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CYMDEITHAS

SOCIETY EWSSPRING 2011 Welcome… N Welcome to this first newsletter of ’s Most Iconic Landmark Cymdeithas Twmbarlwm Society. As the founding Chairman of Cymdeithas Twmbarlwm Society I am delighted to introduce our new newsletter. This has been in the pipeline for some time and we have certainly had no shortage of enthusiastic contributors. The theme of the mountain, its landscape and geology, its history, archaeology and the legends surrounding it certainly inspire people in many ways and I hope that this will be reflected in this first newsletter, and in forthcoming issues. When we started the Save Co-ordinates: 51.62736, -3.09365 OS Grid reference: ST 24394 92627 Twmbarlwm Campaign in April of last Height: 419m (1,374ft) above sea level year we had no idea of the enthusiastic monument (SAM) has received over the Llanarth Estate, are about to enter into and passionate response we would get last decade. an agreement to restore Twmbarlwm from so many local people. This was tump to its former glory. reflected in the fantastic attendance we In the 1980s Gwent County Council got for our launch at Crosskeys Rugby undertook the restoration works on the Our Society will also be very much Club last October and the many letters tump. It was they who built and involved in this process over the next and emails of support we have received maintained the steps to the top and the few years. It is also likely that we will low fence around it. They also raised before and since then. take on some of the management of the the level and partially paved the top of The sad decline of the tump area site to ensure that Twmbarlwm can be the tump. When Gwent CC was and the access paths over recent years abolished in 1996 responsibility for the enjoyed by our grand children in the has been the result of erosion, public upkeep of the SAM and footpaths on same way that it was by our grand carelessness and intrusions by off road Twmbarlwm was not handed over to parents vehicles, especially motorbikes. the legacy authority, County The mountain is iconic in many Perhaps the biggest issue was the Borough Council. This was almost ways. It is a source of inspiration, lack of responsibility and care of the certainly an administrative oversight mountain and its scheduled ancient solace, joy and awe to so many of us but, coupled with increased visitor and with your help and support we numbers due to the popularity of the want to keep it that way. CONTENTS Forest Drive, led to the 1 Chairman’s Welcome decline we have all become familiar If you want to see the ‘Tump’ 2 Why Care for the Tump? with in recent years. restored to its former glory and 3 The Law and Your Rights However, the establishment of our sympathise with our cause - please join 4-5 Our Work So Far society and your strength of feeling is us, it’ll only cost you a tenner. Go to the 6 The Inspirational Mountain already making a big difference. website to get an application form or 7 Memory Lane Caerphilly County Borough Council, pick up a leaflet available in many 8 Hot Cross Bun Walk County Borough Council and places locally or at one of our events. You’ll find more information and photos on the landowners, the Trustees of Rob Southall our website - so please visit it regularly to keep up to date. www.twmbarlwm.co.uk SPRING 2011 1 tump_news_A4_01e:Layout 1 16/06/2011 10:01 Page 2

Cymdeithas TWMBARLWM Society Why Care About The “Tump”?

