Dinham Factory Tour: the attendance on March 21st was probably the highest ever on any of our walks or tours. We enjoyed a beautiful spring morning. The area around the old villages was looking very attractive and we express our thanks to the Commandant and staff for allowing us access and keeping the place in such good order. If you missed this visit and would like us to arrange one in the early autumn contact me as soon as possible.
Unfortunately the Welfare Centre is not accessible at present due to serious vandalism.
Roman Mosaics
Illustrated Lecture Sunday May 3rd 10.30am
With special reference to the mosaics of Caerwent, this lecture by Lawrence Payne will be provided free of charge by Cadw at their Westgate Barns. They can only offer 20 seats for local people so if you would like to attend please inform the Secretary by April 10th.
Castell Troggy and Llangwm Church
Saturday May 16th 2.30pm
A drive and short walk to the charming little castle at the source of the Cas Troggy/Neddern Brook, then on to the church at Llangwm Uchaf with its Green Men and exquisite Rood Screen. Meet at the Westgate Barns 2.30pm (details to confirm in May Newsletter).
The Westgate Barns
Cadw makes provision for guided tours on certain weekdays however anyone who would like to arrange for a tour of the Roman Remains and a presentation in the Barns at any time should contact John Barnard Tel: 01291 431356 .
More house names around Llanfair
(The) Cwm The Valley
Llancwm Church in the Valley
Llanmelin the easiest interpretation would be Church by the (Lower Cwm) Mill but we cant find a Church so here Llan may simply mean an enclosure or precinct.
Cattraeth a battle field in northern England where the Celts were heavily defeated by the Saxons
Cilvaynog cil = retreat/nook faenog (from maenog) = stony a good description for this property where the blocks of conglomerate tumble down from Gray Hill!
Cribbau Mill a combing(carding) mill
Cayo anglicised from cae = field, plural caeau so The Fields not bad for a farm!
The houses built in the Welsh Land Settlement scheme were generally given Welsh names a fitting reminder that their purpose was to offer people from the valleys a new life in our countryside. We need help with Trewen only 5 out of 20 so far:
3 Maes yr Haf Summer Field
4 Plas y Coed Mansion of/in the Wood
8 Maes Mawr Big Field
19 Glan Rhonnda Beside the Rhondda
20 Gelli Gaer Grove with the cairn
(449 April 2009) John Nettleship Secretary 01291 420745 gwent-iscoed@talktalk.net