience that the children were gaining interest in the presence of Romans in Welsh history, whilst being given the opportunity to dress up in Roman tunics, with shields and wooden swords, and impersonate soldiers charging into battle. The sheer sense of enjoyment from not only the children, but the teachers as well, was clear to me, which I purely believe was a result of the massive amount of enthusiasm and obvious passion for their work shown by the staff involved in providing this experience. By the end of Day 1, I could safely say that I had gained more knowledge of the Romans impact on Welsh history than I ever had in my 17 years of living, along with the ability to understand how to engage with a large audience and maintain their full attention for a long duration of time.

Day 2: 

As my desired career involves marketing, I was given the opportunity to work with Kathryn, the Digital Learning Officer and understand how she advertises the different workshops, events, and exhibits the museum hosts through its website and social media. To begin, Kathryn talked us through the different apps that are used to create digital content to advertise the museum. I was able to create a twitter post for the museum’s twitter account in order to advertise their ‘Roman Classroom’, which is an online teaching platform that involves a ‘costumed facilitator’ explaining all different areas of Roman history. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the different methods that are used in order to advertise and market the Museum online, and encourage more to get involved, and immerse themselves in the Roman history that exists in Wales.

Day 3:

For day 3, we spent the day shadowing Dai, Visitor Experience Supervisor. He talked us through what is required of us in order to ensure that visitors are provided with the best experience possible. I was surprised by the sheer number of visitors the museum has every day, whether it is families, school trips, or tourists, whilst also picking up the knowledge of how to supervise and maintain order within the museum.  

Day 4: 

We spent the day with Mark, Senior Curator of Roman Archaeology. We were given the opportunity to photograph artifacts in order to update the museum’s records and provide photos for the website so people can study online.  As well as using the advanced set up to photograph the artifacts, Mark also trusted us enough to handle the objects like a Roman brooch, lioness ornament, and a tile antefix, which was an especially interesting new experience. Along with this I was able to gain knowledge of the stories behind the different artifacts and what they symbolize at the time. After recording the descriptions, accession numbers, and other important information, Zoe and I were able to record that we were the ones that photographed the artifacts, which will then be uploaded for anyone to see.

Day 5: 

I was able to spent some time with Rosie, Commercial Marketing Officer and she gave me amazing advice on steps I can take in order to achieve my career in marketing. As a result, I have gained a contact in the industry I aspire to become a part of, and this is something I would never have been able to attain if it weren't for this work experience, and for that I am eternally grateful.

Lastly, I would like to express how much I appreciate all the opportunities and experiences this museum has provided me with and how much it will benefit me going forward, and Michelle, Engagement & Volunteer Coordinator, who has been a big factor of my experience here, continuing to welcome Zoe and I every morning and seeing us out every afternoon, and ensuring we are given as many amazing experiences as possible. 

I’ve also been inspired to volunteer – and I now volunteer at my local National Trust Property. 

gan Sam, Mark, Hannah a Caitlin gwirfoddolwyr Amgueddfa Cymru

Pedwar gwirfoddolwr ydym ni a atebodd yr hysbyseb cyfle gwirfoddoli ar wefan Amgueddfa Cymru, a drefnwyd gan Elizabeth Walker, Prif Guradur yr Amgueddfa. Roedd cyfle i helpu i ddidoli a chatalogio casgliad o offer carreg cynhanesyddol.

Daw'r offer o'r casgliad sylweddol a wnaed gan Henry Stopes, casglwr preifat, ar ddiwedd y 19eg Ganrif. Amcangyfrifir bod rhwng 50,000 a 70,000 o arteffactau, gyda hanner miliwn o flynyddoedd o hanes, yn bennaf Prydeinig, ond mae'r casgliad hefyd yn cynnwys rhai gwrthrychau tramor dirgel.

Bob dydd Iau, gydag Elizabeth, rydyn ni'n treulio tair awr yn didoli'r blychau, gan rifo a chategoreiddio pob eitem. Mae’n waith cyffrous ac yn aml yn cael ei stopio pan fydd rhywun yn dod o hyd i rywbeth mor anarferol, maen nhw eisiau ei rannu gyda’r grŵp. Megis pen bwyell gaboledig Neolithig, wedi torri ac yna'n amlwg wedi'i hailgylchu neu hyd yn oed bêl gerfiedig Neolithig. Bydd Elizabeth bob amser yn ein helpu i adnabod a chynorthwyo gyda ffeithiau diddorol am yr offer carreg. Wrth i ni weithio rydym hefyd yn cynnal trafodaethau diddorol sydd hyd yma wedi amrywio o Beyonce i Ryfel y Boer; Neanderthaliaid i ffilmiau arswyd Corea! Pwy a wyr beth fydd pynciau'r wythnos nesaf?

