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LLANDINAM Much of TASC's work in the last five years has centred around the village of Llandinam. It is where our administrator has lived for over 20 years, but it is also one of the loveliest villages and steeped in history. Though it only has some 700 inhabitants it supports a village shop, post office, school, pub and several local businesses. Through the famous Davies family, it has also played more than its share in economic, cultural and political life. A little of the village's past is set out below. 
A ceilidh in full swing at Llandinam Village Hall 2005 |
MONTGOMERYSHIRE Until the local government re-organisation of 1974 Llandinam was within the historic county of Montgomeryshire. This was named after the county town Montgomery,which was itself named after Roger de Montgomerie, the 1st Earl of Shrewsbury, and a close ally of William the Conqueror. The early years of the occupation were not without difficulties. The first Norman castle was built at Hen Domen, just outside Montgomery. Made of timber, it was sacked by Cadwgan ap Bleddyn, Prince of Powys, in 1095 and the garrison slaughtered. The next castle was built on a massive rocky outcrop above the present town, and its ruins can still be seen, dramatically outlined against the sky.  |
POWYS Llandinam now lies within the county of Powys, an ancient name for one of the kingdoms to emerge during the Dark Ages, when the Romans had withdrawn from Britain. The kingdom - or perhaps a princedom, as it was ruled by the Princes of Powys - included land further north of the present county, and also included parts of Shropshire. It was often referred to as the Paradise of Powys, with its rich fertile farmland along the Severn valley. The present county is by far the largest in Wales, and covers approximately a quarter of the land area of Wales. TASC was formed in 1994 as the outreach arm of the Mid Wales May Festival (1989-1998). It aims to promote and encourage traditional and tradition-based work 
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 EARLY HISTORY A Celtic monastery was founded at Llandinam by St Llonio in th early part of the sixth century. This later became the Church of St Llonio, the Mother Church for many of the surrounding parishes. 
The village grew up alongside the River Severn which has for centuries played a part in the life of the area. Two miles downstream is the village of Caersws where a Roman fort held the river crossing. The Iron Age hillfort of Cefn Carnedd, which overlooks the river valley and both villages, was reputed to be the source of the last pitched battle between the Celts and the Romans where Caradog (Latin Caratacus) was defeated. The story of the battle and Caradog's reception at Rome can be found in Tacitus. |
 INDUSTRY In more recent times Llandinam was the birthplace of David Davies, the great nineteenth century industrialist and entrepreneur whose statue can be seen at the bridge.  In 1864 David Davies built Broneirion, an imposing Italianate villa on the left bank of the river. the more interesting events in the twentieth century was the evacuation of Gordounstoun school to Llandinam. The school's Scottish home was needed by the Fleet Air Arm for training purposes and Lord Davies invited them to Broneirion. Apparently this was the outcome of a meeting on a train and the first Lady Davies knew of it was when she saw a stream of boys pushing their belongings up the drive in a handcart. Today it is the home of Guides Cymru, providing a training centre and offices for the Guides in Wales. David Davies'grandson was created Lord Davies in 1932, following a distinguished career as a Liberal MP, and the present Lord Davies still lives in the village. |
 ARTS & CRAFTS A few miles away is another splendid building, Gregynog, built by the sisters of the first Lord Davies, Gwendoline and Margaret. Today it is a conference centre for the University of Wales and home of the famous Gregynog press.  The sisters were well known for their interest in the arts, and amassed a fine collection of Impressionist paintings, which can be seen at the National Museum in Cardiff. As well as paintings they had an interest in crafts, helping to set up the Arts & Crafts Museum in Ceramic with its important Ceramics Collection. Theya lso had a love of music and leading figures of the day, such as Edward Elgar, were frequent visitors. Gregynog hosts an annual music festical every year in June, an event begun by the sisters in 1934. |
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