New Year Newsletter introducing the new CAS website:

Summer newsletter from our chair. The dark days of Covid restrictions thankfully over, Cymdeithas Aberaeron Society (CAS) was able to resume some sense of normality in 2023 ... Download the attached .pdf for the full article. Right-click to open in a new tab or window.

Local legends are always good to hear again. When she came to give a talk to CAS in 2022, historical fiction writer, S.E. Morgan also took the opportunity to explore the local area. Here is the resulting blog, with a description of her walk from Llangrannog and some history thrown in too: https://semorganhistoricalfiction.wordpress.com/2022/04/01/a-walk-from-llangrannog-in-the-footsteps-of-giants-the-tale-of-bicas-toothache/

Did you know that Ostium Ayron is the first recorded name for Aberaeron from way back in the 13th Century? I don’t think many of us did until our November lecture when Dr James January-McCann of The Royal Commission on Ancient Monuments of Wales gave a fascinating talk about his work collecting the historic place names in Wales. Here is his brief introduction to the List of Historic Place Names of Wales: https://historicplacenames.rcahmw.gov.uk is a groundbreaking and innovative resource, unique to Wales. The List contains over 700,000 historic place names collected from a variety of sources, which provide a fascinating insight into the land-use, archaeology and history of Wales. The place names included in the List reflect the various forms and spellings used from the Middle Ages to the present day, often including elements that refer to buildings, people, archaeological or topographical features. The creation of this List and its availability online, as well as through four regional Historic Environment Records, means that for the first time, members of the public, researchers and those involved in decision making on matters affecting the Welsh historic environment are able to easily make reference to a geo-located, national, authoritative record of historic place names. The names are collected from a variety of sources, such as historic maps, local history projects, books of place names, medieval poetry and old documents such as wills or deeds. We also have many thousands of names contributed by members of the public. The List is used by local and national government, developers and governmental bodies such as Cadw and Natural Resources Wales in the naming and renaming of new sites, streets and housing developments, to ensure that they are named with historic names, and that our place name heritage remains visible in the landscape.” Dr James January- McCann Dec 2023. Below is a copy of James' Powerpoint presentation that sadly we were unable to see on the night. It contains a number of helpful links:

Prompted by some photos I sent her of Aberaeron’s Mackerel Fiesta, my friend and historical fiction writer S.E Morgan was inspired to look into this tradition. Her research took her well beyond our own town, as far afield as China in fact. Her fascinating article is available from the link below: https://semorganhistoricalfiction.wordpress.com/2023/08/30/aberaeron-and-its-mackerel-festival/

In September 2023, our first talk of the 2023-24 season, was by Michael Freeman, back by popular demand. Michael is the former Curator of Ceredigion Museums and Honorary Research Fellow at the National Museum of Wales. Always informative and entertaining, his topic this time was ‘Anne Evans, Highmead, the best farmer in the County.’ Here is a summary from Michael about her: Anne Evans (1738-1807) kept very detailed records of the produce of the Highmead estate farms (near Llanwenog) from 1778 until her death. After her husband died in 1787, leaving her with seven young children, she ran the farm and estate. She was obsessed with weighing and measuring the farm produce and kept some very detailed descriptions of the work of the maidservants' work in the dairy and brewer Anne recorded some of the costs of building their new house and provided us with an almost unique breakdown of the cost of building cottages for the workers; for repairing and improving mills and the cost and nature of her footman's livery. She kept many records of the volume of the corn sent for grinding and the weight of different grades of flour returned; the quantity of butter and cheese made and its current value and the weight of all the products of the animals that were slaughtered on the farm including the number of candles made from the tallow rendered from those beasts. Her notes provide us with a fascinating and very detailed insight into work at a Cardiganshire estate farm around 1800. Michael Freeman Nov 2023

Stori Aberaeron Story is getting off to a flying start – 40 – 50 students from Aberaeron School, the Pupil Referral Unit and the Youth Club are building a mosaic to go on the riverside shelter. Community Artist Pod Clare is leading the design and it’s growing very fast! We are delighted that so many are enjoying the process and look forward to the building of the community mosaic for the Tourist Information Office.

