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Spring Day-out to LLancaiach Fawr Manor
On arrival we went first into the centre for coffee and were then joined by our guide Paul. Back on the coach and the start of a seven mile drive. The hill-sides of this previously mined area have been transformed into peaceful forests with impressive views. The Nantcarn valley has become a haven for people and wildlife and has a mountain bike track purported to be one of the best in the world. |
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We climbed steadily through about 1600 feet along a very narrow paved track – much to the trepidation of some of the ladies. On one side of the track the hill towered above us and on the other side we were looking down into a very steep green hole. It became even more terrifying for some as we started down again and had to negotiate some very, very sharp bends. At one point the coach bottomed on the road and the driver had to do somewhat more than 3 point turns to get us round with the nose of the coach appearing to disappear over the edge of the track. My wife for one wanted to get out until he had finished manoeuvring. The guide gave us a running commentary throughout the tour and brought us right up to date on the area from its early mining days. Back at the visitor Centre we dropped the guide, with thanks and applause and then on to Llancaiach Fawr Manor for Lunch and the tour of the Manor
A good lunch was enjoyed by all with all 48 of us being served by two very busy ladies. After lunch we were greeted by the hostess and given a brief introduction on what to expect. The manor and its staff are stuck in a time warp in the year 1645 where the Royalists and Parliamentary parties are at war. Master of the manor is Colonel Edward Pritchard Esq. supporter of the Royalist cause. The Welsh army became disenchanted due to lack of payment and although supporting the King decided that they would only protect the borders of Glamorgan from incursion by Parliament.
I was dressed as a cavalry officer of sorts and was dressed in various items and equipped with sword, matchlock and short pike. Various helmets were placed on my head, the first fitted like a pea on a drum and the last – a beehive helmet with peak and neck guard was fitted and only my nose prevented total disappearance into the helmet. I obviously at this time had no idea how I looked and there is only one thing I can say with certainty. The accoutrements were uncomfortable in the extreme and had an indescribable smell. When it was explained how the equipment was cared for and kept supple, one can fully understand why, and the poor soul would most likely have to sleep in all this during action. That more or less concluded the tour of the manor, which took the best part of two very interesting and humorous hours. A cup of tea in the manor restaurant then back on the coach for a drive to and around Caerphilly Castle during rush hour. That was an experience all on its own; as to circle the castle we had to take to some very narrow back streets with the usual parking on both sides of the road. Steve gave us a series of driving lessons at that point – not a scratch! From there the journey back to Bristol in glorious sunshine; arriving back at BAWA at about 6:30 and 6:45 at Downend with the weather just starting to turn nasty again. Once again our thanks to David and Janet for making the day successful and interesting. David - you must be doing something right as the weather gods are still smiling on you. Bill Brand |
Following the usual pick-ups at Downend and BAWA, we proceeded along the motorway to South Wales in what started out to be somewhat dodgy weather; the forecast being not at all friendly. Our driver Steve made good time and gave us all a very smooth ride. The itinerary was revised due in the main to the weather forecast and we made firstly for the Visitor Centre at the CWMCARN Forest Drive in Caerphilly.
In the August of that year, the King visited the manor and lunched there in an effort to revitalise the Welsh support. It seems he did not succeed as shortly after this visit the army changed sides and became part of the Parliamentary army and in fact defended the manor against the King’s men. That sets the scene for the “Step Back into History”. Colonel Pritchard’s staff knows nothing of today’s events as they are still in the year 1645 and speak and dress as of those times. We were taken into various parts of the house by various servants and introduced to the house and its activities. All but one of the servants guiding us were maids. The only male servants was Colonel Pritchard’s man servant come valet who was quite a humorous fellow and gave quite an insight to the ways of the times particularly with regard to the manner of dress and makeup of ladies of the time.
We finished up in the colonel’s study. A very plain room with quite a collection of arms and armour as colonel Pritchard had his own small army. The manservant explained that at that time either one of the guests was pressed into service, or a volunteer was called for to show how arms men of the time were dressed. Some reluctance was expressed when a volunteer was called for. Guess who volunteered? It was quite a humorous event as very few of the items fitted correctly and I must have looked like something from a comic book. The equipment though was quite serious.