Welfare Ystradgynlais

Welfare Ystradgynlais Built from the miners pennies in 1934 & the heart of our community, The Welfare is an arts & community centre in the upper Swansea Valley.

Registered Charity no: 1054054

Lonely Shepherd Productions: CynIs there life after coal? Become immersed in the community of a struggling Welsh Valley,...
14/10/2026

Lonely Shepherd Productions: Cyn
Is there life after coal? Become immersed in the community of a struggling Welsh Valley, as we take you through the rubble of the 1984-85 miners’ strike.

Ten years after the pit shut its doors, a Welsh valleys community is still living with the fallout. The village pub is all but deserted, with Emyr its sole remaining customer, clinging to grudges and struggling to see a future. Then an unexpected visit from Simon, an Englishman, turns his world upside down.

Winner of the Creative Practice Award at the University of Warwick and an Edinburgh Fringe theatre award in 2025, Cyn is a moving drama rooted in the real stories of Welsh mining communities. Blending Welsh humour with live performances of Max Boyce classics, it captures the hardship and camaraderie of a way of life shaped by coal. Expect laughter, tears and a chance to sing along as the play brings the Valleys' past to life and asks what remains when the pit is gone.

See Cyn at The Welfare on Friday 27 November 2026 at 7:30pm.

Suntou Susso showcases his mastery of the kora, backed by a vibrant ensemble of guitarists, percussionists, saxophone, b...
14/10/2026

Suntou Susso showcases his mastery of the kora, backed by a vibrant ensemble of guitarists, percussionists, saxophone, bass, keyboards and drums. His sister, Binta Suso, adds another dimension with powerful vocals, while Suntou’s own singing and impressive djembe solo highlight his incredible musical talent. His latest album, Jaliya Silokang The Path of a Griot, was rehearsed in his native Gambia and recorded in Senegal with musicians from ten different countries. With the release of this beautiful album, now is the perfect chance to experience their music live at The Welfare this Saturday!

14/10/2026

Not sure what to expect from Bill’s Visual Arts sessions next month? Watch his video to find out more…

Open to men over 18, Man Made: Visual Arts with Bill Taylor-Beales runs 4-6pm on Thursdays 29th October and 12th & 26th November. There is no cost but we recommend booking a space in advance.

The BloomSpace Foundation

14/10/2026

Blues Echoes
Thursday/Iau 22 Oct/Hyd 19:30

Blues Echoes blends theatre, personal stories and folklore from both sides of the Atlantic to explore the history of blues music and its links to working-class life in South Wales.
Phil Okwedy draws on American myths to examine the inequalities faced by workers during the Industrial Revolution, while both Phil and Bill Taylor-Beales reflect on how blues music shaped their lives and influenced popular music.

Speaking directly to the audience, Phil shares stories from his childhood and his experiences of growing up with blues music.
Bill introduces the instruments behind the blues movement, tracing its development alongside the history of African Americans from enslavement onwards.
They also explore how musicians of the 1960s, 70s and 80s influenced their own outlook and society, including Paul Robeson's links with the South Wales mining community in the 1930s. The show is performed in English.

Although some of the subject matter is hard-hitting, the performance is warm and often funny. Audiences are invited to share their views, with the evening ending in a chance to join in the singing.

Man Made: Visual Arts with Bill Taylor-BealesHi, I'm Bill - Artist in Residence at the MAN MADE inviting you to come a...
14/10/2026

Man Made: Visual Arts with Bill Taylor-Beales
Hi, I'm Bill - Artist in Residence at the MAN MADE inviting you to come and join me getting creative and having a chat 🙂
I am keen to get to know you and what you would like to ‘av a go” at trying creatively
I am a visual artist of 40 yrs working in all sort of places from schools to hospitals and prisons to community centres.
I will be offering:
* Making our own sketchbooks and exploring quick sketching ideas
* Acrylic painting looking at portraits and abstracts and landscapes ...
* Gelli Print plates - using stencils to create beautiful mono prints and cards
* I will most likely have the guitar/uke in the corner if you feel like getting some lyrics together to pen a song....
DATES: Thursdays – 29th October, 12th & 26th November
TIME: 4pm – 6pm
SUITABLE FOR: Men over 18 – no experience necessary
COST: Free, booking advised as spaces are limited
In partnership with The BloomSpace Foundation

14/10/2026

People’s Emergency Briefing (12A) screening + Clothes Swap
Monday/Llun 16 Nov/Tach 19:30

The climate and nature crisis threatens all aspects of British life, from national security to the food supply.