Rydym ni, fel gwirfoddolwyr, yn teimlo’n ffodus i gael y cyfle hwn i fod yn rhan o’r gwaith amgueddfa ymarferol hwn, i gynnig ein hamser ac i fod yn rhan o’r gwaith o gofnodi casgliad Henry Stopes a fydd yn helpu gydag ymchwil offer carreg yn y dyfodol. Mae’r cyfle hwn yn ffordd ddiddorol o weld sut mae’r tu ôl i’r llenni yn gweithio mewn amgueddfa, ac mae’r wybodaeth a geir yn hynod ddefnyddiol i’n gyrfaoedd ym maes archaeoleg yn y dyfodol. Mae'r swm yr ydym i gyd wedi'i ddysgu o ddim ond 3 awr yr wythnos yn llawer mwy nag y byddem wedi meddwl.

Hyd yn hyn rydym wedi didoli, ail-becynnu a dogfennu 4,659 o offer a mewnbynnu 2,265 o gofnodion newydd i gronfa ddata'r casgliad.

“March brings breezes, loud and shrill, 
To stir the dancing daffodil.” Sara Coleridge, The Garden Year 

March is Most Likely the Gardener's Busiest Month!

This month has consisted of sowing, sowing, and more sowing! We've sown different varieties of tomatoes, aubergines, runner beans, chilies, watermelons, salad leaves, herbs, and roots (to name a few!). Most have started life in propagators in the orange container (more on that later) or in the polytunnel, as most seedlings prefer a warm environment to germinate. Hardier seeds like spinach have been directly sown outside.

Move Over, Marvin Gaye!

Ani and Laurence expertly pruned the grapevine in the polytunnel. This is the time to cut back the vine to encourage new growth. Don't be afraid to cut back more than you think. The rule of thumb is to choose a few of the strongest canes to leave and prune the rest. Typically, people choose 10 to 12 good canes and shorten them to four or five buds each.

The Hügelkultur Method

We tried the Hügelkultur method with our raised beds alongside the glass panels of the colonnade. In Hügelkultur, you layer different organic materials together, which will slowly release nutrients into the soil for years to come. To try it yourself, simply add a base layer of cardboard, wood such as logs and smaller dried twigs, and hay or grass cuttings, followed by green organic material. Then layer a lot of compost and topsoil, and you're ready to plant. Please note that the soil level will fall as the layers decompose. In this case, simply add another layer of soil to the top.

Bye-Bye, Orange!

This month has seen us update one of the staples in the GRAFT garden: the orange container. Over the years, the vibrant orange container has, well, become a bit tired and showed its age. So we decided to give it a facelift and employed the expertise of brothers Hassan and Kareem, who designed and painted the container. It's turned some heads and really given the garden a new lease on life! The design reflects the important elements of the garden and connects to nature.

A Cockleshell Pathway

We took delivery of some Penclawdd cockles to build a cockleshell pathway, making the garden more accessible, especially on rainy days. This will be an ongoing project, so watch this space!

Natural Dyes Workshop

On Thursday, March 14th, GRAFT volunteers visited the National Wool Museum in Drefach to learn about natural dyes and how to incorporate them into the GRAFT garden.

Susan taught everyone about the natural dyeing process using different plants. Then, everyone had a go at dyeing wool themselves in various colors. They even gave GRAFT seeds to get started, which we plan to plant this month!

Chai and Chat Takeover 

We are fortunate to be able to work with and host many community events and groups here at the Waterfront Museum! We're even more fortunate to offer them a taste of different aspects of the museum. On Wednesday, March 27th, the Chai and Chat group, which meets weekly at the museum, visited GRAFT and helped plant some seeds, transplant tomato seedlings, move strawberry plants, and harvest salad from our polytunnel. We're excited to welcome them back to the garden in the future!

Farewell, Zoë!

March also sees us sadly say farewell to one of the project founders, Zoë, who will be leaving the museum for new adventures! She leaves a great legacy in GRAFT and will be missed by all the volunteers, partners, and staff who use the garden.

