Jack_Walkaholic continues his Welsh Coast walk in North Pembrokeshire
North Pembrokeshire 2
One week after the scorching ‘thirstatholon’ I returned to North Pembrokshire, tent in tow and optimism (maybe slightly delusional) in overdrive. Sunshine was promised, so I’d conquer two days and a glorious night under the stars. Strumble Head greeted me with its flashing lighthouse and cliff top views, then it was on to Fishguard, its ferry groaning so loud even the seagulls flee in terror.
Stena Europe – its last month of service.
Just along the coast is the old harbour, full of character. An ancient castle whispered tales of battles past, then the path ushered me… into a caravan park. Don’t judge, they’re labyrinths, especially after several wrong turns fueled by a daydream of scoops and sprinkles.
Fishguard Castle.
Finally, out of the caravan maze and onto Dinas Head, a dark sand beach named Pwllgwaelod stretched before me like a pirate’s secret cove. Past the dramatic headland, I reached Cwm-yr-Eglwys. My daydream has been fulfilled, ice cream as I soaked in the ruined church and the gentle ebb and flow of the tide.
Pwllgwaelod
Cwm-yr-Eglwys
Onward to Parrog, Newport, the tide is in and the water is up to the garden walls of the houses. Rain came as I pitched the tent, there’d been weeks of sunshine and no rain forecast, my maiden camping experience was a washout.
Newport
Next day I drove to Cardigan, a quick bus ride whisked me back to Newport. Carreg Coetan, an ancient burial chamber humming with time, was worth the detour. The rain stopped just as I left, the emerald hills across the estuary glowing in the sun.
Carreg Coetan.
Then, things got epic. The path clung to the cliff face, my legs complaining like rusty swings, but the views! Pwll y Wrach, a turquoise pool born from a collapsed cave, and Ceibwr Bay where the rocks danced like frozen waves banded with colours like sunrise on the sea. These moments shut up even the whiniest of muscles.
The cliffs around Foel Fach
Godir Rhyg
Careg Yspar, Pwll y Wrach
Careg Wylan, Ceibwr Bay
Reaching Cemaes Head, and down to Poppit Sands I saw the sign: “Pembrokeshire Coast Path – First Gate.” And a grin filled my face. I was walking the whole thing… backwards! Not exactly the plan, but who says you can’t conquer a trail in reverse?
The Coast Path the wrong way
On I went, dodging cars and admiring Saint Dogmaels, a medieval monastery telling tales of monks and pilgrims. Just like that the Pembrokeshire part was done, another chunk of the coast conquered, one lost turn and one soggy campout at a time.
The end of the Pembrokeshire Coast path, looking over the Teifi Estuary
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Another Resolven Poet-Barry Britzman
Barry Britzman spent some of his younger years in Resolven and he has just published a book of poetry much influenced by his time in the village and the valley.
BARRY’S STORY
The full title of the collection is “INEXPLICABLE FRAGMENTS. Selection of Poems of Love, Life, Time & Place”.
It is a personal, biographical and historical account of what the valley gave to me, and a little of my life since leaving the valley.
Few will know, that my mother was a member of the Melincourt Bowen family that hailed originally from Llantwit, and Llandeilo Talybont connected also with the Jones family of Ammanford. As the Britzman family, we arrived in 1939, to live in Maesgwynrig near Cwmgwrach. Fewer still will know, my father worked at the RAF camp at Stormy Down – or that he and I, on a visit from Pyle to Swansea, on February 19th 1941, were caught up in the Swansea Blitz. An event after which, our lives took an extraordinary turn for the worse. Brief historical notes are included at the end of the book reflecting on both our reluctant leaving of Wales and domicile in East Yorkshire – all at the whim of the War Office.
By the strange quirk of misfortune becoming good-fortune, I returned to Wales in 1953, where but for two brief interludes I have remained ever since. It has been a life blessed with good fortune and blighted by the accidents of fate.
BARRY BRITZMAN
Barry’s book is avalable at “Between the Covers” in Mumbles
Also at:
zen311932@zen.co.uk
Congratulations to Councillor Neal Francis
On Wednesday 9th May I as Chair of Resolven Community Council along with my wife, Joy, I had the honour of being invited to a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace.
It was an amazing experience and it was also a beautiful sunny day.
We were also lucky enough to be introduced to the King where he asked me which Community Council I was Chair of and that it must be a tough job to which I replied that it could be hard at times but it was a very rewarding experience helping the community. He said that a piece of his heart would forever be in Wales and to pass his regards onto the community in Resolven..
The picture attached of the gentleman in the kilt is the of “The Kings Piper” He was the person who played “The Last Lament” at Her Late Majesty’s funeral at St George’s Chapel, Windsor.
Joy and I both had a truly magical day which we will never forget.
Neal Francis
Report on the 40th Anniversary Celebration of Resolfen History Society
A Report on the 40th Anniversary Celebration of Resolfen History Society
Some 26 members and friends of the Society gathered at the Church hall to celebrate the milestone of having been in existence for over 40 years. Mrs Jane Llewelyn provided a sumptuous buffet for the occasion, which was enjoyed by one and all.
It was intended that the occasion would be an informal one and anecdotes were freely voiced of the history of the Society since October 1983. However, the formal aspect was not ignored and Mr Trefor Jones, read an extract from Resolfen Recalled which set out the early history of the Society and noted that at the turn of the Millennium the membership stood at 59 full members. He then took up the story of what had happened in the following 24 years. Firstly he paid tribute to the giants of the Society, in particular Phylip Jones who was the inspiration for its foundation in the first instance. He then pointed out some of the milestones, including memorial tablets to the Three Doctors of Music and to Professor Cliff Darby, who was and adviser to Churchill during the war. Reference was made to dinners, concerts, visits and treasure hunts held by the Society during the years. Reference was also made to the website which had received almost 250,000 visitors since its inception and included a digital modern history of the village via the work of Alun Morgan.
