ABERRATION @ NATIONAL LIBRARY OF WALES, ABERYSTWYTH
CYMRAEG >>
!!SOLD OUT!!
Friday 11 July 2025, 6.30pm, £5 (includes drink)
OUT OF THE FRAME: QUEER RESPONSES TO THE EXHIBITION ‘NO WELSH ART’
!!SOLD OUT!! If you have tickets and can't come, email post@llgc.org.uk for refund, in plenty of time. If you don't have tickets, you can join the waiting list on the 'TICKETS' link below.
6.30pm Gather for drinks. 7pm Tour begins in gallery
Join us in this very special tour of the current exhibition in the Gregynog Gallery, National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth.
On the way artists and writers will take a fresh look at the art through an LGBTQ+ lens. An exciting and creative evening programmed by Aberration.
Artists include Jane Hoy, Abid Hussain, Naomi Pearce, and Tomos Williams, each presenting their own unique take on the art, history and politics of Cymru, among the sumptuous artworks of the ‘No Welsh Art’ exhibition. Plus short queer tales performed by Simon Robson and Elin Haf; and alternative creative captions produced in an Aberration / National Library workshop.
Stories, sounds, performance and visions… all-round 360-degree queer fabulousness, for one night only. Grab your tickets now!
Latest update on timings: Doors open at 6.30 pm, with talks starting from 7pm.
Friday 13 June 2025:Queer Lit Quarterly returns to Aberystwyth Arts Centre with four fascinating authors of fiction and non-fiction. Arranged by Gayberystwyth Books and supported by Aberration, this is the LGBTQ+ night for all you book lovers! £8 (inc booking fee)
Each author will read from and talk about their books and take audience questions. You will also have the chance to buy signed copies of the books. An enjoyable evening in the company of fascinating writers and friendly book lovers.
Get creative in this fun workshop where we’ll make a ‘zine’ (little magazine) inspired by admirers of the Ladies of Llangollen!
TWO DATES:
Sat14 June 12 noon to 2pm, Machspace, Machynlleth – find venue here >> Queer Tales from Wales run our new zine-making workshop for the first time ever on the theme of ‘The Ladies of Llangollen Appreciation Society’. Part of the Open Day at Machspace (community crafting and makers’ space). Places are limited to 10. Just turn up. https://machspace.org/open-day-zine-making/
And the following weekend, a similar session in Llangollen…
Sarah Ponsonby and Eleanor Butler ran away from Ireland in the 1780s and made their home together at Plas Newydd in Llangollen. They lived together until the end of their lives, becoming known as the Ladies of Llangollen, and had many admirers through the ages.
Never heard of them? Don’t worry, all will become clear in the workshop!
We’ll use words, photos, illustrations and collage to explore some of the themes in the Ladies’ life such as gardening, stitching, love and friendship.
No special skills or experience are needed and all materials are provided.
Run by two friendly workshop leaders, Jane Hoy and Helen ‘Aitch’ Sandler of Queer Tales from Wales, with (in Machynlleth) Ruth Gordon of Machspace.
Queer Tales performed their show about the Ladies for Machynlleth Pride last year. Their next performance is at Plas Newydd, Llangollen, on 21 June.
Friday 20 June from 5pm: Gayberystwyth Books (Aberystwyth Market Hall) present this special event. Mike Parker and Norena Shopland launch a new edition of a milestone in Welsh LGBTQ+ literature, TheSummer Flood by Goronwy Rees.
Norena Shopland and Mike Parker will be here to talk about their work, research and contributions to this new publication of ‘THE SUMMER FLOOD’ by Goronwy Rees.
This is an exclusive opportunity to get your hands on this fascinating book PRE-PUBLICATION! (To be officially published July 2025 by Parthian Books).
Why is this book important in queer literature? As in the author’s own life, the characters in this novel by Goronwy Rees struggle with bisexual attractions at a time when they could not be open about their lives and loves. A new edition is a cause for celebration and reassessment.
