Recent Events
Annual General Meeting 23 May at Mildenhall, DuncraigThe Society’s Annual General Meeting was attended by 22 Members and the following officers were appointed for the next twelve months President: Samara Kemp The AGM was catered by Julie’s Kitchen who provided finger food of sandwiches, quiche, and party pies. The Committee members provided cheese platters, Welsh cakes and Bara Brith. There was a raffle and a secret auction. |
For all future events, head to our events page!
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Welsh News
Lost Village Beneath Pontsticill Reservoir
Wales holds countless stories of communities claimed by water — and Pontsticill Reservoir is one of the most quietly poignant.
Also known as Taf Fechan Reservoir, this large water body sits partly in Powys and partly in Merthyr Tydfil, within the Brecon Beacons National Park. Completed and brought into use in 1927, it is loved today for its sweeping scenic views and outdoor activities, from sailing to picnicking. Yet beneath its calm surface lies a hidden history.
When the reservoir was built, it flooded an entire stretch of the Taf Fechan valley, submerging a living, working community. Down below still lie the remains of:
- Dol-y-gaer Church — a 15th century parish church, lost entirely as the waters rose
- The old vicarage, plus a cluster of farms and smallholdings that sustained the valley
- Capel Taf Fechan — a chapel whose walls now rest on the reservoir bed
- Bethlehem (Taf Fechan) Congregational Chapel — its building drowned, though its graveyard was carefully relocated before flooding. A number of memorial stones from that burial ground survive to this day, preserved and cared for by Merthyr Libraries.
In times of severe drought, when water levels fall low enough, fragments of this lost world re emerge: stone outlines, foundations, and faint, ghostly traces of the homes, places of worship, and fields that once defined life here.
Pontsticill Reservoir reminds us that every reservoir has two stories: the one we see and enjoy on the surface, and the one still sleeping beneath it — a quiet memorial to the people who lived, worshipped, and belonged in the valley before the water came. (Welsh History Facebook Page)
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Tafwyl 2026 (Western Mail)
Thousands flocked to Cardiff last weekend for Tafwyl, the city’s annual celebration of the Welsh language, arts and culture.
With live music, food, family activities, literature, performances and plenty of Welsh pride on display, the free festival once again brought huge crowds together for one of the highlights of Cardiff’s cultural calendar
Experienced Welsh Music acts like Carwyn Ellis and Al Lewis, together with newer acts meant that crowds could party all afternoon and into the evening.
Schools from across Cardiff also performed at the event, while kids lucky enough to be fans of S4C’s Cyw could see the show’s presenters in real life.
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The Welsh Society of Western AustraliaPatron: The Hon. R.C. (Bob) Kucera |  |