The Pit Pony Memorial and the memories of "Dai"

Visit Date: September 2021I visited my local nature reserve again which was prompted by a notice in the local paper of a memorial service that is held every year at 8.20 am on the 26th of August on the anniversary of the time and day when 146 men and boys died when there was an explosion in the coal mine.I was happy to see that the area has had a facelift and a new memorial bench has been placed in...

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" A column of water that lifts a hundred tons" Brunel Docks Briton Ferry.

Visit Date : August 2021Isn't it strange and interesting that sometimes you take a more detailed look at something familiar that a whole host of history is revealed?This happened to me recently as I passed over the Briton Ferry Bridge on the motorway from Port Talbot to Swansea.I have passed this way what must have been hundreds of times without giving the view before a second thought but a recent...

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Carreg Cennen Castle

Visit Date : August 2021WELSH: Castell Carreg Cennen meaning castle (on the) rock (above the) Cennen) is well named as this fortress is well above the outlying land high upon a limestone cliff.The site has a long history and may well have also been the site of an Iron Age hillfort.There is also some Roman history as Roman coins have been found in the area, although it is unlikely the Romans occupied...

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Maen Llia

Visit Date: December 2019This is a post from a visit I made to this site in 2019.This standing stone is situated in Brecon.As you approach Maen Llia, the megalith is in a large area of scrub and does not look so large but gets more and more overwhelming as you get closer and close up is it very impressive. The stone is actually 12 foot high and 9ft wide.The stone is made of Calcreate which is a form...

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CARN LLECHART RING CAIRN

Visit Date:- August 2021Today my short outing was to visit the small stone circle called Carn Llechart.This is within the Brecon Beacons National park and is high on the hills overlooking the village of Rhyd Y Fro.Click on images for larger viewThe site comprises the remains of a burial cairn probably dating to the Bronze Age (c. 2300 - 800 BC).Click on images for larger viewOn observation, the ring...

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The Wreck of the Altmark

Date of visit: April 2021This is a wreck on my favourite local beach.It is located along the coast heading west from Sker beach where the S.S Santampa was wrecked.This part of the South Wales coast is very treacherous in stormy weather and there are quite a few wrecks here.There is not much showing of the wreck today because the level of sand on the beach does vary during the year.The Altmark was...

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The Keeper of the Woods (Bridgend Nature Keepers Project)

 Visit Date: April 2021This is one of the ‘Nature Keepers’ oak sculptures.The Nature Keepers project has been led by Bridgend County Borough Council, working together with local community groups.They add interest to our beauty spots, and with the accompanying poetry, they capture the imagination of younger visitors by interweaving mythology into the sites.Their aim is to spark an emotional connection...

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Newcastle Castle (Bridgend)

Visit Date : July 2021I visited another of the South Wales Castles, this time Newcastle. This should not be confused with the towns of Newcastle in the UK or the very famous northern city of Newcastle-Upton-Tyne.This Newcastle now stands on Newcastle Hill overlooking the town of Bridgend and the river Ogmore that flows through the town.The Norman castles throughout Wales were built hastily of wood...

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