Songs From Stones, a film inspired by Anglesey's rich and varied prehistoric past, has been premiered at Beaumaris Castle (Isle of Anglesey, Wales). Commissioned by Cadw, the Welsh Assembly's historic environment service, and created by artist Sean Harris, Songs From Stones is the culmination of an innovative community project on the island, continuing the pioneering work undertaken with National Museum Wales, to explore Anglesey's prehistoric heritage.
     Songs From Stones has been shown in a rather unconventional cinema housed in a converted grain silo located in one of the castle's magnificent round towers. Visitors in August have helped create storyboards, characters, props and noises which have been incorporated into the final film.
     Mike Williams, Cadw's head custodian at Beaumaris Castle, said: "In short, the film links the two burial chambers – Barclodiad y Gawres and Bryn Celli Ddu – with an Earth Goddess rising from the carved stone in Barclodiad y Gawres and creating a strange potion which explodes, causing the Isle of Anglesey to be formed in the steaming embers of the fire. Visitors will have to come along and see the film to see what happens in the end."
     Devised and developed by Harris, Songs From Stones is an initiative funded by Cadw with support from archaeologists at National Museum Wales and Gwynedd Museum and Art Gallery, Bangor. There has also been input from Oriel Ynys Môn and Gwynedd Archaeological Trust. For more information go to Cadw's website at www.cadw.wales.gov.uk

Source: Wales Online (29 August 2008)