Darren Valley near Llangynwyd - Photo:
David Lewis
CCL |
A pretty
hilltop village in the Llynfi Valley,
Llangynwyd has an imposing tall-towered church
and an ancient thatched inn - Yr Hen Dy (The
Old House) - reputed to be the oldest in South
Wales. It was the birthplace of the poet and
bard Will Hopcyn whose ill-fated love of local
girl, Ann Thomas, is said to be the basis of
the old Welsh legend ‘The Maid of Cefn Ydfa’.
The pair are buried in the local churchyard. A
cross stands as a memorial to Will. On New
Year’s Eve villagers still conduct the ancient
Mari Llwyd (Grey Mare) custom, which includes
men and boys carrying flaming wooden brands,
knocking on doors and requesting hospitality. |
