Come along and play the harp at Botanic Garden

THE National Botanic Garden of Wales is hosting its eighth annual Harp Weekend on Saturday and Sunday, organised by harpist Shelley Fairplay.

The event offers the opportunity for visitors to come along and try the harp within a friendly workshop setting, to listen to a wide diversity of musical styles performed on the harp and ask any questions about the National Instrument of Wales.

In addition to concerts, children can get involved in a trail around the iconic Great Glasshouse to discover hidden facts about the instrument, make their own ‘Harp Crown’ to take home, over 7s can try the harp in the general handson workshops and under 7s become part of a musical storytelling session in ‘Tiny Hands on Harps’, where children learn to play the harp and sing along as the story unfolds.

During the 2pm Harp Ensemble Concert, a brand-new piece will be premiered called ‘Growing the Future’ to celebrate the Garden’s new Growing the Future project.

This year’s Harp Weekend will feature the world-renowned triple harpist, Robin Huw Bowen, who will be teaching a workshop for harpists and performing both days.

This event is sponsored by the Botanic Garden’s Growing the Future project which aims to champion Welsh horticulture, plants for pollinators, the protection of wildlife and the virtues of growing plants for food, fun, health and well-being.

This project has received funding through the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 20142020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government.