Past Events

(click on underlined date to see the meeting's write up, or relevant news letter)

First Year Summary

2019	TOPIC	SPEAKER OR MAIN ACTIVITY
Jan 14	Church and Chapel in Wales	Mr Selwyn Walters
Feb 11	As above - preceded by AGM	Member's contributions, including Mr Ron Marshall
March 11	Cantre'r Gwaelod : history, archaeology & legend	Speaker to be arranged
April 8	As above	Members contributions
May 20	'The Talyllyn Railway'	David Mitchell - from the Talyllyn Railway
June 17	Medieval Tywyn - 'Poets & patrons in and around medieval Tywyn'	Dylan Foster Evans - Head of Welsh Studies, Cardiff University
July 15	Medieval Tywyn	Member & local resident contributions
Aug 7	Trip to Penrhyn Castle
Sept 16	Trails, Roads & Buses - 'The Old Ways of Meirionnydd'	Jean Napier - photographer and writer
Oct 21	Trails, roads & buses	Member & local resident contributions
Nov 18	Neoliths & the first Celts - 'The First farmers: the Neolithic period in N W Wales'	Jane Kenney - Archaeologist, Gwynedd Archaeological Trust
Dec 16	Neoliths and the arrival of the first Celtic peoples	Member & local resident contributions
Second Year Summary

2020	TOPIC	SPEAKER OR MAIN ACTIVITY
Jan 20	Culture & the Arts - 'Tywyn Cinema and Rural Cinemas in Wales'	Annie Grundy - Tywyn Cinema
Feb 17	Culture & the Arts	Member & local resident contributions, including the choral tradition
March	CORONAVIRUS INTERRUPTION
April	As above
November	The Great Plague in London and Eyam	Dr Quentin Deakin, Liz Deakin
December 21	Traditional Mid-winter festivals and customs - The Roman tradition of Saturnalia	Hilary Harrison, Liz Deakin

2021	TOPIC	SPEAKER OR MAIN ACTIVITY
Jan 18	A Cambrian Postcard - an historical journey from Aberystwyth to Pwllheli	John Hirst
Feb 15	Pedair Cain y Mabinogi/The Four Branches of the Mabinogi: the greatest Welsh tales?	Dylan Foster-Evans
March 15	Alchemists of the Imagination - The Role of Women in the 4 branches & the enduring power of myth in British society	Quentin Deakin, Liz Deakin
April 19	Discovering old Welsh houses	Margaret Dunn
May 17	A reflection on houses, landscapes and perceptions	John Lloyd-Jones
June 21	St David Up to date: The cult of Lloyd George	Dr Neil Evans
July 18	History of Politics in Wales	Dr Quentin Deakin & John Lloyd Jones
September 20	A City set on a hill: the National Library of Wales	Dr Rhidian Griffiths
October 18	Members historical collecting passions	Members
December 6	Visitors fo Snowdon	Dr Michael Freeman
December 22	Christmas meal & talks on George Borrow and Lady Visitors to Snowdon	Quentin & Liz Deakin

2022	TOPIC	SPEAKER OR MAIN ACTIVITY
Jan 17	The history of Tonfannau	Dr Quentin Deakin
Feb 21	National Service and the Cold War	Richard Stoner & Gill Ray
March 21	Y Friog: a tale of two quarries	Gordon Rhodes
May 16	From hill-forts to castles and homes	Prof. Richard Mayou
June 20	The Llechi Bid and overview of Snowdonia slate	Stuart Williams
July 18	Womens' suffrage: Wales in the UK context	Dr Di Drummond
August and September	Trips to Hedd Wyn's house and ancient sites in north Pembrokeshire	Liz & Quentin Deakin
October 17	Edward Corbet of Ynysymaengwyn	Dr Quentin Deakin
November 21	John Corbett's part in thedevelopment of Tywyn	Dr John Hirst
December 19	The attractions of Tywyn - writing an historical novel re 18th century Tywyn	Dr Ian Richards

2023	TOPIC	SPEAKER OR MAIN ACTIVITY
Jan 16th	The History of Eisteddfodau	Dr Dylan Foster Evans
Feb 20th	Wales in World War II	Dr Quentin Deakin
March 20th	The History of the Centre for Alternative Technology ('CAT')	Paul Allen
April 17th	Short talks by members	Member's contributions
May 15th	Vikings in Wales	Dr Rebecca Thomas

