Ceridwen and Gwion Bach

Tim Rossiter in conversation with William Gibbs

Tim Rossiter will explore the story of the wicked witch Ceridwen and her unfortunate servant Gwion Bach. The paintings on display detail, with glorious energy, the frantic shape-shifting of the hunted Gwion and his pursuer.

The talk will be in the Sir John Lloyd Gallery with seating for all. Free. All welcome.

Please join us for Christmas refreshments in the Atrium after the talk.

Brecon u3a with Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales

Historic maps are a crucial source for understanding the history and development of the landscape of any area, but they aren’t always easy to access, and documents associated with them can be quite complex.

This talk including workshops and local presentations is arranged by the Archaeology and Architecture & Landscape Special Interest Groups of Brecon u3a and the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales.  Two RCAHMW speakers will share their ongoing research into how historic map data can now be made more easily available by digital technology and discuss related developments in the historic mapping of Wales.  Their talk will explain how sources of data can be viewed in 3D online and the detailed data they contain can be explored in new and exciting ways on desk-top computers.  Three short presentations by Breconshire researchers will then look at sources of information they have used.  Finally, two workshops will explore matters further.  One of the workshops, with limited attendance, will give a hand-on introduction to the available software and data sources.

 This event is open to non-u3a members of organisations in the Brecknock History Forum, including the Brecknock Society and Museum Friends.  Please note that non-u3a members must preregister to attend and pay a £2 attendance fee at the door. 

Download the pdf file here for further details of the programme and how to preregister. 

Talks with a Breconshire focus include Dr Elizabeth Siberry & Eliane Wigzell – Insights from The Great Houses of Crickhowell and Jonathan Williams – Penpont: An Evolving History

To see the full programme and book tickets, go to https://www.bangor.ac.uk/iswe/events/welsh-country-house-histories

£25 Including lunch and refreshments

Any queries: libbyrees@gmail.com

The Discovery of the Llangors Logboat

The 8th - 11th century Llangors logboat is one of Brecknock Museum’s most important exhibits. Paving the way for the centenary of its discovery near the crannog (lake dwelling) in Llangors Lake in 1925, Mervyn Bramley will describe the context of the site, how the logboat was discovered, and the subsequent research into how the boat was made and would have been used.  The talk will include excerpts from 1993 Time Team television programme when a full-sized facsimile of the logboat was successfully hand-crafted and launched on the lake, and some rarely viewed historic photos and paintings.

This talk will be in the Beacons Room. All welcome. Free

A Scrapbook; Mysteries and Surprises

A little while ago in a talk to BSMF William Gibbs revealed that a Scrapbook in Powys Archives was part of the unknown preparatory research for Volume 2 of the History of Brecknockshire.

Detailed study of the work has now revealed further mysteries and surprises about the drawings and paintings it contains and the role that Theophilus Jones, author, Thomas Price, artist, and James Basire, engraver, may have played.

Guildhall, Brecon Wednesday 23rd October at 7pm

All welcome Brecknock Society members: Free Non-members £2

More information: libbyrees@gmail.com

The women behind Gwellian’s portrait

This visit will explore the different phases of the designed landscape around Penpont. We will aim to look at the remnants of early eighteenth century formal gardens, parkland from the 1770s, ‘picturesque’ walks from the early 1800s and later landscaping from the 1830s, as well as some more recent developments.

The exact route may vary depending on weather, but is likely to involve walking around 3 miles. Be prepared for the route to be steep, muddy and rough in places. Wear walking boots and bring waterproofs, water, poles if you use them, and a light snack or energy bar.

Our Society and the Siegfried Sassoon Fellowship are collaborating with this poetry and harp concert marking the centenary of Siegfried Sassoon’s visit to Llansantffraed Churchyard in the summer of 1924 which inspired his well-known poem - ‘At the Grave of Henry Vaughan’.

Brecon harpist Martha Powell and poet / writer Christopher Meredith will be joined by Deborah Fisher - writer on Sassoon - and broadcaster Phil Carradice for a themed programme of poems and literary extracts (linked to Sassoon’s and Vaughan’s life) interwoven with traditional and early 20th century harp music, including works by Morfydd Owen.  The overall duration is 90 minutes, whch includes an interval with refreshments. 

