NOVEMBER 2012

There was a sad beginning to the month for me, as the wonderful Llyn Cerrig Bach exhibition came to an end on Novembe 11th. I was there to see it being dismantled - a completely different emotion to the afternoon I saw them arrive on July 13th! It has been such a wonderful busy time for me. We had 30,668 people viewing the exhibition and Ceri, Oriel Môn's education officer and myself conducted workshops for 700 school children. It seems that it has been the best attended exhibition since Oriel Ynys Môn opened 20 years ago.
As you can see, I was very reluctant to let the gang chain to be taken through the door by Adam Gwilt and Evan Chapman! Evan seems to be saying "come on Eflyn - let go!

However, life went on, thankfully by means of the replicas that had now been produced. The children of Henblas School on Anglesey had a special day when they came and took over certain areas of the museum. Since they had been to the workshop on Llyn Cerrig Bach, they had an excellent knowledge about the artefacts  The general public and various societies were invited to attend and the children, by means of handling the replicas,  explained to them how the artefacts would have been used 2,000 years ago. This is exactly what  had in mind when I campaigned for donations towards producing them about four years ago. My hope now is, that many schools will be able to take advantage of these replica when they study this period in the curriculum.

I gave my talk to two societies towards the end of November. One was in Llanfair P.G. -( Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerddychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch - to give it its full name! ) The other was to the Holyhead Lions Society. Fortunately, many of them had been to see the exhibition at Oriel Môn.
As usual, I had borrowed the excellent gang chain replica. On the way back from Holyhead, Alan thought it would be a good idea to take a photo of me with it by Llyn Cerrig Bach.

This was because I will no longer be able to borrow it. I am vey pleased to say, that it has now been housed in the new cabinet that was purchaed to exhibit the original gang chain. It looks magnificant in its new home!

As do also, the original Llyn Cerrig Bach artefacts I have given on loan to Oriel Ynys Môn for its lifetime.

A group of us have been working really hard towards producing a new Anglesey Heritage website. Hopefully, by next month's blog, I may be in a position to give you info. on its launch.

OCTOBER

Here I am again, a week into November before writing my monthly blog. It has still been such a busy time for me during the last few weeks, continuing twice weekly the workshops with primary school children.I've had immense pleasure and in all 600 children have attended up to last week. Sadly, the exhibition closes this coming Sunday afternoon and the artefacts return to the National Museum in Cardiff. I shall be watching them leaving with a box of tissues near me!

I thoroughly enjoyed the weekly evening lectures given at the Oriel, which were based on various aspects of Llyn Cerrig Bach. One that was particulary interesting to me was by Dave Chapman of Ancient Arts, Conwy Valley. Dave explained how he had produced the replicas of the iron artefacts. He had made them as they would have been when they were depoisted in Llyn Cerrig Bach. I felt proud that I had initiated their making by collecting nearly £5,000 in donations and grateful to Anglesey County Council for topping it up. Dave kindly presnted me with a signed copy of the booklet he's produced on them.
Here we have Dave testing a spear he has completed and also two links of the gang chain. These have been, like the others, invaluable in the workshops.

 

I've also given my presentation talk at the Oriel a number of times and its been a pleasure seeing so many interested in the island's heritage.

 

I was approached by an S4C film company " Cwmni Da" to take part in a series of three documentaries they are filming, which will be shown next March. I did a reiki with the producer one day and she decided that rather than filming me relating my story by Llyn Cerrig Bach, she would like to film it on the Anglesey Golf Course. This is where my father was head-hunted from by the MOD to be Head Groundsman in order to build the runway extensions for the American bombers. They had noticed over the fence that there was someone who could master the sandy ground they were having trouble with. Even Winston Churchill had remarked that Valley had two enemies, namely the Germans and SAND ( he had written it in capitals also)!

 

I arrived on the day of the filming, to be told I had to drive a buggy over a bridge across a river, stopping to pick up the interviewer on the way! you can see from the picture how shocked I was.

 

 

Thankfully, the crew were a good crowd and Dewi Prysor and myself got on famously. I agreed to drive the buggy up to Dewi, but for him then to take over the driving and take it over the bridge. Needless to say, we had such good laughs and enjoyed the morning so much. I'm looking forward to seeing the result in March!

