Cymru Anhysbys - Unknown Wales, our evening of talks about Welsh wildlife hosted by the Museum and the Wildlife Trust for South and West Wales, was held on 29 October this year. It was special not just because it was entirely digital for the first time, but also because it was the 10^th anniversary of the event. As part of the celebrations, we shared nature-related activities for families including a quiz which was set in our natural history collections, and a nature photo competition.

On the evening, our natural science curators gave quick-fire talks showcasing the museum collections and their work. We heard about sponges and sea squirts, 200 years of geology in Wales, Xylella and the meadow spittlebug, as well as alien molluscs rafting on plastics from the Caribbean!

We welcomed Roger Thomas, former director of the Countryside Council for Wales who asked us how we, Homo sapiens, can stay off the endangered list. Isabel Macho, biodiversity officer for Carmarthenshire Council, explained the high value of bogs in environmental engagement and in combating climate change. A call to arms for nature in Wales by Iolo Williams gained support on social media:

“Neges ysbrydoledig gan @IoloWilliams2 heno yn #CymruAnhysbys #UnknownWales Di-flewyn-ar-dafod, penderfynol, positif. RHAID i ni wneud hyn.” (Inspirational message from @IoloWilliams2 tonight at #CymruAnysbys #UnknownWales Outspoken, determined, positive. We MUST do this). @elenbendduen

With eight talks, and a special message from Iolo Williams, we had a record audience for the 10^th anniversary of Cymru Anhysbys - Unknown Wales!

During lockdown our curators released weekly photo bingo cards for people to find and take photos of animals, plants and other things from nature. This #NatureOnYourDoorstep campaign was inspiration for the Unknown Wales photo competition. For the competition, we asked people to share their photos of nature taken during lockdown, and tell us the story behind them.

The entries we received have highlighted how nature has kept many of us going through the lockdowns and unsettling times of 2020. People appreciated nature during their daily exercise, and started noticing nature more as traffic and human noise decreased. Nature contributes to our daily sense of well-being, and lockdowns lead us to focus on what is close to home, especially the nature on our doorstep.

We received some amazing entries, however, 15 year old Edwyn Bywood’s photo of a Sparrowhawk was chosen as the winner by the judges. They said, this is literally ‘nature on your doorstop’! A very engaging photo with the Sparrowhawk looking straight at the viewer.

Edwyn shares his story: “One day I was in bed and heard a commotion, I looked out and there were feathers everywhere and a big female sparrowhawk holding its collared dove prey near the back doorstep. I took a lot of pictures but this is my favourite.”

Alan Underwood’s photo of Migrant Hawker dragonflies was highly commended, especially from a technical detail standpoint. “Late summer and down amongst the reeds at the pond’s edge Migrant Hawkers perpetuate the circle of life in their elegant mating wheel. It’s how dragonflies do it - if you are lucky enough to catch them at it!”

The first runner up was Megan Williams, aged 12 for her photo of a buttercup. Megan tells a story that may be familiar to many of us: “In lockdown my family and I went on family walks in the area around my house. We never went far but I discovered loads of places we never knew were there.  We were too busy before with my mum and dad’s jobs and our activities to appreciate what was on our doorstep.  We have decided as a family to make sure that we carry on going on these walks and spending family time when this horrible pandemic is over so at least something good will have happened from it.”

Saharah Uddin, aged 11, was the second runner up for her photo of a family of ducks she has been keeping an eye out for since the start of lockdown. “The photo shows her favourite duckling (named Daisy Duck) shaking water off after diving into the river to join her family. Daisy was originally the smallest duckling in the family so Saharah made a point of going out every evening with some food. And now she is a very healthy little duckling with a feisty personality.”

Below are further stories and images of nature from lockdown that were shared with us for the competition. If you wish to share your stories, follow @CardiffCurator on Twitter and use the hashtag #NatureOnYourDoorstep. For those who missed the evening of talks for Cymru Anhysbys-Unknown Wales, you can take a look back at the tweets from the evening via the Twitter Moment.

Ruth Jones: “Roedd y falwen yma yn amlwg yn hoff iawn o'r car tegan oedd wedi'i adael allan yn yr ardd gefn dros y cyfnod clo.  Efallai ei bod eisiau gwybod sut deimlad oedd teithio ar 100 milltir yr awr tra fod pawb arall ar "lockdown", ond ar ol cael y profiad mae'n amlwg wedi troi ei chefn arno a phenderfynnu mai bywyd hamddenol malwen ydi'r bywyd gorau wedi'r cwbwl.”

