Notes from our Minutes.

January 2023
We held our January meeting at Yr Hen Ysgol on the second Monday of the month as usual. Our guest speaker was Heather Tomos and the title of her presentation a was “Why were local children absent from school in Victorian times”. Heather described education in the 1800’s and the reason why many children could not take advantage of the meagre schooling available at the time. Some families could not afford to send their children to school, some children were kept home to work on farms, especially during harvest times, and there were many other reasons for their absenteeism.
The Elementary Education Act of 1870 was the first of several acts of parliament passed between 1870 and 1893 to create compulsory education in England and Wales for children aged between five and 13. It was known as The Forster Act after its sponsor William Forster.
Even then, fining parents of large families for absenteeism only made it less likely that they could afford to educate their children. There were several questions from members and it pleasing to witness a youngster of school age posing relevant and sensible questions to the speaker, to which Heather gave comprehensive answers.
A business meeting will be held on the second Monday of February, which will start by showing a short film of local interest. Speaker for our March meeting will be Mark Cole.

February 2023.
Our meeting started by showing a transferred cine film that was taken in 1979 and 1980’s, including clips of the first ‘New Years Day Walk’ and other village occasions.
Then with Glynwen Bishop in the chair a business meeting was held.
There had been various correspondence since our last business meeting.
E mails such as William Morgan’s account of “Local Horse Races” describing the 19th century horse racing held in the Boncath area, among places mentioned were Pentre; Cilast; and Blaenmigan, Boncath, none of our members knew of the latter.
There was a request for information on the “Manor of Eglwyswrw”. which Mike Bishop dealt with and another from New Jersey in the United States seeking local information that Glynwen attended to.
It was agreed that our books be donated to Care Homes of the area and these will be delivered by Brenda; Dave; Glynwen and Eileen.
It was reported that our Facebook page presently has 410 members and continues to be well received.
Our annual day out this year as in the past will be organized by Brenda, probably a visit to Pantycelyn, William Williams the hymn-writer’s home, as well as some other attraction in that area.
Coronation of Charles III on Saturday, 6 May 2023, instead of the usual ‘Coffee Morning’ on the Saturday, an ‘Afternoon Tea’ will be held at Yr Hen Ysgol the following day (Sunday). Members are asked to bring past coronation memorabilia or any other suitable item to form a display.
Due to the weather in December, we cancelled our planned Christmas celebration with this in mind it was suggested that we should go for a bar meal when our group visit Cardigan Castle in July.
Under ‘any other business’ we discussed the new hall hire charges; this unavoidable increase is due to the price of energy.

Speaker for our March meeting is Mark Cole, and the title of his presentation is- ‘Teulu Thomas, Ty Rhos, Rhos Glynmaen’ ‘An Eglwyswrw Family: To Khartoum & The Kremlin'.

March, 2023
Our speaker for our March meeting was Mark Cole, and the title of his presentation was - ‘Teulu Thomas, Ty Rhos, Rhos Glynmaen’ ‘An Eglwyswrw Family: To Khartoum & The Kremlin'
Mark gave a detailed history of the family from 1823 to the present day. He spoke of the effort made by Dafydd and Elizabeth Thomas (Deio and Leisa) to educate their children, they held a Sunday School at Ty Rhos, Eglwyswen for local children. Dafydd was involved in building Bethabara Baptist chapel which opened in 1826. In 1849, the family moved to Pantygarn, Eglwyswrw, a farm of 33 acres. Dafydd was a stonemason, and his sons learned the craft at an early age. Mark gave us the children’s history, the most famous was Benjamin Thomas ‘Myfyr Emlyn’. Baptist minister, poet, lecturer, and author. He talked about the careers of all the Ty Rhos children and their descendants, there were many more Baptist ministers as well as poets, actors, and a film director. The family made their mark in many fields, from rhos Glynmaen and Eglwyswrw to faraway places all over the world, hence a reference in the title ‘To Khartoum & the Kremlin'. He paid tribute to Ethel James, a descendant, author of the booklet that was produced in 1976 to celebrate Bethabara’s 150th anniversary, he was impressed by the accuracy of the information given as she didn’t have today’s technology or available records to help her research.
Many of Dafydd and Elizabeth’s descendants were casualties of World War One.
Dafydd and Elizabeth’s youngest daughter married Stephen Lewis, Carnhuan, and the couple lived in Pantygarn and brought up their children there.
Mark has been researching his family history for many years, and we were privileged to have a taste of what he has uncovered, and the large audience showed their appreciation, we then enjoyed some time socializing with a cup of tea.