 

As most of you know by now, I'm a member of Anglesey/ Ynys Môn U3A since 15 years and like to promote its virtues. Every October we have a Study Day. Each U3A in North Wales has the opportunity to be its host. his year it was held at Theatr Clwyd by Wrexham U3A. We had a variety of interesting lectures, but what I enjoy also is the opportuniyt to mix with members from other U3As. The highlight for me though was discovering that Peryn Clement Evans from Ensemble Cymru was speaking on "Giving a Voice to Wales' Musical Heritage". My friend Marion and I have been attending most of the recitals he and his talented friends have been giving at the Ucheldre Arts Centre in Holyhead. Do look him up on-line and view his itinerary.





All these pictures with nice young men must be making my husband jealous by now!

Finishing on a family note, Delyth my eldest daughter was 50 last week and Dominic and her actually became engaged after 18 years! We had a family party at home followed by a surprise party for her and her friends in the Oyster Catcher's function room. It was a fantastic evening. Two pictures - Delyth with Shula her daughter (with Shula's boyfriend inbetween) and me with Rhys, whom some of you will know I'm sure.

 



 

As I mentioned, don't forget to visit the Llyn Cerrig Bach exhibition before Monday. After that, you will have to travel to Cardiff to see them.

SEPTEMBER

I've titled this September, but its actually October 7th by the time I've managed to get a window to write last month's blog. On Monday of this week I had to take someone to do a rekki before filming by Llyn Cerrig Bach. There was a fisherman there I'd chatted to before. He said he'd become one of my disciples in spreading the gospel about the history of this little lake! He put it in a nutshell, what I've been trying to do for the last 20 years!



Due to the artefacts are still at Oriel Môn until November 11th, I've had another busy, but highly enjoyable month. My first talk was in the Music Room at Plas Newydd on the banks of the Menai Strait. I was pleasantly surprised to see a full house.The Marquis  Lady Anglesey also came to join
(Sorry - failed to sort this blank area out! )

us. I was really thrown when he

insisted on kissing me and saying it was the best talk he'd heard in years!






The following morning, Alan and I managed to get off on a week's break on a cruise up the Norwegian Fjords. We went on the famous Flam railway, making a stop on the way to view the Kjosfossen waterfall. We also went in a cable car up the Ulriken mountain above Bergen to view the city. The best part for me was walking to the Kjendalen glacier and then travelling back across Lake Lovatnet to Olden. Everywhere we stopped for refreshments, we devoured lovely sweet waffles with lashings of cream and local berry jams.

The night after we arrived home, I gave my talk to the Talwrn Archaeology group. Here again, we had excellent attendance. Its fantastic that everyone is taking such an interest in the background story of Llyn Cerrig Bach.

Throughout September, I've been doing sessions with school children at Oriel Môn with Ceri, the Education Officer. First, we meet in the Tunnicliffe room, where I show them a shortened version of my presentation about Llyn Cerrig Bach. I then show them an image of each artefact they will see in the exhibition cabinet. They are then given a clipboard etc. and told to imagine they are an archaeologist and have just found one of the artefacts. They are then taken to see the artefacts, asked to make a sketch and label some of them. We then return to the Tunicliffe room, where each group is given a replica of one of the artefacts as it would have been during the Iron Age when it was thrown into the lake. We then discuss how each artefact would have been used at that time. To finish, each group comes forward and describes their replica to the rest of the class. They are all then allowed to go around from table to table to examine each replica in turn. To me, it is a joy to witness their curiosty interest and be back amongst children of the age I used to teach for 37 years before I retired. This is a picture taken of Rhosybol children whilst there.

Every Thursday evening, there are talks on various aspects of Llyn Cerrig Bach given by specialists in their field. I'm afraid that Alan and I missed some owing to other committments. However, we were able to attend an excellent talk given last week by Adam Gwilt, Head of Antiquities at the National Museum in Cardiff. He gave a talk about Celtic Art found in Wales. This week, we went to listen to Dr. Phillip McDonald, Queen's College, Belfast. I have known Phillip from when he was a student at Cardiff and came to Llyn Cerrig Bach to study it for his doctorate. He has since published an excellent academic book " Llyn Cerrig Bach -  study of the Copper Alloy Artefacts from the Insular La Tene Assemblage" - available on the web and probably other sources.
                                

