A Report on the November Meeting of The Resolven History Society
Both Halloween and Guy Fawkes night have come and gone in a certain lack lustre fashion this year. the dismal , dark nights and the lingering half-life of the Covid- 19 pandemic have made people reluctant to leave their homes at night and must account for the tiny audience who arrived at the Church hall to hear this month’s speaker Ann Marie Thomas of Swansea.
Before starting her talk on “Alina , the white lady of Oystermouth Castle”, she gave a synopsis on how she had become an author of several books on the history of Swansea and the Gower. A stroke had left her bed ridden and hospitalised and made her begin writing, firstly a book of poetry and then followed by books surrounding the fascinating history of medieval Swansea and the Gower. The main thrust of the story surrounded the de Breos family that had accompanied the invasion of the British Isles by the Normans in 1066. The thirteenth century story of Alina de Breos involved , the weak Edward the Second and his lover Hugh de Despenser , who killed the Welsh Chieftain Llewelyn Bren. This formed a phalanx of intrigue between Welsh, English and Norman in the area which contained intrigue and bloody battles. Indeed Garngoch near Gorseinon is so called owing to the name referring to the hilts of blood following a battle when the Welsh defeated the Normans. Alina was called the “white lady”, because she was reputed to haunt Oystermouth castle after her death. The castle itself has been subject to significant restoration in recent years with the décor being restored to its former glory. Several place names remain in Swansea commemorating the de Breos family, including Parc de Breos, a former hunting lodge.
Mr Trefor Jones, thanked Mrs Thomas for her fascinating talk.
The next meeting of the Society will be held on Monday 13th December. It is titled a Members’ night , not because only members will be present, but that they will give the content of the meeting including a historical quiz. The Society will then take a break in order for the dark nights to pass and hopefully persuade our supporters out to the meetings once again, in March.
Trefor Jones.
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Old Abergarwed
I came across these iconic images in my Library of Abergarwed recently. They were given to me by a photographer a few years ago,.
The images were in a different format. They were all dark and its been very interesting to see what was on them when I managed to bring the images back to life,
They include the coal works at Abergarwed, a house going down due to heavy rain, (their dog barked and saved the family.). and also the flooding in Abergarwed due to stormy weather ( captured by Mother).
Perhaps readers may give us more information?
Mike Davies
Community Challenge 2022
Tai Tarian’s Community Challenge is back and looking for applications from not for profit facilities and groups in Neath Port Talbot.
Three projects will benefit in 2022 and will see our staff and contractors descend on a community facility for a day to give it a makeover. Painting, decorating, repairs or general maintenance are all things we can carry out.
Since 2012 we have helped projects in schools, community centres, playgroups and a host of other community facilities throughout Neath Port Talbot.
Applying is easy, we have a form on our website that takes just 5 minutes to complete. Community Challenge Application – Tai Tarian
The closing date for entries is 17th December with winners notified on 28th of January 2022.
Keep your Eyes Peeled at Halloween
If you come across unexpected litle crocheted gifts around the village, here’s the reason why
Resolven’s Random Acts of Kindness started when two friends started talking about what they could do to help brighten up people’s day. We both learnt to crochet during the first lockdown and we thought we would share some small projects to make people smile. We have all had a difficult year and half and we realised that some people live alone, some people may struggle and some people may feel alone and/or isolated.The main aim of Resolven’s Random Acts Of Kindness is for us to make the projects and hide them around Resolven and the surrounding areas. The crochet item will be hidden with a card that will include a positive thought for the day, quotes or sayings, we hope people find them and it helps people to smile, to know they are not alone and that people care. We crochet a small item such as flowers, butterflies, rainbows, hearts; these are just a few examples.
We have also made things to run along with calendar events, we recently hid Green ribbons as this was for Mental Health Awareness Day
Our next items to hide will be around the theme of Halloween.
If you find any of the items please feel free to take them home and keep them or pass them onto someone else to help brighten up their day and to make them smile.
Keep your eyes peeled and happy hunting!
Ghost Hunting With Resolven Welfare Ladies Group and Friends
Friends of Ynysfach Primary once again provided a pumpkin carving competition at the school , which gave the Welfare Ladies Group a perfect opportunity to show them off by transporting them from the school yard over to the canal.
A pumpkin trail was made from the 1st lock to Ty Banc cottage. There were 97 pumpkins in all and every one if them individual and showcasing some very talented pupils (and parents).
Recognise the artwork?–Panels from past productions by Resolven Operatic Society in the Welfare
WILL WE DARE?
