APRIL 2013

O dear, another month of trials and tribulations, this time teeth extractions going wrong and a nasty fall bang on my face onto a brick pavement in Llangefni. Lots of people, who by now have walking difficulties like me, don't like these uneven brick pavements.Thank goodness, I've no filming going on at the moment since I now have a massive black eye and a swollen lip!

Thankfully, I managed to recover well enough (and wearing war paint!) to give my presentation on Llyn Cerrig Bach to an appreciative audience in Cemaes.

Alan and I took the granddaughters to Holyhead to visit Ellin's Tower by South Stack lighthouse. This is an RSPB site and it was lovely to see lots of other children there with their families. The girls were enthralled with the close up views they could see through the binoculars, both of the lighthouse and the bird colonies.

 They also had the benefit of three voluntary guides to point out various species of birds that were nesting by the lighthouse. An excellent informative site to take children for an outing.

We've usually enjoyed visiting the cafe on other occasions but as it was a rare sunny day, we took a picnic with us this time.

We have now started on the summer term U3A Ynys Môn programme. I had the pleasure of organising a visit for thirty five members to one of Anglesey's old mansion houses, namely Carreglwyd, Llanfaethlu. Again, I was blessed that I chose a rare sunny day! The present owner, Tom Carpenter gave us all a warm welcome. We were invited to sit in his beautiful dining room while he told us the history of the house and his ancestors.

Carreglwyd was built in 1634 by Dr.William Griffiths. He was chancellor of St.Asaph Cathedral and Master of the Rolls to Charles the First. You can peruse the whole family tree down to Tom by visiting online -          
 " Carreglwyd  1634 - 2012 - a short history." On this site, you will also see the dates when the house and gardens are open to the public.

Tom took us all then to show the old barns he has modernised as function rooms. Weddings, conferences etc, can be held here. As you can see from the image, the lovely pond area makes a beautiful backdrop for special occasion photos. Please contact Tom to book any arrangements:
  07708645000 or email tomcarpenter@carreglwyd.co.uk

Tom then went on to give us an insight into the wonderful charity work he and his lovely wife Ninni do in Sri Lanka. He and his family were caught up in the tsunami whilst on holiday there. They have since been raising funds and going backwards and forwards there to build schools. They've also arranged for some Anglesey schools to twin with their schools, resulting in the children corresponding with each other. I came away from Carreglwyd wondering how on earth I hadn't managed to achieve half of what Tom has done during my lifetime!

We must have had more sunny days than I imagined, as we also went on one of our favourite walks along Malltraeth Cob on Anglesey. As part of the Cefni cycle route, the path has now been tarmaced. For someone like Alan, who can't walk on uneven surfaces very well anymore, it makes a very enjoyable walk. The community have succeeded in raising and aquiring funding for a car park, picnic area and highly informative information boards to be placed there.

We then crossed the road to our usual little cafe where they serve delicious homemade cakes and scones. They also serve savoury light bites, but we had already had our Sunday lunch before our outing. As you can see from the image, cyclists and walkers can also enjoy wonderful views of Snowdonia. This little side road past the cafe, is rather low down, so just here, Snowdonia can't be seen in all its glory. However, the view is quite breathtaking all along the rest of the route, as the whole of the Snowdonian mountain range can be seen right down along the Llyn Peninsula - sometimes even as far as Bardsey Island !

Don't forget, you are also right by Newborough Forest and the idyllic romantic Llanddwyn Island. ( google!)
 Let's hope that we'll have lots more sunny days now, as there are so many beautiful and historical places to visit on Anglesey. Do goggle to find out the info. for yourselves. Happy hunting grounds!

Almost forgot to mention - the yearly Anglesey Walking Festival starts tomorrow May 25th. I shall be at Llyn Cerrig Bach the following morning ( Sunday 26th) at 9.30am.to give a short account on how my father came to find the Iron Age assemblage in the lake in 1943. Initial meeting point is in the RSPB car park over the railway bridge. After my talk, Ian Simms, the RSPB warden, will then do a circular guided nature walk around the area back to the car park. As you can see from last year's image, there is a good turn out for these events.

 

 

MARCH 2013

March 20th.2013
Today I was invited to join a team for a three hour session at Llangefni Library here on Anglesey to update our knowledge of  blogging.
   

 

 Those who have been following my monthly blog since 2009, will have noticed a lapse of three months in my entries. Some must be wonering by now if I've kicked the bucket! It has mainly been due to Alan and myself having forced hibernation with various bugs that decided to invaded our household. Today will hopefully get me back on track.

Another group of us, with assistance from Menter Môn, have been busy for months now, setting up a new Anglesey Heritage website. This covers various interesting historical sites on Anglesey and new sites will be added to it continuously.I have been anxiously waiting for it to go on line on the Anglesey Council's system. Due to various hiccups, this has yet to happen. We have now been promised it will go live in April sometime, so hopefully by my next blog entry!

Next Tuesday,April 2nd on S4C at 8.25pm, a new History series begins -    "Darn Bach o Hanes". (don't know if it will be repeated with English sub titles) I have contributed the story of how my father came to the decision to dredge Llyn Cerrig Bach resulting in his great discovery. For this, I was interviewed on the golf course at Rhosneigr. This was where my father worked prior to becoming Head Groundsman at RAF Valley.

I had such a laugh with Dewi Prysor, the interviewer, as I was made to drive a golf buggy. Dewi kindly took over from me after a few yards. However, I drew the line at swinging at a golf ball on camera, as I hadn't played for over 30 years. Dewi volunteered instead and gave it quite a bashing into the bog somewhere! Hope they haven't edited these two things out!

 

 







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!