Early booking is advisable. Purchase or reserve ticket(s) from Mervyn Bramley, the Brecknock Society’s lead for Llansantffraed Church.  Payment by cash, BACS or cheque. Ticket(s) can either issued beforehand or picked up at door. 

Contact: e: mervyn.bramley@icloud.com   m: 07795 345676

 From 24th July, tickets can also be purchased at:

 The Hours Bookshop, Cathedral Close, Brecon  m: 07726 375274

Parking is in the lay-bys near the church on the A40 close to the Talybont-on-Usk turning.  Accessible parking can be reserved alongside the churchyard on request to Mervyn Bramley.  A toilet facility will be available at the church.  Click here to download an A4 flyer.

Caebach United Reformed Chapel was first built in 1717 and is now under the care of Addoldai Cymru, the Welsh Religious Buildings Trust.  The chapel has a long association with the Jones family of Pencerrig,Llanelwedd, and two famous sons of the family, Thomas Jones the artist and his brother Frederick, army officer, traveller and diarist, are buried there. 

Contact libbyrees@gmail.com for further details or to book a place

Eliane Wigzell will describe the family’s rise from ironmasters in Nant y Glo to landed gentry with estates in Breconshire, Radnorshire, Herefordshire and Glamorgan.  

Sir Joseph Bailey purchased Glanusk in 1826 and built his mansion there.  It was demolished in 1952 after damage during the Army’s requisition of the house in the 2nd World War.

Copies of Great Houses of Crickhowell, which Eliane co-authored with Elizabeth Siberry and Ryland Wallace, will be available for sale.

This talk will be held in the Beacons Room

Henry Vaughan and the Plants of Breconshire

Nina Krauzewicz, who wrote "Breconshire Plants and Seventeenth Century Purveyors of Medicines Through the Lens of Country Doctor and Poet, Henry Vaughan" in last year’s Brycheiniog, will be speaking at the Creative Forum. For more information about her work, , see the listing below on “Glimpses into the botanical life of Henry Vaughan” or www.storipowys.org.uk/whats-on

A tour of Gregynog Hall, famed as the former home of art collectors and benefactors Gwendoline and Margaret Davies and its Grade 1 listed gardens.  Led by Elizabeth Siberry

A full day trip with accommodation available at Gregynog for those who want to stay on to explore nearby attractions such as Powys Castle https://gregynog.org/visit/accommodation/

To book, or for more details, contact libbyrees@gmail.com

Nepalese & Brecon: 50 Years

Lowri Probert (Soprano) and Jasmin Allpress (Piano) will be performing a selection of pieces from Adelina Patti’s repertoire in the Courtroom.

This concert is organised by y Gaer and tickets are available online at bit.ly/ygtickets or at y Gaer, with a suggested donation of £5 (cash only) per person on the door

A visit to Brynmawr Museum to view their extensive collection of Brynmawr furniture.

Limited places. For more information, contact libbyrees@gmail.com

Andrew Jones explores the story behind the tragedy and the history of the painting.

This talk will be held in the Beacons Room

Annual memorial evensong commemorating the death of the Breconshire poet and physician Henry Vaughan - the ‘Silurist’.  Address by the Revd Prof Alison Milbank, Canon Theologian at Southwell Minster. Evensong sung by the choir of St Mary’s Church, Abergavenny, followed by wreath laying at Vaughan’s grave in the churchyard. 

Tea, coffee and cakes after the service until 4.45pm.

The service is organised jointly by Llansantffraed Church Committee, the Brecknock Society and the Vaughan Association.  There is no charge for attending, but please consider making a cash donation to the collection to help to maintain this rural Victorian gem of a church for future generations.

Post code for Satnav - LD3 7YF

Portaloo toilet in the churchyard

Contact Mervyn Bramley e: mervyn.bramley@icloud.com m: 07795 345676 to reserve accessible parking the lay-by immediately below the church.  More parking available in nearby lay-bys.

 For more information about the Society’s longstanding association with Henry Vaughan::

https://www.brecknocksociety.wales/henry-vaughan-and-llansantffraed-heritage

Our speaker on the 13th April is Philip Havard.

Philip is an expert on Welsh country and farmhouse furniture.

This talk will be held in the Courtroom.