Underground educators in war-torn Myanmar are using community storytelling to recapture their histories and celebrate ethnic identities, thanks to a project led by an Aberystwyth University academic.

Dr Yi Li, a historian of modern Southeast Asia, is working with community educators in Myanmar’s marginalised ethnic schools and community schools for refugee children on both sides of the Thai-Myanmar border.

Education in Myanmar has been significantly interrupted since the military coup d’état in February 2021 and the continuing conflict between the military junta and the resistance forces.

It is estimated that only 22% of eligible students are enrolled in high school level studies in the country.

Dr Li, from the Department of History and Welsh History at Aberystwyth University said:

“The education crisis in Myanmar is particularly acute in ethnic autonomous areas such as the Karenni region, where a third of the population has been displaced with no access to formal education, and students and teachers are unable or unwilling to attend military-run schools.

“Our project is cooperating with an existing community-based network to continue providing emergency education to grassroots schools and informal classrooms in the conflict zones with limited resources.”

The year-long project aims to combat political instability and cultural fragility in Myanmar by encouraging teachers to make use of community storytelling as an educational approach. 

The project team has run an online teacher training programme for community educators based in Myanmar or exiled in Thailand, and facilitated a four-day educational workshop in Chiang Mai University in Thailand. 

The programme and workshop enabled the trainees to experience storytelling and place-based learning, and demonstrated how community storytelling could capture their own histories in the oral tradition, as well as lead to the creation of alternative teaching materials that celebrate ethnic identities.

Dr Li added: “By training teachers to explore community storytelling as an alternative learning method, and engaging cross-generational community participation, we aim to preserve endangered local memories of many ethnic communities, independent from the junta’s discourses.”

The project team is producing a teacher’s handbook with syllabus and advice for place-based storytelling training methods, intended for release in English and Burmese later this year.

In addition, the project team is working on an illustrated storybook containing community stories narrated through the workshops that have taken place to date.

Dr Li is working in partnership with Tharaphi Than, Associate Professor in the Department of World Languages and Cultures at Northern Illinois University; Surajit Sarkar, Curator at Kerala Museum, Kochi (India) and Jyothi Thrivikraman, Assistant Professor at Leiden University College the Hague, Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs (Netherlands).

The project has been funded by a Knowledge Exchange Award from Aberystwyth University and Humanities Across Borders.

Photo:  Credit: Karenni Praru

CAN I ASK IF OVERUSED EXPRESSIONS HAPPEN FOR A REASON?

There are many expressions that people use, that when you pause to think about them, are completely meaningless.

A prime example is a six-word sentence that, if there was a competition to find the most pointless six-word sentence of all time, would win the top prize. Which of course would have to be something equally pointless.

I’m pretty sure you’ve heard your friends, colleagues and relatives use it occasionally and you may well be ‘guilty’ of it, too.

And it’s this . . .

“Can I ask you a question?”

Whenever anyone says that to me, I want to say (politely, naturally!), “You do realise that by pre-empting asking me a question by asking me if you can ask me a question, you’ve already asked me a question?”

By the time they’ve mulled over and absorbed the logic of the question I’ve asked them, they’ve usually forgotten the question they’d asked me if  they could ask me.

One of the most pointless sentences of modern times – and one I just can’t buy – has to be “Everything happens for a reason”.

Really?

People often use that expression to comfort themselves or the people around them when something bad occurs.

I understand that. But when you look around the world, at what’s happening in conflicts and natural disasters – how can anyone honestly believe they happen ‘for a reason’?

The line “Can I ask you a question?” turns up in films and TV dramas as often as “Try and get some rest!”

Whether it’s romantic dramas, thrillers, westerns, cop shows or soaps, the line invariably pops up somewhere.

I’m suddenly reminded of a story I read years ago about a group of successful Hollywood writers who decided, as an in-joke, to always put “Try and get some rest” in all their scripts.

Then they’d have an annual get together and toast the writer who’d managed to shoe-horn the line into the most unlikeliest scene.

Maybe something like…

“Great King of Thebes. I have just slain the three-headed Hydra . . . battled the Cyclops . . . and destroyed the Thracian army!”

“Well done, Hercules. Now try and get some rest!”

……………………………….

Holiday Costs Skyrocket, Leaving Parents Bewildered and Broke!

In a shocking twist, holiday prices have once again shot through the roof, leaving families across the country unable to afford quality time together.

