The Trust
The Trust
Ymddiriedolaeth Nant Gwrtheyrn (this is the official name, translated as the “Nant Gwrtheyrn Trust”) is a charity registered with the Charity Commission. Its number is 1078543.
The charity’s registered purpose is: To foster education in Wales and to advance the education of the public in and study of Welsh language, literature and culture, which functions to be carried out mainly in an appropriate centre or centres (residential or non-residential) to be established and maintained by the Charity in Wales.
The Charity is incorporated as a Company Limited by Guarantee. Membership is open to any individual or organisation interested in promoting the Company’s Objects, on payment of the membership subscription, which is currently £1.
The Charity’s Trustees act as the Company’s Directors. They are elected or re-elected at the company’s Annual General Meeting. There must be a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 11 at any one time, all of whom must be members. The local County Councillor is invited to attend.
The Company’s AGM is normally held in July of each year at Nant Gwrtheyrn, and members receive three weeks’ notice of the date and agenda.
In practice
The Trust fulfills its objectives by providing high-quality residential and online courses for learning Welsh. These courses are offered at a number of different levels ranging from “Taster” to “Advanced” , with some courses targeted at specific employment sectors. This work is supported by the Trust’s on-site shop, specialising in educational and other materials of particular interest to those learning about Wales, its language and culture. The learning environment is further strengthened by the ability of all staff to interact in Welsh. The Heritage Centre, Quarrymen’s Cottage and Old Surgery, all on site, provide visual and video displays through which visitors can learn about the valley, the village and their history, and about the Welsh language. These can be visited free of charge, though there is a £2 charge for parking.
The Trust’s ability to provide its courses at reasonable rates, and to maintain the facilities as well as the access road, is underpinned by a range of commercial activities, including a café and restaurant open to all, and by renting its facilities and accommodation for conferences, weddings and other events. 100% of the profits which the Trust generates from these activities goes to support the Trust’s work. The Trustees all provide their services free of charge.
Supporting the Charity
The Trust receives further support for its work from volunteers, primarily local, who help enrich the experience of learners and other visitors by providing opportunities for conversation in Welsh or acting as guides for group visits.
A crucial element of support since the very beginning of the Trust has been in the form of financial contributions from well-wishers. These range from the high-profile efforts by communities across Wales which raised the money to enable the purchase of the village from ARC Corporation at the very beginning (see History), to less publicised bequests in wills and lifetime gifts.
One such gift is worthy of particular note:
In 2008, Miss Heulwen Richards from Trearddur Bay in Anglesey gifted the Trust with land and property on the island worth well in excess of £750,000. This gift was crucial to the Trust’s decision to invest more than £5m during the following six years on transforming the access road, the facilities and the accommodation.
Donations of all kinds and size continue to be gratefully received and good use is made of the “Gift Aid” scheme by which contributions by taxpayers are enhanced by those from HMRC.
Many supporters choose to join “Cyfeillion y Nant” (Friends of the Nant) which has the added advantage of offering discounts on course fees.
Dr. Carl Clowes.
It was with great sadness that we announced the death of the founder and Honorary President of Nant Gwrtheyrn, Dr Carl Clowes in the early hours of the morning on Saturday, December 4th, 2021, following a short illness. He was 77 years old.
The vision of bringing this village back to life by recreating it as a national centre for the Welsh language belonged to Carl Clowes; he was the Trust’s first Chairman and he continued to be an active and hardworking member of the Board until the present day.
The Trustees and the staff here feel this loss intensely and sympathise deeply with Dorothi and the family at this sad time.
Here is the tribute paid by Huw Jones, Chairman of Ymdddiriedolaeth Nant Gwrtheyrn / the Nant Gwrtheyrn Trust.
2023 AGM