Our first post-Covid outing took place in June 2023, our destination, Strata Florida. There we had a fascinating visit to the abbey itself, the Mynachlog Fawr exhibition of Ceredigion rural life and the archaeological dig on the site at the time. Lunch followed in Tregaron; at the cosy and atmospheric old coaching inn, Y Talbot. This has long been a favourite of mine. When researching my family tree some years ago I was surprised to discover a closer connection with the inn through my great-great-great grandfather, Thomas. While waiting to be served, this is the story I shared with members: Thomas Jenkins (1819-1850) Thomas, a local customs officer, died on 19th January 1850 and, I quote The Welshman, in ‘mysterious circumstances’ following a night in that very hostelry. Foul play was suspected - customs officers were probably not exactly popular in those times - and his drinking companion for the evening, a German clock-maker, Herr Christian Moser, was arrested. They had left together but Thomas never made it home. His body was found several days later, 2 miles down the river from Tregaron after the river had been dragged all the way to Lampeter and back. The Welshman gave a detailed report recording the subsequent inquest, held in The Talbot, on 24th January. Its title: ‘Inquest on a drunken dead tax-man.’ Through witness statements, it tells how Thomas had gone to the Talbot at about 10pm. He had drunk one glass of brandy and water then went home to fetch his fiddle. He then remained in the pub drinking amiably with Herr Moser until about 2am drinking brandy and gin, by which time he was ‘far gone in liquor’. As he was having trouble walking, Moser accompanied him towards home & shortly returned to the pub where he was staying. He asked for a torch as Thomas had dropped his hat and asked Moser to look for it. A small search party set off from The Talbot: the hat was found, as was a portion of Thomas’ coat sleeve. Of Thomas there was no sign and it was assumed he had got home. The next morning his maid came to the Talbot looking for him and the alert was sounded. Evidence from Avarina Evans, a servant girl at the Talbot, shed light on Thomas’ behaviour when intoxicated - and I get the sense from the various statements that this was a fairly regular occurrence. He had the habit of pouring water over his face and washing his hands. On several occasions he had asked Avarina to pour a jug of water over his head. Others reported how he had also been seen a number of times going to wash himself in the river when in such a state. The surgeon found no evidence of an attack on his body, just a few abrasions on the body consistent with a fall in the river. It would therefore appear he had simply slipped into the Teifi in his drunken stupor and died. The eventual verdict was therefore ‘accidental death from drowning’ and Herr Moser was released without charge. And that was the sorry end of my great-great-great grandfather!

The beautiful Nanteos mansion was the destination of our October trip. Now a hotel and wedding venue, this 18th century house outside Aberystwyth is probably most famous for having housed the Nanteos cup, said to be the holy grail. Janet Joel, author of the book ‘Nanteos: Life on a Welsh Country Estate’, was our guide for the afternoon. Here she describes the house and our tour: A guided tour: 11th October 2023 Nanteos was built in 1739, by the Powell family. The Powell’s owned over 31,000 acres at their peak, owning mostly North of Ceredigion and many lead and silver mines. The Georgian mansion was built by Thomas Powell and his wife Mary which the foundation stone states on the East side of the mansion. Sadly, Thomas Powell died in 1752 before completion but his brother Rev. William Powell completed the build. The mansion is built on top of a smaller house, which remains underneath and used as a cellar, it has been suggested that it dates to the 13th century. During the tour we walked from the Entrance Hall through to the Morning Room, following through to the library, which is now the hotel bar. During the Powell time the Nanteos Cup was kept in a locked cupboard and taken out when visitors called to drink from it. Then through to the dining room, the largest room of the house. We continued the tour up the grand staircase to the gallery and saw the very grand Music room, with its decorative Rococo design, large mirrors, and Aesop’s Fable marble fireplace. Today, wedding ceremonies are conducted in this lavish room. Then up to the second floor, to see the smaller private areas of the Powell family; today the rooms are bedroom suites for the hotel. The attic rooms where the servants slept had been removed in the early 1960s due to replacing the roof with lead. Returning down to the ground floor via the servant staircase to the service areas. The service bells still hung in the corridor, sadly only the Music Room bell remains in working order. Then onto the kitchen, which was laid out for breakfasts for the visitors of the hotel. The Victorian dresser remains in the kitchen as does the ‘Vigars of Aberystwyth’ cooking range, charcoal ovens, and a huge plate warmer. Hooks can still be seen on the ceiling that once hung the meat for the family. Making our way outside, to the courtyard, where there were more service rooms, including the Estate office and battery store, which are now 4 dog friendly bedroom suites. Leaving the courtyard, we were led to the Greek style stables, built in and around 1837, which would have housed up to 18 horses and several carriages. Then back down to the walled garden, and eventually returning to the dining room for afternoon tea. Jan Joel 2023 You can read more about the house on her website: A History of Nanteos Mansion