It’s no secret that during peak school holiday periods, the price of a getaway can be a jaw-dropping two to six times higher than usual.

It’s a blatant act of exploitation that has the majority of the public up in arms. And who can blame them?

Desperate to make magical memories, many parents find themselves drowning in debt, burdened with exorbitant interest rates for the mere privilege of borrowing money for a much-needed break.

It’s an additional expense on top of an already-inflated holiday budget.

Gone are the days when families would embark on adventurous trips to Porthcawl and Barry Island during the miners’ fortnight.

Those old, musty caravans, where the whole clan had to trek half a mile for a toilet visit and endure a chilly shower, are now a distant memory.

Let’s not forget the arduous task of lugging around water butts just to have a cup of tea, coffee, or squash. And, to top it all off, it seemed like it rained more often than not!

But, believe it or not, those two weeks in Wales taught us valuable lessons in outdoor survival and even prepared us for the prestigious Duke of Edinburgh Award.

While I can’t say I miss those challenging times, I’m sure many of our readers would agree that they were truly character-building experiences that have left us with incredible stories and memories to share with the younger generation.

So, let’s raise our glasses to the good old days of adventure and resilience, and hope that one day, affordable family holidays will be within reach again!”

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Comedian Phil Evans is from Ammanford. He is known as the man who puts the ‘cwtsh’ into comedy.

You can follow Phil Evans on Twitter @philevanswales and  www.philevans.co.uk

MEMBERS of the Llanelli and District Twinning Association are looking forward to the visit of musicians from Llanelli’s twin town of Agen.

A group of harpists from Agen and Lot de Garonne will be in Llanelli on the July 16, 17 and 18.

One of the main events marking their visit will be a Gala Concert at the Diplomat Hotel on Thursday, July 18, starting at 7pm.

The concert will feature a large group of harpists from the French region, Llanelli’s Côr Curiad Ladies Choir, under the musical directorship of Alex Esney, and four soloists from Loud Applause Rising Stars (LARS) – Osian Clarke, Liam Edwards, Penelope George, and Lauren Williams.

The accompanist will be Catrin Hughes. The compere will be Cerith Owens.

The harpists are part of an association known as Harpinbag.

The Agen and Lot de Garonne group was formed 10 years ago.

The association was originally created around Aude Fortict, a harp teacher at the conservatories of Marmande and Agen, to shape and develop the projects of amateur harpists, most of whom are from the Lot-et-Garonne region.

Harpinbag (pictured above) currently has 80 members, including about 29 active harpists, aged seven to 20, and about 15 harpists over 20 who participate in various activities.

The association also includes many harp lovers and supports unique cultural projects.

Since its creation, the young harpists have travelled throughout the region, wider France and Europe, and even to South America.

They have already recorded two CDs and performed many concerts in Nouvelle Aquitaine and Occitania.

Tickets for this unique event are £10 and are available from Paolo Piana pianapaolo@hotmail.com  or 07956 592806 or from members of Côr Curiad or LARS.

This Saturday sees a special concert organised by Llanelli District Music and Drama Club.

The Welsh Chamber Orchestra will be performing at the parish church of St Elli at 3pm on Saturday, July 6.

The concert programme includes –

Mozart – Eine kleine Nachtmusik (Serenade no. 13 for strings K. 525).

Tchaikovsky – Andante cantabile (String quartet no. 1, Op. 11).

Alex Mills – Night, Sleep, Death and the Stars.

Borodin – Notturno (String quartet no. 2).

Haydn – Symphony no. 8 (Le soir).

Tickets are £12.50, available from Llanelly House, £14 on the door on the day.

Meanwhile, Parc Howard Association is teaming up with Llanelli Town Council to stage two concerts this summer.

The events are being held under the Music For The Park banner.

On Sunday, July 7, Llanelli Community Wind Band will be playing at the park between 2 and 4pm.

On Sunday, July 14, Carmarthen Ukeleles will perform between 2 and 4pm.

The concerts are free. Spectators should bring their own chairs or blankets. Refreshments will be available to purchase.

You can find out more about Carmarthen Ukeleles on their website at – https://www.carmarthenukuleles.co.uk

The Llanelli Wind Band website is at – https://www.llanellicommunitywindband.org

A special fundraising concert, featuring two fine choirs, will be held in Kidwelly this month.

Swansea Excelsior ladies choir will join Meibion Elli male voice choir to present ‘A Summer Concert’ at St Mary’s Church, Kidwelly, on Friday, July 12 at 7pm (doors open 6.30pm).

