A GROUP of seven walkers joined Sheila from Penarth and District Ramblers at Maes-y-Ffynon in Bonvilston which they learned was shortened to Bolston, but through the ages had 36-different spellings after Robert Fitzhamon, Lord of Glamorgan gave the manor to Simon de Bonville. Later the manor passed to the St John family, the Crawshay, Bassett and Brain families.
On a beautiful sunny morning they set off following a muddy bridleway festooned in gorgeous spring flowers to reach a lane and, crossing their first stile, the reward was splendid far-reaching views across the Ely Valley. Tramping in single file through a cropped field, a small copse covered in pretty bluebells led them past a magnificent tree house into the idyllic hamlet of Ty’n y Pwll and past Trehedyn House, originally two Queen Ann houses and alleged to be the birthplace of the Welsh hymn writer Thomas Williams.
Soggy fields led them into Lanlay Meadows – owned by the National Trust. Boardwalks led them to the Community Orchard and a stop for morning break whilst chatting to two male volunteers tidying up the site, with its apple trees adorned with pretty blossom.
Continuing along grassy banks beside the meandering River Ely, a detour around the edges of two ploughed fields brought them into a huge meadow with young calves, with one newly born lying right next to a gate! Avoiding agitating the cow meant a detour through the farmyard and back into fields.
Some road walking followed and arriving at Pendoylan, they made for the 14th Century Church of St Cattwg. They stopped for lunch in its delightful churchyard in warm sunshine, listening to birdsong and children playing in the schoolyard next door, whilst Anna made a quick pen and ink drawing. The church, which was rebuilt in 1835 after being funded by Roland Fothergill of Hensol Castle, has six bells still rung by volunteers and at its eastern end they viewed a door in the church wall which leads to the Hensol vault.
Then onward past the Red Lion to road walk to the splendid Caer Wigau Isaf with its beautiful wild garlic festooned paths and lovely stream cascading down through the valley, for the long climb to Lillypot, where the lovely house has uninterrupted views to the Bristol Channel. After a friendly conversation with the owner, an awkward stile led them through a field adjacent to Gaer Wood that protects the huge defensive pre-historic ringwork of Y Gaer.
Heading downhill past a huge fallen tree brought them back to the very noisy A48 and heading into the churchyard of St Mary the Virgin, which dates to the 12th Century, they learned only the tower and the chancel remain from the original church which was rebuilt in 1863. After viewing a large tomb of the Brain family, a short pavement walk brought them back to their start after what had been an interesting tramp through history.
You can follow the group here or on Facebook.
By Joy Strangward
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