Twmbarlwm, the man-made mound on the summit of the mountain above What Needs To Be Done is a well known south landmark. Clearly visible from Newport, There is a lot to be done if we want to Cardiff and the motorway in between, to many it is a symbol of Gwent, and achieve our objectives. We want to work its distant silhouette is often a welcome indication to the traveller that they effectively with local partners including are nearing home. The view from the top is spectacular. Caerphilly County Borough Council and Torfaen Borough Council, Cadw, and other public sector organisations. We will need to develop a constructive working relationship with the landowners, Llanarth Estates. Their co-operation will be essential if we want to do work to improve the site. We need to take a systematic approach to fund-raising so that we can take full advantage of grants or any other funding that could further our objectives. We need to develop an effective communications policy to inform and educate people about the importance of Twm Barlwm and to ensure that the Society and its work have a The “Tump” as it is known has served many road vehicles – especially scrambling high profile. We need more academic purposes through time. Historians and and quad bikes research into the site and we also need archaeologists seldom agree but plausible • to ensure that fencing and stiles are practical people who would be prepared to cases have been put forward for a hill fort properly maintained help out with hands-on maintenance tasks. built by the Silures, the Iron Age tribe who We also need to build a strong relationship inhabited the area before the Romans; a • to seek to improve the quality of with other local groups who Roman signal point and a Norman (or footpaths on the mountain and to work have similar interests and objectives. Welsh) motte and bailey castle. to ensure that pedestrian access is not This is a long and ambitious list but we the cause of further erosion In folk legend, it has been rumoured to are confident that the knowledge, be the burial site of a giant; a sacred site to • to raise the public perception of tvhe experience and enthusiasm of our members the Druids; the burial mound of the horse importance of Twmbarlwm in historical, will help us to rise to the challenge. Thank Lord rode at the charge of the Light environmental and community terms. you for your support. We look forward to Brigade; and the location of buried treasure seeing you at one of our events in the future. Over 100 people attended our launch event guarded by a swarm of bees. at Cross Keys Rugby Club in October. The Further information about the Society More recently the site has become an evening was a huge success and we now can be found on our website: important local amenity. This has come at have almost 70 members. Our challenge www.cymdeithastwmbarlwm.blogspot.com a price. The erosion caused by the many now is to harness all that enthusiasm and which can also be accessed from walkers and mountain bikers who enjoy the to move the Society forward. www.twmbarlwm.co.uk site is threatening to undermine the foundations of the tump itself. Litter louts have been active and some fly tippers have made a special effort to reach the higher slopes. Off road bikers have used the mound as a giant bike ramp, the deep furrows gouged by their tyre tracks all too visible from afar. We decided to do something about it. A group of local people created Cymdeithas Twmbarlwm Society with the following objectives: • to protect and preserve the ancient monument on the summit of Twmbarlwm and its immediate environment • to ensure that there is secure and robust fencing in place to prevent access by off-

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Cymdeithas TWMBARLWM Society Common Land Motor Bikers Why it is special… On the Risca side, from the cattle grid on Mountain Road the area around the Twmp Need To Be of Twmbarlwm is subject to Common Land legislation. Educated Common Land is unique. It is historical land, which has remained largely undisturbed through the centuries, a remnant of medieval times when people relied on commons for their survival. It is land where the owners of nearby properties have rights to graze animals, collect wood and bracken or dig peat for example. Those rights still exist, although are not exercised as they were in the past. Forgive them, for they know not There are 1.3 million acres of common what they do… land in England and Wales, registered in WE WANT TO STRESS that as a society we over 9,000 separate units covering all are not out to bash motor bikers and 4x4 types of landscape and habitat. off-roaders but everyone needs to realise All common land has an owner, the damage they can do to our historic whether it is a local authority, the National monument with their activities. Even Trust or private individual - in the case of walkers and mountain bikers can cause The kids above are probably only 14 years old - Twmbarlwm it is the Trustees of Llanarth they think it’s great fun riding their mini- Estates. irretrievable damage to our landscape with scramblers to the top of the historical Twmp. But inconsiderate activities. the photo above shows what happens to the The public has the right to walk on all landscape because of the damage they initially Break through the top-soil of the registered commons, subject to certain cause. This slope was a smooth grass bank less restrictions, and on many commons there mountainside with a spinning wheel and than 10 years ago. create a rut and over time the elements of is also a right to ride on a horse. No wind and rain will soon erode it away to number. There is little the Police can do if vehicles may be driven, nor fires lit, on make it into a large unsightly, rock-strewn there are no identifying features, but it is common land. trench. still worth reporting the incident and asking Rights of Way for a log number. That way there is Look at an aerial photograph of statistical evidence of the size of the A right of way is a path that anyone has Twmbarlwm and you will see the intricate problem. If you have a camera, especially the legal right to use on foot only, and patterns of the race-tracks created by if it has a good zoom on it, take a photo. sometimes using other modes of transport. scrambling bikes in only the last 10 years. Recently a member of our society was able • Public footpaths are open only to walkers Illegal use of Off-Road Bikes - The Facts to give the Police photos with enough information that action could be taken • Public bridleways are open to • It is illegal to drive any mechanically against the illegal riders. walkers, horse-riders and pedal propelled vehicle including mini bikes, mini cyclists quads, scooters or any off-road motorbike • Restricted byways are open to on a public road without insurance, road walkers, horse-riders, and tax, driving certificate or MOT certificate. drivers/riders of non-mechanically • Such vehicles can be driven off-road on propelled vehicles (such as horse- a suitable piece of private land with the drawn carriages and pedal cycles) owner’s permission but not on streets, Road Traffic Act common land, moor land, forestry land, playing fields or in parks as well as Under section 59 of the Police Reform Act footpaths, bridleways or byeways. If you do 2002, a police officer may stop you and not have the permission or legal authority, issue a warning (verbally in the first you will be committing offences under the instance) if: Section 34 of Road Traffic Act 1998 and 1 the driving of your vehicle is likely to the Countryside Rights of Way Act 2000. cause harassment, alarm, distress • If you are caught riding illegally on public 2 you are guilty of careless driving land, you could face having your vehicle 3 you are driving on ANY land without seized and destroyed. the land owner’s SPECIFIC permission or on any road being a Walkers should phone 101 whenever Footpath, Bridleway or restricted they see any motorised vehicle on the byway (Thus being in contravention common. Don’t forget to ask for a log More evidence of the damage inflicted on the Twmp by vandals. of Section 34 of the Road Traffic Act). SPRING 2011 3 tump_news_A4_01e:Layout 1 16/06/2011 10:01 Page 4

