CAMBRIAN NOTES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17890, 5 July 1926, Page 10

CAMBRIAN NOTES.

ABERYSTWYTH. Aberystwyth is famous to-day because the idea which Owen Glyndwr had in his mind and with . which Oliver Cromwell also toyed, has culminated in the foundation of the Welsh University College there. The idea lay dormant for many years and it took many years to evolve, but it was zealously fought for by such great Welshmen as Sir Hugh Owen, Sir George Osborne Morgan, Lewis Edwards and others, and eventually the college was opened in 18/2, the money having been subscribed literally by the pennies and shillings of the miners and the hard-working peasantry, and it flourished from the first, although it was ten years before it obtained any recognition from the State or a Government grant. It was felt to be a real national possession and that feeling was intensified by the appointment of the saintly sCholarpreac.her. Dr Thomas Charles Edwards. as its first principal. The university now possesses a law school and a national library, the foundation stone of which was laid by King George in 1911. It is also the home of the Director of Music, Sir Walford Davies, and the Wilson Chair of International Politics. Aberystwyth is now, owing to the library, a great centre for the study of Celtic languages. In fact so many educational and literary institutions exist there that it is called “ the Athens of ales throughout the Principality. Aberystwyth, like many other Welsh towns, owes its origin to the building of a castle. To complete his conquest, William the Conqueror dotted them all along the border of Wales and stationed his barons in the strong fortresses of Chester, Shrewsbury and Hereford, gradually extending a chain of fortifications from those strategic points and including. Gloucester, Cardiff, Pembroke and Aber3 r stwyth. The present ruins are those of a later castle built by Edward I. In 1637 Charles I. ordered a mint to be erected within the castle and specimen coins may be seen in the museum. In those warlike days life centred round the castle, as now it centres round the university. The climate of Aberystwyth is so mild and equable that it is called the “Biarritz of Wales.” In the gardens there, also at Aberdovey, Trefriew, further north, arbutus, fuchsias, myrtles, veronicas and many shrubs which grow in New Zealand, flourish. It is said, too, that the air contains more ozone than the air of any other health resort. It certainly blows directly from the broad Atlantic Ocean. George Borrow vividly describes the russet coloured hills around Aberystwyth and the Devil’s Bridge, the famous falls of Mynach, the Rheidol River and the wealth of river, woodland and mountain scenery. The panoramic view of Snowdon, Cader Idris, Plynlymmon and Prescelli, the peaks of the range of Welsh mountains extending from the extreme point of Carnarvonshire, in the north, to Pembroke in the south, with the majestic sweep of Cardigan Bay at the base, is not easily surpassed. SOCIAL NOTES. A most enjoyable veening was spent last Wednesday at 34, Glandovey Road, when Mr. and Mrs Bowden gave the first of a, series of parties to raise funds for the Eisteddfod prizes—as is the custom in Wales, where the whole of the expenses are subscribed by the patrons and patronesses beforehand. It is also the custom in Australia, ■where Welshmen interested in this ancient institution give as much as £2OO every year to the local Eisteddfodau. Mrs Bowden, in her Welsh cos.tume, as ever a charming hostess. She and Mr Bowden and Miss Clara Bowden ably entertained their many guests. Considering the inclemency of the weather and the prevalence of “flu,” the attendance was excellent, and the enthusiasm displayed and the heartiness with which one and all entered into the spirit of the scheme to help the committee was admirable. Many enjoyed progressive whist, Mrs Owen Jones proving the winner, while others took part in competitions and joined in the singing. Mrs Blogg took the prize given for an “observation” competition. Next Thursday Mrs Pollard and her accomplished girls will give a party for the same cause, and a delightful evening is assured. Last Tuesday Mrs R. Stapledon, wife of the Professor of Agriculture at Aberystwith, was entertained at tea by a of the Women’s Club, who had invited a few Welsh ladies to meet her. Professor and Mrs Stapledon are touring New Zealand, and are charmed with its scenic beauties and with the people they have met. Although not Welsh, they are very fond of Wales, and the Welsh. Speaking of Aberystwith, Mrs Stapledon said the town had not grown as one would have expected since the establishment of the university, owing probably to its geographical position and to the fact that the local landowners are unwilling to sell their land for building purposes. It is a very favourite holiday resort, and vies with Llandudno in popularity. Mrs Stapledon had much to say of the influence of the Women’s Institutes throughout Wales. They provide recreation and an interest in arts and crafts, and are run on purely democratic lines. The movement has tended greatly to relieve the monotony in the rural districts, and to bring the love of the beautiful into the homes and lives of the workers. At the present day, we are far removed from the drudgery of the time when stringing onions by the light of a rush candle, as so graphically described by Miss F. Williams, was an evening recreation of Welsh farm life; still, by cultivating the minor arts and crafts, much that is beneficial and that makes for happiness and refinement, is being accomplished through the Women’s Institute. Women are the home-makers all the world over. In New Zealand the work of the Home Economics Association is very similar. Mrs Stapledon was much interested in the activities of the Cambrian Society, and will have much to tell her Welsh friends when she returns to Aberystwith. The schedule of the Eisteddfod is very generally approved. The adjudicators give entire satisfaction, and the sections are considered very comprehensive, and the choice of subjects is thought to be admirable and the test pieces most excellent.