News from Nant

“Change is coming whether you like it or not” (Greta Thunberg) by Eirian Davies For those of us who belong to a certain generation, the word Zoom referred to the red, yellow and green rocket-shaped ice-lolly that needed to be licked/eaten rather quickly before it started dripping down the fingers, hands and wrists during those […]

Nant G and me by John Williams I’d just finished my foundation level Welsh course through the Open University (2010) and I was thinking: Well, I’ve worked quite hard this year, and I’ve got a taste for the language but I haven’t been able to say much. Am I going to leave it like this […]

Passing halfway and getting to grips with soft mutation (y treiglad meddal) by Mathew Penri Williams ‘Surely you don’t need Bruce for your Entry level students?’ my wife asked nodding towards the dictionary on our kitchen table. ‘Of course not, I’m using it to prop up my laptop so that they can see me on […]

A diary of an online tutor – halfway and seeing the light at the end of the tunnel! by Shân Gwenfron Jones “Write a blog” “What’s a blog?” It’s not a diary. A written entry of what’s what. I’ve pondered a lot over the last ten years about the meaning of the word. I keep […]

The world around us by Ceri Brunelli Williams It’s a strange world (rhyfedd o fyd). I was reminded of this great Welsh saying by a wise colleague a few weeks back. And never has it been so true. This time in our lives is different for everyone, and we’ll all look back at it with […]

Keeping in touch with Nant Gwrtheyrn by Siôn Elwyn Hughes  Nant Gwrtheyrn is a special place for many – it attracts locals and tourists to eat, stay, get married or to take advantage of the magnificent all year-round views. But for me, knowing that my family lived, worked, and shaped the Nant in the early […]

The digital learning diary of a tutor, featuring drama! by Shân Gwenfron Jones  Well, for the last two weeks I’ve been Zooming day and night and wow, Zoom really is great. I received the national call to Zoom for Wales a couple of months back, for the duration and until we see the sun again […]

At the end of week two by Mathew Penri Williams It was late 2019 when I decided to change my role at Nant Gwrtheyrn and to become a full-time tutor. The idea had always been at the back of my mind since I started working at the Nant five years ago. This was what drew […]

The new normal by Ifor Gruffydd ‘Things will never be the same again’ is constantly being heard by us all during the current Covid-19 emergency. At the beginning, I thought “here we go again, people being negative”, but by now I agree with them. I’ve come to realise that some things will permanently change and […]

After eight at the Nant by Eirian Davies (Work Welsh tutor) Right, is everyone ready?! First question: In which decade was Cardiff made the Capital City of Wales? Here are your choices – 1930s; 1950s; 1960s. If you know the exact year, you get a bonus point. Does this sound familiar? Has your general knowledge […]

A glimpse at my career by Gwenda Griffith My TV career started in the seventies – yes, last century! I was in front of the camera back then, children’s programmes on the BBC and an afternoon programme for women, Hamdden on HTV. Those were the good days! I also worked in the tourism sector and […]

Draenen Ddu – Blackthorn – Shillelagh by Wyn Rowlands (Nant Gwrtheyrn’s gardener) April turned to May, and I only saw one swallow at Garreglefain. But this is how it has always been on this northern side of the peninsula. The swallow is late to arrive, and the chicks are late to leave. This is also [...]

These weeks by Myrddin ap Dafydd The past few weeks have taught us to look and to be satisfied with the same daily view. We can also share it with others. We’re lucky that the view from our home here in Llwyndyrys are the Eifl and Carnguwch mountains – with Nant Gwrtheyrn at the other [...]

Shani on the mountain by Shân Gwenfron Jones “By mastering the substance of a mountain, one could penetrate to the deepest of his spirit.” Well, we’re over five weeks into the lockdown and I’m starting to feel a longing for the mountains. Especially one special mountain, Moel Eilio. My favourite mountain. It has a beautiful […]

I’m really lucky to be a member of staff at Nant Gwrtheyrn’s busy office (prior to Covid). Working at the ‘Nant’, as we call it, is much more than a 9-5 office job. Over the last three years, I’ve enjoyed many lunch breaks wandering around with my camera and making the most of the magical [...]

The author’s course by Bethan Gwanas I was in the process of putting together a Powerpoint about Dewi Prysor when Covid-19 came crashing into our lives. Dewi was one of the authors I was going to introduce on our Authors of Wales course in mid-June. But there we go, I’m sure it will be held […]

Working and learning at the Nant by Laurent Gorce Nant Gwrtheyrn has been a special place for me for many years now. As a keen hiker, mountain and trail ultra-runner, it meets many of my needs. Very technical coastal paths and mountainous terrain but also has the bonus of some of the most beautiful views [...]

Getting to know the learners at Nant Gwrtheyrn by Alun Jones Visiting the Nant and getting to know the learners is always an absolute pleasure. Why? It’s a fantastic opportunity to speak to interesting learners from all over the world. I have kept in contact with many of them over the years, as I man […]

Exciting news by Dr Carl Iwan Clowes With many aspects of the work at the Nant currently closed, from the courses to the accommodation and the café, it’s great to see some activity continuing. On a personal level, I’ve had the pleasure of updating my book – ‘Nant Gwrtheyrn – Rebirth of a Lost Village’ […]

Powder House – a hidden gem at Porth y Nant by Geraint Jones This truly fantastic building is the Porth y Nant powder house, otherwise known as ‘the magazine’, specifically for Porth y Nant quarry, hanging on at the very edge of a remote cliff it stands like a beacon keeping an eye out for […]