Cymdeithas TWMBARLWM Society The Story So Far…

THE CAMPAIGN to save Twmbarlwm Official Launch course, to raise the funds needed to achieve started even before the society had formed, Our society was officially launched on our aims. with several concerned local citizens writing Monday 18th October to a packed house of to the letters page of the Argus in April over 100 people at Crosskeys Rugby Club. To that end we started a programme of 2010 about the threat to the ancient Those in attendance where treated to events to entertain and inform people and monument on Twmbarlwm from litter, presentations on the Silures by Dr Ray all have been well attended. erosion and off road motorcyclists. This was Howell of University of Wales Newport; the followed up by communications between Norman castle, or watchtower, on the Cistercians our fledgling campaign team, the local summit by archaeologist Neil Phillips of Richard Davies (pictured below) joined us authority, Caerphilly County Borough A.P.A.C. Ltd; Dr Maddy Gray, of the again in January for the first of our monthly Council, and the owners of Twmbarlwm, University of Wales Newport, provided an lectures. Richard, who is Project Officer of the Trustees of Llanarth Estate. insight into the medieval pilgrimage routes from Abbey to Penrhys over During this time we also received letters Mynydd Maen; while Richard Davies of the of support and encouragement from a wide Ancient and Cistercians Project range of people including Don (now Lord) entertained us all with his passionate and Touhig, the former Member of Parliament articulate delivery on ancient historical for Islwyn. remains on the Torfaen side of Mynydd Maen. An appearance at last year’s Crosskeys Green Park Festival in May helped build The evening closed with a stimulating momentum and led to the first meeting of discussion, and question and answer the society at Crosskeys RFC on Monday session, which was joined by, among 7th June. others, popular local author Chris Barber, archaeologist Stuart Fry and Gwilym Games Tidy Twmp Litterpick of the Friends of Arthur . The first activity of the society was the ‘Tidy Twmp’ litter pick on the evening of Monday Raising The Profile 28th June when around twenty so The Committee formed after that Launch enthusiastic volunteers from Cymdeithas Event decided that to achieve our aims of the Ancient Cwmbran and Cistercians Twmbarlwm Society and Islwyn Ramblers, restoration and on-going care of Project, provided an insightful and along with 2 countryside wardens from Twmbarlwm, we would need to raise its entertaining overview of the project’s Caerphilly County Borough Council, took profile and illustrate the mountain’s findings and their relevance to Twmbarlwm part in a thorough clean-up of the summit importance to a wider audience – and, of and its locality. He also incorporated a area of the mountain. number of myths and legends from the area into his talk.

The second of our monthly lectures in February was a fascinating evening devoted to medieval pilgrimages in south- east Wales. Dr Maddy Gray, who is Reader in History at the University of Wales Newport, provided an enthralling overview of pilgrimage routes to and between Cistercian abbeys. The focus of the talk was the route over the shoulder of Twmbarlwm from Llantarnam Abbey to the Shrine of the Virgin Mary at Penrhys. This was one of the most important pilgrim routes in Wales until the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII.