I will be updating readers every month or two months with the general work we have done in the garden. We will pass on information we have learnt, things we have done well (and not so well) and any tips for budding gardeners (or experienced gardeners) out there to take to your own green space. I will also include a seasonal recipe from The Shared Plate using ingredients from GRAFT. 

“Waeth pa mor hir y gaeaf, mae’r gwanwyn yn sicr o ddilyn”. 

I lawer, Mawrth yw'r mis i ddechrau hau, plannu a chyffroi am flwyddyn yn llawn cynhaeaf. Ond dyw gwirfoddolwyr GRAFT heb aros a disgwyl am fis Mawrth – maen nhw wedi palu ’mlaen drwy dywydd oer y gaeaf yn tacluso a pharatoi’r ardd ar gyfer y flwyddyn i ddod. 

Ar ôl ychydig wythnosau o ymlacio, roedden ni nol ar 12 ac 19 Ionawr. Gyda’r tywydd garw a’r toriadau pŵer yn yr Amgueddfa dyma ni’n cadw at waith cynnal a chadw, gan glirio rhai o’n gwelyau uchel a pharatoi gwelyau i’w plannu yn ddiweddarach yn y flwyddyn. Tasg fwy cyffrous oedd trefnu’r holl hadau yn ôl y mis [Cyngor Craff] wnaeth ein helpu i gynllunio pa hadau oedd angen eu prynu gan ein cyflenwyr (Real Seeds, a’r Incredible Seed Hub) a threfnu amserlen dyfu y flwyddyn i ddod. 

Dyma ni hefyd yn clirio a thocio’r Fedwen a phlannu rhywfaint o ddraenen ddu a draenen wen. Bydd hyn yn gwneud y clawdd yn fwy deniadol i rywogaethau bywyd gwyllt (a gallwn ni hefyd gasglu mwyar blasus). 

Compost campus! Mae compost mor bwysig i'r ardd am lawer o resymau. Mae'n lleihau gwastraff a thirlenwi ac arbed dŵr, ac yn cyfoethogi'r pridd ac ychwanegu cymaint o ficro-organebau. Mae'n wych i'r amgylchedd – drwy gompostio gartref rydych chi’n lleihau eich ôl troed carbon drwy beidio â phrynu gwrtaith ffatri. [Cyngor Craff] Pethau da i’w taflu i’r pentwr compost yw: sborion ffrwythau a llysiau, gwaddod coffi, cregyn wyau (ond maen nhw’n cymryd amser i bydru), toriadau glaswellt a phlanhigion. PEIDIWCH ychwanegu: bara, cynhyrchion llaeth, reis ac unrhyw beth sydd ddim yn fioddiraddadwy, fel plastigion, papur sgleiniog, sticeri a rhai brandiau bagiau te. 

Arweiniodd Annie y gwirfoddolwyr GRAFT a thrigolion Gofal Dydd West Cross i wagio a hidlo’r pentwr compost, a thynnu mwydod allan i'w hychwanegu eto. 

Bob mis neu ddau bydda i’n rhannu’r newyddion diweddaraf am ein gwaith yn yr ardd. Byddwn ni’n rhannu unrhyw beth rydyn ni’n ei ddysgu, beth sydd wedi gweithio’n dda (a ddim cystal) ac unrhyw awgrymiadau i arddwyr (hen a newydd) eu defnyddio yn eich mannau gwyrdd eich hun. Bydda i hefyd yn cynnwys rysáit tymhorol o The Shared Plate gan ddefnyddio cynhwysion GRAFT. 

“Does dim camgymeriadau wrth arddio – dim ond arbrofion.” Janet Kilburn Phillips

Yw Chwefror yn rhy gynnar i ddechrau plannu? Nawr mae hwn yn bwnc dadleuol yn y byd garddio… Ond fe wnaethon ni roi cynnig ar blannu cynnar.

Ddiwedd Ionawr a dechrau Chwefror dyma ni’n plannu winwns a phannas (hadau) yn uniongyrchol, plannu ffa a hau tomatos, planhigion wy, tsili, puprunnau a phys pêr cynnar. Dyma ni hefyd yn plannu llawrwydden mewn pot wrth y gegin a dau goesyn mwyar duon yng ngwely'r goedwig. Mae dechrau'n gynnar yn golygu proses egino arafach ond cnwd cynharach. 

