A GROUP of Cowbridge campaigners bought land on 31st July, in the town to safeguard it from development. The driving force behind that campaign was Adrian Griffiths – very much a local man and now a local hero. Betty Alden, a founder member of the Cowbridge History Society, has supplied this tribute to Adrian:
Early this year, ‘The Three Fields’ which link Llanblethian village with Cowbridge were put up for sale by auction. They have been in the same private ownership since 1964.
The public footpath running through below St Quentin’s Castle, Mount Ida and by the River Thaw has been in popular daily use for generations. This delightful green space, grazed and managed by a local farming family, is enjoyed for walking, cross country running, for picnics, toboganning, blackberrying, tugs-of-war across the river – as well as offering a safe and pleasant shortcut from Llanblethian into Cowbridge town.
It took Adrian Griffiths, one of many who grew up here and roamed these fields in his youth, to give a voice to his wish for their preservation. To keep them free from development and to take action to achieve this.
He mounted a campaign to gather sufficient funds from the similarly concerned public to purchase the land. He held two public meetings, produced and distributed posters and leaflets and spread the word as widely as possible, and had the ultimate responsibility of placing the auction bid – and all this effort paid off.
The sale of the land to the local community was secured on 31st July. This could never have been achieved without Adrian’s tenacity, passion and months of sheer hard work. He will now ensure that a trust will protect and manage these fields for us all to enjoy them for ever more.
Adrian’s family go back many generations in Cowbridge – the Cowbridge History Society has a list, for example, of the accounts of John Griffiths the blacksmith at 26, High Street (now the butcher’s shop) which date from 1839 to 1856, showing that he was undertaking jobs. His grandparents kept the Horse and Groomfrom the1920s to the 1950s.
He has now made his own mark in Cowbridge’s history and they would be justifiably proud.
By Betty Alden
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