Mae gwirfoddolwyr 'Gardd Ein Hamgueddfa' yn parhau gyda'r gwaith o wella tir Amgueddfa Genedlaethol Caerdydd.

Maen nhw wedi bod yn clirio llwyni marw ac eiddew sydd wedi tyfu'n wyllt, yn ogystal â phlannu ardaloedd newydd ac edrych ar ôl y Ddôl Drefol.

Y newid mwyaf amlwg yw’r gwaith clirio a phlannu border blodau newydd. Mae dau gaergawell bach yn yr ardal hon, yn llawn cerrig, canghennau a moch coed i ddarparu cynefin i bryfed. Mae planhigion wedi'u dewis yn arbennig er mwyn denu peillwyr, yn ogystal â chreu ardal groesawgar i ymwelwyr. Bydd yr ardal yn llawn lliw erbyn yr haf nesaf. Gobeithio bydd gennym ni gaergewyll mwy yn yr ardd dros y misoedd nesaf hefyd.

Mae'r perlysiau wedi tyfu'n dda er gwaetha'r tywydd poeth dros yr haf – mae'r rhosmari (Salvia rosmarinus) a lafant (Lavandula) wedi bod yn ffynnu o dan amodau perffaith. Mae tafod y fuwch (Borago officinalis) wedi ymgartrefu hefyd, gan ledaenu hadau ymhobman.

Mae'r gwirfoddolwyr hefyd yn edrych ar ôl y Ddôl Drefol. Cynhaliom arolwg ‘Every Flower Counts’ eto ym mis Gorffennaf, gan ddarganfod ystod eang o flodau gwyllt. Rydym hefyd wedi mwynhau gweld gwyfynod bwrned, chwilod milwrol, ceiliogod rhedyn, chwilod blodau a llawer iawn o wyfynod claergoch yn ystod yr arolwg.

Ar ddechrau mis Medi, daeth Matthew Collinson atom ni i'n dysgu sut i dorri gwair y ddôl gyda phladur. Roedd yn waith caled, ond dysgom lawer am sut i reoli'r ddôl.

Mae gennym dri phroject mawr i’w cwblhau dros y misoedd nesaf. Mae'n mynd i fod yn gyfnod prysur, a byddwn ni wrth ein bodd i gael rhagor o wirfoddolwyr i'n helpu ni. Os hoffech chi helpu gyda'r projectau hyn, mae manylion ar sut i wirfoddoli ar eiun gwefan: Cyfleoedd Cyfredol - Gwirfoddoli | Amgueddfa Cymru. Mae gennym ni welyau uwch i'w gosod a'u plannu, gardd ar y to sydd angen ei hadnewyddu, a chaergewyll i'w hadeiladu.

Ariennir y project hwn gan Gynllun Cymunedau y Dreth Gwarediadau Tirlenwi Llywodraeth Cymru, a weithredir gan y CGGC.

The act of drying flowers dates back to ancient times. In the past flowers and herbs were dried and utilised for decorative, medicinal and culinary purposes. In Medieval times they were used to repel insects and even conceal unpleasant odours. Drying flowers became a popular hobby and preservation method in the Victorian period in England. For thousands of years flowers have had a symbolic meaning in rituals, passages, religious activities and artistic expression. Dried flowers are now more fashionable than ever due to their everlasting beauty and convenience.

This year thousands of flowers were grown in the gardens of St. Fagans for the purpose of drying. They have been naturally air-dried and beautiful flower arrangements were created by our garden trainees. These are now available to purchase in the Museum store. 

Besides their outstanding and long-lasting beauty dried flower arrangements offer many advantages. They can be used in weddings as bouquets, buttonholes, corsages and centrepieces. Because they are dried, they do not require water. They can be bought months in advance and stored with ease, releasing the pressure of having to care for fresh flowers on the big day. They can also be kept and preserved as memories of such a special day. 

They are perfect for home decoration or gifting.  You can create permanent floral arrangements that will enhance your home without the need to buy fresh flowers every week. Did you know that imported fresh flowers can have 10 times the carbon footprint of flowers grown in the UK? Imported cut flowers are flown thousands of miles in refrigerated airplane holds. When grown in colder climates they need heated greenhouses which generate higher carbon dioxide emissions. Not to mention the use of pesticides and fertilizers used in the production of perfect blooms. Fresh roses in February? Not so rosy for our planet.

