Vernon Beynon shares his memories of Waldo at Weun Parc y Blawd.
Since it is 120 years since Waldo’s birth there might have been more events than usual organised this year. Three walks were organised ‘Following Waldo’s Footsteps’. The first was held on Saturday May 25 at Llandysilio as we followed his boyhood footsteps and his family connections. Landowner Vernon Beynon took us to Parc y Blawd and Weun Parc y Blawd where he shared his memories of Waldo and his family. The parents would often sit underneath a particular oak tree in the summer months mainly reading whilst Waldo wandered around. It is accepted that this is where Waldo received his vision to compose the poem ‘Mewn Dau Gae’ (In Two Fields). We walked past the family home, Rhosaeron, where a magnificent plaque, hand lettered by renowned sculptor Ieuan Rhys, can be seen on the wall. Time was also spent in Blaenconin cemetery among the family graves where Wyn Owens gave us his insight into Waldo’s poems. Tea was then served at Pisga Chapel vestry.
The second walk was held on Saturday morning, June 29, at Millin Chapel near Slebech from where we walked down to The Crooked Oak (Y Dderwen Gam) on the banks of the Eastern Cleddau. Waldo used to shelter in the chapel during the early hours before venturing down to the river to witness the daybreak among the wading birds. Such an experience of awakening he felt was a constant new renaissance. But the chapel door was locked when the members thought a tramp was taking advantage of their building at night. Such episodes would often plague Waldo. The walk was led by Hefin Wyn assisted by Teifryn Williams. We all returned to Millin Chapel, which was unlocked, and enjoyed some refreshments and further conversations.
Teifryn, Waldo’s nephew, reds the poem ‘The Crooked Oak’ near the crooked oak.
The last walk was held on Saturday, July 27 at Puncheston where Waldo for a while during the Second World War was the acting headmaster. The walk was led by Alun Ifans who himself was a headmaster at the village school. He shared lots of information not only about Waldo himself but about many other village features. There were 25 people present some from as far as Ruthin and Madrid. There were stops outside Smyrna Chapel, on the village square, the church, the old school building and Puncheston Moor. Ann Davies read the poems ‘Fel hyn y bu’ and ‘Ar Weun Cas-mael’. Following lunch in the school hall we were led around the gallery which features paintings by many well-known artists.
Alun Ifans, the guide, addresses the pilgrims
All walks were organised by Llinos Penfold.