FINAL preparations are being made in Cardigan for 10 days of celebrations to mark the bi-centenary of the first emigrant sailing from Cardigan to Canada.

Cymdeithas Aberteifi Society is marking the 200th anniversary of the sailing of the brig Albion from Cardigan to New Brunswick, Canada with around 180 local emigrants from the Lower Teifi Valley.

A list of events in the town has been drawn up for the Easter holiday fortnight from April 13-23, to mark the voyage celebrating Cardigan’s culture and maritime heritage, with talks, walks, singing, folk dancing and exhibitions.

People will have the chance throughout the celebrations to experience for themselves the cabin conditions endured by the emigrants on board the Albion in a display on Cardigan quayside.

The opening ceremony will take place at 2pm on Saturday, April 13 at Prince Charles Quay, with further entertainment to follow in the castle grounds with Blaenporth choir, poet Ceri Wyn Jones and a harpist.

On Sunday, April 14, the arrival of the Albion in Canada will be celebrated with poetry, paintings and songs at Rhosygilwen.

There will be various talks and tours, while on Good Friday the churches in the town will come together to stage a Walk of Witness through the town with an open air service on Prince Charles Quay at noon.

There will be a twmpath at the Guildhall on Easter Saturday (7.30pm) and the annual Cymanfa Ganu at Bethania Chapel on Easter Sunday (6.30pm).

Easter Monday will see a coracle demonstration and Stations of the Albion – a promenade performance telling the story of the Albion and taking in the sights and sounds of the town culminating at the quayside at sundown. Meet at the Grosvenor at 6.45pm.

A talk on the history of 19th century Cardigan pubs rounds off the celebrations on Tuesday, April 23 in the Tower Room at Cardigan Castle (7pm).