aberconwyhistoricalsociety

Good afternoon,

I am 79 years old, and have just started a research PhD in Creative W riting at YSJ. The larger part comprises a novel of 60-80,000 words I was born in Rhyl, and spent my early years in Colwyn Bay, where I still have relatives. I am hoping you can give me some historical assistance with the project, please. I have set the location as the Conwy Valley, most probably centred on Trefriw and thereabouts.

Many years ago I purchased a late Victorian travel guide for North Wales (frontispiece attached), and on page 118 (copy attached) I came across the fascinating and haunting story about the soul of Sir John Wynne being condemned to remain in the pool of the Swallow Falls for persecuting Catholics, with little hope of redemption. I think the writer has mixed up Rhaeadr Ewennol with Rhaeadr y Wennol, but I’m not sure.

I shall place the plot in the early 21st century, but I should like to make an occasional flashback to the tale of Sir John Wynne, and this is where I hope you can give me some direction, please.

Was Sir John a real person?

If so, are there historical records of his life and downfall?

If the tale is mythical, what was the foundation for it?

Do you have any documents available for examination?

When the virus problems have passed I intend to revisit the locations I have in my memory that I would like to feature in the story.

I look forward to hearing from in due course.

Kind regards,

Robin Gallagher

Birkby Hall,

Birkby Lane

Bailiff Bridge

Brighouse

HD6 4JJ

Telephone 01484 716900

Mobile 07703 314282

robin.gallagher@yorks.ac.uk

IS COVID 19 HERE TO STAY ?

Is Covid 19 here to stay I hear you cry in some dismay,
Or is this the way God works in his mysterious way?
His great plan involving evolution
Designed to provide the ultimate conclusion.

But as Mankind grows older and takes control
Of nature’s scarce resources, it takes it’s toll
On other life forms who share our space
We behave in ways little short of disgrace.

Perhaps it’s time for “evolution” to redress
Whilst giving us a short time to confess
That squandering resources like there’s no tomorrow
Becomes a self fulfilling prophesy and cause for sorrow.

What should we do, those of us who still care
For there are many whose behaviour leads to despair.
Since we are responsible for Climate Change
Our farming habits we need to re-arrange

But the population grows with us all living longer
Reducing the proportion of those who are stronger.
Perhaps the “cunning plan” of Covid 19
Is to cull the older less useful and those in between.

Meanwhile polarisation increases and breeds mischief
Between rich and poor, nations and extremes of belief.
To save “our world” requires co-operation in every way.
Humanity has to work alongside nature to save the day.

WHERE ARE WE GOING?

Marriage Guidance is pointless when offered to those

Newly wed couples living in a manner they chose

For newly weds can escape their spouse

And leave for work and leave the house

Thus conflict’s averted and when they return

All is sweetness until stomachs do churn.

For it just human nature to have its one’s own way

And if compromise is needed to have the last say.

When help is most needed its later in life

On retirement to share with one’s “trouble and strife”.

Two in the kitchen and routines to decide

It’s a recipe for friction with nowhere to hide.

Come now Marriage Guidance with advice of a sage

We thought it would be blissful in our old age

It’s a whole new ball game for us to master

If we are to survive and avoid disaster.

Just when we thought we had found a good way

For peace and tranquillity seemed here to stay

Along comes a virus and self isolation

To test us to distraction with no consolation

No family orfriends to relieve the tension

Being confined to four walls and undivided attention.

The TV and books should give some respite

But do they satisfy everything well? .. Not quite.

For Society at large with no possibility to entertain

Not pubs, nor sports or churches to sustain

They quickly divide those who have and have not

Bringing out the best and the worst of the lot.

The contrast is marked between how we behave

While communities unite the afflicted to save

There are those who exploit, not to help us recover

But for their sole benefit with no care for another.

When all this is over will we all learn the lesson

Or must we endure yet another session.

Let’s build on the warmth from mutual empathy

Shown by so many at this time for sympathy.

Not just with neighbours but folk quite unknown

Who by helpfulness and their kindness shown.

Even those countries not normally close,

Animosity forgotten, new friendships arose.

If only we could extend this to the environment

The world could be safer and become more content..

We might even survive as a race much improved

In harmony with all the Creator imbued.

A Poem by Tony Peters

SELF ISOLATION

Hermits often chose a cave to contemplate this life

With community support in lieu of a wife

No overheads or burdensome chores

left even more time without in-laws.

In convents past, ladies could retreat

to get those men from under their feet

and worship solemnly without laughter

a guaranteed place in the hereafter.

But now, we’re told we’ve lost our voice

to stay at home and without choice.

This alien existence soon starts to grate

for getting out was our escape.

Community support is no substitution

and sooner or later will come retribution

For “doing our thing” was our human right

and this situation just adds to our plight.

For couples the test is even more stressful

trying to stay patient and mutually respectful

The extrovert learns that to be too jolly

can turn out to be the height of folly.

The introvert likewise can sink in despair

for the partner that’s danger to be treated with care.

To stay sane and healthy if bonded by marriage

Is deserving of honours with full horse and carriage

But for one on your own its all trials and tribulations

and almost no visits from friends and relations.

For sharing this burden with just a book or TV

and those household chores that stop you being free.

Where will it all end is what everyone fears

and what comes hereafter to keep us from tears.

The economy is finished and how to compete

To enable us poor folk to get back on our feet.

ISN’T EVOLUTION WONDERFUL?

a Poem by Tony Peters

Who would have thought four months ago

Covid 19 would have us in its throw

Chinese New Year it tried to spoil

Despite their efforts it to foil.

And now the West has followed suit

With Coronovirus in pursuit.

It knows no boundaries, affecting all

Within its path, we all could fall

A victim to its wayward whim

Our population so to trim.

Or is it all some cunning plan

by Nature, to send us down the pan.

Yet there seems hope to save the day

If only we can learn the way.

The East has learned which way to go

It’s now our turn to act and show -

That all the world can act as one

And learn from this how things be done.

If all humanity came together

We could work with nature and the weather.

To co-operate and end all conflict everywhere

And help whoever calls the shots up there.

Just stop all trying to go a different route

And in the process our foot to shoot.

The end

Some more verse form our resident Bard, Tony Peters.