The First Year - the Making of Tywyn & District History Society

When, early in 2018, the possibility arose of Tywyn's main line railway building being available for use as a museum, a public meeting was called to gauge local interest. The meeting was well attended and it became obvious that not only was there a rich local history and a great story to be told, but considerable enthusiasm from collectors of suitable artefacts and photographs.
The idea has stalled as the possibility of affordable premises faded in the spring of 2018; no major grant can be sought without that solid foundation. However, expectations had been aroused and, unwilling to abandon their dream, a core group decided to launch the idea of a history society, which, while extending the range of historical knowledge and interest, might incorporate some of the aims of the museum enthusiasts.
Another public meeting was called and it was decided to go ahead with the first official meeting in March 2018. At this meeting a constitution was agreed and officers were elected from those willing to take on the extra commitment to an untried but ambitious society. Among the teething problems were the resolution of a suitable monthly date and an ideal venue, avoiding clashes with established clubs and a popular time for meetings.
It was also decided to recruit a committee for the achievement of a town trail. This would involve the production of several information boards and leaflets and extensive public liaison, a project requiring considerable and continuing commitment but attracting widespread support from residents, businesses and politicians. We succeeded in winning a National Lottery grant and additional financial support from Tywyn Town Council. We hope the fulfilment of the project will prove a valuable and lasting asset for Tywyn.
From its inception the society has been committed to the democratic decisions of its members, who, in the past year, have selected 5 major themes alternating invited speakers with members and residents own contributions, a successful formula which will continue.
Last year's themes covered the slate industry, the Talyllyn Railway, the Second World War as it affected Meirionnydd, the development of Tywyn as a town and resort, church and chapel in Wales and in Tywyn in particular and Cantre'r Gwaelod, the legendary 'Lost Atlantis' under Cardigan Bay.
While valuable contacts have been made with other history groups and academics, who have provided us with truly excellent speakers, members' contribution evenings have been equally successful and informative. In July we organised a History Hunt and in August a most enjoyable coach trip with a guided tour of St David's University in Ceredigion and a lavish high tea at the Hafod Hotel. We also had our first new year's meal at the Talyllyn Railway's Wharf Cafe.

February to March 2019

Tywyn & District History Society

Dear Member,

Our next meeting is on Monday March 11th, 7PM in the Baptist Church. I look forward to seeing you there. It will be an ordinary meeting followed by an AGM. The topic of the ordinary meeting will be Cantre'r Gwaelod: the 'Lost Atlantis' of Cardigan Bay? More on this and the AGM after a brief recap on the last meeting.
At the February meeting we followed up January's talk by Selwyn Walters with five contributions by representatives of local churches and chapels. Speakers Ron Marshall, Patricia Gruddings, Sue Whitehouse, Hilary Harrison and Phil Malin, each with an interesting story to tell of history, evolution and continuity, making this a fascinating evening which attracted a large audience.

At the next meeting, we will start to look at the fascinating mix of colourful fiction and equally amazing facts which makes Cantre'r Gwaelod such an interesting topic to consider. We will be joined by local diver Paul Carter, whose has seen the sarnau that stretch out into the bay, which may or may not be evidence of attempts to hold back seas advancing from north and south. I will be providing an introduction to the subject and will describe surveys I have undertaken of the sites near Tywyn, including a new site the sea briefly uncovered just a week ago. A poster is in preparation and will be sent out to you shortly (as an attachment). Martin Bates, from Lampeter University, will be able to tell us about the latest research on Cantre'r Gwaelod at our April meeting.

March 2019

Tywyn & District History Society

Dear Member,

At their meeting on 11th March Quentin Deakin gave an introduction to the society's current theme, 'Legends and the Archaeology of Cantre'r Gwaelod ( the Lowland Hundred)', partly based on his own surveys of the Tywyn site. This talk was complemented by Paul Carter's fascinating account of his experiences when diving around the sarnau off our coast, providing valuable primary source material. Both contributions were much appreciated.
The society will complete this theme in April with a talk by Martin Bates of Lampeter University. Martin will update the society on the latest professional research, largely based on his field-work on shore lines south of the River Dyfi.

A second item was an update on the progress of the Tywyn Town Trail project, with a vote taken on a key image on one of the walks' leaflets. Drafts of the project's leaflets were displayed for comments. After the refreshment break the society held its first AGM. Officers and committee members were elected and there was a short discussion of the new programme. The next meeting will be at 7PM on April 8th at the Baptist Church. Members, new members and visitors will be most welcome.

March to April 2019

Tywyn & District History Society

Dear Member,

Martin Bates is our speaker at our next meeting.  He comes recommended as the current expert on Cantre'r Gwaelod, with most of his research so far being on the sites south of the River Dyfi.  He is interested in extending his researches to Tywyn and further north, so I am trying to persuade him to arrive a couple of hours earlier than the meeting to see whatever may  still be seen on April 8th, the day of the meeting.  If he does agree to come earlier to do this I will let any of you who are interested to join us know, so that you can meet us for a small field trip.
Also at the April meeting there will be an opportunity for members to get more involved in the History Trail, work on which is on-going.

Here follows the write up of the March meeting, posted by Liz, our Press contact for reporting meetings:

'At their meeting on11th March Quentin Deakin gave an introduction to the society's current theme, 'Legends and the Archaeology of Cantre'r Gwaelod ( the Lowland Hundred)', partly based on his own surveys of the Tywyn site. This talk was complemented by Paul Carter's fascinating account of his experiences when diving around the sarnau off our coast, providing valuable primary source material. Both contributions were much appreciated.. A second item was an update on the progress of the Tywyn Town Trail project, with a vote taken on a key image on one of the walks' leaflets. Drafts of the project's leaflets were displayed for comments. After the refreshment break the society held its first AGM. Officers and committee members were elected and there was a short discussion of the new programme.' Liz has also written an article for Sybridion on the first year of the society. So look out for that. In future, Sybridion should also include accurate listings of our meetings over the next season.