 

During the last week of September, Alan and I attended a full day Intergenerational Forum at Plas Newydd. About 120 people of all ages came together. We sat in groups of mixed ages and discussed various ways that intergenerational activities could be increased on the island. Through listening to others speak, we were able to gather information from each community about what was already happening there and perhaps implement it in our area. Next to me on one side, I had a 13 year old young man and on the other side, a young mother who was juggling three different jobs, together with bringing up a family. Our suggestions were all put up on a board and another forum will be held to let us know which activities can be implemented. I'm proud to say that it was my daughter Delyth, through her work, who organised such a successful event. During the other three days at Plas Newydd, she also had activity days for Primary Schools, Secondary schools and also a Woodland Festival over the two weekend days - all extremely well attended.

 

Last Friday, I took members of Anglesey /Ynys Môn U3A on a visit to the Oriel. John Smith, Oriel Môn's Technical Officer gave us such an interesting talk about Sir Kyffin Williams. Since he had been a personal friend of Sir Kyffin, he was able to give us a new insight to how his life affected his paintings. John has already published two small editions on Kyffin, but this week, his new book on his whole life of Kyffin has been launched called "Obssessed" An excellent Christmas present for anyone interested in art.

 

After a buffet lunch at the Oriel's cafe, I then took the members up to the Llyn Cerrig Bach exhibition. Since mid July, nearly 25,000 have gone through the History gallery door to see them! This number does not include children, as the detector is above their height. Those of you who still haven't been have as I mentioned, until November 11th to do so before they return to our National Museum at Cardiff.

AUGUST 2012

Alan and I have over the years, toured mosts parts of Ireland. However, we have only passed through Dublin to the port. I'd always wanted to visit the Newgrange Neolithic tomb in the Boyne Valley. We are at an age, when we're no longer confident enough to drive around Dublin. I saw on the web that Mary Gibboms had coach trips there and had pickups at various hotels around Dublin. One was the Davenport Hotel in Merrion Square. This was ideal for us, as Trinity College's back gate was across the road and the Archaelogical Museum was a couple of short streets away from it.

We booked three nights and Mary duly picked us up as arranged on the first morning. She was a wealth of knowledge and gave us a complete potted version of the history of Ireland from the Neolithic period to the present time as we travelled along. She had prebooked an allocated time for a small group of us to enter the tomb. Newgrange is around 5,000 years old, i.e. 3,200 BC. You can look up its complete background history yourself rather than me writing at length here.

A guide pointed out to us in detail the various aspects of each part of the chamber. We were then instructed to squeeze against either side of the chamber passage wall. The light was then switched off and we were in absolute darkness. Gradually, a simulation of the solstice sunlight appeared through the light box above the dorway and crept along the floor between us until it reached the back wall area. A most awesome experience! Many of the spiral carvings are similar to ones found here on Anglesey at Bryn Celli Ddu and Barclodiad y Gawres. Legend explains the translation of Barclodiad y Gawres as the giantess' apronfull of stones falling as she flew from Ireland over Anglesey! You will notice some of these carvings and the light box above the doorway in this picture of Alan and myself.



Mary took us also to visit the Hill of Tara. This is an Iron Age hilltop enclosure with huge ditches around it. The stone on top was used to perform rituals when they elected a new King. ( originally on top of the adjacant Hill Niall of the Nine Hostages). I asked Mary who were his hostages and she said they were slaves brought over fom England and Wales. I wonder if the gang chains in Llyn Cerrig Bach had a similar purpose? King Niall of this period, was the best king Ireland ever had. It is said that he took control of large parts of Britain from the Romans. When visiting the museum we saw the bead necklace of a young male teenager who could have been a ritual offering to him at this site.