Byddwn ni’n hau mathau gwahanol yn ddiweddarach i sicrhau rhagor o gnwd yn ddiweddarach yn y flwyddyn. [Cyngor Craff] Dim ond os oes gennych chi ffrâm dyfu wedi'i chynhesu neu silff uwchben rheiddiadur y dylech chi ddechrau'n gynnar. 

Dyma ni’n arwain gweithdy ar greu cymysgedd potio. Eleni rydyn ni’n defnyddio dwy ran o’n compost ein hunain, dwy ran coir (rhisgl cnau coco), ac un rhan perlit. Mae hyn yn rhoi cyfle da i bob hedyn newydd. Yr unig anfantais o ddefnyddio eich compost eich hun yw'r chwyn ... rydyn ni wedi darganfod bod egino gyda'ch compost eich hun yn annog chwyn. Oes gennych chi gymysgedd potio arall rydych chi'n taeru sy'n ddelfrydol? Rhowch wybod i ni! 

Yn ddiweddarach yn y mis aeth Ian ati i atgyweirio'r gwelyau pren, gan ddysgu'r broses i ddau o wirfoddolwyr GRAFT. Dyma ni hefyd yn adeiladu chwe gwely uchel arall o haearn rhychiog, fydd yn dilyn ymyl wydr yr Amgueddfa. Gan fod hon yn rhan fwy cysgodol o'r ardd, rhaid i ni gynllunio'n ofalus beth i'w blannu. Dewch i gael golwg pan fyddwch chi’n ymweld nesaf, maen nhw'n edrych yn wych! I lenwi'r gwelyau dyma ni’n pacio’r gwaelod gyda chardfwrdd a llawer o doriadau a changhennau, cyn ychwanegu uwchbridd. Pan fydd y deunydd organig hwn yn dadelfennu bydd yn rhoi maetholion i'r pridd.

Ddiwedd Chwefror dyma ni’n plannu sbigoglys, ac amrywiaeth o berlysiau (teim, oregano, penrhudd, basil) yn y twnelau polythen. Dyma ni hefyd yn blaen-blannu ein tatws mewn bocsys wyau gyda'r 'llygaid' wyneb i fyny (chitting yn Saesneg). Pan fyddan nhw’n egino byddan nhw'n barod i’w plannu yn y ddaear. Does dim rhaid blaen-blannu wrth gwrs, gallwch chi eu rhoi nhw’n syth yn y gwely tyfu. [Cyngor Craff] Tyfu tatws gartref! Sawl gwaith ydych chi wedi dechrau ar y tatws stwns a chanfod taten yn egino? Gallwch chi dorri’r rhain yn hanner a'u gosod mewn pridd i gael cnwd mawr o datws cartref. Rhowch gynnig arni a rhoi gwybod sut hwyl gewch chi! 

Pwmpen wedi'i rhostio gyda thahini wedi'i chwipio

Digon i 4 person

Cynhwysion

1.2 k pwmpen o'ch dewis, wedi tynnu’r hadu a'i dorri'n dalpiau

3 llwy fwrdd o olew

1 winwnsyn coch, wedi'i dorri'n fân

Ychydig o finegr gwin coch

200g tahini

Ychydig o sudd lemwn

Llond llaw o ddail mintys

Halen a phupur

Dull

Cynheswch y ffwrn i 180 gradd

Rhostiwch y bwmpen (gydag ychydig o olew a halen) am 40 munud, gan ei droi hanner ffordd

Rhowch winwnsyn mewn powlen gyda finegr a phinsiad o halen a’i gymysgu’n dda

Mewn powlen arall, ychwanegwch 125ml o ddŵr oer at y tahini a’i chwisgio’n dda

Ychwanegwch sudd lemwn a halen at eich dant

I’w weini, rhowch y tahini ar y plât, a’r bwmpen, winwns picls, dail mintys wedi’u rhwygo a halen a phupur ar ei ben

Bob mis neu ddau bydda i’n rhannu’r newyddion diweddaraf am ein gwaith yn yr ardd. Byddwn ni’n rhannu unrhyw beth rydyn ni’n ei ddysgu, beth sydd wedi gweithio’n dda (a ddim cystal) ac unrhyw awgrymiadau i arddwyr (hen a newydd) eu defnyddio yn eich mannau gwyrdd eich hun. Bydda i hefyd yn cynnwys rysáit tymhorol o The Shared Plate gan ddefnyddio cynhwysion GRAFT.