May 2019

Tywyn & District History Society

From the 13th to 18th May the society mounted a Preview Exhibition at Tywyn Library of their Lottery-funded Town Trail featuring templates of the display boards, leaflets and original commissioned artwork. This provided an opportunity for residents and visitors to add their comments and suggestions prior to manufacture. The exhibition was well attended and the reception of the material was extremely positive. The society thanks all who attended (including a party of teachers and students from Ysgol Uwchradd Tywyn) for their support and encouragement and the library staff for their hospitality. The society now looks forward to the completion of the project and the planned opening ceremony on the 13th July.

At their meeting on the 20th May the speaker, David Mitchell, President of the Talyllyn Railway, gave a comprehensive and superbly illustrated account of the railway's history from its industrial roots to its present day position as a celebrated national attraction - a wonderful example of living history and a major asset for Tywyn. His absorbing presentation was much appreciated.

After the break, Warwick Hawkins, Director of Faith in Society, who had travelled up from London to attend the meeting, told members about their plans for an oral history project to profile the work of the many volunteers who helped in the reception and temporary resettlement of the Ugandan Asian refugees at Tonfanau (and 4 camps in southern England) in 1972/73. His proposal describing how the History Society might assist in the project was well received and it was agreed that this was something with which the society would like to be involved.

The remainder of the meeting included a report back on the Town Trail Preview Exhibition. All volunteers were thanked. Summer trips to Penrhyn, Holywell and Harlech were discussed as well as a visit to view the Town Trail by members of Harlech Historical Society to take place on July 30th.

The next meeting will be on Monday June 17th at 7pm, when we welcome Dylan Foster Evans, a native of Tywyn, now Head of Welsh at Cardiff University. His subject will be 'Poets and their Patrons in and around Tywyn'.

July 2019

Tywyn & District History Society

The society's meeting of 16th July was a members' and local residents' night relating to June's talk by Dylan Foster Evans on Welsh medieval poets and the their patrons. Two members, Hilary Harrison and Liz Deakin, took up the challenge, employing complementary styles of presentation, skilfully demonstrating their enthusiasm for their chosen topic and careful research. Liz turned to the work of an English bard, Shakespeare, and with the help of Quentin Deakin read a key scene from Henry IV Part 1 featuring 'Owen Glendower' (Owain Glyndwr). She pointed out the historical innaccuracies in the play and the dangers of learning history from a playwright/bard, however brilliant. She also gave a summary of Shakespeare's other famous Welsh character 'Fluellen', the supreme Henry V loyalist from the play of that name. The historical and contemporary significance of Owain Glyndwr and his opposition to the king was explored as fully as time allowed. Hilary gave an extensively researched, beautifully illustrated account of everyday life in earlier medieval Wales in all its aspects with particular emphasis on the people of the local area and its unique history. Her enjoyment of her subject was manifest, once again knowledge outstripping the allocated time. Both contributions were well received. It is hoped that other members and residents will be emboldened to share their own particular interests or to undertake research related to the current themes in future members' meetings. The society is determined to retain this USP.

Before the member presentations the society welcomed Mari Beynon Owen, from the Snowdonia UNESCO World Heritage Bid, who consulted members on opportunities and issues relating to Listed and other historical buildings of note in Tywyn. She said the town might look to a 'Destination Plan' that would contribute to economic regeneration through projects arising from one of more heritage sites. Mari was thanked for her stimulating presentation and she expressed her gratitude to members for their contributions.

he final item of the evening was a reminder of the forthcoming trips to Holywell, Harlech and Penrhyn and the return visit of Harlech Historical Society to Tywyn on 30th July.

On Thursday 18th July a small but appreciative group of members participated in a car-share excursion to Holywell in Flintshire , suggested and organised by Julia Wilson. The long journey was more than justified by the rich historical feast on offer. The group was hosted for a full day guided tour by Gladys Harrison, Chair of the Holywell and District Society. The tour began with a walk through the centre of this extraordinary town which, as late as 1755, possessed the largest population of any town in Wales. Holywell has preserved many of its handsome Georgian and Victorian buildings. Its economy was based on industry and the substantial remains of its early industrial revolution factories were seen on a stroll along the adjacent Greenfield Industrial Heritage site. The tour continued with a visit to the magnificent remains of Basingwerk Abbey, the wonderful Heritage Lottery funded Folk Museum and finally, the world-famous St Winefride's Well, a destination for pilgrims since the saint's death in the seventh century ( often referred to as the British Lourdes).

Our regular monthly meetings will resume on16th September, when our next theme will be the development of transport in the district.

October 2019

Tywyn & District History Society

The Society was pleased to welcome Tywyn's own multi-faceted, multi-talented, Jean Napier as speaker for their meeting on Monday 21st October. Jean gave an excellent talk on the history of the Rhinog mountain area of Meirionnydd, one of the least populated and most beautiful regions of the British isles, now only inhabited by sheep and wild goats. It was a fascinating account of ancient monuments and traverses across roads and now-abandoned inns and gold mines, enhanced by Jean's stunning photography.