Jo Jones: “With the New Lock Down starting today I couldn`t believe my good luck when this beautiful Sparrow hawk decided to sit and have a rest on a log in my garden. What was so unbelievable was being able to grab my camera and take the picture before the Sparrowhawk flew away! These birds nested nearby during the first Lock down which gave so much of our Wildlife the peace and space to thrive.  Every cloud does have a Silver Lining and there will be better days to come in the future.”

Sarah Phelps: “Lockdown did give us the opportunity to embrace what outdoor space we did have, however small, and we planted vegetables and wildflowers in whatever pots we could find. We loved to see the bees, butterflies and other insects that the wildflowers attracted. The photograph gives a little snapshot of the beautiful flowers that came out of our small pot and I love how I have caught the old coal mining tip in the background. Our flowers are still growing strong and new colours are emerging every week even during these cold Autumn days. They have definitely brought colour into our lives when we needed it the most.

Willem van de Koot: “During one of my fieldwork trips at a site called Tyn y Bryn I spotted this beautiful patch of Bristly Haircap (Polytrichum piliferum) in the morning sun. Just the way it caught the sunlight, combined with the lovely highlights provided by the striking red newly forming sporophytes makes this one of my favourite pictures I have ever taken. Also the fact that its thriving in such a rough environment between the slate rocks shows how tough these often overlooked plants really are, something they have in common with the Welsh people.”

Ruth Symes: “An Orb Weaver spider emerging from its retreat at Garn lakes Blaenavon. During lockdown I became interested in macro photography and explored the area photographing insects.”

 

 

Gan ei bod yn bryd hongian hosanau Nadolig unwaith eto, dyma ni’n fforio’n harchifau a gofyn i Mark Lucas, Curadur y Diwydiant Gwlân yn yr Amgueddfa Wlân Cymru am hanes yr hosan yma yng Nghymru. Fel mae'n digwydd, mae yna lawer i'w ddweud, ac os cewch eich ysbrydoli i roi cynnig ar wau eich hosan Nadolig eich hun, mae gennym ni batrwm hawdd iawn i'ch helpu chi i wneud hynny.

Hanes gweu hosanau yng Nghymru

Mae traddodiad hir o weu hosanau yng Nghymru, ac yn yr 18fed a’r 19eg ganrif, cyfrannodd gweu hosanau at economi ddomestig cefn gwlad Cymru. Byddai hosanau yn cael eu gweu ar yr aelwyd yn y gaeaf, a’r teulu cyfan yn helpu. Roedd y Noson Weu yn draddodiad yn y Gymru wledig, lle byddai cymdogion yn dod ynghyd i weu yn gymdeithasol, a gwrando ar hen straeon, caneuon hynafol neu gerddoriaeth ar y delyn.

Bala a Thregaron oedd y canolfannau gweu hosanau, a chynhaliwyd marchnadoedd mawr deirgwaith y mis yn y trefi hyn. Ym 1851, roedd 176 o hosanwyr yn Nhregaron a’r cylch.

Mae gwlana yn hen draddodiad Cymreig arall. Byddai grwpiau o fenywod yn dilyn porthmyn neu gerdded y ‘llwybrau gwlana’. Bydden nhw’n casglu’r darnau bach o gnu o’r caeau a’r llwyni, yn plygu, estyn a thynnu bob un darn o gnu gwerthfawr. Byddai’r menywod yn ymweld â ffermydd ar

Diorama Gwlana

hyd y ffordd gan gyfnewid llety, bwyd a newyddion lleol am waith o gwmpas y fferm. Weithiau, os oedden nhw’n lwcus, byddai’r ffermwr wedi cadw cnu i’r menywod. Roedd yr hawl i gasglu’r cnu’n werthfawr, a byddai menywod ifanc a oedd yn gweithio fel morwynion yn sicrhau eu bod yn cael bythefnos i ffwrdd ar gyfer casglu cnu bob blwyddyn. Byddai’r menywod yn dychwelyd adref gyda’i sachau trwm llawn gwlân. Bydden nhw’n ei olchi a nyddu’r edafedd er mwyn ei ddefnyddio i weu hosanau a dillad eraill.

