Trouble In A Cockpit
As St Fagans' National History Museum celebrates its 60th birthday, for the first time ever a tavern called Tafarn Yr Iorwerth Peate will be opened.
Dr Iorwerth C Peate was the founder of the open-air museum at St Fagans in Cardiff, and he was strongly opposed to re-building a pub, but artist Bedwyr Williams is convinced that to truly reflect Welsh life, the Museum must have a pub and so he’ll be creating his own tavern inside the old cockfighting pit.
To coincide with the visit of the National Eisteddfod to Cardiff this summer, at 2pm on Sun 3 Aug, Bedwyr Williams and others will be taking part in a poetry contest in the cockpit under the title of Trafferth Mewn Talwrn (Trouble In A Cockpit). The title is a play on words on Trafferth Mewn Tafarn (Trouble In A Tavern), one of the most famous works by 12th century Welsh poet Dafydd ap Gwilym. Bard Twm Morys will be the referee on the day. Booking is essential by phoning 029 2057 3424.
On Thurs 7 Aug, visitors will have the chance to join Bedwyr Williams for a drink and maybe take part in a few pub games at Tafarn Yr Iorwerth Peate. Bedwyr Williams explained: “The reason why I chose to build a pub is that Iorwerth Peate was against opening one at St. Fagans, but I’m sure most visitors would agree with me that we need a Welsh pub at the Museum ? and that’s why I’ve named the tavern in his honour. “Dr Peate was also an accomplished poet, so what better place to stage a spontaneous poetry competition than in a tavern inside a real cockpit?”
The Cockpit at St Fagans was originally built in the 17th century and stood outside the Hawk And Buckle public house in Denbigh, North Wales; the building was opened at St. Fagans in 1970. Cockfighting was enjoyed for centuries in Wales by all social classes. Crowds flocked to witness gory encounters where birds fought each other to death. Gambling was rife; bouts were riotous and chaotic affairs, often ending in pandemonium.
There won’t be any betting or blood-letting at St. Fagans this August, but visitors will be given the exclusive chance to see an original performance by one of Wales’s most exciting artists.
More info HERE