The talk was followed by a segue of 3 of Jean's films of the area, which highlighted its wild beauty. Jean was thanked for her evocative and informative talk. After the refreshment break members voted to affiliate the society to the Merioneth Historical and Record Society. They also began the process of selecting themes for next year's programme and to take bookings for the society's New Year meal on 21st January 2020. Members absent from the October meeting will have the opportunity to vote for their choice of themes at the November meeting and to put their names down for the meal at the next two meetings. November's meeting will be on the theme of Neolithics and the arrival of the first Celtic peoples. The speaker will be Jane Kenney, Senior Archaeologist at the Gwynedd Archaeological Trust who will speak on the subject of 'The first farmers: the Neolithic period in North West Wales'. Monday November 18th at 7PM, Tywyn Baptist Church. All welcome.

November 2019

Tywyn & District History Society

At the commencement of their meeting on Monday 18th November Ivor Moody led a tribute to prominent Tywyn historian Sara Eade. Many members were personal friends and her work was appreciated by all in the society. She will be much missed.

The subject of the Neoliths, the first farmers to inhabit a previously hunter-gatherer Britain, drew a large audience. The speaker, Dr Jane Kenney, Project Manager at the Gwynedd Archaeological Trust, did full justice to the theme, The First Farmers in Wales: the Neolithic Period in the north- west. Beginning with an overview of the origins of the Neoliths, their spread throughout the continent and their arrival in Britain, she discussed the latest archaeological findings on their settlements, achievements and daily life. She then focused on their presence in the immediate area of north-west Wales and the evidence so far explored. The discussion which followed testified to the keen interest in this topic. Dr Kenney was thanked for her fascinating contribution.

After refreshments a last opportunity was given for members to make their proposals for next season's programme and names were taken for the festive meal on Tuesday January 21st. The December meeting will be the final opportunity to book for the meal and payment will be due by that date.

December's meeting on the 16th at 7pm at the Tywyn Baptist Church will include a follow-up to the theme of pre-documentary peoples in Wales with a short talk on technological methods of discovery. This will be followed by volunteer members giving a brief talk on an historical object selected from their own collections. All welcome. Christmas refreshments.

December 2019

December 2019 meeting

The society's meeting on Monday 16th December, the members' and residents' follow-up session to Jane Kenney's lecture on Neanderthal society, was led by Edwin Salisbury, who gave a talk on the latest techniques of facial reconstruction, used both in archaeology and police forensic work. These use DNA as well as bone structure. The talk was followed by brief contributions by fifteen members who responded to the invitation to bring an item of historical interest from their own collections. This challenge proved a fascinating and effective pathway to the group's interests. Objects ranged from an impressive fossilised shell to a computer print cartridge, a glimpse of the technological litter that might remain from the present era far into the future. Two speakers presented objects related to Pharanoic Egypt, another talked about carvings of Canadian Inuits she had acquired as a nurse in Canada. Symbolic objects discussed in their historical context were a Faberge egg and a ceramic cream cow. There was a curious decorated Victorian ceramic air freshener. Items of local interest concerned the Talyllyn Railway's last journey, a village sacrificed to reservoir development at Nant y moch in 1964, a family history recorded in the family bible and the diary and rotas of her ancestor, an itinerant Methodist preacher and missionary in Shropshire. There was also a group relating to technological developments, such as the comprehensive volume of navigational tables created by the speaker's ancestor , the Reverend James Inman, a Victorian clinometer used for gun ranging and equipment used for valve testing or BBC sound effects, duly demonstrated with deafening results by Ian Dodds, one of the men who designed it. To sum up, this activity proved a hit, informative as well as enjoyable, reaching to other continents and every time period, in several cases revealing a close tie up between family history and the history of ideas.

The next meeting of the society is on Monday January 20th at 7pm in the Baptist Church back room. Annie Grundy from the Tywyn's Magic Lantern, will be talking about the history of this cinema and rural cinemas in Wales. All welcome.