Our next meeting is on April 17th a week later than usual. A business meeting that will start by showing a short film.

April 2023
We held our April meeting on the 17th a week later than usual due to Easter Monday. It was good to see so many there as business meetings are usually quiet affairs. We started the evening by showing a short film of Nantyrhelyngen Fawr farm sale that was expertly filmed by the late Mr Lance Cole. The sale took place on the 26th of June 1992. Despite the sadness, it was nice to see so many familiar faces who are no longer with us. The second and other parts of the film will be shown at future meetings. A Business meeting followed chaired by Glynwen Bishop. There was correspondence, one from America from someone who will be visiting the area later this year. Some time was spent discussing our day out which is being organized by Brenda as in past years. On Saturday May 20th at 9.00am we will leave Eglwyswrw, and travel to Llandovery, after a brief stop, we will travel the short distance to Pantycelyn farm, the home of William Williams the famous hymnist, author, poet and religious leader. 1717 – 1791. From there we will return to Llandovery for refreshments before visiting Llanfair ar y Bryn Church, William Williams’ resting place. Brenda has arranged for people to meet us at the church and at the museum which we will visit afterwards. On the way home we will stop an Nantyffin, Llandisilio for our evening meal.
Those interested in joining us please contact Brenda on 01239 841710. Everyone to organize their own transport, it will be car share the same as last year, with passengers contributing to the cost of fuel. Members then enjoyed the customary cup of tea and a chat to end the evening.

Our next meeting will be on May 8th and our speaker will be Eirlys Thomas, her presentation will be ‘Slow Walking the Wales Coast Path’ which she completed a few years ago.

May 2023
Our meeting at Yr Hen Ysgol on Monday, May 8th was well attended, our guest speaker was Eirlys Thomas, her presentation was ‘Slow Walking the Wales Coast Path’.
Eirlys and her friend Lucy O’Donnell completed the 870 miles walk a few years ago. Eirlys described their experiences along the way, from industrial south Wales to the more rural west and north Wales, with many photos projected onto the big screen and readings from the book they later published. We didn’t have to leave our seats to enjoy the wonderful scenery and hear of the many interesting places they visited along the way.
On May 20th Society members made the journey to Llandovery, we visited Pantycelyn, home of hymnist William Williams who born 1717, Cefn Coed, Llanfair-ar-y-bryn, Carmarthenshire, and died Jan 11, 1791, at Pantycelyn. he wrote more than 900 hymns, one with a local connection “Dros y bryniau tywyll niwliog” (O'er the gloomy hills of darkness) was written (it is said) whilst looking at Carn Ingli during a visit to Llwyngwair Manor, Newport as a guest of the Bowen family in 1772.
We received a warm welcome by the hymnist’s descendant, Cecil Williams and Mrs Williams
Then for refreshments in Llandovery town, that was obviously ready to welcome the ‘Urdd Eisteddfod’ before the end of the month. In the afternoon we visited Llanfair ar y Bryn and were given a guided tour of the Church by church warden Mr Dai Gealy and were shown William Williams’ grave.
Then on to the Museum and the new memorial to William Williams that was created by Gideon Petersen, and there to welcome us was the Mayor of Llandovery, Mrs Sarah Georgina Jones and her consort Mr Dan Jones. Before leaving, Mrs Jones led us around the town to show us places of historical importance. On our homeward journey we enjoyed a meal at Nantyffin, Llandisilio where we were joined by other members who could not make the journey to Llandovery.
Congratulations and thanks to Brenda James our treasurer for organizing another successful day out (Our Trip), as in past years with everything planned to the finest detail.

At our meeting on June 12th, in Yr Hen Ysgol. 7.30pm.
We will show a film featuring an interview with an interesting character that we had the privilege of meeting on our day out in Llandovery on Saturday May 20th.
After the film that will last about an hour, we will hold a short business meeting and have our usual cup of tea and a chat.

