Myddfai Country Diary 15th September 2011
Although there is an autumnal feel in the air, there have been enough warm sunny days for the insects to get busy.
Red Admiral
The Red Admiral (pictured) is a common and regular migrant to Britain from continental Europe and is one of our most well-known butterflies. This large butterfly is unmistakable with its velvety black wings and a flash of vivid orange-red across its forewings and around the edge of its rear wings. Often seen in mid-late summer it can sometimes even be seen during mild winters. Although it gets its nectar from flowering garden plants – this one was pictured in the garden – it will also feed on rotting food in orchards (plums seem to be one the favourites). Its larvae feed on the Common Nettle.
Peacock Butterfly
We have also spotted a number of Peacock Butterflies (pictured) around the parish. It usually hibernates through the winter in hollow trees, crevices in bark or stone or unheated buildings and can sometimes be seen even in the coldest winter months although most individuals start to become active in late March and April. They are probably the longest-lived butterflies in Britain, with adults surviving from late July well into the following spring perhaps even into June. The populations have increased significantly as there is little shortage of food for the black spiny caterpillars which feed mainly on the Common Nettle. Peacocks are nomadic butterflies that range widely through the countryside. Their name comes directly from the resemblance of the four stunning eyespots on their wings to the eye patterns on a peacock’s tail feathers: as early as the 1600’s the butterfly was known as the Peacock’s Eye.
Common Nettle
From prehistoric days mankind has needed, used and equally hated the Common Nettle (pictured). The mechanism that causes the stings is simple one. On being touched the tip of each tiny hair breaks off and a sharp point pushes a complex mixture of stinging chemicals – one of which is histamine – into the skin and this causes a painful rash. The presence of nettles normally indicates a soil rich in nitrogen and the plant supports over 40 species of insect including some of our most colourful butterflies.
The nettle leaf is among one of the most valuable herbal remedies. One of the earliest physicians, Galen (131-201CE) used nettles as a laxative and a diuretic. According to tradition, Caesar’s troops are said to have brought the Roman nettle to Britain where they used it to relieve rheumatism and arthritis by flogging themselves with small branches tied together. They also did this to keep out the cold of the damp British climate!
An old remedy for relieving the pain of arthritis was to rub fresh leaves over the aching joints. Although there was increased pain at first from the stings, it ultimately relieved the inflammation and pain. In one modern open study of 219 patients, nettle leaf juice was found to be as effective at reducing the pain of various types of arthritis as modern non-steroidal anti- inflammatory drugs. Another recent randomised study reported that nettle juice, taken in combination with a sub-therapeutic dose of diclofenac, was as effective as a full dose of the drug alone for arthritis pain relief.
Nettle leaf juice is also particularly effective as a diuretic and is believed to help prevent most types of kidney stones as well as urinary tract infections. Further research, in the urological area, also suggests a benefit in treating men with a benign enlargement of the prostate gland.
Clothing has also been made from nettles and is not a new idea as for the past 2000 years people have worn fabrics woven from these stinging plants. The bones of a Bronze Age Dane were found wrapped in fabric made from nettle stems and as late as the last century nettle table cloths and bed linen were being used in Scotland. Nettles lost their popularity when cotton arrived in the 16th century, because cotton was easier to harvest and to spin. But it made a brief comeback during the First World War, when Germany suffered a shortage of cotton and nettle fibres were used to make German army uniforms. And now clothing made from nettle is to make it to the catwalk as an Italian fashion house has started to produce a range of nettle jeans and jackets.
Finally nettles make a tasty dish for the dinner table: the young top leaves can be boiled and eaten all through the year as spinach or a soup.
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Here we are £3,500 worth of plants better off thanks to the Greens Team! The beds are stating to look good thanks to the hard work of a stalwart few. Notables to be mentioned in dispatches: Hugh, Sue, Lorraine, Denice, Val W G, Carroll and John, Margaret H, John H, Hazel and Sheik, Mair, Judith, Steve and anyone else who I may have missed!
Preparations for the Festival are in full swing. The Marquee is up as are the food stall and Hugh’s events tent. We are expecting about 100 for the V.I.P Reception. The Freemen of Gwent and Friends of the Forest arrive this evening and will be setting up camp outside the hall. Stallholders will be arriving early Saturday to display there wares. Come rain or shine we are hoping this will be a memorable occasion.
See you there.
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Thanks to The National Museum of Wales, St Fagans http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/stfagans/ for their recent order. The order for Peterstone Court http://www.peterstone-court.com/ via The Castle Hotel Llandovery http://www.castle-hotel-llandovery.co.uk/ is ready to go. St Davids National Trust visitor Centre http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-stdavidspeninsula.htm have had they’re order and are very happy, they couldn’t wait to get it on the shelves.