The cut flowers grown in St. Fagans gardens have been grown from seeds sown in April in our unheated greenhouses. They were planted outside in May when the weather was warming up and have been growing happily and healthily producing beautiful blooms throughout Summer. No pesticides, fertilizers or harmful chemicals were used in this process. Besides being grown sustainably the flowers also provide a source of nectar for pollinators including bees and butterflies. It is always a great joy to admire the hive of activity in our cut flower bed. 

The flowers are harvested in dry weather when they are partially or fully open. Excess foliage is removed, small bunches of flowers are tied together and hung upside down on bamboo canes or strings in a dark and dry area with good air circulation. The flowers are left to dry for two to three weeks until completely dry. Floral arrangements including bouquets, posies, buttonholes, corsages, floral crowns and wreaths can be created with dried flowers. 

There is a vast number of plants that can be dried and used in floral arrangements. Drying flowers such as lavender and hydrangeas or grasses such as Stipa gigantea and Pampas grass is a great way to get started. The stars of our cut flower garden this year are: Limonium sinuatum, Craspedia globosa, Helipterum roseum, Achillea millefolium ‘Cassis’, Limonium suworowii ‘Rat Tail’ and the soft grass Panicum elegans ‘Sprinkles’. 

If you are coming to St. Fagans National Museum of History, please visit our magnificent gardens and take a look at the beautiful floral arrangements available in the Museum shop. 

Beth sy’n gwneud i chi dreulio amser yn edrych ar baentiad penodol? Beth sy’n eich tynnu chi i mewn? Gall fod yn anodd crisialu’r meddyliau hyn mewn geiriau, a dyna lle gall barddoniaeth helpu.

Rhwng 6 Medi ac 6 Tachwedd, bydd arddangosfa farddoniaeth ryngweithiol yn ein horiel ‘Celf ym Mhrydain y Ddeunawfed Ganrif’. Bydd modd i chi ddarllen (neu wrando ar) nifer o gerddi a luniwyd mewn ymateb i rai o’r paentiadau. Bydd hefyd gwahoddiad i chi roi cynnig ar lunio eich cerdd eich hunan...

Felly, efallai y byddwch chi’n gofyn, pam barddoniaeth? Gall barddoniaeth fynd â ni ar drywydd annisgwyl. Gall ein helpu ni i gyfleu syniadau ac argraffiadau nad oedden ni hyd yn oed yn ymwybodol ohonyn nhw, i ddeall ymateb ein hisymwybod i ddarn o waith celf. Gall ein helpu ni i ymgysylltu â chelf mewn ffordd wahanol, a’i gweld o safbwynt o’r newydd.

Does dim rhaid i’r cerddi fod yn ‘dda’. Does dim rhaid iddi edrych fel cerdd hyd yn oed. Mae’n ymwneud ag arafu a gadael i ran wahanol o’ch ymennydd gymryd y llyw – y rhan o’ch ymennydd sy’n myfyrio mewn ffyrdd nad ydych chi’n ymwybodol ohonyn nhw, wrth i chi edrych ar waith celf, gan drosi eich meddyliau’n eiriau.

Does dim atebion ‘cywir’ nac ‘anghywir’. Bydd pob ymateb creadigol yn rhoi dehongliad newydd i ni, lens newydd y gallwn weld drwyddi.

Bydd yr arddangosfa ryngweithiol yn cynnwys cerddi a luniwyd gan grŵp amrywiol o unigolion a gymerodd ran mewn cyfres o weithdai ysgrifennu yr haf hwn, ochr yn ochr â cherddi a luniwyd gan ymwelwyr i’r amgueddfa. Mae’r arddangosfa’n ffurfio rhan o broject ymchwil PhD a drefnwyd gan y bardd sy’n byw yng Nghaerdydd, Rachel Carney, a ariennir gan Bartneriaeth Hyfforddiant Doethurol Cymru a De Orllewin Lloegr.

Gwrandewch ar y cerddi ar ein tudalen Digwyddiadau.

Dysgwch fwy am yr ymchwil hon, a sut gallwch chi helpu.

Gallwch ddarllen a chymryd rhan mewn project tebyg hefyd: Celf a Geiriau, a gynhaliwyd ar Instagram yn 2021.

In 2020 Amgueddfa Cymru and Cruse Bereavement Support Cymru came together to support people across the country through their grief and create a lasting memorial full of memories to those lost during the time of Covid-19. It involved creating a square patch containing a memory of a loved one, in which ever way people chose, in whatever words or images they liked. Each patch created demonstrated a visual display of lasting memories of someone they loved who had died, created in unprecedented times.  50+ patches were sent to the Museum and have been carefully sewn together to form a Patchwork of Memories.

