Cadi Ha
“This opportunity to dance traditionally, to traditional instruments using the Welsh language is an opportunity to live and feel their heritage. We at Ysgol Rhos Helyg hope that the Cadi Ha continues for many years to come.””
What is Cadi Ha?
The Cadi Ha is a much-loved living tradition that has continued and evolved with each new generation. It is a Welsh Morris Tradition that sees folk dancing in the street. The original team from Bagillt reportedly used to start from the village early in the morning and dance along the way ready to dance in Holywell at three o’clock in the afternoon.
There are over two centuries of records of men from the mining communities of west Flintshire (particularly from Flint, Bagillt, Holywell, Mostyn and Llanasa) processing and dancing on the first day of May.
Thanks to Ieuan ap Siôn, a local singer, there was a revival in the 1970 and 80s. Basing the dance on the memories of his father and grandfather he collected a crew together to travel every May.
Fifteen years later, following a conversation between the late Chris Bailey and the manager of Holywell town centre, the current Cadi Ha Festival was launched. Chris Bailey worked with the late Geoff Jenkins, leader of Dawnswyr Delyn in Mold to establish an annual festival. The festival was celebrated up until 2019 but due to Covid19 the festival was unable to take place again until 2023.
In 2020 Holywell Town council painted a mural on the walls in Holywell to highlight the significance of the tradition to the area. The people of Holywell are proud of the Cadi Ha tradition which Dawnswyr Delyn have ensure stays alive in the town. It is a wonderful way to teach children about the local heritage of the area in a fun and engaging way.
The festival was not held in 2020, 2021 or 2022 due to the COVID -19 pandemic and it’s impact. In 2023 the festival secured funding from Wyth, an Arts Council connect and flourish project between Menter Iaith Maldwyn and the Eisteddfod Genedlaethol and Holywell Town Council to restart the festival after the 3 year break. In 2024 Wyth continued to fund the festival, though Holywell Town Council were not in a position to be able. Funding was secured from Flintshire council’s Town Centre Activities and Events fund.
Beth yw Cadi Ha?
The Cadi Ha is a much-loved living tradition that has continued and evolved with each new generation. It is a Welsh Morris Tradition that sees folk dancing in the street. The original team from Bagillt reportedly used to start from the village early in the morning and dance along the way ready to dance in Holywell at three o’clock in the afternoon.
There are over two centuries of records of men from the mining communities of west Flintshire (particularly from Flint, Bagillt, Holywell, Mostyn and Llanasa) processing and dancing on the first day of May.
Thanks to Ieuan ap Siôn, a local singer, there was a revival in the 1970 and 80s. Basing the dance on the memories of his father and grandfather he collected a crew together to travel every May.
Fifteen years later, following a conversation between the late Chris Bailey and the manager of Holywell town centre, the current Cadi Ha Festival was launched. Chris Bailey worked with the late Geoff Jenkins, leader of Dawnswyr Delyn in Mold to establish an annual festival. The festival was celebrated up until 2019 but due to Covid19 the festival was unable to take place again until 2023.
In 2020 Holywell Town council painted a mural on the walls in Holywell to highlight the significance of the tradition to the area. The people of Holywell are proud of the Cadi Ha tradition which Dawnswyr Delyn have ensure stays alive in the town. It is a wonderful way to teach children about the local heritage of the area in a fun and engaging way.
The festival was not held in 2020, 2021 or 2022 due to the COVID -19 pandemic and it’s impact. In 2023 the festival secured funding from Wyth, an Arts Council connect and flourish project between Menter Iaith Maldwyn and the Eisteddfod Genedlaethol and Holywell Town Council to restart the festival after the 3 year break. In 2024 Wyth continued to fund the festival, though Holywell Town Council were not in a position to be able. Funding was secured from Flintshire council’s Town Centre Activities and Events fund.
Gwyl -Cadi Ha- Festival
Figyrau-2024 - Figures
2024 Schools
Ysgol Y Foel, Cilcain
Ysgol Y Foel had two sessions from dance artist Angharad Harrop.
Total Participation
55
Ysgol Ty Fynnon
Ysgol Ty Fynnon had sessions from Angharad Harrop and Meinir Siencyn.
Total Participation
18
Ysgol Croes Atti
Ysgol Croes Atti had sessions from Meinir Siencyn.
Total Participation
165
Ysgol Gwenffrwd
Ysgol Gwenffrwd had sessions from Angharad Harrop and Meinir Siencyn.
Total Participation
70
Ysgol Rhos Helyg
Ysgol Rhos Helyg had sessions from Meinir Siencyn.
Total Participation
32
Total Participation in Schools
165
Adborth Atharwes Teacher Feedback
Dyma ddyfyniad gan un o’r athrawon fu’n gweithio gyda Angharad a Meinir:
Here is a statment by one of the teachers who was working on the project with Angharad & Meinir.
“Thank you for continuing this wonderful tradition. It is one that is very close to our hearts in Ysgol Rhos Helyg. Our previous Deputy Head was a part of the original team that set up the festival. As a newly qualified teacher I watched him tell the children about his celebrations as a child on the mountain, visiting door to door singing the Cadi Ha song. When he retired some years ago, I made a promise to continue the tradition and this being the 20th year for me in Rhos Helyg, the Cadi Ha! has become a part of my story at the school too. Each year a new group of children come to join in, they learn dances that have been a part of their mountain’s history for many years, they learn to sing a song that has drifted along the spring time and they sing it with enjoyment. Most importantly they have laughed and made happy memories and connections with other schools, who have joined together to celebrate this aspect of their cynefin. This year we talked about how dance is a great way to keep a happy and positive mind, a way to be active and express yourself too. This opportunity to dance traditionally, to traditional instruments using the Welsh language is an opportunity to live and feel their heritage. We at Ysgol Rhos Helyg hope that the Cadi Ha continues for many years to come.
Leanne Thomas (Athrawes Teacher)”
