Climate Cymru at Wrecsam Ffair: Stories, Climate and Community

Wrecsam Ffair brought together a rather unusual mix of music, creativity, community activities, food, workshops and conversations.

One of the major partners helping to make that possible was Climate Cymru.

Climate Cymru is a Wales-wide movement bringing together thousands of individuals and hundreds of organisations around the climate and nature emergencies. Its stated approach is that action should be guided not only by science, but also by the voices of people and communities across Wales.

That emphasis on people and their stories was reflected in the contribution they brought to Wrecsam Ffair.

Telling stories about climate

Rather than simply presenting information about climate change, Climate Cymru’s programme used a series of short films to explore why people become involved, how conversations can begin and what community action can look like.

Four films formed part of the programme:

The Street Stall / Y Stondin Ystryd

This short film follows a simple street stall in Cardigan, showing how an ordinary public space can become an opportunity for people to stop, talk and hear more about climate change.

It is a useful reminder that conversations about big issues don’t necessarily have to begin in formal meetings or conferences.

Hannah and Extinction Rebellion

Hannah Schafer explains her reasons for joining Extinction Rebellion and choosing to stand up for the climate.

Whatever people’s views about protest or campaigning, the film provides something valuable: an opportunity to hear directly from an individual about what motivates her.

Cardigan XR Aberteifi – Why Protest?

Another personal perspective, this film asks a straightforward question: why protest?

A member of Cardigan XR Aberteifi explains her reasons for speaking out about the climate crisis, giving viewers an insight into the personal motivations behind climate activism.

Brynberian Community Garden / Gardd Cymunedol Brynberian – Pollinator Party / Parti Peillwyr

The final film takes a different approach, looking back at the origins of the Pollinator Party in Brynberian, a community event celebrating pollinator-friendly plants and the people who grow them.

It demonstrates that climate and nature action isn’t always about protest or campaigning. It can also be about gardens, plants, food, local knowledge and people doing something positive together.

Finding better ways to have difficult conversations

That variety is important.

Climate Cymru’s Imagine Action project is built around the idea that climate and social justice conversations are taking place in an increasingly divided communications environment. Its approach focuses on values, connection, storytelling and listening, rather than simply trying to win arguments.

That made Climate Cymru a particularly good fit for Wrecsam Ffair.

The Ffair wasn’t designed around everyone agreeing about everything. It was about creating opportunities for people to come together in the first place.

Music, art, sewing, food, walking, making things, watching films and talking to people can all provide different ways into a conversation.

And sometimes the most useful thing we can do is simply listen to why another person cares about something.

Climate action and community

Climate Cymru’s wider work also demonstrates the breadth of the climate conversation in Wales. Its network includes community groups, charities, businesses and other organisations, with work ranging from nature and biodiversity to energy, housing, community action and climate justice.

That broader picture was present at Wrecsam Ffair too.

The event included discussions about climate and democracy, creative activities, upcycling and repair, community food, walking in unity and the many different ways people can contribute to their communities.

Climate change can sometimes feel like an enormous and rather frightening subject.

But the stories shared at Wrecsam Ffair brought it back to something more human:

people, places, communities and the kind of future we want to leave behind.

Thank you to Climate Cymru for being a major partner in Wrecsam Ffair, and for bringing those stories, films and conversations into the heart of the event.

Different voices. Different experiences. Different ways of taking action.

One community.