On top of the Hill of Tara

 

 

Hill of Niall of the Nine Hostages

 

The following day, we made our way to the Archaelogical Museum nearby to our hotel. I asked at reception if there was anyone who could show me where the Irish Iron Age Horn was displayed, that was similar to the Irish part of one found by my father in Llyn Cerrig Bach. The receptionist spoke on the phone and a young curator called Isabella came through. She asked how long we were going to be there as Aemonn Kelly, the Head of Irish Antiquities, was excited to hear I was there and wanted to meet me! I said we would be there until mid afternoon at least. Isabella then took us through to her lab. where we studied entry reference numbers for the artefacts I was interesting in seeing.

 

 

She guided us to see a complete Irish horn, which was magnificant. Also a number of feasting cauldrons which might have been similar to the Llyn Cerrig Bach one, which only a section of had been discovered.

 

 

Since a couple of the bridle bits in Llyn Cerrig Bach had come originally from Ireland, we saw a number of very similar ones. The small shield boss they had, I was interested to note, had been mounted on a leather covered shield.

 

 

Isabella then took us to see three different bog bodies. These were in an amzing condition having been preserved by the peat.

 





 

On my arrival home, I googled their images and came across a highly informative lecture by Aemonn Kelly on ritual bog burials - very much worth listening to, if you're interested in such things like me!

 

As it was now approaching lunchtime, Isabella led us to the restaurant. Here, Aemonn Kelly was there to meet us. He had brought the Head of Irish Tourism with him, who insisted on paying for our lunches! It seems my Llyn Cerrig Bach fame can get me anything! Aemonn Kelly was not only full of information, but also very entertaining. He told us how he'd once arrived in Australia and the customs oficers asked what was in the large long black box he was carrying. He told them, truthfully, that it contained the names of all the Irish convicts that had been transported to Australia. They asked his name and he said that at home he was called Ned Kelly! I mentioned that we'd had a marvellous trip with Mary Gibbons the day before. His reply was, that she was his wife's sister!

 



 

Before leaving the museum, Alan and I managed a quick look at their Viking displays. They have an incredible amount of gold jewellery and adornments. They also had a single neck iron slave chain which interested us.

 

Since being back home, we have continued our volunteering at Oriel Ynys Môn with explaining the usage of the various artefacts through the means of the replicas. In September, it will be the turn of various schools to come at allocated times for workshops on them. I took one of my youngest granddaughters to a workshop in making replicas at Llynnon Mill. Lloyd, the miller, chatted with me whilst I waited for Awen. He asked what had the JCB diggers been doing at Llyn Cerrig Bach all last week. Naturally, we went straight there on our way home. They whole grass verge and reeds had been taken away, exposing that part of the lake to the road. I have always wondered since speaking to Eryl Rothwell Hughes, if this was the part of the lake where my father referred to him, that he had really found the artefacts. I do hope the RAF at Valley had informed such people as Cadw and GAT of their intentions, so that someone was on site to oversee what might be unearthed?!

 

 

I was very pleased to note that the DVD on Megalithic Anglesey has been relaunched by Michael Bayley Hughes. This is an excellent account of various prehistory sites on Anglesey. It has a complete section on Llyn Cerrig Bach. and can be bought at Oriel Ynys Môn and Oriel Cemaes.

 

Sorry - this image insisted on loading sideways!









 

I had my birthday during August - weather permitting we would have had tea outside but ended up in the conservatory. We spent the time eating, laughing and joking mainly. As you can see from this picture of the females present, we are a jolly crowd and have a great time when we get together.

 



 

 







JULY 2012

I've had such an emotional roller coaster of a month due to the fact that my husband was taken by ambulance in the night three times to hospital - this happening in the month that both of us had been looking forward to for years.Thankfully, after being treated successfully the third time, I'm pleased to let everyone know that he's made a complete recovery.

On July 10th. both of us were invited to Oriel Ynys Môn to see the main Llyn Cerrig bach artefacts arriving back in Anglesey on loan from the National Museum of Wales. Alun Gryffudd, the previous Principle of the Oriel did negotiate quite a number of the artefacts to come up on display for the Millennium. However, this is the first time the most significant artefacts have been in Anglesey since the 1940's.