Dr Gray is organising a walk following the Llantarnam to Penrhys pilgrimage route over three days in September. Anyone wishing to take part will be able to sign up to walk the complete route or just part of it. For more details email: [email protected] 4 SPRING 2011 tump_news_A4_01e:Layout 1 16/06/2011 10:01 Page 5

Cymdeithas TWMBARLWM Society EVENTS

JULY Welsh Government and 4th Committee Meeting Local Authority Support 7.30pm - Crosskeys RFC 10th Walk: Lost Farmsteads of the While these events and activities have Cwmcarn Valley taken place we have continued to lobby Rob Southall both the Welsh Government and the local 9.30am - Meet at the visitor centre, authorities to get the tump area and access Cwmcarn Valley. paths restored to their former glory. Tel: 01495 270078 for details

Earlier in the year we learned that as a result of our efforts Caerphilly County AUGUST Borough Council had linked up with a grant 1st Committee Meeting bid made by Torfaen County Borough 7.30pm - Crosskeys RFC Council to the Valleys Regional Park which 21st Nature Walk will allow them to undertake works on Dave Richards Twmbarlwm 'Tump' to protect it, upgrade Local area, exact location TBC Dr Maddy Gray footpath access to the Nant Carn valley Artistic Inspirations from Mynydd Maen and possibly provide a SEPTEMBER small car park and interpretation signage In March we enjoyed an illustrated talk 5th Committee Meeting below Twmbarlwm on the lane up from from Gwilym Games (pictured below) of the 7.30pm - Crosskeys RFC Risca. Friends of Arthur Machen. In his talk he Saturday 3rd – Monday 5th Llantarnam-Penrhys Pilgrimage explored literary references to the mountain Caerphilly Council are currently awaiting Dr Madeleine Gray and its surroundings from medieval times the go ahead from the owners, the Trustees Walk from Llantarnam to Penrhys over onwards. of Llanarth Estate, So it currently looks three days hopeful that restoration works will start in the Spring of next year. We will keep our OCTOBER fingers crossed. Watch this space for more 3rd Committee Meeting news. 7.30pm - Crosskeys RFC 17th Western Valleys Walks and More The Mystic Tumulus Ralph Collins Early in May the well known author Chris 7.30pm - Crosskeys RFC Barber (pictured below) gave a fascinating talk on “The Mystic Tumulus of Gwent NOVEMBER Legend, History and Mystery”. 7th Committee Meeting 7.30pm - Crosskeys RFC Chris delved into 21st The Silures theories Dr Ray Howell concerning the 7.30pm - Crosskeys RFC origin of the name of the Other events we are hoping to hold include: mountain, its • Welsh Long Houses The “mystic tumulus” of Twmbarlwm many legends • Dry Stone Wall training had a special significance for influential and mysteries • Welsh farm workers’ cottages Caerleon-born fantasy and horror writer and showed how • Industrial history of the Twmbarlwm Arthur Machen (1863-1947) as part of the Twyn Barlwm vicinity (walk) landscape which inspired his work. He also featured in the • Early Motte and bailey castles described how Twmbarlwm appeared in the writings of his • Ghost walk/Ghost evening? poetry of the famous tramp poet W. H. close friend and • More litter picks Davies. The editor of the Argus local historian Fred Hando. He also • Place names of Gwent in the twenties and thirties, William John compared the mountain with other sites • The Geology of Twmbarlwm Townsend Collins a good friend of Machen, of a similar nature in Wales. • Cwmcarn Colliery also wrote a poem dedicated to the strange • The Cwmcarn Reservoir Disaster folklore surrounding the mountain. Chris was involved in the Gwent County Council project in the 1980s to Check the website regularly for more Following the talk, Keith Hackwood, a restore the mound and showed us information on events - and if you have any talented local author and poet, recited two seldom seen photographs of the work in ideas for an event please contact Rob Southall of his poems inspired by the mountain to progress at that time which led to a via the website: the delight of the audience. Prince of Wales Award for the scheme. www.twmbarlwm.co.uk

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Cymdeithas TWMBARLWM Society The Inspirational Mountain

Twmbarlwm has inspired many artists, writers and poets for centuries – as has been discussed during many of our lecture events (see page 5). Here we present some artistic endeavours inspired by “our” mountain.