The Second Year

Sibrydion's April/May 2019 issue featured an article on the establishment and first year of the Tywyn and District History Society. Now, towards the end of our second year it may be a good time to review progress. The past year has been a busy and exciting one attracting an ever-increasing membership. We are now preparing our third year's programme of five membership-chosen themes and have booked an impressive line up of speakers.
In our first year we obtained a National Heritage Lottery grant to create and install five history information boards in Tywyn and two history trails, The Town Centre and The Seaside in English and Welsh versions. This project has been successfully completed. The boards and leaflets have met with widespread approval and the latter are available from many local outlets. The professional work by Ian Clewett of Corris and Signs Workshop is excellent. The Society would like to thank the owners of the sites, Tywyn Library, the Beach Cafe and the Bro Dysynni Male Voice Choir, who contributed to the success of our pre-installation exhibition and opening ceremony. The project required a large commitment from the Society's officers and trail committee but without the enthusiasm and support of all the members and local residents we would have achieved nothing.
All the second year's invited speakers have been excellent, both those from as far away as Cardiff and others, equally eminent, from Tywyn itself. The themes were varied, each attracting extra visitors drawn by their particular interest. On our alternate members' follow-up nights some thirty members and residents have made well-researched and expert contributions to each theme.
In August we enjoyed trips to Holywell and Penrhyn Castle using public transport and car share. There was also an exchange visit with Harlech Historical Society, with whom we have also exchanged expert speakers. We will continue this valued link and forge further ties with other historical societies and associated bodies. In January we enjoyed our second year's celebratory meal at the Wharf Cafe of the Talyllyn Railway.
In our third year we will be participating in two further major projects. As part of the Llechi Cymru/Wales Slate bid for World Heritage status, the Society will be creating and installing an information board in the High Street to introduce Tywyn to visitors. Also, Tonfanau has been chosen by London-based social enterprise Faith in Society as one of three sites focusing on the experiences of the volunteers who worked with the Ugandan Asian refugees accommodated in 1972. The Society has agreed to liaise with the project in the creation of an oral history archive under the leadership of Chairperson Hilary Harrison. Our Secretary Quentin Deakin has also been working with Richard Stoner, local secretary of RAFA and Town Councillor, Marisa O'Hara, on the contribution of the parish of Bro Ystumanner to a touring exhibition on the hundredth anniversary of the Church in Wales. Bro Ystumanner's contribution covers the 1940's.
We hope that the Society will continue to provide an inclusive, informative and enjoyable forum for all with an interest in history.

January 2020

Tywyn & District History Society

The society's meeting on Monday 20th January was movie night. It was therefore no surprise that there was a full house for the talk, 'The History of Tywyn Cinema' by Annie Grundy, co-director of the Magic Lantern and Sara Waddington, co-director and co-owner. The part Tywyn cinema has played and continues to play in the lives of residents was highlighted as the audience shared memories extending over seven decades. Annie and Sara explored the origins and development of cinema from magic lantern technology in the seventeenth century to the immersive experience of the present day as provided by Tywyn's own 'Magic Lantern', where films have been shown for 115 years. The magnificent Assembly Rooms, built in 1893 as a secular venue for meetings, social occasions and entertainments, was a true community hub, which the present owners continue to provide. Alongside the Talyllyn Railway the cinema has attracted UK-wide interest and is becoming a major asset both for Tywyn and for west Wales.

After refreshments the society discussed its undertaking to work alongside a Lottery-based project on the use of military bases to house Ugandan Asian refugees in the early 1970's. The camp at Tonfanau has been selected as one of the three featured sites. The focus will be on local residents who were involved as volunteers and their experiences will be sort. The society's chair, Hilary Harrison, will lead on the work and any help and participation will be appreciated.

On Tuesday 21st the society enjoyed an excellent seasonal meal at the Kings Cafe in the Wharf Station of the Talyllyn Railway, where a preview was given by secretary Quentin Deakin, of an exciting and far-ranging programme for the third year of the society, beginning in May 2020.

The next meeting on February 17th will follow up the cultural theme and will feature talks by Richard Stoner on Welsh film locations and by a member of the Bro Dysynni Male Voice Choir who will speak about its history.

February 2020

Tywyn & District History Society

At their meeting on Monday 17th February the society's cinema theme was continued by Richard Stoner, who gave the first presentation of the evening on the subject of film locations in Wales illustrated by his collection of photographs taken during filming. For Richard this subject has been of long-standing interest and he gave a fascinating account. Throughout film history the beautiful Welsh landscape has been an obvious location choice for films such as the Harry Potter franchise and the legends of King Arthur - Lyonesse was created in the fields above Talyllyn Lake. However, more surprising was that Wales has stood in for India (Carry on up the Kyber) and China (Inn of the Sixth Happiness) with such conviction that natives and visitors to those countries claim to recognise specific features.

The second presentation of the evening was a talk by John Meiron Richards and Roger Duke, both members of the Bro Dysynni Male Voice Choir. Roger gave an account of the history of the tradition in Wales. John, the charismatic emcee of the Bro Dysynni, focused on the history of the choir from Village Hall to Albert Hall which resonated with many in the audience who have followed the choir's progress throughout the years. Their presentation concluded with the playing of a unique CD recorded during a performance, which held the audience spellbound. The three speakers were thanked for a lovely evening.

During the break members had a chance to study next year's programme (starting in May) and to view a draft of the additional information board for Tywyn which the society will be creating for Llechi Cymru/Wales Slate. This board, to be located in the town centre, will introduce the town and its many assets, historical, natural, sporting, shopping and gastronomic.

The next meeting will be on March 16th, when David Jenkins, from the Museum of Wales, Cardiff, will be exploring the theme of ships and shipbuilding, with a focus on Derwenlas. All welcome. Admission for non members, £3. Subscriptions (£10) will be taken at this and at the April meeting for the third season of the society beginning in May with a talk on King Arthur.

November 2020

Tywyn & District History Society

Due to Covid restrictions the society, unable to meet at their usual venue, has postponed its advertised programme until spring 2021. However, they have decided to substitute Zoom meetings in the interim at the timetabled dates and times.

They held their first such meeting on Monday 16th November. The timely theme chosen was the history of pandemics. Quentin Deakin gave a talk on the outbreak of the Black Death in the fourteenth century. This plague was the greatest catastrophe in recorded human history, taking away half the population of the world, with immense consequences within Britain. He related his theme to subsequent pandemics. Liz Deakin followed with a talk on bubonic plague ('The Great Plague') in London and its spread to Eyam in Derbyshire. This talk coincided with Channel 5's three-part documentary on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of the same week.