Despite the scale of the risks now facing the UK, there has been no comprehensive national emergency briefing delivered to the public by the Government.

Chris Packham hosts the People’s Emergency Briefing (12A), and explains what it means for our lives, our economy and our future. This is a chance to hear the evidence and discuss how to respond.After the screening join us for clothes swap in the bar to help combat fast fashion. Please bring good quality, pre-loved items and swap for something new to you.

EVENT SCHEDULE:
6.45pm: DROP OFF & MINGLE Drop off your clothes for the swap.

7.30pm: DOCUMENTARY FILM People’s Emergency Briefing (12A) Running time: 50 minutes

8.20pm: COMMUNITY SWAP – Get swapping for new-to-you items for your wardrobe!

🎸 Got a passion for music? Come make some noise with Amledd! Fed up of roaming the streets? Bored? Then it is time to cr...
14/10/2026

🎸 Got a passion for music? Come make some noise with Amledd!

Fed up of roaming the streets? Bored? Then it is time to create and connect at Amledd, The Welfare’s bilingual youth music project for 14–21 year-olds.
Whether you want to start a band or get into recording, this is your space to try something new and meet like-minded people and find your sound.
🎶 Jam with others
🎸 Form a band
🎙️ Get recording
🔥 Learn what happens behind the scenes and get gig-ready!
📅 Every other Wednesday (HENO)
⏰ 6–9pm
📍 The Welfare, Ystradgynlais
Some equipment is available, but bring your own if you have it!

14/10/2026

Suntou Susso and The Gambian Superstars
Saturday/Sadwrn 17 Oct/Hyd 20:00

Suntou Susso - a virtuoso kora player, singer-songwriter and composer from The Gambia living in the UK - was born into the Griot tradition. Fresh from releasing his multi award-winning second album, Jaliya Silokang - The Path of a Griot, Suntou and his band are bringing his exciting new music to you. Suntou’s compositions are rooted in the Afro-Manding and Griot musical tradition with influences from folk, funk, jazz and soul.
He is joined by a powerhouse lineup of musicians, performing together in the UK for the very first time. Collectively, they’ll be bringing the mindblowing musicianship and authentic sunshine energy straight from the Smiling Coast of Africa.
The Future is Ancestral.

14/10/2026

Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom (PG)
Thursday/Iau 29 Oct/Hyd 11am (RELAXED) & 2pm.
On Halloween Eve at Mossy Bottom Farm, excitement turns to dismay when the clumsy Farmer ruins the pumpkin patch. Shaun tries fixing it with science experiments, but things go wrong when a wild beast appears in the woods.
Running time: 80 minutes

🏆 AWARD-WINNING MERMAID BEACH! 🧜‍♀️🌊We’re thrilled to share that Mermaid Beach has won Best Climate Change Film for Chil...
13/10/2026

🏆 AWARD-WINNING MERMAID BEACH! 🧜‍♀️🌊

We’re thrilled to share that Mermaid Beach has won Best Climate Change Film for Children at the 2026 My Name is Climate Film Festival!
Catch this award-winning film at The Welfare on Monday 26 October, with screenings at 11am and 2pm.

Address

Brecon Road
Ystradgynlais
SA91JJ

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 3pm
Tuesday 9am - 3pm
Wednesday 9am - 3pm
Thursday 9am - 3pm
Friday 9am - 3pm

Telephone

+441639843163

Website

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