Turning to the more recent past, the Society had survived the pandemic with difficulty, and the road had been arduous in the past few years. However there were signs of recovery in the form of new members on both the committee and in general. Another welcome development had been the new found cooperation with sister organisations in the local area. In an age of instant satisfaction via Google it was important that original scholarship was given a platform in societies such as Cymdeithas Hanes Resolfen.
We now look forward to the 50th celebration!
Trefor Jones
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Northern Lights Dazzle Resolven in Rare Display
Resolven residents were treated to a rare and spectacular display of the Northern Lights over the weekend. This stunning light show, the most intense in two decades, illuminated the night sky with vibrant hues of green, pink, and purple.
The aurora borealis, typically visible in more northern latitudes, made a surprise appearance in South Wales due to a particularly strong geomagnetic storm. This rare event drew crowds of excited onlookers who braved the chilly night air to witness the celestial spectacle.
The unexpected appearance of the Northern Lights in Resolven serves as a reminder of the beauty and power of nature, and the importance of taking a moment to appreciate the wonders of the night sky.
@jack_walkaholic
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Resolven Miners Welfare Restoration
A message from the Secretary for the Resolven Miners Welfare Scheme
Big News from the Resolven Miners Welfare!
We’re thrilled to share exciting progress on the restoration of our cherished old miners’ welfare building! This heart of our community is poised for a grand revival, promising to once again be a vibrant hub for all.
Restoration Updates:
Our dedicated trustees are in deep discussions about the building’s future. As insurance issues are being resolved, we are brainstorming potential business collaborations to breathe new life into this historic space. Imagine a revitalized centre buzzing with activities and opportunities!
Community Involvement:
We’re setting up a dynamic new volunteer group and eagerly seeking community members to join us. Got ideas or time to contribute? We’d love to hear from you!
Social Media Revolution:
Stay tuned as we transform our social media into a ‘community hub’. We’re planning a series of engaging posts starting May 13th to keep you informed and involved. Expect heart-warming stories, key updates, and perhaps even sneak peeks into the architectural plans!
Looking Ahead:
Meetings with funding bodies are already on the calendar. We’re committed to ensuring every penny is put to good use restoring the heart of Resolven.
Join Us:
Be part of this exciting journey. Together, we can turn the dream of reopening this historic site into reality. Let’s make history, Resolven! You can access read the full summary of our feasibility study along with viewing some drawings of what we have planned by visiting – https://resolvenwelfare.co.uk/feasibility-study-2/
Feel the excitement? Spread the word, and let’s make this project a shining example of what we can achieve together!
Robert Sims
Secretary for the Resolven MIners Welfare Scheme
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History Society April Meeting Report
A report on the April meeting of Resolfen History Society
The speaker this month needed no introduction since it was none other than Jeff Childs, erstwhile of Pontardawe who spoke on the legacy of steel and tinplate in the town, especially that of the Gilbertson’s work. This was Mr Childs’s sixteenth visit to the Society.
He began his illustrated talk by alluding to the famous people with association to Pontardawe, including Siân Phillips, Rachel Thomas, Gareth Edwards who went to the technical school and the Welsh poet Gwenallt. Even Glynneath boy, Max Boyce began his illustrious career above in the folk club situated at the Ivy Bush public house. None of this would have happened without the advent of heavy industry.
The catalyst for steel and tinplate was the Swansea canal built between 1796 and 98 , to Abercrâf. This alongside the building of the famous Edwards bridge, near the present day Pontardawe Inn, led to the land at Ynysderw farm being commandeered by the Herbert family of Cil-y-bebyll, for the building of a works. Indeed the main road in Pontardawe to this day is Herbert Street. The original entrepreneur was Richard Parsons, who built ultimately and industrial complex including a steel, tinplate and sheet steel works. A chemical works not owned by Parsons supplied vitriol for Galvanising. The Gilbertson family then dominated the enterprise for many decades, leaving a legacy in St Peter’s Church which today still dominates the skyline with its 197’ spire. William Gilbertson indeed was responsible for the beginnings of steelmaking at the Abbey works in Port Talbot, though he quickly returned to Pontardawe. The Gilbertson’s intermarried with the Gwyn family and indeed fourteen children issued from William’s marriage.
Following the death of William Gilbertson from a stroke in 1912, the plant was managed by three of the Gilbertson brothers, as the plant was gradually taken over by other interests including RTB , and the Steel Company of Wales in the early 1950s. Indeed by 1958 the works was slowly closing and the land was being redeveloped, closing ultimately in 1962, with the trademark chimneys demolished in 1965. Today the site is marked, by the site of Cwmtawe School, the Alloy trading estate, a sports centre, a Lidl store and an old peoples’ complex which is being redeveloped from the old administrative block to the best environmental specifications. Some walls still contain the old waste sheets of steel as a reminder of a previous age.
In concluding his talk, Mr Childs made reference to the well-known story that the roof of the White House and especially the West Wing was manufactured in Pontardawe. This is partially true, in that a former roof was manufactured by Gilbertsons, however this predated the building of a west wing to the building, so 80% correct. The present White House has an entirely new roof.
Mr Trefor Jones, thanked Mr Childs for a memorable talk, and hoped that he would add to his tally of visits.
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Next month the Society will finish the year with a social evening to mark its 40th anniversary. The event will take the form of an informal tea, starting at 6 o’clock and all members past and present are invited to share some memories of the Society. See you all on Monday, May 13th!!!!
Trefor Jones
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Funeral Notice for Mr David Carroll
Although David had lived in Australia for many years , he had links with Resolven and worked in Rheola Market