CAS members recently spent a fascinating evening in Aberaeron's own contemporary art gallery. The subject was one of Aberaeron’s most famous 20th century residents, George Chapman. A so called ‘kitchen sink’ artist, he is best known for his atmospheric etchings, drawings and paintings of the Rhondda Valley. Portraying the mining communities and the people who lived in them, they are important historical records of the changing industrial face of Wales. George moved with his family to Aberaeron in 1964 becoming a well-known character in the town. He lived here for the rest of his life, dying in Aberaeron in October 1993. Thirty years on, his granddaughter, Natalie, an increasingly well-regarded artist in her own right, secured Arts Council funding to commemorate this event. On 17th October 2023 members viewed the exhibition and heard George's story from his daughter, Harriet. Natalie provided a personal view of her grandfather and from her, we learned about the project, also viewing the film where she revisits some of the valley landmarks captured in George’s work. Natalie provided the following details of his life in the form of a handout: George Chapman (1908-1993) Born in East Ham to parents William and Jane Chapman, George attended Shebbears College in Devon where his deafness hindered his education. He joined Crawfords in 1928 to train as a commercial designer. In the 1930s he worked alongside Nash, Piper, and Freedman on advertising campaigns for Shell-Mex and London Transport. Exempt from war service due to his deafness, he taught at Worchester School of Art. He trained at Gravesend School of Art and then the Royal College of Art. Pre-Royal College, he worked in advertising and formed his own successful design agency in 1945. Disillusioned with advertising, he gave up a successful career to satisfy his burning desire to become a painter. He attended the Slade for a year and then transferred to the Royal College. Based in Norwich from 1945, he met Kate Ablett on a trip to Norwich School of Art and the pair married in 1947. In 1951 they left London and bought 3 thatched cottages outside Great Bardfield; they lived in one - Vine cottage, while another became his studio. They became part of the great Bardfield circle, participating in ‘open house exhibitions’ with fellow group members Edward and Charlotte Bawden, Michael and Duffee Rothenstein, Kenneth Rowntree, and Marienne Straub. In 1952 George made his first etchings in Michael Rothenstein's studio. The first etchings were images of Pennant, drawn whilst visiting their friends the Potters, and of his pregnant wife, Kate. It was not until 1953, at the age of 45, a visit to the Rhondda Valleys ‘transformed [his} purpose’. He drove to Cardiff to deliver some paintings and after some time wandering around the city, he was forced to take a shortcut through the valleys to home. ‘‘I’d been searching for something for so long and I couldn’t find it. It's as if you’ve lost your glasses, and then you find them, suddenly the excitement of finding the place was tremendous. I had found something that could direct me at last’, he commented. He had found his subject, the simplicity of ordinary streets set against a dramatic backdrop and the dark broody weather. ‘Being involved in the Rhondda gives me some purpose you see. There is something in me that wants to take life seriously.’ He was attracted by the spirit of the community both visually and personally. At the time, a picturesque Britain was often depicted by artists, perhaps to soften the blow of the reality of the disfigurement of the industrial landscape. George’s work was a record of the lives of the mining communities; washerwomen, shopping bags, freshly hung laundry, and the pallet of a moody Wales. It was an honest observation of a time and place with a deep sympathy for the working class. George rented a studio in the Rhondda in 1953 and he found there what was to become his life's work. The following years were filled with exhibitions at Piccadilly Gallery, London; Zwemmer Gallery London; St. Georges Gallery, London and Howard Roberts Gallery, Cardiff. He was now regarded as an established and successful British painter. ‘My job as an artist is to make things as they are. Providing I do my job properly, the social comment, if such thing is needed, will come over itself’, he stated. The industrial landscape had been of little interest to artists between the wars and in 1957 George was awarded the gold medal for Fine Art at the National Eisteddfod of Wales. In 1964, George and his family finally settled in Wales at Pier Cottage, Aberaeron. The move to Ceredigion coincided with the shift in the art market. Attention had landed upon Abstract painting and Pop Art. This affected George’s confidence; he lost contact with the gallery scene and withdrew from painting altogether for some time. He didn’t return to his beloved Rhondda until 1980 for a commissioned painting which was to re-ignite the love affair. With newfound confidence, a solo show was arranged at the Reynolds Gallery in Plymouth in 1981 where George was painting the ‘New Rhondda’. He was now painting hardwood doors, colourful paintwork on the houses and no more chalk drawings of hopscotch on the streets; even the pigeons had gone. One thing remained the same and that was the weather! George Chapman's contribution to post-war British painting is a vital part of the history of Welsh art. The 1980s saw the disappearance of the mining communities; change was upon us and a new way of life was to evolve. The paintings and prints that were left behind are a record of a time and place that hold a historical significance that could have never been envisaged at the time, important works of art that will inform for years to come. Natalie Chapman. Oct 2023