Lynda Richards, who lives in Kidwelly, is the musical director of Swansea Excelsior Choir.

She gave the following message to west Wales music fans: “We hope to fill the church with both beautiful music and people. Please come along and support us. Your support is very much appreciated.”

Peter Thomas, Chairman of the Llanelli-based Meibion Elli choir, said: “Our male voice choir continues to go from strength to strength under the leadership of Eifion Thomas. Choir membership is increasing and we are looking forward to joining the Swansea Excelsior Choir for what should be a splendid musical evening in the stunning surroundings of St Mary’s Church.”

Tickets are £7.50 available from Excelsior Choir members, at the door, or by telephone on 07708225254 or 07950913352.

Proceeds of the concert will be for St Mary’s Church. The Excelsior Choir’s accompanist will be Rachel Saunders. Aled Maddock will accompany Meibion Elli.

Swansea Excelsior Ladies Choir was formed in 1941 from the nucleus of the old Swansea Ladies Choir, which was disbanded. In 2021 the Covid pandemic prevented the choir celebrating its 80th anniversary.

Today, the choir’s membership consists of approximately 40 ladies who enjoy singing and who, by performing concerts, support a wide variety of charities and other organisations.

Since 1999, the choir has donated more than £54,000 to worthwhile local charities.

In 2023, the choir travelled to Belgium, where they gave two concerts – the first in Ghent Cathedral; the second in Bruges at the Basilica of the Holy Blood.

They also visited Ypres, where the choir sang ‘Calon Lan’, ‘Eli Jenkins Prayer’ and the Welsh National Anthem. They also sang at the daily 8pm ‘Last Post’ ceremony at the Menin Gate.

Ammanford’s very own children’s community theatre group, Starquest, are performing their Summer Variety show in the Glowyr Miners’ Theatre on July 6 and 7, 3pm both days.

The children taking to the stage are between three and 10 and will be entertaining you with singing, dancing and comedy.

Tickets are £9 and £8.

The Performance Factory Carmarthen brings the Disney Channel’s smash-hit movie musical to life in Disney’s High School Musical JR at The Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen.

The performances are at 2.30pm and 6.30pm on July 13.

Join Troy, Gabriella, and the students of East High and enjoy all the hit songs and dances that we’ve all come to know and love.

Tickets are £14 and £12.

Melting of glaciers in a major Alaskan icefield has accelerated and could reach an irreversible tipping point earlier than previously thought, new research suggests.

The research, involving scientists at Aberystwyth University in Wales, found that glacier loss on Juneau Icefield, which straddles the boundary between Alaska and British Columbia, Canada, has increased dramatically since 2010.

The team, which also included universities in the UK, USA and Europe, looked at records going back to 1770 and identified three distinct periods in how icefield volume changed.

They found that glacier loss remained consistent between 1770 and 1979 with up to 1 square kilometre lost a year – this had increased to over 3 square kilometres a year in the period 1979 to 2010.

Between 2010-2020 there was a sharp acceleration when the rate of ice loss doubled, reaching almost 6 square kilometres a year.

The research, published in Nature Communications, found that icefield-wide rates of glacier area shrinkage were five times faster between 2015 to 2019 than the 1948-1979 period.

Overall, the Juneau icefield lost a quarter of its original volume in the 250 years between 1770 and 2020. 

This faster thinning of the glacier has been accompanied by increased glacier fragmentation.

The team mapped a dramatic increase in disconnections, where the lower parts of a glacier become separated from the upper parts.  

100% of glaciers mapped in 2019 have receded compared to their position in 1770, and 108 glaciers have disappeared completely.

Alaska contains some of the world’s largest plateau icefields and their melting is a major contributor to current sea level rise.

Dr Tom Holt from Aberystwyth University said:

“It is really concerning to see the rapid and accelerating loss of glaciers from the Juneau Icefield.

“We know that climate-driven ice loss from glaciers and icefields contributes to rising global sea-levels. And Alaska is expected to remain the largest regional contributor to rising sea levels up to the year 2100.

“What this research highlights is that we have been under-estimating the amount of ice being lost from this particular icefield, which may also be the case for others located in the Arctic.

“The reduction in icefield area also seems to be contributing to a positive feedback loop: as the glaciers melt, their surfaces become darker as rock debris is exposed, reducing solar reflectivity – and increasing surface melt -further contributing to the loss of the glaciers.”