As I entered the exhibition area for the preview, I'm afraid I was overcome emotionally, glued to the spot for a while!  Although Bob Williams of Magma Books had invited Alan and myself a month beforehand to see a 3D model he had made of the area, it was beyond my expectation. Bob has also produced excellent information panels around the room.

Adam Gwilt, the curator of Iron Age Collections at Cardiff and Mary Davis the Head of Archaeological Conservation were there to greet us. They have by now become close friends of Alan and myself. Bob had measured exactly where the hooks had to be to hang the gang chain. Because it is on a perspex shield shape, it looks truly amazing.

The following day, Alan and I were invited again to preview the replicas that I collected funds for, which now Dave and Sue Chapman have produced. They have made them as they would have looked when they were thrown into Llyn Cerrig Bach 2,000 years ago, These are invaluable to explain the background of the find. From September Pat the Principal of the Oriel, Ceri the Education Officer and myself will be holding workshops at the Oriel for schools throughout the island.

This is a another replica of one of the swords as it would have looked when it was thrown into Llyn Cerrig Bach 2,000 years ago.

About 2 years ago, Bob Williams and his partner Phil Steele, had meetings with me to format a book that we would publish about Llyn Cerrig Bach. However, the total cost of printing a sufficient number of copies to make it a viable proposition came to £15,000. At this point, I approached Ynys Môn County Council and they agreed to finance it thankfully.

Magma Books have produced a book exactly in the format as the one I'd explained I wanted. It has sufficient information text together with associated images to make it suitably interesting to both adults and children. I was really thrilled to see the final result.

On Friday, July 13th. an evening was arranged at Oriel Ynys Môn to launch everything - the exhibition, the replicas and the Llyn Cerrig Bach book. We were honoured to have Dr. John Davies to open the evening. Pat West, Principal of the Oriel, spoke first and then I was called upon to give a few words on how I felt. There were about 150 dignitaries present, so I sat down quite releived when it was all  over!

For those not present, these were my thoughts that evening:

" None of us would be here tonight, except for two things.

The first is because of my father, William Roberts.He was the Head Groundsman on RAF Valley during WW2. If it wasn't for his knowledge and understanding of the boggy areas around the airfield and his decision to dredge them, then none of the artefacts you are about to view tonight would ever have been found. You will have to buy the book tonight to read this incredible story!

Since the designs on some compare with the La Tene artefacts found in Switzerland, they are by now world famous.I have personal evidence of this on this blog - viewers so far include most of the European countries, USA, Canada, Australia, India and even 110 from Russia.

Also. we wouldn't be here tonight either if it wasn't for the collaboration between Pat West here at the Oriel and Adam Gwilt, the Pre-History Curator at our National Museum in Cardiff. They have worked hard to bring this exhibition into being tonight.

I must also express my gratitude to Bob Williams, Magma Books for designing such an amazing and atmospheric display to house the artefacts. When I visited the preview three days ago, I'm afraid I became quite emotional.

A couple of years ago Bob and his partner Pillip Steele and myself started on the journey of getting a book about Llyn Cerrig Bach into print. john Rees Thomas on behalf of Cyngor Ynys Môn backed it financially.We have therefore, the end result in the form of an excellent book being launched here tonight.

I am immensely pleased with the end result. Bob and Phil have managed to produce a book that is not only interesting to us as the general public, but also educational to young people and school children. Exactly the kind of book I had envisaged. It is to the youngsters that we need to pass on the knowledge about their island's history.

Since retiring 20 years ago, my campaign has been going around schools, colleges and societies giving lectures on LL C B's background. I have thoroughly enjoyed every minute.

I'm thrilled therefore, that Dave and Sue Chapman of Ancient Arts, have produced a large number of replicas, which are also being launched tonight. Some of you present are representatives of those who kindly donated funds to me towards their production.  These are going to be of great value in describing the objects as they were 2,000 years ago. I have experienced how valuable the replica of the gang chain has been when visiting schools and giving presentations on LL C B. Everyone was able to handle it and I craved for more replicas.

Tonight, I've had my three wishes - I feel as if I've won the triple crown! - the artefacts exhibition, the replicas and the book - all being launched together!