The meeting began on a sombre note with a tribute to Morgan Vaughan, but ended happily as members sang Happy Birthday to their chairperson Hilary Harrison who hosted the meeting. Next month's Zoom meeting on Monday 21st December will consist of members' contributions on the subject of Christmas traditions.

For those who could not attend the meeting full summaries of the two presentations are in the Forum, the link for which is to be found on the Home and Links pages of this website. Click on this link and then look for History of Pandemics. The talks may also be found in Early Modern (for Great Plague and Eyam) and Late Medieval (Black Death).

September 2021

Tywyn & District History Society

At their zoom meeting on 20th September the society enjoyed a fascinating talk entitled 'A City set on a Hill - the National Library of Wales'. The speaker, Dr Rhidian Griffiths, until his retirement in 2008 Director of Public Services at the library, gave a comprehensive account of its proud and varied history, of great national and local significance. Dr Griffiths is author of a book The City on the Hill which also tells the story of the library. The talk was warmly received and an interesting discussion followed. The next meeting on October 18th will continue the theme of collecting materials, the original inspiration for those like the great Merioneth antiquarian Robert Vaughan in the seventeenth century, without whose extensive collection there would be no national treasures in the National Library of Wales. Today, the library includes art works, film, postcard, oral and business archives as well as books - things that we all collect. At the meeting in October members will share their collecting passions.

October 2021

Tywyn & District History Society

Following Rhidian Griffiths' talk on the creation of the National Library of Wales in September, the society's members-led meeting on Monday 18th October completed the theme introduced by Dr Griffiths. Their focus this time was collections and the links between collecting and history. Liz Deakin opened with a comprehensive and stimulating overview, establishing the symbiotic relationship between collecting and history, the many locations - public and private - where collections are held, the immense variety of collecting, its dangers as well as advantages and how a child's collecting activity can influence their career choice. She completed her talk with an insight into what can be learnt about theatrical history from her set of National Theatre programmes collected at a seminal time. Wendy Marshall followed with a fascinating presentation on her collection of newspaper cuttings reporting the 1948 Olympics taking place at Wembley, just a stone's throw from her home. Di Drummond took us to the exotic with her collection of historic Indian Railway posters, illuminated by her knowledge as a social historian of railway transport. Georgina Gittins explained how a collecting passion for geological specimens grew after finding a beautiful crinoid fossil as a child, leading to a love of history later on. Sue Whitehouse described how her love of old postcards developed into a lifetime passion, with some fine examples. Julia Wilson shone a light on a Welsh favourite, love spoons. Society chairperson, Hilary Harrison, closed the formal presentations with a consideration of the psychology of collecting and examples of the most famous of celebrity collectors of modern times. Other members made interesting contributions in the general discussion that followed. Society secretary, Quentin Deakin, announced that the next meeting would be on Monday November 15th, when Jonathan Freeman, former Curator of Ceredigion Museum, would deliver a presentation on visitors to Snowdonia in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Members' top choices for next year's themes would also be announced at this meeting.

January 2022

Tywyn & District History Society

At their Zoom meeting on Monday 17th January the local theme of the history of Tonfanau proved popular, attracting interested visitors as well as members. The speaker, Dr Quentin Deakin, covered its history from pre-historic evidence of Bronze and Iron Age trading and settlement to the end of any military role for the Second World War camp in 1966, also considering in outline, in passing from earliest to modern times, the area's long history of farming and the granite quarry opened in 1892. The main focus was the World War Two and the early decades of the Cold War, when the camp played a vital role in training, working as a 'Cooperation Unit' alongside Morfa airfield in Tywyn and then was employed for National Service and finally Junior Leaders training. He also covered the use of the camp for housing refugees from Idi Amin's Uganda in 1972, the dramatic impact of the camp's closure for the local economy and the use of the site as a film set in the 1980's. Memoirs, including some from his own interviews with veterans, together with a wealth of photographs of the camp in its day and such remains as are still to be seen, helped to bring the subject to life. After the talk the discussion focused on veterans' own memories. At the next meeting on Monday 21st February members and other invited speakers will be asked to share more of their own experiences and knowledge, including the wider context of National Service and the Cold War.

At the next meeting on Monday 21st February members and invited speakers Richard Stoner and Gill Ray will share their own experiences and knowledge of Morfa, the air base in Tywyn that worked alongside Tonfanau and life in the WRENS, during the last days of National Service and the Cold War, which was the national context for keeping camps like these active. Members will be invited to share more of their own experiences and knowledge, including the wider context of National Service and the Cold War.

The meeting will start at 7PM and will, subject to confirmation, take place as a face to face meeting in the back room of Tywyn Baptist Church, (Covid rules followed for indoor gatherings).

February 2022

Tywyn & District History Society

On the 21st February the society held their first face-to-face meeting since the start of the pandemic. Covid safety measures were observed and the meeting was well attended. It was good to see so many who had been unable to access the society's Zoom meetings.