June 2023
Eglwyswrw Heritage Society met on June 12th, at Yr Hen Ysgol.
We showed a film featuring an interview with an interesting character that we had the privilege of meeting on our day out in Llandovery on Saturday May 20th. Mr Gealy was our guide at Llanfair ar y Bryn church. After the visit we decided to find out more about this elderly gentleman that had left a positive impression on us, we also felt for him when he couldn’t open the organ as we had several gifted organists in our group. For some reason the organ was locked, and he didn’t have the key. Music was important to him.
We were lucky to find on the internet a film of an interview with David (Dai) Gealy that was recorded a few years ago. Dai had been a pupil and a house master at Llandovery college, so he had devoted most of his life to the school. He first went to Llandovery college as a child in the 1940’s and when asked how he felt when he arrived, “It felt like I was entering a prison” was the answer, he described his feelings on arriving at the boarding school from the small village of Llechyfedach, how he remembered being called a yokel by others because of his broad Welsh accent and counted himself lucky that he was able make two or three close friend soon after arriving. The film was too interesting not to share, so our business meeting turned out to be a ‘film night’ followed by a short business meeting. With Glynwen in the chair, we went through the items listed on our agenda, we made decisions and discussed several topics, the most important being the change of plan for our July meeting. We had planned to visit Cardigan Castle, but due to complications we decided to visit Nevern Church instead. We will meet by the church at 6.30pm, our guide will be Mr Steve Watkins, afterwards we will go to the Salutation Inn for a meal.
Our meeting ended with a cup of tea and a chat, a pleasant end to a well-attended meeting.

Next meeting at Nevern Church, 6.30pm July 10th.

July 2023
On Saturday July 8th on behalf of Eglwyswrw Heritage Society, Mike and Glynwen Bishop were fund raising with a second-hand book and jigsaw table at the annual CADAMM show,held at the Shire Horse Farm. As in years past, the money raised was donated to charity. This year’s recipient of the £60 raised was ‘First Responders’ at Crymych Fire Station, who provide an invaluable service to the area.
On the 10th, of July, thirty-three Eglwyswrw Heritage Society members and friends visited St Brynach Church, Nevern. Our guide Mr Steve Watkins started the guided tour at the ‘Bleeding Yew Tree’ which is several hundred years old. Mr Watkins described the ‘Vitialanus Stone’ situated near the entrance to the church with its 5th or 6th Century Ogham and Latin inscription and the famous 10th century ‘Celtic Cross’.
With everyone seated inside Mr Watkins told us the history of the church that was founded by St Brynach in the sixth century, though he believed that people worshipped there much earlier.
We heard of the church’s history through the ages to the present day. Before leaving we were shown points of interest like the windowsills that have early Celtic carvings which were at one time situated elsewhere in the church. The recently refurbished bell tower now has 10 bells. On leaving the church we spent some time exploring the graveyard to the wonderful sound, as the bellringers began their Monday evening practice. On the way home, everyone enjoyed a meal at The Salutation Inn, Felindre. Our Chairman Glynwen Bishop on behalf of all, gave a vote of thanks at the church and for the welcome and service at the Salutation Inn. Our gratitude as always to our Treasurer Brenda James who did all the organizing in her usual efficient manner.

No meetings in August.

September 2023
On September 11th a well-attended business meeting was held at Yr Hen Ysgol. As with every business meeting lately, we started by showing a short film, and the film shown was the 2nd part of the Nantyrhelygen Farm Sale held in June 1992 that was filmed by the late Mr Lance Cole. We also showed on the big screen a photo that we received recently of Pontyglasier, Eglwyswen taken probably c1900 before the bridge was built c1905, as always, we are very pleased to be given such photos. Then, it was down to business chaired by Glynwen Bishop.
Glynwen welcomed members and thanked Enid for permission to show a film that was done by her late husband.
Following the agenda, we arrived at item 7 which was a review of our visit to Nevern church in July. Glynwen described the visit as a successful and enjoyable evening, she thanked everyone who attended and thanked Brenda especially for organizing everything, this was applauded by members.
We discussed our programme for 2024 and this year’s Christmas celebration to be held at the beginning of December as suggested. Brenda will make enquiries and will report back to us at our next meeting.
Cost of running our website was discussed and it was decided that it should continue, as over the years we’ve been able to help many people from distant places and have learned much from doing so.
Next meeting. October 9, 2023, 7.30pm at Yr Hen Ysgol.
An opportunity to browse Mrs Vittle's scrapbooks with John 'Cwmbetws' Davies.

