Guardian Illuminated, Six Bells, South Wales

December 10th 2014 was the second occasion that the people of Six Bells met for a Lantern Parade along the pathway to Guardian, the Miners' Memorial.

It was a fine cold evening with plenty of warm scarves and furry hats, but best of all, many many smiling faces. A brass band greeted the crowd as they arrived at the statue and everyone joined in with well-loved Christmas Carols.

Hot soup was handed out to everyone and children enjoyed decorating gingerbread biscuits. A little Christmas shopping was done at other stalls around the site and at Ty Ebbw Fach Heritage Centre and the Cafe.

Bethany Chapel organised an outdoor Nativity Play with an unusual theme of Health & Safety around the stable and Bethlehem.

Both Santa and Mother Christmas enjoyed time with the children and many families will have photographic proof that they met Santa.

A wonderful friendly evening which I hope will be repeated for many years to come. Well done everyone who helped to make it a success.

Gardening, Valleys Style

We often see images of vast flat landscapes, or gently rolling hills in the welsh countryside. We even see steep valleys and beautiful hills. But not everyone appreciates the problems of trying to work a plot on the steep hillsides of a welsh valley.  These pictures were taken in the Ebbw Valley. Unfortunately, not many people about to ask their experiences.

Anice gentle slope you may think...

Okay, perhaps it is a little steep...

Steeper

Steepest !

My camera sometimes has difficulty in revealing the steepness of our welsh slopes. I believe, this time, it has succeeded.

Guardian Lantern Festival

Maesycwmmer Viaduct

Maesycwmmer Viaduct

The South Wales Valleys created great challenges for the railway builders. Trains prefer relatively flat ground. There is very little in this area, hence most tracks travelled south along the valley bottoms  allowing trains to carry coal and iron ore to Newport and Cardiff docks for export or shipping inland up the river Severn.

To cross the valleys, it was common to build magnificent stone viaducts. Many have been removed and the stone used for churches, local housing, or even garden walls. But a few still remain.

Used now mostly as cycle paths and walkways they should provide breathtaking views. Unfortunately, many, due to health and safety have barriers preventing people (especially the vertically challenged, such as myself) from admiring them.

A bench in honour of the cartoonist Gren who published for many years in the Western Mail

Talywain viaduct forms part of the pathway from Blaenavon to Cwmbran.

Maesycwmmer viaduct sits alongside a busy road, but mostly ignored except for those using it to access the railway station on the opposite side. The pathway has now been named Gren's Way.

Probably the most talked of viaduct was the steel construction at Crumlin. This village is still a major crossroads in the valleys, but the only evidence of this phenomenal structure are the stone abutments visible high up the valley wall.

Crumlin viaduct

Another rail track used to travel through the valley bottom with a vertiginous link between the two systems. Trains progressing up this track often required an extra engine attached to provide extra push.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maesycwmmer


Images of Maesycwmmer Viaduct

Cwmcarn Forest Drive, South Wales

This fabulous woodland drive which allowed visitors spectacular views over the Bristol Channel and the Brecon Beacons closed at the end of October 2014 and may never fully re-open. The recent closure will prevent access to woodland glades, picnic spaces with vast horizons, an easy access to Twmbarlwm hill fort and much much more.

The cycling routes will still be available, as will some of the many walking paths, camp site, camping pods and visitor centre, but the single-track roadway will be closed to enable the Forestry Commission to remove hundreds, maybe thousands of diseased larch trees.

A view towards the Bristol Channel on a hazy October day

Whether this route will every reopen is in doubt as I write this.

Cwmcarn Forest Drive extends for 7 miles and was first opened in 1972 on the former site of Cwmcarn colliery.

Cwmcarn Forest Visitor Centre

Meals and snacks are available at Ravens Cafe which is very popular during school holidays. There is also a gift shop, information, toilets and showers. Open seven days a week 9-5 (4.30 on Fridays and off peak).  Tel: 01495 272001

e-mail:  cwmcarn-vc@caerphilly.gov.uk

Whilst the extensive views over the Brecon Beacons and the Bristol Channel are closed, it is still well worth visiting Cwmcarn Forest for the deciduous trees, fast flowing streams and beautiful scenery. The cafe and gift shop provide interesting gifts and tasty snacks and meals.

We all hope these views will be available again soon, and the woodland will be replanted. 

Llancaiach Fawr Manor, Nelson, South Wales

The peaceful, rural setting of Llancaiach Fawr Manor belies the turmoil of its early years. Built in 1530 for Dafydd ap Richard, it was designed to be easily defended during the turbulent reigns of Tudor kings and queens. By the start of the 17th century the Prichards had prospered and the house was extended in 1628 to demonstrate their status. The manor is furnished and presented as it was during the Civil War in 1645 when Charles 1 reputedly came to visit.

Visitors take a step back in time and are welcomed into the Manor by the costumed servants who follow the traditional domestic and farming rhythms of life in the countryside. They share the folklore and customs of the changing seasons with visitors along with news and impact of the turmoil created by the Civil War upon the household and its staff. The household staff reenact the attitudes and knowledge of the time with no knowledge of the 21st Century or the strange clothing that some visitors may wear. An interesting experience.

As well as events held in this haunted house, this site offers catering for celebrations and conferences, an exhibition & Gift Shop, Cafe & Restaurant, as well as a Lifelong Learning centre.

The existence of passages and stairways walled up over the years leads to the interesting situation where there are more windows visible from outside Llancaiach Fawr than can be seen 
on the inside. 

www.llancaiachfawr.co.uk

National Botanical Garden of Wales, Carmarthen

Carmarthen in west Wales is the home of one of the largest single span greenhouses in the world.

There is always something to see, always something in bloom no matter what time of year you visit. Built on two levels there are walkways which enable you to explore plants from above and below. 

The windows are controlled by small motors in the struts to open and close automatically, keeping the temperature at the required level for Mediterranean plants. Within a few yards you can move plantwise from one continent to another; from South Africa to South America; no flight tickets required, and a cup of coffee and a snack just a few more steps away.

Outside there are grasslands, lakes and bog plants as well as a double-walled garden with vegetables. Acres of garden for both children and adults to enjoy.

The rill flows down into a cobbled water feature.

Gazing around as you walk up the entrance pathway, make sure you watch your footing. Otherwise you could end up with a wet foot from the small water-filled rill that runs quaintly down to a low cobbled water feature.

From a distance you may look twice and think of running from this magical metal and wool sculpture which looks quite real.

The ice house, although a little off the beaten track has now been refurbished. This would have originally been used to store ice formed over winter on the surface of the lake further down the site. This ice would then have been stored to use in the summertime for example, for making ice cream.

Inside the ice house.

Why not add variety to your visit and combine it with one of the events held there. There’s so much to see and do. I’m sure you’ll want to visit more than once.

http://www.gardenofwales.org.uk/whats-on/events/