I see before me here, so many wonderful friends I've made along my journey to reach this point tonight.

My father, not only left the finds of Llyn Cerrig Bach as a heritage to our nation, but something also for me and my family to be proud of. "

Diolch Dad !





There were about a 150 invited guests, so I sat down quite relived when I'd finished and then listened to the other speakers. The last to speak was the newly elected Anglesey Mayor, Robert Jones of Holyhead. I was shocked when he called me forward to receive a hologram type picture of the crescentric plaque. This was given to me jointly by the National Museum of Wales and Oriel Ynys Môn in appreciation of my 20 years of dedicated work on Llyn Cerrig Bach. As Pat West remarked, for once I was lost for words! My family were there and so proud of me.

Dr.John Davies and R. Jones, Anglesey Mayor.

Alan and I have been conducting sessions twice a week on Saturdays and Wednesdays, explaining the background of the artefacts with the help of the replicas. We have met lovely interesting people and also met many old friends whom we hadn't seen for years. A lady visiting from London took this picture of Alan and me and her friend from Flintshire emailed it to us. Thank you Gill and Vicki.



Next Saturday, August 4th at 1.30pm, I shall be giving my talk on Llyn Cerrig Bach in the Tunnicliff Room at Oriel Môn. This will be entirely in Welsh, to be repeated in English on Thursday August 30th at 7.30pm.

We shall the be restarting our replica sessions again twice a week from Saturday August 11th.

Finally, this is a picture taken of me and my three lovely granddaughters making our way down to the beach on one of the few sunny days we've had this July!

JUNE - JULY 2012

This week, the Oyster Catcher restaurant and academy, built to replace the old Maelog Hotel here at Rhosneigr on Angelsey, officially opened. It is an unique building, as its the first restaurant for the German firm Huff, to erect in the UK. The whole building and its kitchen appliances, come in units ready to put together. It is a pity they rushed to meet their deadline date for opening at the beginning of the month, as I believe they had some initial hiccups during the first couple of weeks.

However, Alan and I had a lovely lunch there. I had the most tasty vegetable broth I've ever had anywhere. I was facinated, since I was able to watch through the open kichen serving area, the young trainee chefs working with such purpose and enthusiasm. The Timpson family also own The White Eagle Hotel at Rhoscolyn. They do marvellous work in supporting young people, especially the unemployed. Here, at the Oyster Catcher, through them, the eight trainees employed as apprentices, have already completed a year's training in catering at the ialand's technical college. In twelve month's time, they will move on to employment at other hotels, whilst eight other youngsters are now at the catering college and will then come as trainees on work experience at the Oyster Catcher. It is hoped that this cycle will continue for many years. The Timpsons are an incredible family. They have fostered over 90 children. They also have two factories, one for male trainee workers and one for female trainee workers. These factories are for rehabilitating offenders from the nearby prison. They are then found employment in their Timpson shoe shops. I'd be so proud of such amazing community achievements during my lifetime.  During Menter Môn's Festival month of walks and functions, I joined up with a minibus visiting various archaeological sites around the island. It was rather a wet day, but the company on board was very friendly and warm, so I ended up having a very enjoyable day. Sean Harris, the film animation producer, had joined us. I've mentioned before the animated film he made based on Llyn Cerrig Bach. Sean had brought some interesting items to show us. One was a stone axe replica, made by flint napper John Lord using Norfolk flint. Sean filmed him making it and used it in a film for Derby museum 'The Song of the Axe'. The bronze flat axe replica he had is an early Bronze Age type and was made by Neil Burridge. It shines like the sun... The pottery sherd was given to Sean by his late friend, the artist William Brown, who found it on Orkney. It is certainly early Bronze Age in origin and may be older. You can see that the decoration around the rim was made by impressing a thumbnail into the clay. I was contacted by Ben Errington, London University's Science Dept. to ask if I could meet up with them at Llyn Cerrig Bach, since they were coming there to do a scientific botanical survey this month. They were also extremely interested in the history of the lake, having viewed my webpage. We had a lovely morning together, gleaning knowledge from each other on both aspects of the lake. They have done bore holes in many boggy places, but this time they only studied the botanical environment of Llyn Cerrig Bach from a little boat.   That evening, I then went to give my presentation on Llyn Cerrig Bach to the Ladies Guild in Holyhead, which was well received. My first cousin Vera was in the audience, so we had a lovely catch up chat at the end. We're both so busy, we hardly ever meet!