Bachyn edafedd

Oherwydd diffyg trafnidiaeth yn y Gymru wledig, os byddai rhaid i bobl deithio bydden nhw’n cerdded, ac wrth gerdded byddai menywod yn gweu gyda bachyn edau. Mae bachyn edau ar siâp S, gydag un pen wedi’i gysylltu â gwasg eich dillad a phellen ar y pen arall, er mwyn i chi gael eich dwy law yn rhydd i weu wrth gerdded. Yn Sir Aberteifi yn yr 19eg ganrif, byddai menywod yn cario mawn o’r mynyddoedd i’w ddefnyddio fel tanwydd. Bydden nhw’n cario hyd at 27kg o fawn mewn basgedi ar eu cefnau, i gadw eu dwylo’n rhydd i weu wrth gerdded. Byddai menywod hefyd yn gweu ar eu ffordd i’r capel, ond yn stopio cyn camu i dir cysegredig.

Gwisgwyd gweiniau gweill ar ochr dde’r corff ar ongl i ddal gwaelod y waell, gan adael y llaw chwith yn rhydd i weithio’r edau ar y waell arall. Byddai’r wain yn dal pwysau’r gwlân ac atal y bachau rhag cwympo oddi ar y gweill.

Gweiniau nodwyddau gweu

Traddodiad Cymreig yw rhoi gweiniau gweill fel arwydd o gariad. Cai’r rhain eu cerfio’n gywrain gan ddynion ar gyfer eu cariadon. Fel arfer maent wedi’u cerfio o bren, ond mae enghreifftiau i’w gweld o ifori a metel.

Manylion peiriant gweu hosanau 

Yn Oes Fictoria, daeth peiriannau hosanau yn boblogaidd. Gallai’r peiriannau hyn weu hosanau’n gyflymach o lawer nac y byddai merched yn gweu â llaw.

Cynhyrchodd diwydiant hosanau gogledd Cymru 300,000 pâr o sanau i luoedd y Cynghreiriad yn ystod y Rhyfel Byd Cyntaf.

Ym 1966 gallai Melin Dreifa yng Nghwm Morgan, dan berchnogaeth David Oliver, gynhyrchu 7 pâr o hosanau’r awr, a byddai’r peiriannau gweu trydanol yn aml yn cynhyrchu 250 pâr yr wythnos.

Esiampl o sanau Corgi

Mae’r traddodiad yn fyw hyd heddiw yn ffatri Corgi yn Rhydaman, sy’n cyfuno sgiliau traddodiadol a pheiriannau modern i gynhyrchu sanau gwlân. Maent yn adnabyddus ar draws y byd am greu sanau a hosanau moethus ac ymhlith eu cwsmeriaid y mae’r Teulu Brenhinol.

Hosanau ar ddangos yn Amgueddfa Wlân Cymru.

Beth am wau hosan Nadolig eich hun?

Mae gennym ni hosanau gwau cain iawn yng nghasgliad Amgueddfa Wlân Cymru, ond os hoffech chi roi cynnig ar rywbeth symlach, mae gennym ni batrwm gwau syml iawn ar gyfer hosan Nadolig y dylech chi allu ei baratoi mewn pryd ar gyfer ymweliad Siôn Corn. Er na allwn warantu y bydd yn cael ei lenwi, mae ein siopau yn Amgueddfa Sain Fagan ac yn yr Amgueddfa Llechi Genedlaethol yn Llanberis (gwelwch eu gwefannau am fanylion agor cyn cychwyn) yn cynnig gostyngiad o 10% ar eitemau i lenwi'r hosan, i unrhyw un sy'n dod â hosan Nadolig wedi'i gwau â llaw gan ddefnyddio'r patrwm hwn. Felly, ewch ati i wau!

