cadw commissions

ROSANNE by Alex Wharton

Listen to Alex Wharton's song 'Rosanne' dedicated to the Black soldiers of the 320th Battalion.

Alex was commissioned by CADW Wales to write a poem/ set to music about the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion, a Black battalion, part of the segregated US army, and the first Black servicemen to see action on D-Day. Alex directed and filmed "Rosanne" on the plains of Pontypool Park, at The Folly Tower, near where they were stationed.

The Gardener by Alex Wharton

Inspired by the life of John Ystumllyn, also known as Jac Du or Jack Black, little is known for sure of John Ystumllyn's early life.
He is likely to have been a victim of the Atlantic Slave Trade and was taken as a child to the Wynn family's Ystumllyn Estate in Criccieth. Here he was taught English and Welsh, and learned horticulture, showing great talent in the estate gardens.

Imagine by Alex Wharton

Enjoy Alex Wharton’s poem 'Imagine' inspired by the life and achievements of Clive Sullivan.