A new exhibition has opened at Yr Ysgwrn in Trawsfynydd, celebrating Meirionnydd’s extraordinary peatland heritage.

Peatland and marshes formed an integral part of Meirionnydd’s rural way of life for centuries, and the traditions and histories that grew from them are just as fascinating as the peat itself.

Over the past two years the Snowdonia National Park Authority has been leading the Cyfoeth ein Corsydd (The Wealth of our Bogs) project to gather and record the wealth of information and local recollections of the marshes.

As well as ensuring that these recollections are not consigned to the dustbin of history, it was also an opportunity to nurture an appreciation and pride amongst the community, in particular the younger generation, in their local heritage.

During the course of the project a close relationship was formed between local communities and schools, and many bog and peatland-based activities were held – from cutting and stacking peat and dyeing wool using plants from the bog, to a rush candle-making evening at Yr Ysgwrn.

An important aspect of the National Lottery Heritage Fund was the development of an exhibition at the end of the two-year period that would bring together all the research.

The aim of the exhibition is to spark and encourage an interest in our natural environment and generate a will to protect it for future generations.

In the exhibition, the peatlands’ history and traditions are brought to life through the medium of film, audio clips and old equipment that were used for peat cutting; some treasures found buried deep in bogs will also be on show.

Haf Roberts, project officer, said: “We learnt a great deal through the project – about traditions such as the practice of keeping the peat fire alight for years on end in the upland areas, the use of lichen to dye wool, and the priority given to rush candle-making at a time when wax candles were taxed.

“These practices feature in the exhibition and thanks to Yr Ysgwrn’s recent museum accreditation, amongst other props you will see treasures on loan from other museums.”

The exhibition will be on display until August. Following its period at Yr Ysgwrn, it will go on tour for a few months so that everyone can have the opportunity to visit and learn about the wealth of our bogs.