Extract taken from “Glimpses of West Gwent” Rex H. Pugh 1935 Justice On The Heights (from “In the Gold and Purple”) The first part of this poem is semi-satirical. It was prompted by a discussion at Newport Town Council on the advisability of erecting new Law Courts. The discussion was grow- ing tedious, when a humorist suggested that a suitable site would be Twyn Barlwm! The poet, who was present in the role of Critic, weighs the possibilities of such suggestion. Law courts on Twyn Barlwm would certain be a novelty in the modern age and would attract crowds of spectators (many in aero- KEITH HACKWOOD, a local author and “The Hill of Dreams” by well known local artist and planes). But is the idea as new as it seems? CTS member, Mark Williams. poet, entertained us with some of his work Was not justice administered on Twyn See more of Mark’s work at MarkWilliams-art.co.uk Barlwm in ages long ago? The poet now lets at our literary evening in March and he’s his imagination wander and it conjures up a kindly given permission to reproduce one of Fred Hando’s Literary View vision of the past. his poems below: CHRIS BARBER, who gave a talk to CTS in May, (see page 5) fondly recalled the work of Fred On the crest of a hill Unstruck Hando. Fred was a close friend to the Barber To the people a chieftain made known his Twmbarlwm is backlit by lightning family and Chris was fortunate to have the Will. She is lost to a terrifying dance experience of accompanying the Gwent author His long grey hair o’er his shoulders hung, and art historian on many of his journeys around the county. The words of wisdom were on his tongue; I shuffled nine times backwards saluting He sat in his seat on the Hill of Laws, the moon Fred first wrote about Twyn Barlwm in his first And justly decided each tribal cause; Her bruises licked my eyes book Rambles in Gwent (1924) where he Law-giver, father, judge and chief, A harmony circled my heart, a green rose commented: He checked the turbulent and punished the A hole in the sky Thief “To many a son of Gwent, exiled in distant Did right by the poor-hewers of wood, Weeping greenly lands, home thoughts conjure up a vision of a skyline, long and nobly undulating, with a And ruled and judged for the tribal good. At Ynys Wydryn a devil wind elates me, strange tump towards the left, upheld by a And judgement over, he raised his hand to bare mountain shoulder. The vision appears bless. Blackness rinses in a rain of tears usually in sunset colours, with the hill pale For the right he bade them stand- Wringing deep into black mystery mauve against a primrose sky. Sailors have To live or die for their tribe and land. Down Findhorn’s ever flowing race seen it, whilst fighting for life in the ‘Roaring At the end a shout made the hillside ring; Forties’; miners out at ‘the back of beyond,’ “All honour to Barlwm, our father and king!” Riven with dancing and comet-tailed puffing at their evening pipes, have found the vision floating among their smoke- And when Barlwm died with scarce a pause, I am broken from spine to skull – They bore his corpse to the Hill of Laws pictures; Tommies, entrenched before the A roseate mist curtains my setting, Vimy Ridge, have watched while the ‘Pimple’ They set him again in his judgement seat, Madoc is whispering omens to the wind changed magically into the ‘Tump,’ while With his crown at his head and his shield at Souchez became Risca, La Targette his feet; Across this setting two birds sail, dissolved into Pontnewydd and Arras seemed They dug the rock from the stony ground a dream-figment of Pontypool. This mountain Souls through Machen’s sunset And raised o’er his head a mighty mound vision sets the man apart; it Which the people could see for miles Heading for Goldlciff’s bright starsong is his birthright, his symbol of home”. around And the music of tide-change Chris Barber has published two volumes entitled And they gave it his name, and we call it Hando’s Gwent which pay tribute to Hando’s Still Twmbarlwm made vital by lightning work – they make great reading and can be Twyn Barlwm – the tomb on the Judge’s Hill Is silent in holy dance found in most book stores or online at W.J.T.Collins Keith Hackwood Amazon.com