July, is a very exciting month for me and my family this year, as the Llyn Cerrig Bach exhibition is opening at Oriel Ynys Môn. Also being lauched is a book, titled "Llyn Cerrig Bach - Treasure from the Iron Age". This relates fully the story and background of the artefacts that were found by my father, W.O.Roberts and his team of men in 1942. It can be bought either in a Welsh or English version, price £11.95. I am thrilled with the format of its publication, as it contains information, pictures and illustrations which can easily be appreciated by the general public and schools etc. It also includes valuable contributions by archaeologists and other specialists.

Pat West, Principal officer of Oriel Ynys Môn, gave this inspiring release to the press this week. It wets the appetite of everyone to go and view for themselves this exciting exhibition.
"The artefacts are not only there to be seen and admired, but to fire the imagination of the viewer, providing a connection to people who lived on Anglesey over 2,000 years ago. The display will include a splendid shield mount, various chariot parts, a gang chain, part of a cauldron,, a sickle and blacksmiths' tongs.
Many of the most significant finds included in the exhibition have never previously been displayed on Anglesey. Only the most durable parts of the Iron Age objects have survived. Reproductions of some artefacts have been made, to show how they would have originally looked and have been used". These will be available in the gallery to handle and talk about, between 1 - 3 pm daily, throughout the school summer holidays".

The exhibition opens for public viewing from Saturday July 14th. until mid November.

Finally, after threatening to give up on my blog writing, Martin, my son in law came over to save me last night, when all my entire entries had disappeared, as I thought. On doing a couple of clicks, he brought them back to life thankfully. He then pointed out to me that it was in the UK that I had had over 2,000 blog viewers, but that I had also - 926 in the USA, Romania - 269, Germany - 130, Russia - 110, Canada - 75, Australia - 70, Poland - 47, France - 43 and India - 41. I was amazed! You never know, some of these interested people might turn up at the exhibition on Anglesey! You are all welcome - CROESO I BAWB - see you there if I'm around.

PS Just remembered, I am giving my presentation on Llyn Cerrig Bach at Oriel Ynys Môn at 1-30pm on Saturday August 4th in WELSH and at 7.30pm Thursday August 30th in ENGLISH.  Hwyl fawr - Eflyn.

MAY - JUNE

MAY - JUNE 2012

At the beginning of may, Alan and I went on a cruise around some of the Canary Islands. Our first stop was Madeira, wher we had spent a fortnight's holiday a few years ago. We decided therefore, as it was so hot, just to visit a restaurant we liked and relaxed in the shade of a brolly to watch the world passing by. The next day we docked in Santa Cruze, Tenerife and went on a coach ride up to Mount Teidi. We saw the Garzia rock formations and the volcanic chimneys uncovered by years of erosion - very impressive. There was a cable car that took you to the summit of the mountain - but there was no guarentee that it would bring you down again! This was because the mist fell so quickly. We decided to give it a skip as it would take four hours to walk down, by which time our ship would have sailed off without us!

The following morning we docked at Las Palmas, Gran Canaria. We travelled by coach all the way to the south of the island. The landscape was very monotonous, according to Alan, it was just like driving through an everending quarry. We did have a nice lunch break in one little bay called Porto Mogan. The bourgeinvilleas over the arches looked amazing. The other small creeks we saw were at the bottom of steep cliffs, with apartments perched all the way down each side of them. Some it seems had sand imported from the Sahara in order to create a small beach!

Our favourite island, from the ones we visited, was Lanzarote. Here, the landscape was awesome - created from different periods of volcanict eruptions. We had a camel ride up the Fire Mountains. These were made up of volcanic dust, but looked just like the sand hills we had camel rides on in Egypt.

