Streets of Llwyngwril will never forget Gwril The Giant
Steeped in legend, the village's name, Llwyngwril, is believed to derive from a giant named Gwril, who ruled over the coastal areas and beaches of the region. The Welsh word 'llwyn' translates to 'bush or grove,' effectively rendering Llwyngwril as 'Gwril's Grove.' Despite modern advancements, the village retains its historic charm, with ancient landmarks like the narrow stone bridge crossing the river Gwril (Welsh: Afon Gwril), a testament to its enduring legacy.
Streets of Llwyngwril are taken over by local yarn bombers every year between May and October, each year with a different theme to explore. Knitted and crocheted animals, figures and other woolly attractions are dotted around the small coastal village, telling the story of Gwril the Giant - one of many characters along the trail. Adorning the streets, pavements, trees, woodlands, gardens, park benches, lamp posts, bridges and even the railway station. The Llwyngwril Yarn Bombing Trail, an art project created by the villagers, was launched in 2015 to bring the community together and to raise funds for the local community centre - Y Ganolfan Llwyngwril, to keep it up and running. Money boxes are dotted around the village next to the knitted characters for donations.
Summit of Snowdon
Snowdonia region's traditions are deeply interwoven with its rich tapestry of myths, legends, folklore, and tales of giants, monsters, and magic. This region's traditions and stories have profoundly shaped its character, permeating every aspect of its history and identity. Snowdon (derived from the Saxon ‘snow dune’, meaning snow hill) is what the English call it, but the Welsh call it ‘Yr Wyddfa’ (pronounced Uhr-with-va). Named after the defeated malevolent giant, Rhita Gawr, who was vanquished by King Arthur with the help of the mighty sword ‘Caledfwlch’, in battle atop the highest peak of the highest mountain. Giant Rhita was buried by snowfall after a battle, and the place where he lay was named Gwyddfa Rhitta, or Rhitta’s Tomb, later known as Yr Wyddfa (grave in Welsh).
Sheep of Gwenhidw
‘Sheep of Gwenhidw’ speaks in fact of a morforwyn (mermaid) who is well known in Welsh folklore as a prominent sorceress and queen. Gwenhidw (or Gwenhidwy/Gwenhudwy), her name means ‘white enchantment’ or ‘white spell.’ She is wife to Gwydion ab Don, together the king and queen of the Tylwyth Teg. Gwydion is a character straight out of the Mabinogion, and he is said to live amongst the stars in Caer Gwydion, one of several magical faery fortresses that are mentioned in Welsh legend. His wife, meanwhile, is connected to the fluffy white clouds that appear in fine weather and which are called ‘the sheep of Gwenhidw.’ The Mabinogion is the earliest Welsh prose stories compiled in the 12th to 13th centuries from earlier oral traditions and preserved in the 14th century manuscript known as ‘Red Book of Hergest’. The work is a collection of eleven tales of early Welsh literature and draws upon the mystical world of the Celtic people intertwining myths, folklore, tradition and history.
Scattered references paint a portrait of Gwenhidw as a powerful and fearsome mermaid, someone to be dreaded and respected. If insulted, her vengeance might be savage. Figuratively, at least, Gwenhidw had flocks of sheep. In modern stories she owns a herd of white horses that run along the crests of the waves. In older versions of the tale, the foaming waves were her ewes and every ninth wave was the ram of the flock. This conception of the incoming tide is preserved in a sixteenth century poem by eminent poet Rhys Llywd ap Rhys ap Rhisiart, in which he described a boat trip to the monastic island of Bardsey (Ynys Enlli) from the Lleyn Peninsula. The passage is notoriously choppy and he described the sea as: “haid o ddefaid Gwenhudwy/a naw hwrdd yn un a hwy” (a flock of ewes of Gwenhidwy and nine rams with them). Elsewhere in Welsh tradition a flood is termed ‘Gwenhudwy’s oppression’ and the sea is called her ‘plain.’ Lastly, an Elizabethan poem contrasts a man called Rhys Cain to our heroine, saying that he is a ‘feeble magician’ compared to her (wan hydol i Wenhidw).
Slip Into Holiday Mode and go in search for Gwril The Giant and Gwenhidw The Mermaid, or scan the horizon line for a dolphin, or search the skies for birds (like the majestic red kite, a majestic scavenger known for its impressive aerial displays and striking reddish-brown plumage and also Wales' national bird) – all from the comfort of Salem The Blue Chapel’s terrace, equipped with handy binoculars. Or take a short stroll to the beach for a close-up view.