The River Teifi - its past, present and future.
Llais yr Afon is a partnership project that addresses the community’s aspirations to restore and protect the River Teifi, while creating opportunities to be involved in its improvement. This is a project that spans two years supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation. It will inform and engage through the arts and environmental science.
The River Teifi is one of Wales’ most iconic waterways with its rich, diverse wildlife, cultural and historical significance. However, like many rivers, it faces increasing pressures from pollution, climate change and unsustainable land use.
In 2024-2025 Small World Theatre, spacetocreate and Save the Teifi worked with lead partner West Wales Rivers Trust, to create a People’s Plan with input from over 300 local people. The two creative organisations and their lead partner worked in schools and presented community events in Cenarth, Llechryd, Cilgerran, Aberteifi and Llandudoch.
The plan sets out a shared vision for the river’s future - one that prioritises ecological health, sustainable management and community involvement.
Through public consultation so far, we have identified five categories of public concern connected to the River Teifi.
Increasing access to the river
Restoring water quality
Protecting habitats and species
Food and farming
Recognising culture and heritage
Llais yr Afon: Mapping the River 2025
In the final stages of phase 2 of the projects, we are presenting a touring exhibition. Mapping the River is a celebration of the work of the communities who have contributed their creativity and communicated their concerns and ambitions to restore and protect the river for nature and the wellbeing of future generations.
Inspired by and responding to the famous Idris Mathias fine manuscript map, the exhibition will showcase a contemporary folk map of the lower Teifi. These two maps will be shown alongside each together - providing a unique opportunity to reflect on the natural and cultural heritage, what has changed and what remains the same.
We’ll soon launch a website as part of the exhibition hosting the artworks, shadow puppet films, interviews and more. Details to follow.
Launch & tour programme
Community events celebrating the completion of a contemporary folk map inspired by the Idris Mathias manuscript map. Both will be on display.
Cilgerran Village Hall
25 Oct - 11am- 5pm
11am - Launch of the contemporary folk map in conversation with the Phantom Coracle
Free entry
Llechryd Village Hall
29 Oct - 3pm - 9pm
Showcase of the contemporary folk map
7pm - Community meeting with updates from Dwr Cymru, the Llais yr Afon project and Save the Teifi
Free entry
Small World Theatre
14 Nov - 3pm - 5.30pm
Showcase of the contemporary folk map
Free entry
Past events
A summer programme of walks, talks and creative workshops
Llais yr Afon ran a programme of free summer events for the community. See the programme here.
Training
Free River Conservation Course
We invited local people and job seekers to take part in free river conservation workshops, with the chance to earn an Agored Cymru qualification and develop key employability skills, including: Planning & Organisation, Problem Solving, Creative Thinking, Personal Performance.
Past community events
Half term events in Cenarth and Llechryd inviting the community to take part in creative activities and discussions around the future wellbeing of the River Teifi. Working towards a new contemporary map.
Cenarth River Festival 2024
A pop-up river festival in Cenarth with creative workshops, talks, performances, citizen science and guided walks. The festival welcomed the Save the Teifi challenge as they carried water from the source to sea.