RECOLLECTIONS of the late Mrs M Jones, 9 Cilfor, Llandecwyn
YR HEN EFAIL UCHA' - Old pictures in the Llais Ardudwy calendar bring many fond memories for me, especially the picture of the old Eisingrug forge or the 'Yr Efail Ucha' as we used to call it at home. Mathew Jones, Bryn Eithin, suggested that I write a piece for Llais Ardudwy about the busy life of the forge when we were children. Having to walk a considerable distance daily was a very common thing at that time, and I remember how, every day, on my way home from school, I would take lunch to my father and John David, walking and running alternately along Gwastad Fucheswen (the straight, flat length of road from the village towards Fucheswen).
When we arrived at the forge, we were allowed to sit on a long old settle that was there and have a bite of the refreshments. Although I don't quite remember the contents of the basket, it always contained delicious homemade 'Prince House' bread, with thick Ffridd Fedw butter on it. Occasionally, there would be no milk available to put in the tea, and for me as a little girl, tea without milk was like wormwood. But again, there was a strange charm to drinking it from the small earthen pot (an old jam pot). I learned at school the English verse -
"Under the spreading Chestnut Tree
The village smithy stands,
The smith a mighty man is he
With large and sinewy hands."