Thomas Parry and the Green Ointment
Have you ever heard any stories of the Parry, Griffiths, Wiliams or Rowlands families, herbalists from Dyffryn Ogwen?
Nearly no one knows about the ‘Llysieuaeth Feddygol’, a herbal book written in Welsh in the mid 19th Century by Thomas Parry (c1801-1858), a herbalist and quarry worker (he worked as a slate framer).
It’s a small volume of 112 pages containing 300 herbs, many of which still grow in the area he lived, by the Gors in Tregarth.
So how can we learn more about the man, his life, his community and his medicine?
THOMAS PARRY AND THE GREEN OINTMENT is a creative R&D project. We are exploring the stories of the people, plants and community of the book, through archive research and community workshops, to explore medicine making, plant spotting, research history and how to tell stories and write poems inspired by plants and history.
There are community workshops happening in Tregarth and Bethesda in July, August and September. They are totally free but you do need to register in advance.
RESEARCH – Explore the Archive – with archive staff & Claire – Archives and Library Bangor University – bilingual facilitation
Come take a look and old papers and herbal books in the archive at Bangor University.
Wednesday 29/7 10:00-13:00 SOLD OUT email to join the session 14:00-17:00
STORIES – Steve Niner, Angharad Owen & Claire – Cae Mariad, Moelyci, Tregarth – bilingual facilitation
Explore skills and processes to tell stories of plants, people and land.
Wednesday 19/8 10:00-17:00 Tickets available now. If it’s full, email Claire to join the “waitlist” for a place.
PLANT SPOTTING – Catrin Roberts & Claire – Fferm Pandy & Y Gors, Tregarth – bilingual facilitation
Join this walk around the area to spot medicinal plants from Parry’s book.
Monday 24/8 join either 10:00-13:00 or 14:00-17:00 Tickets available here. If it’s full, email Claire to join the “waitlist” for a place.
MAKING MEDICINE – Dafydd Monks & Claire – Sgubor Moelyci, Tregarth – bilingual facilitation
Learn how to make your own simple oils and balms from local plants.
Wednesday 26/8 join either 10:00-13:00 or 14:00-17:00 Tickets available here. If it’s full, email Claire to join the “waitlist” for a place.
HISTORY – Elin Tomos, Twm Elias & Claire – Canolfan Cefnfaes – through the medium of Welsh with simultaneous translation
Join in a discussion on the history of medicine and herbal medicine in North Wales.
Wednesday 2/9 18:30-20:30 Tickets available here. If it’s full, email Claire to join the “waitlist” for a place.
POETRY – Grwp Diosg, Meleri Davies & Claire – Gardd Ffrancon, Bethesda – through the medium of Welsh, new speakers are welcome
Join a poetry writing session inspired by the plants in the Community Gardens.
Wednesday 9/9 10:00-12:00 Tickets available soon. If it’s full, email Claire to join the “waitlist” for a place.
THOMAS PARRY AND THE GREEN OINTMENT – work in progress sharing – Meleri Davies, Angharad Owen, Claire & Specials Guest – Neuadd Ogwen – bilingual presentation
A little evening of stories, music and pictures inspired by our research journey with Thomas Parry’s book.
Sunday 22/11 18:30-20:00 Free entrance
If you know or remember any stories of the herbalists of Parry family – or of other herbal medicine practitioners locally, I’d love to have a chat with you and learn more.
Do Thomas Parry’s descendants still live in the area?
Send me a message or email claire@anadlu.com if you can help, or if you’d like to know more about the workshops. If a workshop is full and you want to join a waitlist, email.
With thanks to funders and partners in this project: Arts Council of Wales, LleCHI LleNI, Partneriaeth Ogwen, Ysgubor Moelci CIC and Neuadd Ogwen.
OTHER SHOWS and EVENTS with Claire Mace
- Te yn y Gwrych Taith Natur / Tea by the Hedge Nature Walk – Cwm y Glo – Friday 2rd April book here
- Folklore and Stories in Mynan Woods Sunday 11th July book here
- Spooky Stories for Calon y Coed – Saturday 14th November – fireside tales to chill your bones more here
- Clwb Stori Cymraeg, online – Sunday 30th December 7.30pm email for details
- Herbal Sauna – Henbant, Clynnog Fawr various dates book here
- Plus monthly story sessions at Fairways Newydd, LlanfairPG (open to residents and families only)
MY BIG PROJECT LAST YEAR was Sacred Herbs of Britain, a version of the story of Culhwch and Olwen. She was the giant’s daughter with hair yellower than the blossoms of the broom and cheeks pinker than the foxglove. Interweaving myths and magic, herbal lore and folk tales, this show shares stories of the plants and trees found in Olwen’s landscape, inspired by folklore from across Wales.
Additional performances
- Friday 15th January 2027- BLAST, Bishops Castle, Shropshire more here