GELLID LAWRLWYTHO'R PATRWM SYML I WEU HOSAN NADOLIG YMA

 

Gwnaeth adroddiad State of Caring 2019 Gofalwyr Cymru amcangyfrif fod 400,000 o ofalwyr yng Nghymru y llynedd. Roedd Cyfrifiad 2011 yn gosod y ffigwr llawn fel 370,000 neu 12% o’r boblogaeth, gyda 30,000 o’r gofalwyr hynny o dan 25 oed a nodwyd fod gan Gymru y gyfradd uchaf o ofalwyr o dan 18 oed yn y DU. Mae’r ffigurau hyn i gyd yn cyfeirio at ofalwyr di-dâl, sy’n cefnogi oedolyn neu blentyn gydag anabledd, salwch corfforol neu feddyliol, neu sydd yn cael eu heffeithio drwy gamddefnyddio sylweddau. Nid yw’n cynnwys y rheiny sy’n gweithio mewn swyddi gofal am dâl.

Amcangyfrifir y bydd y rhan fwyaf ohonom, tri allan o bump, yn dod yn ofalwr ar ryw bwynt yn ystod ein bywydau.

Wrth ystyried y rhifau anferthol hyn a’r ffaith fod y rhan fwyaf ohonom eisoes naill ai’n cael ein heffeithio, neu’n mynd i gael ein heffeithio, pam nad oes mwy o sôn am ofalwyr? Un rheswm efallai yw bod gofalwyr yn rhy brysur yn gofalu. Rwyf innau wedi bod yn ofalwr, a chyn ymuno ag Amgueddfa Cymru treuliais 30 mlynedd yn gweithio mewn gwasanaethau gofal iechyd a chymdeithasol, ac yn ystod yr adeg honno rwy’n amcangyfrif fy mod wedi gweithio gydag ychydig filoedd o ofalwyr. Mae fy mhrofiad a’m hymchwil helaeth wedi dangos fod nifer o ofalwyr yn profi unigrwydd ac ynysu cymdeithasol, yn dioddef o iechyd meddyliol neu gorfforol gwael eu hunain, a phwysau ariannol, o ganlyniad i’w rôl fel gofalwyr. 

Felly beth mae hyn yn ei olygu i Amgueddfa Cymru? Un o’r amcanion ar gyfer ein strategaeth 10 mlynedd, a gaiff ei chyhoeddi yng Ngwanwyn 2021, yw ein bod yn berthnasol i bawb ac ar gael i bawb; un arall yw ein bod yn canolbwyntio ar iechyd a lles i bawb. Mae gan ein rhaglen ymgysylltu gymunedol ystod eang iawn o ffyrdd i bobl sydd ag anghenion gofal (yn sgil iechyd, anabledd neu amgylchiadau eraill) fod yn rhan o weithgareddau’r amgueddfa fel ymwelydd neu drwy ein rhaglenni gwirfoddoli ac addysg. Croesawn ofalwyr drwy gyfrwng y mentrau hyn ac mae nifer o ofalwyr sydd wedi cymryd rhan, ond nid oes gennym eto lawer iawn o adnoddau sydd wedi’u cynllunio o gwmpas anghenion gofalwyr. 

Wrth edrych ymlaen at flwyddyn nesaf, mae’r Tîm Gwirfoddoli yn awyddus i ddarparu cyfleoedd sydd wedi’u cynllunio’n benodol ar gyfer gofalwyr. Gall hyn gynnwys gwirfoddolwyr sy’n gallu cefnogi gofalwyr wrth ymweld â’n hamgueddfeydd, neu, gall olygu cynllunio cyfleoedd gwirfoddoli i ofalwyr sy’n gweithio o amgylch gofynion gofalu. Ar hyn o bryd rydym yn dychmygu cymysgedd o opsiynau o ran presenoldeb – rhai cyfleoedd i ofalwyr fynychu neu ymuno â rhywbeth ar eu liwt eu hunain, eraill lle y gall gofalwyr wneud hynny gyda’r person y maen nhw’n gofalu amdanynt. 

Y darlun arferol o ofalwr yw rhywun hŷn, yn gofalu naill ai am riant oedrannus neu bartner. Mae sawl gofalwr yn gweddu’r disgrifiad hwnnw, ond mae yna hefyd fwy o bobl ifanc a phlant yn gofalu nag y mae’r rhan fwyaf o bobl yn ymwybodol ohono, ac mae gofynion gofalu mewn perygl o gael effaith andwyol ar eu haddysg, eu datblygiad ac ansawdd eu bywyd yn gyffredinol. Rydym felly yn cynllunio i gynnwys rhai cyfleoedd sydd wedi’u hanelu’n benodol at ofalwyr ifanc.   

