A sizable group of people (~30) successfully completed the first IQ test of the day and found their way to Platform 0 at Cardiff Central only to be informed a while later that there was a platform alteration so we all trundled off to platform 4. We left 18 minutes late and made up a few minutes on the way.
At Llanhilleth station we learnt about three notable local people; the labour politician Ray Gunter, David Brunt, the Father of Meteorology, and the inventor of the world’s best ice cream, Cyril Thayer.
It was then time to take the short walk over the bridge to the renovated Miner’s Institute. I thought it encapsulated the spirit of the day when a local lad caught up with me at the back and offered me a biscuit!
We had a warm welcome from the staff and there to meet us was Lyn Malony of the Llanhilleth Heritage Centre. Lyn gave us a smashing tour of the Miners Institute, explaining its history and the renovations and current uses. The Institute seems very much at the centre of the community today as it was when it was built. I liked the story of the reopening of the Institute and the gift of the walking stick to Prince Charles – by appointment!
A lot of people ate at the cafe in the Institute, prepared and delivered by the cheerful staff.
I was shocked to see 19 people wanted to partake in the challenge of walking the 700ft (70 flights of stairs) up to St Illtyd’s Church. Well done all. I’d make three previous reckie visits to Llanhilleth. Last autumn I walked/scrambled up the western side of the valley – enjoyable but unsuitable for a group. The second time, about three months ago, I went east up to St Illtyd’s church. Some of the footpaths on the map are not on the ground but after a few hours I thought found a suitable route for a group such as ours. I had remembered it was steep but had forgotten about the steps – sorry about that. Also, the fact it was three months ago meant the bracken had grown to head-height making one section a real adventure.
St Illtyd’s Church had not only kindly been opened up for us but Mike was there to give us some of the history and details of the renovation. It was a fascinating insight and delivered by someone again with a real passion for the place.
People chose various routes down from the church back to Llanhilleth, all in time to catch the busy 15.49 train back to Cardiff.
Thanks for all those who came along.