Did you know that the cathedral city of St Davids in Pembrokeshire has been twinned with Matsieng, the ‘royal village’ in Lesotho since 1999? A new project, funded by the National Lottery’s Heritage Fund, has started in St Davids to record for posterity the history and stories of this significant twinning link. The link itself was initiated with a memorable five-day visit to the city by the late Queen Mother, HM Queen ‘Mamahato, and her son HRH Prince Seeiso that is still fondly recalled by residents. A number of St Davids City Councillors subsequently attended the wedding in Lesotho of HM King Letsie III.
A number of student and teacher exchanges between the city’s Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi (YPD) and schools in Matsieng have taken place over the years which have strengthened friendships and understanding. A group of students and teachers from YPD have recently been to Lesotho and recorded several interviews for the project, including with HRH Prince Seeiso.
Dolen’s Heritage Project Lead Tracey Messenger is recruiting a team of volunteers to record interviews with those involved in the link and to digitise archival materials. An exhibition is planned at the city’s Oriel y Parc visitor centre in September, and all the gathered material will then be uploaded to the People’s Collection Wales website.
If you have stories to share about the link or would like to get involved in interviewing, digitising materials, helping with events or Welsh translation, please contact Tracey direct: tracey@dolencymru.org or telephone 07783 953563.