Mae pobl o bob cymuned yn wynebu cyfrifoldebau gofal, a allai mewn rhai achosion fod yn fwy heriol yn sgil gwahaniaethu systemig ac anfantais. O’m profiad innau yn gofalu am fy mam-gu Iraci, gwelais fod y gwasanaethau cymorth oedd ar gael â bwriad gwirioneddol i groesawu pawb, ond bod bron pob un ohonynt wedi eu trefnu o amgylch arferion, ffyrdd o fyw, a phrofiadau bywyd poblogaeth Gwyn Prydeinig. Nid oedd y bwyd a’r gweithgareddau a gynigiwyd, a’r pynciau a drafodwyd (er enghraifft mewn therapi Atgof), yn berthnasol nac yn cynnig cysur iddi hi mewn unrhyw ffordd. Nid wyf yn awgrymu fod hyn yn rhoi dealltwriaeth i mi o brofiad rhywun arall, nid ydyw, ond mae yn rhoi dealltwriaeth i mi o gyfyngderau gweithredu un dull yn unig. 

Felly rydym yn ymwybodol y bydd angen i ni weithredu mewn modd amrywiol a gofalus, a dyma lle hoffem ofyn am eich cymorth. Rydym wedi llunio arolwg sy’n amlinellu rhai o’n syniadau hyd yma, ond hoffem hefyd glywed oddi wrthoch chi os ydych chi’n ofalwr neu wedi bod yn ofalwr yn y gorffennol. Os nad ydych yn ofalwr, byddem yn ddiolchgar pe baech yn medru ein helpu drwy rannu hwn gyda gofalwyr yr ydych yn eu hadnabod. 

Mae’r arolwg yn lansio ar Ddiwrnod Hawliau Gofalwyr ar 26 Tachwedd, ac ar yr un diwrnod rydym yn trefnu trafodaeth fyw ar-lein (gyda thocyn digwyddiad am ddim i bob gofalwr sy’n ymuno â ni). Gallwch ddod o hyd i fanylion ynglŷn â sut i gymryd rhan, a hefyd gweld y sesiynau ‘blasu’ ar yr un diwrnod, drwy gyfrwng tudalen Gwirfoddoli ar ein gwefan: https://amgueddfa.cymru/cymrydrhan/gofalwyr

Helo Cyfeillion y Gwanwyn,

Rydw i wedi mwynhau darllen eich sylwadau a gweld eich lluniau o'r diwrnod plannu. Rwy'n falch i weld cafodd pawb cymaint o hwyl yn plannu'r bylbiau ac i glywed bod chi'n mwynhau cymryd eich cofnodion tywydd. Daeth fy hoff sylw wythnos yma o Ysgol Pearson; roeddent yn hapus ei bod wedi bwrw glaw oherwydd y gallent gymryd darlleniad glawiad.

Dyma rai o'r sylwadau rydych wedi'u rhannu â'ch data tywydd hyd yn hyn:

Data tywydd

Pearson Primary School: Yay it finally rained a bit. Athro'r Ardd: It makes me very happy to think that being able to take rain measurements means you are happy to see it rain. Keep up the good work Bulb Buddies.

Our Lady of Peace Primary School: Hi Professor Plant its K* and A*, we are having so much fun doing this job thank you again from K* and A*. Athro'r Ardd: You are welcome Bulb Buddies, I’m glad you are enjoying the project!

Llanbedr Church in Wales Primary: We may need to look at the location of our rain catcher. Athro'r Ardd: If you have noticed that the rain catcher is being blocked in some way then it would be good to find a new location. Well done for observing this Bulb Buddies.

St Joseph's Primary (North Road): We've really enjoyed planting our bulbs and have set up our rain gauge. We're really looking forward to collecting our data! Athro'r Ardd: Fantastic work, I’m happy that you are enjoying the project.

Ochiltree Primary School: So fun and I enjoyed checking the measurements so much. Athro'r Ardd: Fantastic, keep up the good work!

Stanford in the Vale Primary School: A mild week with sunshine outbreaks - cannot believe we are in our 3rd week of observations! Athro'r Ardd: Time flies when you are having fun, keep up the great work Bulb Buddies.

St Peter Primary School (Plumbridge): We enjoyed our first week recording. It was very fun recording the temperature and rainfall. Athro'r Ardd: I’m glad you are enjoying the project, you really are super scientists!

