Year of Legends 2017

Green Man Festival

August 21, 2017 By Valerie Davies

The Green Man Festival is held on the Glanusk Estate every August and runs for 3 days. It is not just a music festival as there are many other activities for people of all ages including a special arts and crafts area for 13-17 year olds.

If you fancy camping without the hassle there is Hotel Bell Tents or Tangerine fields both with your accommodation already and waiting. Of cause you could choose to stay in the comfort of Aberyscir Coach House and take the short picturesque drive to the estate each day.

The festival comes to a close at midnight on the Sunday with a firework display and the ceremonial burning of the Green Man and this year a Dragon as well.

Year of Legends – 3

May 15, 2017 By Valerie Davies

There are many beautiful waterfalls in the Brecon Beacons but one of the most secluded are Sgwd Gwladus and Sgwd Einion Gam on the River Pyrddin near Pontneddfechan.

These two waterfalls also have a traditional Welsh love based legend attached to them hence their names.

Brychan of Brycheneiniog, a Welsh 5th century prince, had 24 daughters the youngest being Gwladus.

She fell in love with Einion but her love was unrequited. Tormented with sadness she mysteriously became immortalised and her spirit flows freely in this serene waterfall.

Einion was also immortalised in the tall crooked cascade of Sgwd Einion Gam. This drops 20 metres into the pool below. Unlike Sgwd Gwladus there is no path and the River Pyrddin must be crossed several times to reach the waterfall.

Year Of Legends – 2

February 20, 2017 By Valerie Davies

The legend of Llyn Cwm Llwch

In the shadow of Corn Du is the isolated beautifully preserved glacial lake Cwm Llwch.

There is a fairy tale of an enchanted island invisible from the shore of the lake. A passageway leading from a rock to the island was said to be open on May Day each year. Those who had the courage to pass through the doorway would find themselves in a beautiful garden on the island inhabited by fairies.

The fairies would play enchanting music and tell stories of future events, and present visitors with flowers and fruit. Each guest was told nothing must be taken from the island.

One May Day a greedy visitor placed a flower he had been presented with in his pocket. When he emerged from the rock the flower vanished and he lost all his senses. Since that day the door to the island has never opened.

Year Of Legends – 1

January 4, 2017 By Valerie Davies

Year of Legends 201 — The Year of Myths and Legends 2017

2017 is the Year of Legends in Wales. To celebrate this occasion I will be sharing some of these with you each month in a very abridged version. The full stories can be read in Graham Watkins book which I have purchased for the Coach House.

Part One – The Lady of the Lake

Lady in theLake — Llyn y Fan Fach by Matt Bottwood

Gwyn was a farmer living in the 12th century. One day he saw a beautiful woman come out of the lake. He courted and married her and her dowery was as many animals as she could call in one breath. He was warned if he struck her three times she would return to the lake with the animals. Happily married and three sons later he accidentally struck her three times and she returned to the lake. She would sometimes reappear to her sons and teach them the powers of healing with herbs and plants. They became skillful physicians, as did their children after them.