The evening's programme was the members and local residents follow-up to last month's talk by Dr Deakin on the history of Tonfanau with an emphasis on the Cold War period. Members Gill Ray and Richard Stoner presented excellent and stimulating accounts of their experiences in the forces at different times in the Cold War. During the latter half of the 1970's Gill had spent four years from the age of nineteen as a WREN working as a radio operative. This took her to Faslane in Scotland, a prime location of British naval nuclear capability. Her insightful talk was enlivened with fascinating details of training and personal anecdotes and was illustrated by her personal photographic archive. She displayed her uniform, which still fits! Richard's experience was in 1957 when he served, at the age of seventeen, in the RAF. During his training he participated in a challenging exercise in the Harz mountains at a crucial point of the border between East and West post-war occupied Germany - a stirring story evoking the atmosphere not only of the Cold War but also of the era of the Second World War. Both accounts exemplified the value of personal experience to the exploration and study of history and were much appreciated. A discussion followed. The next meeting will again be a physical meeting and will take place on Monday 21st March at 7PM at Tywyn Baptist Church. The topic will be slate mining at Friog and the speaker Gordon Coates. All welcome.

March 2022

Tywyn & District History Society

At the society's meeting on Monday 21st March on the theme of the history of local slate mining, the speaker, Gordon Rhodes, gave an absorbing, richly illustrated account of the quarries at Friog and Arthog. Gordon's talk was many layered and wide-ranging, extending to the history of Fairbourne and Llwyngwril. This story resonated with his local audience, some of whom attended a society meeting for the first time. A lively discussion followed and the speaker was warmly thanked. In lieu of travel expenses Gordon requested that a donation be made to the Ukraine Appeal.

The next meeting on Monday April 25th will follow up the theme with a talk by Stuart Williams, General Manager of the Talyllyn Railway, on the successful Llechi bid to UNESCO for World Heritage status for the slate heritage of Snowdonia. The society's fourth AGM will then take place, with a preview of the new season's programme of meetings starting in May. Items from the collection (reproductions) of the late Tywyn historian Sara Eade will be available at this meeting to any members who would like to add them to their own collection.

May 2022

Tywyn & District History Society

On Monday 16th May, the society welcomed the evening's speaker, Professor Richard Mayou, author of The Dyfi Estuary - an Illustrated History. As the title of the presentation - 'From hill-forts to castles to houses' - indicates, Richard covered a huge span of Welsh history; an exciting and absorbing story of power-struggle and evolution. The talk was lavishly illustrated and expertly delivered and Richard was warmly thanked. Questions and a discussion on the theme followed.

After a brief break, the society's AGM was held. Officers' reports of the past year were given. All were re-elected unopposed and two additional committee members were confirmed. Quentin Deakin (Secretary) outlined a varied programmes of themes for the new season. All main speakers have now been recruited. Two trips were outlined and interest assayed. A list of volunteers was drawn up to help with refreshment provision. Membership for the new season is now open.

The title of the talk at the next meeting on Monday 20th June is 'Womens' suffrage - Wales in the UK context', 7PM at the Baptist Church Tywyn. The speaker will be Dr Di Drummond. All welcome.

June 2022

Tywyn & District History Society

The subject of the society's June meeting (Monday 20/6/22) was the long struggle for female suffrage. The speaker was Dr Di Drummond, a published author on the English suffragists and suffragettes. Since moving to Wales she has extended her researches to the Welsh dimension and one of her chosen illustrations - a suffragist 'gypsy' caravan on a tour of north Wales that included Tywyn - brought home the wide reach of the very effective Welsh suffragist movement. Her talk was enthusiastically received, with a lively atmosphere engendered from the start, with members Hilary Harrison, Gill Ray and Sue Whitehouse dressing the part to re-enact a protest march and later in the presentation graphically describing the violence sustained by a suffragette victim of crowd violence at Llanystumdwy. Members had many questions, which were answered comprehensively. Dr Drummond's work was not finished! After a refreshment break, assisted by fellow member Sue Whitehouse and Jane Thornton, Assistant Archivist to the Talyllyn Railway, Dr Drummond introduced documentary materials relating to Tywyn from the estate of local historian the late Sara Eade. The society's next meeting will be on Monday July 18th when the postponed talk on the history of slate mining and transport in Snowdonia - a key part of the successful UNESCO heritage bid - will be the subject, the speakers Ian Drummond and Stuart Williams..

July 2022

Tywyn & District History Society

At the meeting on the 18th July guest speaker Stuart Williams, General Manager of the Talyllyn Railway, gave an account of the recent successful Llechi World Heritage Status bid. The southern hub of the bid included the TR and the Bryn Eglwys Quarry and Tywyn/Abergynolwyn played a significant part. Stuart was the coordinator of the TR's several contributions to the activities involved. In his talk, with the help of his colleague at the TR, Ian Drummond, Stuart gave a detailed, well-illustrated presentation, placing the heritage initiative into the context of slate mining in our area and its significance in on-going cultural and economic life. A lively discussion followed and the speakers were thanked.

