Moving On

Moving On ...

Over the last 5 years Celtic Women enabled me to reach over 300 women in West Wales offer 50 different free workshops with me, 3 free women's music festivals with over 50 acts in each and 2 Winter long Concert Series at the National Botanic Garden of Wales, A networking trip for 3 volunteers to go to Ireland with Coracle, and prime spots at The Promenade Festival, Tramore Ireland this Summer. CW has had close relations and support from local press and I have enabled scores of women to be interviewed and play live radio stations. I have run free on-line consultation and careers advice to countless women of many ages and different stages of their career. As I approach 50 next year I get a real sense that this is now my time, my friends.

In 2009 I started doing the research & funding applications for an idea I had called The Celtic Women Project. It led to a partnership I developed with Community Music Wales in 2010 that enabled my role to be funded because I had a desire to set up and direct a creative women's music platform within mainstream and integrated provision for West Wales. In 2011 the funding for my post ended but I have carried on.

However, I have come to the conclusion that it is now time for me to move on.

CW has grown beyond any of my expectations and your support over the 5 years has been AMAZING but truth is folks, I prefer organising small personal events where I can remain present as an Artist rather than huge events where I become an organiser over my craft. Today I have made the decision to be true to my heart and focus my energies on a new more personal journey.

I have been in touch with Pembrokeshire Women's Music Festival to see if they can offer opportunities for performance next year to those of you who have expressed a desire to perform, I have not heard back from them as yet, and off course there is Women in Tune still going string, but truthfully, if you want to make music happen in Wales and for women to be at the forefront of it, do like I did and make it so!

I am in the throws of developing my new more intimate model of sharing my own music and creativity with like minded friends in places that are sacred to me. 

Thank you to everyone who gave their love and positivity, warmth and generosity.

In particular I would like to thank ...
Sam Collins for being a volunteer right from Day 1
David Hardy who became our Champion
NBGW for their beautiful venue
CMW for the year grant
Artscare Gofal Celf particularly the Dance Dept/Laura
Coracle & Dom Williams
Tramore Tourism
Sean Corcoran for organising our Ireland trip from his end.

And each and every one of you for volunteering at the Event to help or sing or play or create or 'be'

Special thanks to:

Heather Summers for advice and guidance from the get go

Sarah Passmore who was my Youth Volunteer for a year and to her Mum who also came and helped.

To Bob Edwards for being Bob Edwards 

The list goes on and on .... you know who you are 

Oh and thank you to the little lad in my street who said to me when I was 12 years old, 'You're not pretty enough to be the lead singer so you stand at the back' ... mmm, we'll see about that! 

Take care folks! 

CW14 is going to Ireland!

Hello Folks
In my last post I said we were taking a year out ... with no funding at all this year, we just simply could not go ahead ... OR COULD WE!!

Just 2 months ago I was in Ireland performing at WORDS run by The Art Hand. Sean Corcoran who owns the Art Hand with his lovely wife Miranda, is the Artistic Director of Tramore Festival.

While I was over for Words Sean invited me to a meeting about the Festival and so the vision began: What if a group of 6 of us could be part of Tramore Festival?

                                                      Artwork by Miranda Corcoran

Sean has worked tirelessly and thanks to Keith Daniels and Mary Daniels from Tramore Tourism, we have secured funding for  6 of us to travel to perform and be part of the Festival. Hoorah!

We will be accommodated by the good people of Tramore and Bonmahon. We can't wait!

Cheryl Beer (that's me!)

Mab Jones

Fiona Winter

Sam Collins

Anne Lister

Lloyd Roberts

will be heading over on 5th - 8th July

Here is a link to the festival facebook page:

www.facebook.com/ThePromenadeFestival

The Festival will mark the Anniversary of the 4 rescue workers who were killed at Tramore 15 years ago. We feel very privileged to be invited. 

CW is taking a year out ...

Celtic Womenfest is taking a year out. 

After 4 years, we are taking time in 2014 to reflect and evaluate. 

Founder and Director of the Event, Cheryl Beer will let you know towards the end of this year is there is likely to be a CW15.

Many thanks for your continued support and love