October 2023
We held a meeting with a difference at Yr Hen Ysgol on Monday October 9th. John Cwmbetws Davies brought scrapbooks for us to browse, the work of the late Mrs Olive Vittle, Brohedydd.
More than 60 years of local history recorded in dozens of scrap books. It was a real pleasure to be able to read about events of days gone by, weddings, funerals, and everything in between, though it would take a very long time indeed to read them all. We are immensely grateful to Dilwyn and Ann Vittle for allowing us to see these treasures in the care of John. With the tables laid out with scrap books and everyone seated, our chairman Glynwen welcomed everyone and invited John to open the meeting with a few words. He described Mrs Vittle as a person that was interested in people, a kind and generous neighbour that he had the privilege of knowing and spend time in her company. John then outlined some of the stories from the books, mostly humorous, with one or two more serious like the story of man who was charged with a very serious crime at the magistrate’s court that escaped. With the County’s Constabulary looking for the escaped prisoner in large numbers, he was recaptured by the Village Bobby singlehandedly sometime later. The meeting ended with a cup of tea and no shortage of topics to discuss. Our next meeting will the AGM on November 13th. We welcome members old and new.

November 2023
Our 2023 Annual General Meeting was held at Yr Hen Ysgol on Monday evening, November 13th. After welcoming members, and following the agenda, Glynwen our chairman spoke about our activities over the year and about the speakers we had at our meetings, our annual day out, this year, to Pantycelyn and Llandovery in May, and the guided tour at Nevern Church by Steve Watkins in July. She thanked Brenda for organizing the two events.
Glynwen also mentioned the meeting in October when John Cwmbetws brought Mrs Vittle's scrapbooks for us to see, and she expressed her thanks to Dilwyn and Ann for letting us borrow them for the night in John's care and said she would welcome the chance to see them again as there are so many of them.
She thanked Will for the short films shown at every business meeting throughout the year.

We have had many inquiries during the year, some from people who had found our website while doing research. There is much to learn when responding to these queries.

Brenda our Treasurer reported on our financial affairs, although satisfactory, there is less in the bank than last year.
Officers for 2024.
No request was made by members for change, the officers were asked individually if they would be willing to continue, and each officer agreed to do another year.
There will be no change to the membership fee, £10 for the coming year, there will be a charge of £3 on the night or event for non-members.
A business meeting followed where issues were discussed and decisions were made. We then enjoyed a cup of tea and a chat before heading home.

December 2023
On Monday evening, December 11th, around 40 members and guests of the Society celebrated Christmas at the Salutation Inn, Felindre.
In the absence of our Chair Glynwen due to illness, Diana Vaughan Thomas our Vice Chair took over with a short prayer before eating. After enjoying a lovely meal, Diana thanked the Salutation staff for the food and for their cheerful and efficient service, she thanked Brenda our Treasurer for the arrangements. John Cwmbetws Davies was our guest speaker, Diana thanked John and Bethan for accepting the invitation. John spoke on the theme of local history, he spoke a little about his memories as a school child, and the family's involvement with the local Council in Eglwyswrw, when he held the position of Chairman of the local Council in the 90s, he was following the tradition of his ancestors. He spoke about the local characters and there was a lot of laughter. We are grateful to John for a perfect end to a splendid evening.
Our next meeting will be at Yr Hen Ysgol on January 8th at 7.30pm. A business meeting which will start by showing a collection of cine films, filmed around Eglwyswrw some 60 years ago. Welcome to members old and new.

Our business meetings will start by showing a short film of local interest.

Officers for 2024 are.

Chair – Glynwen Bishop;

Vice-chair - Diana Vaughan -Thomas;

Secretary - Will Thomas;

Treasurer - Brenda James;

Auditor - Adrian Charlton.