Summer trips were discussed. On Friday 15th July a party of thirteen members took part in a trip centred around the life and work of Welsh poet Hedd Wyn who tragically died in World War One. First stop was the village of Trawsfynydd, where his name is prominent. This was followed by a lunch break at the lakeside cafe near Trawsfyndd Power Station. The afternoon was devoted to Yr Ysgrwn farm house museum, the home of the poet and his family. Hedd Wyn's life and work has recently been adopted by the school's history curriculum. The value and significance of this legacy cannot be doubted, nor can the beauty of the site and the warm welcome extended to visitors. This was an enlightening and most enjoyable day. A second trip will be on offer in September, transport again by shared cars. This will be visiting three ancient sites in Pembrokeshire: the Pentre Ifan burial chamber, Castell Henllys reconstructed iron age village and the historic village of Nevern.

The next meeting will be on September 19th at 7PM at the Baptist Church Tywyn, when the subject will be the rise of the Tudors to the English throne and the speakers Shaun Evans and Owain Jones from Bangor University. All welcome.

January 2023

Tywyn & District History Society

The theme of the society's first meeting of 2023 on January 16th was the history of Eisteddfodau, for which Dr Dylan Foster Evans, Head of Welsh Studies at Cardiff University, was the ideal speaker. Dylan began his talk with a concise and erudite account of this significant Welsh tradition rooted in Druidic mythology and Bardic history. These elements were combined in the nineteenth century by Iolo Morgannwg, then resident in London, to form present-day Eisteddfodau, which continues to evolve.

The bulk of the talk was devoted to a detailed description of the 1871 unofficial National Eisteddfod staged in Tywyn, organised by local residents. Leading figures in the arts from a wide area were invited as performers and honoured guests. Dylan's account was as entertaining as it was informative and delighted his audience with its local references. A lively discussion followed and Dylan, himself a native of Tywyn, was warmly thanked for his talk and his continued interest in and support for the society.

After the break for refreshments Dr Deakin (Secretary) gave a resume of next season's programme beginning in May. Potential summer trips were also discussed.

February 2023

Tywyn & District History Society

At their meeting on Monday 20th February Dr Quentin Deakin gave an excellent illustrated talk entitled 'Wales in World War 2 - more than a sideshow', based on his research for a forthcoming book to be published by Y Lolfa. Although the book will have a wide remit covering all aspects of the war throughout Wales, Quentin highlighted the significant local contribution to the allied war effort. The lecture was supplemented by artefacts and an extensive exhibition of war-time photographs prepared by member Richard Stoner and Quentin. There were many interesting questions and comments by an appreciative audience, enhanced by the society's recent acquisition of microphones.

March 2023

Tywyn & District History Society

On Monday March 20th, Paul Allen, gave a presentation on the history of the Centre for Alternative Technology ('CAT'), where he is the Knowledge and Outreach Coordinator. CAT has recently celebrated its fiftieth anniversary. His talk attracted a large audience and an enthusiastic response, with many, having visited in the past, inspired to visit the nearby site again, hearing of the many new attractions that have been added. Paul explained how, in the early 1970's, abandoned slate quarries were sought for the site, with second-choice Bryn Eglwys quarry near Abergynolwyn only just missing out. He described how the main aim of CAT had moved from experiment to education, with CAT always a pioneer and now a leading link in the chain of institutions fighting climate change. Mathematicians, ecological scientists and engineers were heavily involved at the start and soon moved with their families to be on site. Ties with the local community have grown. This topic was very much one of 'living history' and one that the Tywyn & District History society was proud to present.

April 2023

Tywyn & District History Society

Alongside the society's AGM on Monday 17th April the evening was devoted to a programme of short talks by members. The speakers were Anne Batham, Nigel Adams, Wendy Marshall, Richard Stoner, Liz Deakin and Sue Whitehouse, who spoke on themes of their own choosing. Linking their personal history to significant historical events resulted in a fascinating and widely varied programme. Subjects ranged from women's suffrage (featuring the tragic story of Emily Davison) to the istory of the British car industry throughout the twentieth century to the present day, the effects on the village of the creation of the reservoirs close to Ponterwyd, a recently discovered family connection to the Holocaust of World War 2, a trip to a Parisian centre of great historic significance and a display of mementos of Tywyn's Talyllyn railway. The speakers were thanked and objects related to the talks were enjoyed during the refreshment break.

The AGM followed. Officers' reports were given: Hilary Harrison (Chair) summed up the past season, David Harrison (Treasurer) gave the year's financial report, Quentin Deakin (Secretary) reviewed the past year's programme and membership and looked forward to the new season's talks, Liz Deakin (Vice-chair) gauged interest in summer trips. All officers and committee members were re-elected unopposed.

May 2023

Tywyn & District History Society

At the society's meeting on the 15th May the talk 'Vikings in Wales' proved a popular theme which attracted a record attendance. The speaker, Dr Rebecca Thomas from Cardiff University, gave a comprehensive account of the arrival of the Vikings in Britain and Ireland. She emphasised the significance of their activities in Wales, where there was a more nuanced relationship between the Vikings and the Welsh than is commonly acknowledged. The lecture was very well received and stimulated an interesting discussion. Rebecca was warmly thanked.