With the prevalence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) coverage in the media I wondered, as a self-confessed 'geek', how accurately it could frame aspects of Aberaeron's history? I logged on to ChatGPT, one of the most popular websites for generating written AI content, then simply asked the program to "Write a detailed social, economic, geological and geographical history of Aberaeron, Ceredigion, Wales" The website duly delivered some AI-generated content. It looked interesting so I delved a little deeper and asked for "more detail"; the result was quite impressive, although I cannot attest to the accuracy ... Social History: Aberaeron's social history is a tapestry of cultural richness and unique traditions. Founded in the late 18th century by the Reverend Alban Thomas Jones Gwynne, the town was meticulously planned with a grid pattern and colorful Georgian-style buildings, which remain a hallmark of Aberaeron's charm. Gwynne's vision was not only focused on urban development but also on cultural preservation. The coexistence of Welsh and English-speaking communities has been a defining feature of Aberaeron. Gwynne was a strong advocate for Welsh language and culture, and his efforts contributed to the preservation of the Welsh identity within the town. The colorful Georgian buildings were not just for aesthetics; they were intended to symbolize the town's commitment to Welsh creativity and cultural identity. The town's linguistic diversity has endured, with many residents speaking both Welsh and English. This linguistic richness is celebrated through traditional music, literature, and festivals. The Aberaeron Festival of Welsh Ponies and Cobs, for example, is an annual event that highlights the town's equestrian heritage and strong Welsh cultural ties. The Welsh Chapel, a historical landmark, stands as a testament to the enduring influence of the Welsh language and culture on the town's social fabric. Economic History: Aberaeron's economic history has evolved through time, reflecting its geographic advantages and adaptability to changing economic trends. Maritime activities played a crucial role in the town's early history. The natural harbor formed by the confluence of the Aeron and Belan Rivers allowed for shipbuilding, fishing, and trade. Shipbuilding was a thriving industry, with vessels constructed in Aberaeron used for local and international commerce. The 19th century saw a boom in herring fishing, becoming a major economic driver. The herring trade brought wealth and prosperity to Aberaeron, enabling the construction of the colorful Georgian buildings that continue to grace the town. Agriculture has remained a consistent economic activity in Aberaeron, with the fertile land in the surrounding countryside supporting dairy farming and livestock rearing. The Aberaeron Agricultural Show, established in the early 19th century, remains a significant event, emphasizing the town's agricultural heritage. In recent times, tourism has emerged as a critical component of Aberaeron's economy. Its coastal location, well-preserved historic architecture, and picturesque beauty have made it a sought-after destination. The hospitality sector, including hotels, restaurants, and shops, has grown to cater to the influx of tourists seeking an authentic Welsh experience. Geological History: Aberaeron's geological history is intertwined with the sedimentary rocks of the region, dating back to the Ordovician and Silurian periods. These rocks include mudstones, sandstones, and shales. The availability of these sedimentary rocks has had a practical impact on Aberaeron's development. They provided the building materials for the town's colorful Georgian buildings, and their unique mineral content has attracted geologists and paleontologists studying the area. The town's coastal location along Cardigan Bay is a result of millions of years of geological processes, including sediment deposition, tectonic activity, and erosion. The confluence of the Aeron and Belan Rivers created a natural harbor that has been instrumental in Aberaeron's maritime history. Geographical History: Aberaeron's geographical history is characterized by its coastal location along Cardigan Bay, with a natural harbor formed by the confluence of the Aeron and Belan Rivers. The town's grid layout and colorful Georgian architecture, designed by the Rev. Alban Thomas Jones Gwynne, have not only added to its charm but also symbolized its commitment to aesthetics and cultural preservation. These vibrant buildings continue to be one of Aberaeron's defining features. The Aeron River, along with the scenic countryside, forms a picturesque natural backdrop for the town. Aberaeron's coastal setting on Cardigan Bay provided an ideal location for maritime activities, trade, and, more recently, tourism. In conclusion, Aberaeron's history is a detailed tapestry of its geographical setting, geological attributes, social dynamics, and evolving economic activities. The town's colorful architecture, linguistic diversity, and transformation into a tourist destination make it a historically rich and thriving community in Ceredigion, Wales. With Aberaron's history swiftly summarised by AI, I was curious as to whether any AI pictures could be generated to complement the written description. Enter stage left MidJourney, an AI program specifically for image generation. I asked the program to generate an image for "Aberaeron harbour on misty summer morning". A short time later four low-resolution images had been generated for my perusal ... To be honest, I was rather taken aback, yet pleasantly surprised at what had been generated, particularly the first image which resembles Quay Parade. The AI algorithm clearly searches for hundreds of web-based images of Aberaeron harbour and generates random landscapes to represent the requested scene (misty, summer morning). It's hugely impressive, yet also somewhat scary in terms of the power of AI. The AI image generation tools are a novelty to play with, although there are real-world concerns about the impact on the livelihood of original artists, specifically where their style can be easily reproduced to recreate new artwork to profit others. For example, a painting of Aberaeron Harbour in the style of Vincent van Gogh. Maybe I should try that given that Vincent's copyright has long since expired?! Like any new technology there are pros & cons. Whilst it is worryingly easy for AI to generate deep-fake videos of celebrities or to write essays for students, it also makes the analysis of medical scans (CT/MRI) much more accurate and reliable. I guess we'll just have to wait to see whether AI is harnessed "for better or for worse". Steve Davies Oct 2023