The researchers think the processes they observed at Juneau are likely to affect other, similar icefields elsewhere across Alaska and Canada, as well as Greenland, Norway and other high-Arctic locations. 

They also say current published projections for the Juneau icefield that suggest ice volume loss will be linear until 2040, accelerating only after 2070, may need to be updated to reflect the processes detailed in this latest study. 

Study lead, Dr Bethan Davies, Senior Lecturer, Newcastle University, added:

“It’s incredibly worrying that our research found a rapid acceleration since the early 21st century in the rate of glacier loss across the Juneau icefield.

“Alaskan icefields – which are predominantly flat, plateau icefields – are particularly vulnerable to accelerated melt as the climate warms since ice loss happens across the whole surface, meaning a much greater area is affected.Additionally, flatter ice caps and icefields cannot retreat to higher elevations and find a new equilibrium. 

“As glacier thinning on the Juneau plateau continues and ice retreats to lower levels and warmer air, the feedback processes this sets in motion is likely to prevent future glacier regrowth, potentially pushing glaciers beyond a tipping point into irreversible recession.”

“This work has shown that different processes can accelerate melt, which means that current glacier projections may be too small and underestimate glacier melt in the future.”

The team used a combination of historical glacier inventory records, 20^th century archival aerial photographs, and satellite imagery as well as geomorphological mapping conducted during fieldwork in 2022 to piece together a comprehensive picture of changes over the past 250 years.

Photo: Satellite Image of Juneau Icefield

Credit: Landsat imagery courtesy of NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and U.S. Geological Survey

The age of water in the Antarctic is being revealed by seals for the first time.

Aberystwyth University researchers are beginning to receive satellite data from seals showing how much oxygen is contained in the region’s water – a way of measuring its age and where it comes from.

Part of an international effort to understand the effects of climate change in polar regions, this data is being used to see how water circulation is changing and its effects on glaciers.

How far and how fast the warm current flows under the Antarctic glaciers, thawing them underneath, will affect how quickly they retreat.

Their disappearance could lead to a catastrophic rise in sea level – leaving major coastal settlements across the world underwater.

Earlier this year, Dr Gui Bortolotto from Aberystwyth University located and tagged seals in the Antarctic on the RRS Sir David Attenborough research vessel, as part of Project PICCOLO.

He is now receiving daily satellite data tracking the seals’ movements across the North-eastern portion of the Weddell Sea and assessing changes in water circulation in the region.

If more water is being drawn in from outside the Antarctic, it could be a sign that the ocean will warm faster.

Dr Gui Bortolotto from Aberystwyth University said:

“We know that the ice in the Antarctic is melting and that the sea level is going to rise over time. Climate change is happening, but the way it changes is key to predicting the speed of the process.

“The data that comes back from the seals tells us how much oxygen it contains and its age. It also tells us the extent to which the water circulation is changing. The amount of water coming into the Antarctic from other oceans has a big impact on the speed at which the glaciers thaw – and that has big implications for us all.”

Even with advanced equipment, it can be very difficult to measure deep water features in Antarctica – especially under the ice.

However, elephant and Weddell seals regularly swim through the very waters scientists wish to monitor – regularly diving to depths of over 1000 metres.

Dr Bortolotto added:

“Understanding the changes in these oceans, including the warming of specific regions, is a vital part of giving policy makers the tools to limit and mitigate the climate crisis. Seals are precious and beautiful creatures and it’s a privilege to work with them. They are like a special, crack research team – reaching places that even our most advanced technology cannot.

“I am particularly interested in investigating different things about the ecology and behaviour of those seals, such as dive characteristics and the places they prefer to go. Their swimming will hopefully help the world understand the serious impact climate change is having on our planet.”

The PICCOLO research project is funded the Natural Environment Research Council.

Image 1: RRS Sir David Attenborough research vessel, photo credit Jenna Plank, British Antarctic Survey.

Image 2: Seal  

Department of Life Sciences

The Scarlets are delighted to announce that experienced former international coach and elite rugby operations director Leigh Jones will join the club as their new Rugby Performance Director.

With extensive experience in high-performance rugby environments both internationally and at club level, Leigh most recently led rugby operations for Leicester Tigers, including being part of the leadership team that saw them win the Gallagher Premiership in 2022.

