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Physicians of Myddfai
The Physicians of Myddfai were very real people even if their mother was a legend (see my ‘Lady of the Lake’ blog). Welsh Herbal Medicine by David Hoffmann says “Rhiwallon and his sons first became physicians to Rhys Gryg who gave them rank, lands and privileges at Myddfai. Their fame soon spread and their services were in demand throughout the country. The descendants of this ancient family continued to practice medicine in Wales without a break until the middle of the 18th century, when the last lineal descendant died in 1743. The late Rice Williams M.D. of Aberystwyth, who died in 1842, appears to have been the last of the…
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Lady of the Lake
The Lady of the Lake is a fascinating legend which can be traced back to ancient times. The Lady of the Lake is said to be mother of the Physicians of Myddfai whose manuscripts include work on medicine ie. herbs as well as anatomy, physiology, surgery and pathology. The farms named are still in existance. This version of the legend is taken from “Myths and Legends of Wales” retold by Tony Roberts and available from Abercastle Publications. A farmer who died fighting for Welsh freedom at the end of the 12th century left a widow who then farmed at Blaensawdde near Llanddeusant. In time her stock increased and she had…
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Myddfai Community Hall
Myddfai is a wonderful place, steeped in history and legend and lying on the edge of Y Mynydd Du (the Black Mountain) part of the beautiful Brecon Beacons. There is a legend of the Lady of Llyn-y-Fan Fach and her sons who became the Physicians of Myddfai. I will write more about them in another blog. It is also where Prince Charles has his Welsh home. A charity was founded in 1964 to run the village hall. Myddfai Ty Talcen Charity has since developed and expanded and encourages community participation in a range of different ways from social and recreational to welfare and educational opportunities. A few years ago Myddfai…
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My Milling Band Saw
I have two different types of saws that I use for converting tree trunks into planks, a milling attachment for a powerful chainsaw and this large band saw. Hopefully I shall make some videos in the future showing them working. For very large trunks, or if they are somewhere other than home I use the milling chainsaw which I’ll describe in another blog. If the wood is small enough and at home I have the band-saw. This was originally designed for sawing metal but has been adapted now to saw wood. Most milling band-saws do the moving through the wood and are portable, which has its advantages. With this one…
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Ceredigion Craft Makers
When I first started turning wood I was caring for my partner’s mother who had dementia. This meant that my time was committed so, no craft fairs, craft groups or co-operatives who rent a shop where I would have to be able to donate my time on a regular basis. So all my work was sold through shops and galleries. I am no longer caring for someone so I am now free to sell in whatever way I choose and a couple of months ago I joined Ceredigion Craft Makers. It is a mixed group promoting and selling various quality crafts in different venues within the county throughout the year.…
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The History of the Tree in the Wood.
The history of the tree is in each piece of wood but it can not always be easily read. One of the easiest stories to read is when a tree has been cut across the grain. Because the wood has to shrink as it dries (a living tree is about 60% water and this will come down to 10% or below for a centrally heated house) when it is cut like this it inevitably cracks. When it is planked along the grain it can move in different ways so does not necessarily crack. This circle of wood is 31″ diameter at the narrowest point and over 3′ at the widest…