We were then taken to a volcanic area where you could peer down a hole in the ground and see the burning lava at the bottom only about three feet under us! They then demonstrated pouring water down a metal pipe into the ground. This erupted then in the form of a geyser with a massive bang.

Following this, we were given some sweet potatoes that were cooking over a grill above another open hole in the ground. Following this, we visited a vineyard for some wine tasting.

One of the nicest features of Lanzarote is that there are no buildings higher than two storeys allowed in the villages. Wish this had been applied on Anglesey years ago! This is due entirely to them taking the advice of a wonderful man named Cesar Manrique. He has produced all kinds of sculptures around the island and even built his house over lava bubbles, creating all kinds of fascinating underground rooms in it. After his death in 1992, his house has become a museum, open to the public. Near the coast is a cave complex that he has carved a theatre, swimming pool and night club into! Due to our walking difficulties, we were unable to visit this area. Do enter his name in a search engine for the full story this wonderful man.
                           
Whilst on board during one of our at sea days, I organised an informal gathering for any U3A members who might be amongst our passengers. Alan and I were pleasantly surprised when 23 people turned up! We had an excellent meeting, with everyone in turn stating which U3A they belonged to and what lectures and activities they organised. The groups around London had about 4,000 members, which naturally they had to split into various groups according to their interests. This was the case with many other large groups also. Our Anglesey group has 120 members. Since we meet every week, about 60 is the normal attendance. This means that we have become very close social friends also, which is really nice. For anyone over 55 who might be interested, we meet at 10.15 every Friday at St. Ffraid’s Hall, Treaddur Bay, unless we have an arranged outing. Our website is: http://u3asites.org.uk/anglesey

Later in the month,, Alan and I enjoyed a visit to Cardiff. The weather was beautiful so we went by waterbus from the castle to Mermaid Quay in Cardiff Bay. Here, we enjoyed a lunchtime concert by local school children at the Millennium Centre and then caught the bus back to outside our hotel. Since we’d never been to the Millennium Stadium, we went on an organised tour of that another day. The young guide was excellent but with a strong Scottish accent!!?
One evening, we went to St. David’s Hall to Karl Jenkins’ concert. In the second half he played his new composition “ The Peacemakers”. It was amazing, especially with Côr Caerdydd and Howell’s school children choir blending so well with the orchestra.

Of course our visit to Cardiff wouldn’t be complete without a visit to see our friends in the Archaeology department at the National Museum. This time, we had the pleasure of seeing Mary Davis at work in the Conservation Lab. She had put up X-rays of some of the Llyn Cerrig Bach artefacts for us to see. The museum had bought a new small X-ray unit that it was possible to link up to her laptop. With this she could analyse the metallic content of each item she x-rayed.

Mary had also set up the small tongs under a microscope for us to see in detail. These will be amongst a large display of Llyn Cerrig Bach artefacts
coming up for display to Oriel Ynys Môn. This exhibition will be open to the general public on Saturday, July 14th. I am really excited about this!

 Finally, I must commend all those who worked so hard to make sure that our village of Llanfaelog had a proper community celebration for the jubilee. There were activities of all kinds going throughout the afternoon on the green in front of the Hall. Since it was such a beautiful day, chairs had been placed around for those needing to sit to watch the activities and enjoy a tea and cup cake. They included such things as displays by Dog Handlers, a magician, limbo dancing, volunteers in stocks! etc. Two lovely young men played background music on steel drums. At 4pm the children sat down at tables laid out just likethe old traditional street party ones. To finish off, they were all presented with a commemorative mug.          Congratulations therefore to ALL the organisers!

The Anglesey Walking Festival has been going for thirteen years by now. I was asked to meet the walkers as usual at Llyn Cerrig Bach, RAF Valley, on its first day. Thankfully, the lovely weather was still with us then, so we had a good crowd of nearly 30 walkers turning up at the lakeside. After my talk, Ian Simms, the local RSPB warden guided them around the area to study identify various flowers and birds.  

The format of creating a blog entry has changed again! I'm the kind that refuses to read instructions but carry on blindly with the longer method of trail and error. Its been a real trial therefore getting this blog to look reasonable! Hence the terrible gap at the bottom I can't delete! - Eflyn