A THREE-year project exploring the rich heritage of the Preseli landscape will launch in Maenclochog this Saturday, October 13.

The Ein Cymdogaeth Werin - Preseli Heartlands Communities Great Place project, led by PLANED, is a three-year project funded with £218,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund, with additional funding from Arwain Sir Benfro and the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

It aims to deliver an exciting programme of activities celebrating and sharing heritage in the Preseli region, making it a stronger visitor destination based on its unique heritage and culture. It is a partnership made up of key local organisations involved in heritage across Pembrokeshire.

The project launch takes place this Saturday between 1pm and 5pm at Maenclochog Community Hall, 1-5pm. There will be tea and cake, a talk from community archaeologist, Delun Gibby, an exhibition of old photos from the region and an opportunity to tell share stories from the Preseli Heartlands.

The event will kick off at 1pm with an introduction to the project followed by a memories tea party from 2:30pm. The team is keen to hear from anyone with a personal story about the Preseli region and wants to gather memories of local places, people and lost ways of life. Visitors are asked to bring along photos, objects and tall tales to tell.

Part of the project will be Stitching Stories, which will, over the next few months be working with communities in the Preseli heartlands to create a beautiful interactive quilt exploring agricultural and personal connections to the landscape. This will be a permanent piece of art-work representing the collective memories of the area.

Run by SPAN Arts and PLANED there will be Stich Labs on alternating Friday afternoons in Maenclochog Community Hall led by textile artist Nia Lewis in these participants can contribute stories and help make pieces of the quilt.

On Saturday, October 20 SPAN Arts will run an E textiles workshop in Narberth with digital artist penny d jones; while on November 2 there will be a Stitch your Story workshop for families and children in Maenclochog.

The Stitching Stories workshops are fully bilingual and you don't need any previous experience to get involved. To register an interest or book visit span-arts.org.uk or call Span Arts on 01834 869323.

For more information on the Ein Cymdogaeth Werin - Preseli Heartlands project contact Sophie Jenkins on 01834 860965 or email sophiej@planed.org.uk