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Cymdeithas TWMBARLWM Society Nostalgic for Night Hikes, Beacons and Wagers In this first of the series “Memory Lane”, Cedric Mumford gives us a small collection of his “Tump” related memories Night Hike to Twmbarlwm constructed for Guy Fawkes Night. It shop selling meat at the Beavis IN 1951, OR THEREABOUTS, Doug, therefore seemed only right that when farmyard in about 1927, and as he the Scoutmaster of the second it came to the Queen’s Coronation it lived on the farm he would have heard Pontymister Troop decided to organise was fitting that the Troop should be the story first hand. Throughout his a Night Hike to begin at midnight from asked to help build the Beacon on long life he often repeated the tale the Troop’s hut on Park Road. I was Twmbarlwm. Council lorries transported without ever changing a word. But was suitable logs and timber to the base of the story entirely true? Evidence that the eleven at the time and very much a the final rise, and the Scouts hauled the story is feasible is that a spanking new, Tenderfoot, as new Scouts were called. fuel from there to the top. I recall feeling old-fashioned lorry bearing the name There was very little street-lighting in dismayed that instead of allowing us to Beavis Transport Contractor is shown those days and no Ty-sign estate, so on the front cover of the book: Old from Moriah Hill onwards we stumbled Crumlin to Pontymister in photographs, along via stony lanes. After a wearying g h MEMORY LANE Volume 2, by Brian Collins and Terry trek in pitch darkness, we duly arrived Powell. As the lorry is labelled No. 4, at a hollow just off the exposed build the stack it was constructed by one has to ask: why photograph that ridgeway leading from the Twmp officials according to a detailed plan. At lorry rather than Nos. 1, 2 and 3? Was towards Pontypool, feeling tired and the centre was an open space into it the prize? chilled by the dew-laden air. As the which the person lighting the beacon Rangers began to unpack the tents could step. As most of us had helped best-laid plans were found to have gone build and light much bigger fires in the astray: the tent-poles and pegs had Long Bridge Field, we felt miffed that been left behind! after all our labours we would not We younger ones were kindly put trusted to ignite the pile. under cover of the loose canvas while As dusk fell, after a long day’s the more experienced lads went off to labour, we stood looking to the South, find sticks to use as poles. Even today much as our ancestors must have done trees are scarce along the ridge so it when Viking ships threatened the was a long time before suitable coastal villages. It thrills me now to branches were found, cut and shaped recall the sight of a distant fire to hold up the tents and peg down the appearing in the gloom and then to see Anderson’s Pond guy-ropes. our beacon set ablaze. Witnessing the IN THE 1950’S any form of gambling, It was not a comfortable night. The signal passing on to the north forged a other than a bran tub at Christmas, was tents had been erected on a slope that bond with other communities that did forbidden, so older youths, of a less caused us to roll against the tent wall. more than anything to give a sense of law-abiding type used to gather on There were no proper sleeping bags in belonging to one nation. Sunday afternoons to play cards for those days only a blanket folded over money at Jackson’s pond, a sort of and loosely stitched to form a bag. Beavis’s Lorry reservoir sited some distance along the When we awoke, after a few hours MY FATHER, JAMES Gomer Mumford, ridge from Twmbarlwm towards chilly sleep, we found such a dense fog often told a story about the time when Pontypool. Only once I went there, and around us that we could barely see a firm of lorry manufacturers issued a then only out of curiosity as like most each other. There being no fuel for fires boastful claim that their lorries could go boys I attended Sunday school in the we had no choice but to pack up and anywhere where people could walk. If afternoons. Just to watch the cards return to our hut without so much as a any transport company could name a being dealt, and the coins tossed into cup of tea for breakfast. There, all our place where the lorry failed to go they the pot, seemed a risky business as we various cans of food were emptied into could have the vehicle as a prize. At were all fearful of the Police in those one big pot and mixed to provide a that time the Beavis family had a days. I don’t know why, because they welcome, hot meal that tasted of business recovering coal duff from the had no cars or helicopters and we everything and nothing. Ebbw and transporting it by lorry to be would have seen them approaching on made into coal brickettes. Old Mr foot from miles away. The Coronation Beacon Beavis, as my father called him, THE MEMBERS OF Second challenged the firm to drive a lorry up We’re sure many of you have your own Pontymister Troop were largely drawn onto the Twmp. It got as far as the stories and memories associated with from Machen Street and Phillip Street surrounding ditch, so say,but failed to Twmbarlwm – get them onto paper and in Risca, where the local gang was get up the Twmp itself. send them in – we’d love to include them famed for the immense bonfires My father had helped set up a farm here and on the website. 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Cymdeithas TWMBARLWM Society THERE HAVE BEEN very few years in my lifetime that I have not walked up the Revival of a fine Tump on Good Friday and I have many fond memories from childhood when the 22 • 04 • 2011 Local Tradition whole street or Sunday school group would organise a walk to the top - it wasn’t a religious event, just a fun, communal day out. So when CTS agreed to promote and help revive this tradition I offered my keen support. The day arrived unseasonally bright, clear and warm and I was happy to see about 30 people arrive at ‘The Stoney Bridge’ Pontymister and we got together

