Children’s Festival of Welsh History

In Character / Mewn Cymeriad is the Children’s Festival of Welsh History’s main partner

The Festival is a not for profit company, whose aim is to stage activities for children throughout September each year, at heritage sites all over Wales. It aims to encourage schools and the general public to learn about important characters from our past; to discover sites and buildings of interest, and to celebrate Wales’ rich history and heritage.

Since its inaugural event in Cardigan Castle in September 2015, the Children’s Festival of Welsh History has staged over 500 shows in heritage sites all across Wales, entertaining and educating up to 25,000 children.

You can discover more about the Festival by visiting its website.

A word from the schools…

Henry Tudor

Ysgol Melin Gruffydd, Caerdydd

An interactive and interesting presentation that brings history to life. Thank you!

Lord Rhys

Ysgol y Dderi, Ceredigion

A wonderful opportunity for the children to learn about one of the heroes of the Deheubarth in a fun and creative way. It was an exciting workshop, and interactive, bringing history alive in front of their eyes.

Henry Tudor

Bro Banw School, Carmarthenshire

Fantastic one-man show. Very entertaining and all the children thoroughly enjoyed the drama. Highly recommended.

Lord Rhys

Ysgol Bro Pedr, Ceredigion

It was a lively show that kept the children’s attention, across the whole age group, from year 3 – 6. We shall look forward with anticipation for the next performance.

Henry Tudor

Ysgol Cefn Coch, Penrhyndeudraeth

It was a great pleasure to welcome In Character to the school. The production, in less than an hour, managed to present history to the pupils that would probably have taken a whole term in individual lessons, and did it in a fun and energetic way, full of humour, and totally suitable for the primary age group. Thank you very much!

Henry Tudor

Ysgol Y Berllan Deg, Caerdydd

Thank you very much! The children (and staff) enjoyed it very much. It was a great starting point for our unit of work. The children have been fired up to learn more, and to add to the information they picked up from you.

Boudicca

Llangoed School - Anglesey

A brilliant show. An amazing performance by ‘Boudicca’- a very effective way to get the children to be part of the workshop. Staff and children enjoyed it very much! Best wishes for the future… and more shows please.

Boudicca

Llangewydd Junior School - Bridgend

Thank you very much! An interactive, exciting and fun performance from ‘Boudicca’, that involved all the children.
We booked the character at the end of our Celts topic. Next time I will make sure to book it at the start of our topic, as the children loved it and it would have been a great way to engage them to begin learning about the Celts and Boudicca.

Robert Recorde

Ysgol y Dderwen, Sir Gaerfyrddin

This is the second time the school has welcomed an ‘In Character’ show to the school, and we’ve been absolutely delighted once again. Today, the children and staff had a lot of fun whilst learning about the mathematician, Robert Recorde. Thank you very much! We shall look forward to the next performance.

Henry Tudor

Litchard Primary School, Bridgend

I would recommend a visit. It was an excellent learning opportunity. Very memorable and enjoyable. Diolch!

Robert Recorde

Ysgol Gymraeg Tonyrefail, Rhondda Cynon Taf

The children really enjoyed the show. The character Robert Recorde and how to solve mathematical problems were presented in a fun way that appealed to the children.

Henry Tudor

Llandaf Church in Wales Primary School, Cardiff

The show was the best we’ve seen. The children are still singing the songs. Diolch!

Bishop William Morgan

Gwaun Gynfi school, Gwynedd

A brilliant and unique performance. The history and the reference to the development of the welsh language was very welcome.

Mari Jones

Abererch School, Gwynedd

We can’t think of a better way to bring such an important historical character, as Mari Jones, to life in the children’s imagination. The performance was excellent, and all the children loved the interaction. This is the second show by ‘Mewn Cymeriad/In Character’ we’ve seen and enjoyed, and the standard once again is high. Thank you for providing something so special, in Welsh, and without having to leave the school. Real value for money!

Owain Glyndŵr

Tregarth School, Gwynedd

Our pupils are enthusiastic to learn about the Welsh hero Owain Glyndŵr, and already know quite a bit about him. However, to have him come to our school, telling us his story in his own words, was just amazing. He came alive in front of their eyes, and they became part of his incredible story. They felt empathy towards him and his cause, and he became their hero as they came to understand his efforts and sacrifice. We also learnt a lot about the period in history, and we love how the session gives the children different roles, portraying other key characters in Owain Glyndŵr’s life. There is no doubt that there is a much better chance that they will remember the story because of the roles they played. Thank you for preparing and presenting such a valuable resource, enabling children to learn about their own history. They are proud to call themselves Welsh – we can’t ask for more than that.

Hedd Wyn

Ysgol Mynydd Bychan, Cardiff

A quick note to thank you sincerely for the performance we had today in the hall. Sion was outstanding, and he got the attention of every single pupil throughout the performance. The children had plenty of opportunities to have fun, but they also had time to reflect on the sadness relating to Hedd Wyn’s story.

Glenys Myfanwy Jenkins – Living through the Blitz

Ysgol T. Llew Jones

The show was mesmerising, and pupils and staff thoroughly enjoyed and learnt so much in an excellent interactive way. The pupils talked about the show for days after, which just shows how effective it was.