For the last two year we have all lived very different lives, with change to our normal the only constant. Losing a loved one is always hard but usually we have the comfort of others and collective mourning at funerals to help us say goodbye and share our memories.  However, a death in the last two years has meant many of us being cut off from our support networks and our rituals or remembrance being altered.  

Rhiannon Thomas, previous Learning Manager at St Fagans said about this project “Helping people with grief is something that I am personally passionate about. Having worked with Cruse Bereavement Support previously to support families I felt the Museum was able to help families dealing with loss in a different way.  Amgueddfa Cymru and Cruse Bereavement Support Wales came together to create a project based around creativity and memory, the aim being to make a lasting memorial to those who have died during the pandemic.” 

Creating something is not a new response to grief, there are several Embroidery samplers in Amgueddfa Cymru’s collections made in memory of loved ones or marking their passing.   This sampler by M.E. Powell was created in 1906 in memory of her mother.   Creativity during difficult times of our lives can help all of us to express deep held emotions that we do not always have the ability to put into words. 

Bereavement Support Days

Alongside the Patchwork of Memories initiative, the Cruse / Museum Partnership also provide a safe inspirational space for the increasing numbers of children and young people awaiting bereavement support and help meet the diverse needs of bereaved children, young people and families who benefit from coming together to rationalise, explore and understand that they are not alone in their grief. 

A series of quarterly Bereavement Support Days are held in partnership with St Fagans, for children, young people and their families experiencing grief and loss. There is specialist support from Cruse staff and volunteers along with art and craft activities provided by Head for Arts and immersive Virtual Reality experiences provided by PlayFrame, which are light-hearted, allowing people attending the chance to make and create things that can be taken home with them and or captured and stored into a virtual memory box. The activities available are designed to stimulate rather that prompt.

Here is the film created by PlayFrame on Ekeko, the virtual memory space they have been creating alongside this project, installing objects, memories and stories donated by participants into a virtual memory box for people to enter and explore:

https://youtu.be/KoQE00ff-rc 

And a link the virtual reality memory space itself: https://www.oculus.com/experiences/quest/6371190072951353/

Alison Thomas, Cruse CYP Wales Lead said “Cruse Bereavement Support Wales provides in person support to children and young people within a variety of settings, so we see first-hand how difficult it can be for grieving children and young people. Their collective support on these days allows families the time and space to verbalise and begin to understand their loss and associated emotions. The focus of the Bereavement Support days is around children and young people, however, the benefits resonate through the whole family including the adults in attendance, some of whom require bereavement support on the day, most of whom stay for the duration and share a cuppa and chat with other bereaved parents and guardians. Following the session, the whole family can have a look around the Museum and spend time together in a safe and nurturing setting.”

Here are some of the written (in their own handwriting) evaluation feedback quotes from children, young people and parents / guardians who have attended the Bereavement Days:

'I feel calmer, less worried.  It was good being able to speak to people my age who understood what I'm going through.'

'I was very included in all the activities and was always involved in conversation.  There was a calm atmosphere making it easier to speak to people there.'

'I was very welcomed and was immediately approached by a friendly face.  It was very inviting and was easy to speak to people there.'

'HAPPY' ?

'Love ? happy'

'Thank you Diolch, Diolch ?'

A mother of one of the young people said 'I feel much better than I did.'

Another mother said 'All was lovely, made to feel welcome, everything we did was good and the girls enjoyed themselves.'

The two memory quilts will be competed by the end of August 2022, following which we will hold a final project event with Cruse Bereavement Support Wales on 25^th September at St Fagans National Museum of History, where we will display the two quilts and invite both the contributors who sent squares and the participants from the Bereavement Support Days to attend, along with the public, to see the quilts and share their experiences of taking part in the process.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Helo Cyfeillion y Gwanwyn,

Rwyf wedi cael amser diddorol yn llunio adroddiad diwedd blwyddyn ar gyfer Ymchwiliad Bylbiau’r Gwanwyn i Ysgolion. Rwyf wedi atodi'r adroddiadau ar y dde, ond gadewch i ni edrych yn gyflym ar rai o'r uchafbwyntiau! 

Cofiwch mai ein cofnodion tywydd yn cael eu cadw rhwng Tachwedd a Mawrth bob blwyddyn, sy’n golygu bod cofnodion pob blwyddyn yn cynnwys data o fis Tachwedd a Rhagfyr y flwyddyn flaenorol. Er enghraifft, pan fydd yr adroddiad yn sôn am ganlyniadau 2012, mae’n cyfeirio at ddata a gofnodwyd rhwng Tachwedd 2011 a Mawrth 2012.

