Griff Harries

Biography

Hello, my name is Griff Harries and I’m very eager to be your guide to South West Wales. The manifold delights of Gower, Pembrokeshire, Carmarthen, Swansea, Tenby, Brecon, the Vale of Neath and many – MANY – more await us. Come on – what are you waiting for?  Let’s  go!

If you want golden beaches, breathtaking views, fascinating history, quaint villages, bustling towns, pretty theatres, impressive concert halls, lovely restaurants serving delicious Welsh fayre? I’m your man!!

I have an MA in Public History and Heritage and I’ve learnt that the area is a hotbed of magical places oozing charm, history and a fascination that very few people know about – but I do – and I’ll gladly share it all with you. It can all be our secret!!

I can also offer tours with a difference – as a professional musician with over forty years experience as a performer, conductor and Orchestral administrator, I can add a distinctive cultural twist. For example – how about a visit to Craig y Nos Castle which was once the home of the world famous soprano Adelina Patti, or shall we go to Penclawdd where Sir Karl Jenkins grew up.  Hey – I could show you where Sir Anthony Hopkins made his professional acting debut, or we could visit Richard Burton’s birthplace, or go to his hero Dylan Thomas’s birthplace. I could take you to the grave of one of Wales’ greatest hymn-writers. He was known as “Gwyrosydd”  and he wrote the words to possibly the most popular Welsh hymn of all time –  “Calon Lan” which is about purity of heart and soul. He scribbled the words on the back of a cigerette packet in return for couple of pints of beer – allegedly!!

As an actor, I worked recently with Kevin Allen the director of the iconic film “Twin Town” which was set in Swansea. If your’e of a certain age I’m sure this will certainly figure in your list of “must see” films. I’ll take you to the locations used in the film and then an opportunity to enjoy a Q & A with Kevin. Now that’s a trip that’ll certainly be different and it’ll be fun too – and of course there’ll be “hot dogs for tea”!!

I am a fluent Welsh speaker and a member of the National Eisteddfod of Wales’ “Gorsedd”. I would love to take you around the Eisteddfod and tell you all about it. “Britain”s Got Talent” and “X Factor” don’t come close to the goings on at the Eisteddfod – eat your heart out Simon Cowell – this is how it’s done!

I offer all these and more –  but I’m running out of space here!  There’s so much I want to tell you and share with you!  Please get in touch and we can talk and plan.  I hope to see you soon.

Fel siaradwr Cymraeg, cynigiaf yr uchod yn ddwyieithog.