The gatekeepers sold spooky torches and glow sticks at the start of the trail
The Ty Banc Canal Volunteers joined in and created a terrifying witches’ hut that made a few grown- ups scream let alone the children!
And there were Halloween painted rocks hidden on the trail that children could trade in for treats at Ty Banc.
Trade Off Point –Halloween rocks for Treats
The Children’s Pumpkin Competition produced artwork of a superbly high standard too.
Here are a just a few of the 97 pumpkins displayed in all their glory along the Pumpkin Trail and on the wall around the Miners’ Memorial opposite Sardis.
The Pumpkin Trail event could only have been by achieved by team work and the community joining in the fun , and not forgetting the generosity of local businesses who never fail to support the village events to give the kiddies treats and smiles. So thank you to the Welfare and Resolven Chemist this time.
Special thanks to the Ty Banc Canal Group and the South Wales Adventure Company for their help and Ynysfach Primary and the Welfare Ladies make a formidable team don’t they?
Well done all
Poppy Appeal
Due to the loss of the local branch of the Royal British Legion, the Poppy Appeal is being organised this year by the Welfare ladies group in conjunction with Resolven Community Council. Poppies and badges will be distributed in local shops and businesses for sale to raise money for the British Legion.
Pin badges will be on sale too so look out for the Centenary badges celebrating 100 years of the Poppy Appeal.
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Spooky Halloween Images
Some images of ghostly apparitions at Resolven Canal Basin submitted to RDN recently by ‘Walk-aholic’
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Halloween Week Starts Here!
Picture taken by our trembling but fearless photographer Mike Davies
Mike has an Intruder
I had to go the hospital, and on my return, I looked through the window to see if all was OK. It was not, as I had an intruder and he had the devil in his eyes.
It was not a human. It was a sparrow hawk and he was up to no good.
Sparrowhawks are birds of prey. They’re adapted for hunting birds in confined spaces like dense woodland, so gardens are ideal hunting grounds for them.
Photograph by Mike Davies
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A Fond Farewell to Father Andrew
The Reverend Andrew Davies conducted his last service as Vicar of Resolven on the 26th of September and has now retired. We all knew him as Father Andrew. He was with us for 9 years and was well liked in the village for his warm, down-to-earth and cheerful presence at social gatherings and the comfort of his words when burying loved ones. He will be much missed by the community.
Mrs Julie Hicks, as Vicar’s Warden, knew him very well and says:
’’At the end of the day, Father Andrew was a valley boy. He was born in a valley; he came to our valley and became one of us. He never pretended to be anything but what he was. You could talk to him about anything—he was the people’s priest.’’
Here are some of Father Andrew’s memories of his 9 years with us.
When I arrived at the Benefice of the Vale of Neath, like every other parish you serve in, you never know what to expect. My motto has always been you only get out what you put in
When looking at the attached photographs I know I’ve received a great deal from the parish over my 9 years. As with all ministries there is always a mix of great joy and sadness.
But my overall experience has been one of great joy, if you look at the photograph of the teas whether it was the summer or Christmas tea, it was an immense joy and privilege to see the community come together and also to be a small part of all the hard work that the ladies put in for the preparations, not only the ladies but also husbands in the weightier preparations of placing tables.
There were the Chinese Auctions, the Ukulele and other musical events held in the hall. Too many to name but many to remember and look back in with so many happy memories. The Carnivals, and Christmas Fayre.
The Remembrance Day services ably arranged by The Royal British Legion and the pride in being invited to share those days both in Resolven and Clyne. Also, the involvement of Year 6 from Ynysfach Primary and Clyne Primary in the reading of the names on the Cenotaph.
As you can also see from the photographs the chance to take up bowls, in one I look professional and was told that my stance was good, only to be quickly followed by groans as the bowl left my hand (I made an amateur look good).
However, these are particular events held at particular times, and they only make up part of being a parish priest. It was the days walking around and sharing time with people brought the greatest joy, because it was at these unguarded times that people would share with me their joys and sadnesses, concerns, and worries, and it is at times such as these that makes it such a privilege to be a parish priest.
I end this little article with a heartfelt THANKS to all of you who live within the parish boundaries of the Vale of Neath, for allowing me to minister to you, wherever you live whether it be Clyne, Resolven, Ynysarwed, Abergarwed, Glynneath, Cwmgrach/Blaengwrach or Pont Walby; because without your love, support and prayers, I wouldn’t have had so many happy memories of my time spent with you in the privileged position of being your priest.
I Andrew.will always keep you in my prayers.
Father Andrew
