THE project Cân y Ffordd Euraidd/The Song of the Golden Road reached a high point when this series of community art and heritage workshops hosted a walk across the Golden Road taking in the tallest peak in the Preseli range, the summit of Foel Cwmcerwyn.

The walk was led by travel guide Ewan Rees, of Eglwyswrw-based company VIP Wales.

On their descent the group were met by Ysbryd Preseli/The Spirit of Preseli whose drum beat accompanied the heart beat of the walkers throughout the day.

The Golden Road is a name given to the trackway which traverses the seven-mile ridge of Mynydd Preseli running from Foel Drygarn to Bwlch-Gwynt.

The project - which aims to create a radio ballad in response to the Preseli Heartlands from Crymych to Cwm Gwaun - has taken the form of a series of workshops and walks from the communities that reside at the foot of the Preselis.

The location-based workshops which have followed various themes have been held previously in Brynberian, Crymych, Hermon, Mynachlog Ddu, Rosebush and Cwm Gwaun.

In Cwm Gwaun there was an opportunity to share music of the Preseli area as participants were asked to bring any music or songs they felt related to the mountains.

Jacob Whittaker, sound recorder on the project, shared some of his vinyl collection with records such as Cantorion Ingli, Lleisiau Preseli, a recording of the Preseli School Choir from the 1970s and a recording of the poem Cofio by Waldo Williams.

Hedydd Hughes, a teacher and local historian who teaches at Ysgol Llanychllwydog, led a couple of songs – including the traditional song of Hen Galan and participants listened to a recording of Canu Pwnc a form of psalm singing still praticed by some Preseli chapel congregations.

Project participant Judith Rees even brought a song of her own which she had recorded with friends the night before telling of their excitement to be visiting the Gwaun Valley!

In Cwm Gwaun the project was also joined for the first time by Paul Evans, a BBC radio features producer, who has been appointed editor and producer of the radio ballad.

He has a particular connection to the Preseli area as his great-great grandfather was the choir master at Pisga Chapel in Llandysilio and wrote his own choral compositions.

The project is inviting anyone who plays an instrument to take part in a weekend workshop Saernïo Gân y Ffordd Euraidd / Crafting the Song of the Golden Road on the weekend of the September 25-26.

These bilingual fun sessions will be led by experienced community musician Stacey Blythe from the group Ffynnon.

The workshops will use the experiences and research from the project to inspire a soundtrack to the ancient trackway of the Preselis.

Anyone wishing to take part can attend a zoom meeting on Tuesday, September 14. Places for the sessions are limited. To book your place or to find out more please contact rowan@span-arts.org.uk

Cân y Ffordd Euraidd/The Song of the Golden Road is part of Planed's Preseli Heartlands project which has been funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and is being delivered in partnership with artist Rowan O’Neill and Span Arts.