Am ei fod yn rhatach, y bws a ddefnyddiai’n teulu ni bob amser. Ond ar ddau achlysur mi ges fynd ar y trên o Abaeraeron i Lanbed, a hynny am yr un rheswm ddwywaith. Ond yn gyntaf rhaid son am y Pictiwrs. Ar nos Lun a nos Iau roedd y pictiwrs yn cael eu cynnal yn Neuadd Goffa Aberaeron, o dan gyfarwyddyd yr entrepreneur DC Lloyd Birmingham House. Ddwy noson arall byddai’r Cei yn cael yr un dangosiadau a Llanbed un noson a Dydd Sadwrn. Roeddwn i’n cael mynychu’r pictiwrs (un pictiwr bach a un pictiwr mawr, a’r Pathe News yn y canol) un waith yr wythnos. Ar y ddau achlysur dan sylw, rywbryd tua diwedd y 40au, roedd dau bictiwr arbennig o ddeniadol i’w dangos ar y nos Iau yn Aberaeron, sef Robin Hood a Just William’s Luck. Yr aflwydd oedd eu bod yn clasio gyda’r Gymanfa Ganu. Roedd colli’r Gymanfa wrth gwrs mâs o’r cwestiwn, yn enwedig i fab y gweinidog. Fe drefnodd Mam felly, chwarae teg iddi, drît arbennig i finnau a ’mhennaf ffrind, Eryl Jones, Brodawel, sef trip ar y trên i Lanbed ar Ddydd Sadwrn i weld y ddau bictiwr. Brith gof sy gen i. Eistedd yn y compartment ac o dro i dro hwpo’n pennau drwy’r ffenest i weld yr injian yn y pen blaen, a chael llond ein llygaid o lwch yn wobr am fod mor ffol. Cafwyd blas anghyffredin ar y ddwy ffilm wrth gwrs. Ond roedd gan ein teulu ni gysylltiad agos am reswm arall â byd y trên. Drws nesaf i’r Mans yn Wellington Street, yn Gilvin, roedd gyrrwr y trên Mr Griffiths yn byw. Mi fydden yn cael mynd mewn gyda’r nos i gegin Gilvin drwy’r drws ochr. Rwy’n cofio dau beth yn arbennig. Un yw bod Mr Griffiths, yn wahanol i ni, yn cael swper wedi’i goginio ar ôl dod adref o’r gwaith, a’r aroglau amheuthun yn llenwi’r gegin. Yr ail beth oedd Mrs Griffiths yn smwddio crys pêl droed coch â rhif 8 ar ei gefn. Roedd Gordon Griffiths yn chwarae centre-forward yn nhîm amatur Cymru ar y pryd, a’i fam yn gorfod golchi a smwddio’i grys. Roedd ei frawd hŷn Stuart hefyd yn bêldroediwr o fri, yn chwarae, fel Gordon, i Aberystwyth, ond ambell dro i Aberaeron hefyd. Y brodyr Griffiths wrth gwrs oedd ’yn arwyr pennaf i. A diolch i’r trên y ces i’r fraint o fyw drws nesaf iddyn nhw. Cynog Dafis Awst 2011