Ian Moody And Gwenfô Gynt
HISTORY GROUP AT THE VILLAGE SHOW
Many thanks to everyone who expressed interest in the Gwenfô Gynt – The Wenvoe History Group table at the Village Show and who purchased a publication there, the Wenvoe Millennium Map, Wenvoe Past and Present and Wenvoe at War, publications that the late Ian Moody had played a major part in. If anyone couldn’t get to the village show and would like one of the publications and/or join our discussion group, please contact me on skjo@btinternet.com There was a great deal of interest at the Village Show, and as always a great event thanks to Glenys and Mike Tucker, I was pleased that we also made a small financial contribution to the expenses of running the show through the sale of the millennium map.
Some expressed interested in not just continuing with the recording of our local history but also in raising awareness in our environment through recognition of the heritage we have in the village, the buildings and connections with local people, and to guard against any erosion of what we have. I fully support this and agree it is an important activity that is also a continuous process of bringing village heritage to the attention of newcomers and new generations. As we were outside the Church Hall and close to the wheelwright’s shop, I was reminded of a book I had read many years ago called, The Wheelwright’s Shop by George Sturt. Originally published in 1923 it gives a vivid insight into traditional craftsmanship at the turn of the 20th century and the life and labours of a wheelwright in a small English village. A picture similar to that of Wenvoe where wheel-making was practised and in which village life and the rhythm of the rural countryside was impacted by change through industrialisation (a preview of this book can be seen on google books). Mike Tucker has also provided a view into this past through his displays of village farm machinery and tools.
At the Village Show, I talked about investigating the possibility of an historical panel in the village and will pursue this and in order to keep the momentum and discussion going intend to keep in touch through a What’s App group, with those who have given their contact details, and of course through Wenvoe What’s On.
Stephen K. Jones