The book with a foreword and critical analysis by Mike Parker and afterword by Norena Shopland will be available to buy on the night, pre-release (officially available early July).
Norena writes: “When Goronwy Rees published his novel The Summer Flood in 1932 it disappeared almost immediately, and original copies are rarer than hen’s teeth. Now, Parthian Books is republishing what has turned out to be an important work in queer literature.”
An Extraordinary Female Affection: The Life and Love of the Ladies of Llangollen
Our most thrilling show is our promenade performance as the Ladies of Llangollen in the grounds of Plas Newydd, where the ladies lived 200 years ago! We performed this show in 2024 to a very appreciative audience and now we’re delighted to be back again on 21 June 2025.
3.30pm tea followed by 4 to 5pm (approx) live show.
NOTE: Wear stout shoes and bring a brolly just in case. This event is outside and contains uneven ground and steep sections.
Tickets include afternoon tea. A fabulous day out. Devised and presented by Queer Tales from Wales – Jane Hoy and Helen Sandler. And next day Jane and Helen will run a creative zine-making workshop about the Ladies!
This is part of a week of celebrations of the legacy of the Ladies of Llangollen which also includes a talk by Norena Shopland on 18 June about her unique collection of memorabilia and antiques.
Scroll down for all the amazing events being brought to you by Aberration, Queer Tales from Wales and our partners at Gayberystwyth Books this summer!
Friday 13 June: Queer Lit Quarterly returns to Aberystwyth Arts Centre with four fascinating authors. Arranged by Gayberystwyth Books and supported by Aberration, this is the LGBTQ+ night for all you book lovers! Doors open 6.30pm.INFO>>
Sat 14 June: 12 noon to 2pm, Machynlleth: Queer Tales from Wales run their first-everzine-making workshop on the theme of ‘The Ladies of Llangollen Appreciation Society’. INFO>>
Friday 20 June: Gayberystwyth Books presents… in the bookshop / market hall, Aberystwyth: Mike Parker and Norena Shopland launch a new edition of Summer Flood by Goronwy Rees. INFO>>
== Please note: Plas Newydd have unfortunately CANCELLED the Queer Tales from Wales show and workshop advertised for Sat 21 June & Sun 22 June. They may be rescheduled ==
Friday 11 July 6.30pm Aberration presents OUT OF THE FRAME: Queer Responses to the Exhibition ‘No Welsh Art’, National Library, Aberystwyth. An exciting evening where we take over the gallery and hear from LGBTQ+ artists and writers.INFO>>
What happens when a stroppy Irish feminist writer falls for a quiet Welsh woman sculptor in Bella Roma?
Find out in this delightful show about Frances Power Cobbe and her ‘wifie’ Mary Charlotte Lloyd of Llanelltyd – and their amazing friends; Ours is the old, old story of every uprising race or class or order.
The work of elevation must be wrought by ourselves or not at all.’ Frances Power Cobbe, The Duties of Women (1882). From the duo who brought you the Ladies of Llangollen: Jane Hoy and Helen Sandler of Queer Tales From Wales
What the audience said about previous shows:
‘Such a treat! Such a polished performance and wonderful script… I feel enriched by having had the opportunity to watch this.’ ‘A deeply moving and funny animation of these inspiring women’s stories. Hope many others have the chance to see/ hear this.’ ‘Forgotten women resurrected – wonderful.’
Friday 11 April 7pm (doors open 6pm), Round Studio, Aberystwyth Arts Centre
Hosted by Gayberystwyth Books and supported by Aberration Cymru, Queer Lit Quarterly brings together writers and readers for a packed evening of readings, discussion and appreciation of LGBTQ+ literature.
