Barry is in back row 3rd from R in this photo of the Resolven Youth Rugby team who won the District Youth Cup in 1955

Barry still writes poetry and was kind enough to share the following poems with us :-

So Small a Nation

Mor Fach Gwlad

For St David’s Day 2022

Barry S Britzman February 2022

What was it that the invaders feared

in their attempts to subdue it?

from so small a nation,

and, so few a people,

that over the span of two thousand years

they built and fortified hundreds of castles,

among them the mightiest castles in Europe

Caernarfon, Beaumaris,

Conwy, and Harlech

Cardiff, Caerphilly,

Coity and Flint,

Builth, Blaenllynfi

Abergavenny, and Aberystwyth

Abertawe, Ystumllwynarth and Nedd,

yet still the proud cry from the people is heard

“Ond, ry’n ni yma o hyd”

Acknowledgements to Dafydd Iwan.

Said to be the most castellated nation in Europe, there was once, more than 600 castles

in Wales, a castle to every 13 square miles. There now remain 427. Among the castles built

or rebuilt by Edward I: were Aberystwyth, Beaumaris, Builth, Caernarfon, Conwy, Flint,

Harlech, and Rhuddlan among the Welsh castles captured and repaired by Edward I: were

Castell y Bere, Criccieth, Dolwyddelan and Caergwrle.

~ ~

The following is Barry reminiscing of a favourite viewing point of his, the derelict farm ‘Henllan’ above Melincourt.

No Other Sound

Barry S Britzman January 2022

No other sound

is ever heard here

save that of the birds

and the soft breeze

as it weaves through the grasses

and nearby trees,

as I sit alone in silence here

to hear and to listen

to the unwritten,

unwritable, musical

language of trees,

murmuring the hushed

opening movements

of Henllan’s arboreal symphonies –

as the setting sun bathes

in its soft rosy light

the banks and rockfaces

displayed here in sight,

where silhouetted, in silent defiance,

old stunted oaks, standing

deep-rooted in rocks,

still strive to maintain their unceasing fight,

while I sit in peace this evening here,

only to hear, and to listen

to the unwritten, unwritable,

musical language of trees.

~ ~ ~ ~

WHO IS THE WINNER?

Images by MIKE DAVIES (RDN Phorographer)

Delghtful, Mike! (Editor)

Wow what can I say!!! £1196.66 was raised last Saturday at the Ukrainian Vigil in the village. Thanks to all the shops and clubs that sold the ribbons and held raffles and collections. Thanks to the WI for the money raised from their cakes and refreshments. Thanks to the staff and children of Ynysfach School and thanks to the community for once again for supporting the event. I am very proud to live in such a wonderful community like ours. 

Slava Ukraina Slava Resolven 

Neal Francis 

Chair Resolven Community Council #

Images Editor and Hugh Lewis

John Kosschuk, speaker at Saturday’s Ukraine Vigil, and wife Ludmilla

Hi, from John Kosschuk   to all in Resolven– Just a quick note about myself and Ukraine.

 I was born in England, my parents were displaced people from Ukraine after the Second World War. I am married to a Ukrainian woman, Ludmilla, and have been for the past 25years.  Back in Ukraine she was a school teacher. We have been living in Tonna for the past 5 years, before we lived in Bournemouth for 20 years.

 I often visit Ukraine to see family and friends, in actual fact I am due to visit Ukraine in June this year, Sometimes I drive across, fly across and used to take Eurolines buses. What is happening in Ukraine is barbaric– looting, rape and murder of innocent civilians. What you hear and see on the news is only the tip of the iceberg. When it all will come out people will be shocked to hear what has happened, and why  the West let it happen.

 At the moment I am collecting money for Ukraine and have set up a link with Poland and Ukraine. All the money I collect goes straight to a bank in Poland. I let my family in Ukraine know that I have sent the money, they ring friends in Poland and tell exactly what is needed. The items are taken across the Polish/Ukrainian border and delivered to a distribution centre in Yavoriv Ukraine about 20Km from the border, then it is taken where it is most needed. At the moment most of the money I raise goes to buy medical supplies for the front.

 Just over £1100 was collected on Saturday at the Resolven Vigil.   WOW.

All 100% goes to Ukraine no admin charges. I wish to thank all the people that have contributed to me, on behalf of all Ukrainians and myself we thank you all. Most of my family and friends are staying to fight in the Ukraine and defend the land against the Russian invasion.

 Wales has strong ties with Ukraine, read the following article I took from Wikipedia, John James Hughes (1814 – 17 June 1889)[1] was a Welsh engineer, businessman and founder of the city of Donetsk. The village was originally named Yuzivka (Hughesivka)

 Reading this, Wales has a bigger claim to Donetsk than Russia. More about John James Hughes can be found on Wikipedia.

Best Regards

 John Kosschuk

The Vigil on Saturday in Ynysfach School yard, festooned with bunting made by the children, was blessed with a really good turnout.

 Resolven Community Council Chairman Neal Francis spoke first and then introduced the speakers -Lyn Maddocks and the Reverend Jayne Shaw  who both led us in prayer       

 Neath Assembly Member Jeremy Miles also spoke about the efforts being made to help the Ukrainian people.   

A moving and interesting contribution came from John Kosschuk who lives in Tonna now but still has family in the Ukraine.

All the proceeds from the Vigil will be going to the Ukraine Charity that John runs,

Ynysfach W.I contributed to the fund at the end of the Vigil by selling refreshments in Building Blocks

The atmosphere during the Vigil was sombre and subdued as we were reminded by all the speakers of what ordinary people, just like us, are having to endure in the Ukraine.

At the end, there was a silent moment to reflect on what had been said and then the National Anthem of the Ukraine was played.

IMAGES by HUGH LEWIS and EDITOR