Gallwn weld o'r siart fod tymheredd 2022 yn gymharol uchel o'i gymharu â blynyddoedd blaenorol. Eleni gwelwyd y tymheredd ail uchaf ym mis Chwefror ers dechrau'r project. Mae’r Swyddfa Dywydd wedi nodi taw Chwefror 2022 oedd y pumed cynhesaf a gofnodwyd (o gofnodion syn dyddio’n ôl i 1919).

Gallwn ni weld o'r siart taw 2022 oedd y pedwerydd flwyddyn cynhesaf ers dechrau'r project, gyda thymheredd cyfartalog o 5.86ᵒC. Y tymheredd cyfartalog ar gyfer y cyfnod hwn yw 5.2ᵒC. 

Mae’r siart yn dangos cafodd 2022 yr oriau cyfartalog isaf ac uchaf o heulwen ers dechrau'r project. Mae’r Swyddfa Dywydd wedi datgan mai 2022 oedd y mis Rhagfyr mwyaf gwlypaf ers 1956! Gwelodd hefyd yr Ionawr mwyaf heulog a'r ail Fawrth mwyaf heulog yn seiliedig ar gofnodion yn dyddio'n ôl i 1919.

Dim ond un flwyddyn welodd mwy o oriau o heulwen na 2022 ers dechrau'r project. Mae yna 25 o oriau rhwng y flwyddyn a welodd yr oriau o olau haul cyfartalog mwyaf (2012) a'r flwyddyn welodd yr oriau o olau haul isaf (2016).

Gallwn weld o’r siart gwelodd 2022 y glawiad cyfartalog isaf o’n hymchwiliad ar gyfer Tachwedd ac Ionawr a’r ail isaf ar gyfer Mawrth. Mewn cyferbyniad, gwelodd y trydydd glawiad uchaf yn Chwefror. Mae’r swyddfa Dywydd wedi nodi taw mis Chwefror 2020 oedd y gwlypaf a gofnodwyd mewn cyfres sy'n dyddio'n ôl i 1862.

Gallwn ni weld o'r siart taw 2022 oedd y  flwyddyn sychaf ers dechrau'r project, gyda glawiad cyfartalog o 90mm. 2016 oedd blwyddyn wlypaf y project o bell ffordd, gyda glawiad cyfartalog o 158mm.

Mae ein canlyniadau'n dangos gwnaeth planhigion blodeuo'n cynharaf yng Nghymru a'r diweddaraf yn yr Alban. Yr Alban oedd y wlad oeraf hefo'r lleiaf o oriau haul.

Blodeuodd y ddau blanhigyn yn gynharach na'r cyfartaledd cyffredinol eleni. Mae’n ddiddorol cymharu canlyniadau 2022 gyda chanlyniadau cyfartalog yr holl broject. Mae'r tabl yn dangos y gwelodd 2022 dymheredd ac oriau o heulwen uwch a glawiad is na'r cyfartalog!

Mae’r siart far hon yn dangos yr oriau cyfartalog o haul rhwng Tachwedd a Mawrth am y blynyddoedd rhwng 2006 a 2022 ar gyfer Cymru. Mae’n ddiddorol i nodi a gwelodd y blynyddoedd 2006-2012  oriau uwch na’r cyfartalog o oriau haul ac ers hynny dim ond un flwyddyn (2015) sydd wedi gweld oriau uwch na’r cyfartalog.

Mae’r gwahaniaeth rhwng cyfartaleddau Cymru a chyfartaleddau’r DU yn amlygu’r amrywiadau lleol a all ddigwydd. Mae'r Swyddfa Dywydd wedi cyhoeddi amrywiadau lleol diddorol yn eu hadroddiadau hinsawdd ddiweddaraf. Mesurir hinsawdd mewn cyfnodau o 30 mlynedd, yn unol â chanllawiau Sefydliad Meteoroleg y byd. Mae cymhariaeth rhwng y cyfnodau 1961-1990 a 1991-2020 wedi datgelu cynnydd mewn tymheredd (+0.8°C), glawiad (+2.3%) a heulwen (+5.6%) ar gyfer y DU.

Bydd yn ddiddorol i weld pa batrymau a ddaw i’r amlwg o’n canlyniadau wrth i’n hymchwiliad hirdymor barhau. Diolch am eich cyfraniad i'r ymchwiliad eleni a gobeithio y byddwch yn dilyn ein hymchwiliad 2022-23 o fis Medi.

Gwaith gwych Cyfeillion y Gwanwyn,

Athro’r Ardd