Eich planhigion

St Patrick Primary School (Drumgreenagh): We enjoyed taking the temperature and the rainfall this week. We can`t wait until they bloom. We look at how they are doing every now and again. We hope we done a good job at looking after them. Athro'r Ardd: It sounds like you are doing a fantastic job Bulb Buddies.

Coastlands School: It has been very wet this week here in Coastlands! We are wondering if this will affect the growth of our plants. We know our plants need water, but surely not this much! Athro'r Ardd: Hi Bulb Buddies, thank you for your weather data and for the concern you’ve shown for your bulbs. It is possible for plants to receive too much water and this can cause damage and stunt growth. The plant pots you use have holes in them to help drain excess water. I would only worry if you notice that the soil becomes saturated and that puddles form on the surface for long periods of time. I would also like to check that you are entering your rainfall in mm and not cm measurements, as your rainfall does not seem to be overly high.

Llanedeyrn Primary School: On Monday we noticed a tip appearing from one of the pots - a daffodil bulb. Through the week 6 more tips of the daffodil bulbs are appearing. Athro'r Ardd: Fantastic work Bulb Buddies. Maybe you could take photos before you finish for the holidays and compare them when you are back in school!

Arkholme Primary School: A lot of leaves fell on the bulbs this week which gives them a nice blanket. It's been very wet this week but four bulbs have sprouted. Athro'r Ardd: Well done for watching your bulbs closely and spotting the first signs of growth.

St Mary Primary School (Co Down): Hello Professor Plant. We have planted our bulbs and we are waiting and watching for them to grow. We can't wait to see the flowers bloom. Athro'r Ardd: I’m glad to hear you are keeping a close eye on your plants Bulb Buddies, keep up the good work.

Carnbroe Primary School: No shoots have come out the plants yet. Athro'r Ardd: Well done for keeping watch of your plants Bulb Buddies.

Ochiltree Primary School: I really enjoyed planting the bulbs it was really fun and exciting. Athro'r Ardd: I’m glad you are enjoying the project Bulb Buddies.

Sylwadau tywydd

Athro'r Ardd: Diolch am eich arsylwadau tywydd Cyfeillion y Gwanwyn. Mae'n ddiddorol i gael trosolwg wythnosol o dywydd ardraws y DU!

YGG Tonyrefail: Wel am wythnos wlyb!! Gobeithio cawn wythnos brafiach yr wythnos nesaf. 

Darran Park Primary: We have had a mixture of sunshine, clouds, fog and rain showers this week.

Livingston Village Primary School: It was really foggy on Monday and Tuesday. 

Ysgol Bro Pedr: It's been a mixed week - lots of rain and some sunshine - no need to water the bulbs. 

Moffat Academy: H*, A*, R* and F*. November 9^th: mild and cloudy with a warm sun. November 10^th: dark sky with lots of clouds. November 11^th: warm but very cloudy. November 12^th: sunny with a very cold wind. November 13^th: heavy rain but sunny periods. Athro'r Ardd: Thank you for the daily overview Bulb Buddies, keep up the good work.

Pil Primary School: There was more rainfall this week. The temperature went from 16 at the beginning of the week to 13 at the end of the week. We liked putting the information in. Athro'r Ardd: I’m glad to hear that you are enjoying taking weather records Bulb Buddies.

Sheuchan Primary School: Today was a bright sunny day but it has the lowest temperature. 

Newbuildings Primary School: Lots of rain in Northern Ireland as well as some lovely sunshine! 

Stanford in the Vale Primary School: It's been a mild week with outbreaks of sunshine! 

Holy Cross Girls Primary School: Wednesday was a very wet day, so we didn't get to check our plants until Thursday. It was a cold week, Tuesday was the hottest temperature. 

Litchard Primary School: It’s been a mild week this week. It’s been wet with some lovely sunshine during the day.

Newbuildings Primary School: Newbuildings has had a lot of rain this week. The heaviest rainfall was on Thursday and Tuesday was the warmest day. No sign of any shoots on our bulbs yet! 

Stanford in the Vale Primary School: We observed our first frosts this week - it’s been a cold week! 

Holy Cross Girls Primary School: Wednesday was a very wet day, so we didn't get to check our plants until Thursday. It was a cold week, Tuesday was the hottest temperature.