Cymdeithas Treftadaeth Dyffryn Conwy Conwy Valley Civic Society Mis Tachwedd/November walkers (plus three dogs) Editorial assembled at Plas Engan, EASON of mists and Trefriw, first to view Idris’s Smellow fruitfulness it new water garden and then to may be but it is also the time explore Geirionydd and of year when fallen leaves Crafnant. The first stop, on obscure small rocks and large the way to Llyn Geirionydd, stones, particularly on narrow was the old mine works, an country lanes, which can be elegant building now ruined, lethal to car tyres. So forgive and with a chequered history me if you come across me that included false claims for driving in the middle of the the mines in order to attract road and be patient. I will pull investors. From there we over and I can reverse. Have climbed to the monument at you noticed that the ash trees the east end of the lake, and have lost their leaves though walked along the south shore the oaks are still well to the picnic site at the west covered? But was it the oak or end. There were some the ash that came out first this disparaging remarks on the spring? No matter - I hope power-boats, although we you too are enjoying the were entertained by a skier wonderful autumn colours. who all too frequently fell off TÇÇx YyÉãvá j|ÄÄ|tÅá her board! After lunch at the picnic site, the party divided, Idris’s Walk three people returning directly to Plas Engan and the rest EMBERS may recall making the traverse to Llyn that last year’s walk M Crafnant. There were no (on a wet day) attracted only power boats here, but one of two participants. This year the the party (Idris’s friend and weather was good, and nine neighbour) pointed out an 1 island just below the surface, known about Roman roads is which at times of low water wrong. caused fishermen’s boats to They were always built in a run aground. After leaving the straight line. No! Only if the lake we turned south-east to terrain allowed. The roads climb past a quarry and rejoin were paved. No! Paved roads the path to the mine works are medieval and nothing like and Plas Engan, where those as good for horses. in need were revived with tea So how do you know it’s by Idris. Roman? Because they are Everyone (dogs included) always 5 metres wide, slightly enjoyed this pleasant, raised in the middle for picturesque and not too drainage, with ditches along strenuous expedition, and we both sides and there will be were grateful to Idris for evidence of a quarry pit in the arranging and leading it. area. The roads are made of ]tÅxá ZÜxxÇ{tÄz{ stones and covered with well beaten gravel. No paving Roman Roads slabs. UR lecturer at our Some things make life easy OSeptember meeting was for the archaeologist. Each David Hopewell of the centre would be linked by Gwynedd Archaeological forts, for example, there are Trust who described the eight forts around Caernarfon, typical Roman road so vividly and these were built 22 kms and illustrated his talk with apart because that was the such effective slides that I distance a man could march ended the evening feeling in a day. But not all these quite confident that I could roads are Roman. The most recognise a Roman road when studied road is between I next see one! The truth is I Segotium and Canovium but will recognise it if it has been this is most likely pre-Roman. excavated! Turnpikes provide further The first thing I learnt was complications since they were that everything I’ve ever frequently built on top of 2 Roman roads, and more could deliver in an recently oil and gas pipelines emergency, please tell Kath. have obscured the picture still She’ll be delighted. further. David Hopewell used the roads as a spring board to November Meeting give a fascinating picture of ORE roads. And why Roman life in Britain; a talk Mnot? We all spend that was very much considerable amounts of time appreciated by his audience as sitting on them. Eryl Rothwell the questions afterwards Hughes will talk about proved. Coaching Days, Telford and TYYj the road to Holyhead. This promises to be interesting in itself and will also give us plenty of information to keep October Meeting us amused as we sit in traffic ADLY Paul Kay could jams in the future. Snot deliver his lecture on Wed 14 th November Maenan The North Wales Landscape Abbey – 7.30pm in Rowen Memorial Hall on Tuesday, 16 th October. At the very last minute - Mr Kay Llanrwst Bridge didn’t phone until the Several members of the Tuesday morning – Kath Committee were concerned Barrar, ever resourceful, about the poor quality of the arranged an alternative repair after a van had taken evening. Videos which the away a chunk of the Llanrwst Cooks borrowed from the Bridge in September. In view Camera Club, were shown by of its history and its Peter Barrar. And while we’re architectural importance I was on the subject of missing asked to write to the relevant speakers, if any members authorities to voice our have an interesting talk up concerns. Before I could do their sleeves, which they so, however, a lorry managed 3 to destroy not only the repair up in the Valley and would but a larger section as well. like to stay here, aren’t An interesting article in the interested in so-called “social NW Weekly revealed it is the housing”. All they want is the fault of SatNav, which gives possibility of buying a small drivers alternative routes property in the area for a without warning them of mortgage, which is a bit less problems such as narrow than eight times their annual spaces, low bridges or tight salary! corners. I am now composing another letter! Invasive Species Help! URING the short Affordable Housing Dbusiness meeting before HE Joseph Rowntree the lecture Nick Hamer TTrust have just started a reported on a need for five month study into the volunteers to help the fight problem of affordable against invasive species, such housing in Wales. as Japanese knotweed and “The study will look at Himalayan balsam. For those property prices, affordability of us with stiffening joints and availability of social and ageing sinews the spirit housing outside the major may be willing but the knees towns and cities, and will and hips protest. However, if provide an accurate picture of you are lithe and lissom and the current situation in could spare an hour or so Wales.” occasionally please phone Which sounds great but it will Nick Hamer on 01492 be interesting to see how 640843 for more information. much notice is taken of the findings by councils, planners December Meeting and developers. See separate sheet for Young people (late 20s and booking form early 30s) that I have talked to who were born and brought 4 5.