He also spent six years with Hong Kong rugby, as a Head Coach, then Head of its Elite Rugby Programme helping them qualify for the repechage for the 2019 Rugby World Cup and reaching their highest IRB world ranking (21). Leigh was then appointed as General Manager of Rugby Operations in Hong Kong responsible for the strategic direction of both men’s and women’s 15s and 7s rugby high performance platforms.

Leigh’s wide-ranging rugby experience has also included two years as Assistant Coach with the Japan National Team under Eddie Jones where the team won the Pacific Nations Cup and achieved top 10 IRB ranking during the 2013-14 season and 2015 World Cup pool stage wins over South Africa, USA and Samoa.

Leigh’s early coaching career included coaching Wales (Defence and Forwards coach) in 2000-2002 under Graham Henry which included Scarlets Head Coach Dwayne Peel’s first call-up into the Welsh squad for a development tour of Japan and Canada in 2000.

Leigh has a MSc in Coaching Science and a PhD in Professional Coach Development from the University of Wales, Cardiff.

As Scarlets’ new Rugby Performance Director, Leigh Jones will work alongside Head Coach Dwayne Peel in helping build and deliver a winning team based on a strong vision and performance culture. He will focus on delivering the highest professional standards, systems and processes that underpin and support Scarlets’ whole rugby environment, as well as leading rugby backroom functions, future recruitment planning and alignment with the Scarlets rugby pathway.

Head Coach Dwayne Peel continues to have full responsibility for all rugby team matters on the field, including team and individual performance, game plan and model, selection and the rugby programme and will make final decisions on signing and retaining players in the squad. Dwayne reports to the Scarlets Board.

Leigh Jones said: “It is a privilege to join the Scarlets. It is a club with such a rich and successful heritage in rugby and one known and respected globally for developing some of Wales’ best players over the decades.

“The exciting part is there are more talented Scarlets players to come through in the future. I’m looking forward to playing my part in helping clear the runway to support Dwayne and his team to see this great club back where it belongs on the field.

“My role at Scarlets will be very similar to my work with Leicester Tigers, where I was responsible for overall rugby operations, across pathways, analysis, medical, physical development, recruitment and women’s rugby working closely to support the Head Coach.

“At this point in my career, my focus and motivation is using my experience to help develop people – both coaches and rugby support staff, equipping and supporting them to be the best they can be and helping them reach their potential.

“I am excited and keen to get started and look forward to working with the coaches and players when pre-season starts in early July. It’s good to be working back in Welsh rugby at a time when there’s a lot of hard work ahead, important contributions to be made and significant challenges to face.”

Scarlets Head Coach Dwayne Peel said: “Leigh has a depth and range of experience delivering world-class rugby performance programmes so he understands fully what it takes to build a winning team. We are looking forward to working closely with him and for the knowledge and experience he’ll bring to our rugby environment.

“We are working hard on building a competitive squad, with exciting new players keen to make an impact joining us this summer plus we are retaining a group of key Scarlets leaders on the field and our best emerging talent. With Leigh’s appointment as well, there’s a lot to be excited and positive about as Scarlets ahead of a new season.”

Scarlets Managing Director Jon Daniels said: “We are delighted to welcome Leigh to Scarlets and believe his most recent experience and success in high performance rugby environments with Leicester Tigers, Japan and Hong Kong Rugby will be hugely valuable to our rugby set-up. We look forward to his contribution as we intensify our focus and investment into our rugby operations and build a competitive squad for the future.”

Leigh Jones, 64, will join up with Dwayne Peel, his coaching team and the Scarlets squad in early July as the pre-season gets underway.

Photography is supplied by Riley Sports Photography. Credit www.rileysportsphoto.com

https://youtu.be/Zo9fvWQaLhk

Background biography: Leigh Jones

International coaching experience: Hong Kong, Japan (2013-15) Wales (2000-2002), Wales ‘A’

Professional club coaching experience: Ebbw Vale, Newport (2002-2004) and Newport Gwent Dragons (2004-2010)

Rugby Management experience: General Manager Rugby: Leicester Tigers (Premiership winners 2021/22); General Manager Rugby: Hong Kong Rugby (HKRU) – High performance platform 7s/15s men’s and women’s game (2019 – 2021); Head of Elite Rugby Programme (ERP) and Head Coach (HKRU); National Coach Development Manager.

Academic background

PhD Professional Coach Development, University of Wales

Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) Level 5

Post Graduate Certificate in Further Education (PGCE/Cert Ed)

Accredited Sport Psychologist in 2003 (British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences, BASES)

MSc Coaching Science, University of Wales, Cardiff