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The countdown has begun.
The launch of the new hall is scheduled for Saturday May 21st, 12 noon to midnight. So far we have the Freemen of Gwent with their have a go Archery, a Medieval Encampment, Medieval Medicine and herb talks, apothecary traditions and storytelling. A multitude of stalls selling plants, cakes, handicrafts, tea tasting, pyrography, wood turning, pottery, Wye Lavender, sheep milk ice Cream, Welsh blankets and the recently launched Friends of Myddfai. Beer tent, roast meat rolls. For the kids Towy Youth songs from The Wizard of Oz, make a shield, Childrens Battle, Splat the rat, Treasure hunt, Cocnut shy, face painting, walks and more……….
There will be evening entertainment from the Llandovery Male Voice Choir, a traditional Welsh dance, Gareth Rees Morgan and Amheus rocking until midnight.
Hope you can join us
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All go here in Myddfai. Open Meeting on March 26th, marquee behind new hall. Lots to arrange, all welcome to discuss the Big Launch on Saturday May 21st.
The hall is looking fantastic (pictures to follow) building is finished and fitting inside has begun. Lots of work going on to furnish the cafe and shop. Isn’t it brilliant when a project comes together.
Myddfai Trading Company has begun supplying the Snowdon Mountain Railway http://www.snowdonrailway.co.uk/ so if you’re in the area pop into the shop and buy 0ur products. We’ve also products in Newton House, Dinefwr Park Llandeilo http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-dinefwrpark a great place for a day out.
Things are certainly hottong up so watch this space
Penygawse Tea Rooms in Llandovery are selling our herbal teas by the pot. It has a lovely ambience and it’s a great place to stop for rfreshments.
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The Countryside Alliance are visiting Myddfai this evening. As part of the judging for the Coutryside Alliance Awards they will be joining us in St Michaels Church to look us over and see what we get up to. We are down to the last three in Wales so wish us luck. If we get through to the grand final a trip to Westminster is on the cards!
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Today I made it to Llandovery.We don’t see much of the neighbours up here in Rhyblid but if it wasn’t for Emlyn and Mair in Tyn Garn I’d still be in. The long hill between us and the village, a notoriously difficult hill to negotiate in the snow has been completley cleared by the dynamic duo. Many thanks.
So, I have returned with turkey, sprouts, potatoes etc etc etc. Plus the important Christmas things like Champagne, Ferrero Roche and wrapping paper.
The big boss is off to work tommorrow, Christmas party, so I’ll be dropping her in Brecon first thing and picking her up later. Roads from Llandovery are clear so we should be ok.
If you’re thinking of buying a 4×4 for the snow try a 1994 M reg Disco. The old girls been superb. Goodyear Wranglers make a big difference too!
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The idyll of rural life is always portrayed on Christmas cards depicting rolling fields of snow. The reality is dangerous roads, frozen farmers and the inability to travel to civilisation. Although, here in the UK, we have not been affected too badly by the freezing weather the beginning of winter this year has hit hit hard. The second heavy snowfall is upon us, schools are closed and even four wheel drives will find it difficult to extract themselves from the winter wonderland surrounding Myddfai. Local farmers must get to their flocks in order to feed them and the trusty quad bike is the only option. The hardiness of these people in freezing conditions is boundless.
Gritters do not venture onto the country lanes and the only road clearance is provided by the locals shovels spreading the meagre amounts of salt left by the council.
A thought to all our rural friends out there, stay warm, stay safe and stay in (or go sledging)!!!
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On a very wet Friday a group of hardy souls began the job of clearing the hall ready for demolition.
Windows and frames were carefully removed, electricity disconnected, water turned off. Doors taken out, sinks unbolted, lights taken down, corrugated roofing removed with sparking grinder. Insulation wrapped like synthetic fleeces. The stage which had seen so many plays, dances and songs was slowly dismantled revealing enough dry rot and woodworm to surprise many that the structure had remained intact.
Clearance finished the wait for the CAT tractor was not long. With a low rumble it arrived ready to begin its task. The first tentative swings of the bucket removed the rafters like toothpicks. Then the fatal blow, sliced through the main part of the wall to the cheer of a small crowd the wall parted. An emotional moment for those who remember the hall over many good years.
In 18 mins it was all over. The driver dismounted and surveyed his work.
The way is now clear to begin work on the new hall. May we all have as good a time there as we did in the old hall.
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