Photo: Terry Evans Photo: Terry for a group photo. Although I walk up this mountain every week, this walk was already feeling The inaugural CTS Good Friday walk to the top of the Tump was heralded as a great success - special - I could sense that everyone Grace Lloyd and Terry Evans give their reports on the day… thought the same. WE GATHERED ON Pontymister Bridge at ever get up again, and tucked into a As we walked through Ty-Sign some of the appointed time of 10:30 am on a very sandwich and well earned drink. The us oldies recalled what this route was like fine Good Friday morning. As I gazed up at atmosphere was wonderful, and it wasn’t before Ty-Sign was actually built - when Twmbarlwm, dominating the skyline, I felt long before we saw what looked like a line Holly Road was just a country lane and a wave of apprehension. It looked very far of ants marching towards us from the north there was a large house where the away and very very high. Maggie Thomas, east. The Ancient Cwmbran Society! A playground now is - we used to call it the who was leading the walk, assured me that cheer went up as they crested the tump and “old miser's house”. we would be up there in no time. As a joined us. I estimated there were probably deskbound office worker, and infrequent up to a hundred people on the tump at one So on up Mountain Road and a short- walker, I wasn’t so sure. However, I tried to stage, with not a single sound of a cut across the fields at Pentwyn farm as dismiss the mental images of mountain motorbike to disturb our picnic. we would have done when I was a lad. rescue helicopters and St Bernard dogs with I chose to accompany Maggie Thomas One of my highlights of the day brandy caskets around their necks and set on the way down, which was interesting, to occurred just after we crossed the bravely off with the others. say the least. Suffice to say that never again cattlegrid which marks the entrance to the Sure enough, before I knew it, we were will I believe a Rambler when they describe common land of Twmbarlwm - from the striding up through Ty Sign, attracting a few ‘a bit of a climb’. Ramblers are well hard woods on the right I heard the sound that quizzical looks from passers-by. Then across and not to be messed with. My evening was is the famous soubriquet of Risca natives a field and onto the mountain road by the spent in a hot bath and applying evil - it was a Cuckoo - my first of the year and Upper Grippath Farm. It was great to see smelling linaments to my aching muscles, a sure sign that spring has truly sprung. others joining our band as we plodded ever resolving that I should do this much more upwards, and the opportunity to chat with often. What a wonderful experience. I can’t Then came the final assault to the top new and old acquaintances soon passed wait for next year! Grace Lloyd of the tump itself - as we crested the final the time. rise the view of the tump spiked with As we crossed the cattle grid and crowds of people already there was truly a marched purposefully on we were passed sight to behold. by motorbikes and vans carrying still more I stayed at the top for an hour or so and motorbikes. Some of our number produced I was pleased to see a continual flow of cameras and spent a few minutes people arriving in that time including our photographing the registration numbers and fellow campaigners from Cwmbran. vehicles, which magically seemed to disperse, leaving the mountain peaceful, for I asked a few strangers why they had once. We gathered by Sue Evans’ car at the come today - a few said it was a family car park on the Risca side, and picked up tradition but quite a few more said that the newly designed Twmbarlwm T shirts they’d seen our posters and press release and some leaflets. Thanks to Dave and decided to join in - I only hope that Standing and The final pull up to the summit was Matt Rosser for we’ll be able to whip up the same exhilarating, with a group of people already these photos - enthusiasm in coming years when the see more on up there, watching our approach. I sat weather is not as clement. Designed and produced by WheelBarrow Studios.com the website. down on the tump, wondering if I would Terry Evans

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