Launching in style on 11 April, this first event will star four brilliant authors of fiction and non-fiction: Mike Parker (On the Red Hill), Norena Shopland (Forbidden Lives), JJ Lambert (Found Wanting) and Anthony Shapland (A Room Above a Shop). They will be giving talks, taking questions and signing books! If you love LGBTQ+ books and stories, this is the ultimate event for you.
Director: Ray Yeung Hong Kong (S.A.R of China), 2024, 93′ minutes, Cantonese with English subtitles
Angie and Pat are two women who have shared a life of love and resilience in Hong Kong for over four decades. When Pat suddenly passes away, Angie’s world is upended. Faced with mounting pressure from an unsympathetic extended family, she must navigate her grief and fight to hold on to the home that holds their cherished memories.
With poignant performances by Patra Au Ga Man, Maggie Li Lin Lin, and Tai Bo, ‘All Shall Be Well’ is a tender, heart-wrenching exploration of love, loss, and the quiet strength required to claim one’s place in the world.
This screening is co-hosted by Aberration (LGBTQ+ arts and community events in Aberystwyth). After the film there will be a short panel discussion chaired by Helen Sandler with Fran Jackson and Steph Jones and Q&A – a chance to reflect on the movie and its themes.
We are delighted to bring Aberration back to the magnificent Ceredigion Museum in Aberystwyth with ‘Crossing the Line’, programmed especially for LGBTQ+ History Month.
We’ve put together an amazing evening of stories and film, facts and fabulousness for you all. Programme below. Edrych ymlaen!
Aberration presentsCrossing The Line
An evening for LGBTQ+ History Month, Friday 28 February, Amgueddfa Ceredigion Museum, Aberystwyth. Doors open 6.30pm, starts 7pm. Tickets: £8 early bird (plus booking fee) or £10 on the door.
Aberration will be taking a journey around Ceredigion and beyond, including queer and trans Celtic history and mythology and some of the characters and events on our Ceredigion LGBTQ+ timeline. We are also proud to be hosting the Wales launch of a new book, 3000 Lesbians Go to York, about a much-loved national arts festival. The evening ends with a new film celebrating Aberration’s own contribution to Welsh LBGTQ+ culture and arts over more than ten years.
PROGRAMME
6.30 Doors open: Come and have a look at the Ceredigion Timeline and add your stories.
RAFFLE: Bring cash for raffle tickets in aid of All Out – lots of great prizes from local businesses and friends of Aberration including Bottle & Barrel, Medina cafe-bar, Aberystwyth Arts Centre, and our authors!
7pm Welcome from your Aberration hosts, Helen Sandler, Jane Hoy and Ruth Fowler
Cheryl Morgan: In Search of Trans Celts
Cheryl will look at evidence from archaeology, Roman writers, and Arthurian legend, to see what we can tell about how our ancestors saw gender.
7.30pm Queering the Fourth Branch of the Mabinogi: power, resistance, and desire
This talk by Colin Audigé-Soutter, based on his MA thesis, illuminates the potential queer undercurrents pulsing through one of Celtic literature’s most enigmatic narratives.
8pm INTERVAL Refreshments and Bar, Raffle for All Out with amazing prizes, and another opportunity to add your story to the Ceredigion Timeline.
8.30 The Ceredigion Timeline: an interactive journey
Jane (L) and Norena
Norena Shopland describes the background to the Timeline – a project to record the LGBTQ+ history of every county in Cymru. Jane Hoy introduces some of Ceredigion’s queer characters and events, with friends of Aberration reading their words.
9pm 3000 Lesbians Go To York
Jane Traies will launch her lavishly illustrated new book, 3000 Lesbians Go to York (Tollington, 2025) about the arts festivals that drew massive crowds in the Noughties. Aberration’s own Helen Sandler, publisher of the book, will introduce Jane’s talk about the legendary weekender.
9.30 Aberration: a celebration
FILM PREMIERE! Ruth, Helen and Jane of Aberration will screen Amy Daniel’s new short film about Aberration’s fabulous first decade.
