Seventy years ago Mynydd Epynt was a strong community of 220 people inhabiting 54 farms' says project leader John Davies whose family have their roots on the mountain. 
‘In September, 1939 the people of Epynt thought that the war would have little direct impact on them. By March, 1940 a government letter changed that view once and for all. Despite united opposition on the part of the Welsh-speaking community and the support of a throng of Welsh MPs and leading national figures a deadline was set. By June 30th, each and every farm was empty. The community was no more.'
With the backing of the Heritage Lottery Fund Brecknock Young Famers' Clubs will be organising 4 events - in co-operation with Gŵyl y Cyfarwydd (the Storytellers' Festival) - over the summer months to ensure that the cost of World War II to the people of Epynt is not forgotten.
Epynt Display
The information gathering day took place on Friday 30th July 2010 at the Guild Hall, Brecon. Members of the public were invited and asked to share with Brecknock YFC their knowledge and any photographs from Epynt. 
There was a wonderful response and Brecknock YFC would like to thank everyone who took the time to contribute to the afternoon. All information was much appreciated. This information will now be put into a mobile display which will be transported around the local area.
Display Dates and Locations:
- 28th September - 15th October - Victoria Hall, Llanwrtyd Wells
- 18th October - 29th October - County Hall, Llandrindod Wells
- 30th October - Theatr Brcyheiniog, Brecon
Walk, Tea Party & Cymanfa Ganu
Over 250 people took part in an important event over the weekend to remember a whole Breconshire community that was lost 70 years ago this summer. Organisers of Wâc Cofio'r Epynt (The Epynt Walk) were pleasantly shocked when so many people congregated near the site of the former Y Babell chapel in the heart of what is now the Sennybridge Army Training range. ‘It was fantastic seeing so many people walking' said project chairman John Davies (Merthyr Cynog). ‘People had come from near and far - including a party from the Conwy Valley, north Wales. But what delighted me most was seeing the youngsters' he said. ‘The whole purpose of the event was to give young people in particular an opportunity to hear the story of Epynt direct from the older generation - the few remaining who were born on the mountain and who experienced the trauma of being turned out of their homes in June, 1940.' 
Members of John's family were amongst the 219 people who were evicted from the 54 farms. ‘Epynt was a vibrant Welsh-speaking community until the War Ministry decided that the 30,000 acres were required for artillery training. Most of the farm buildings were soon pulled down and remain but a memory for those brought up there.'
During Sunday's 4 mile walk members of the last generation of Epynt people pointed out the location of the farms and told stories of their upbringing on the mountain. These included Beryl Lake (Beili Richard), Dai Williams (Llwyn-teg Uchaf), Gwyneth Williams (Waun Fawr), Idris Jones (Llwyn-coll) and Iorwerth and Miriam Davies (Gwybedog). Eifiona Roberts gave an account of her grandparents' farm: Cefnbryn Isaf. Former headmaster, FUW president and local historian Glyn Powell provided a commentary throughout the walk. He also presided over the Cymanfa Ganu held at the end of the day. The strong singing was conducted by Annwen Williams with David Price at the organ. Solos were sung by Sophie Jones and Rhian Davies and the benediction was given be the Rev. Herbert Hughes, author of An Uprooted Community - the book that gives a comprehensive account of the lost community.
Wâc yr Epynt / The Epynt Walk is part of an Brecknock YFC education-in-the-community project with the support of the Wales Heritage Lottery Fund. Next month Young Farmers' Club members will be staging a schools day at the Disgwylfa Visitors' Centre so that the area's primary schools children have an opportunity to learn the history of Epynt. The project closes with a final performance of Golau'r Epynt - Brecknock YFC's all-Wales winning drama - at Theatr Brycheiniog (October 30th). Ticket will be on sale from Monday 6th September 2010 from Theatr Brycheiniog.
Golau'r Epynt Concert
The final performance of Golau'r Epynt will take place on Saturday 30th October 2010 at Theatr Brycheiniog. The concert will start at 7pm, tickets will be available to buy from the Theatr Box Office; 01874 611 622 from the 6th September 2010. Tickets £8 per person with no concession. Concert will include other acts.
School's Day
The Epynt Mountains resounded recently with the happy sound of children. Throughout the summer Brecknock Young Farmers, with the aid of Gwyl y Cyfarwydd (the Welsh Storytellers' Festival) have been re-telling the story of the Epynt community that was lost in 1940, at the outset of the Second World War. Last Wednesday (29th September), some 160 school pupils congregated at the Disgwylfa Visitors' Centre to see some of the last children brought up on Epynt demonstrating skills they were taught in their youth. Pupils of Ysgol y Bannau, Brecon, Ysgol Dolafon, Llanwrtyd, Sennybridge and Builth primary schools as well as a group of Builth High School pupils watched in wonder as they saw sheep being sheared by hand shears, horse-drawn machinery in action and bread and butter being made on the farm. An unexpected bonus was the opening, by the army, of the old Drovers' Inn allowing pupils and the older generation a rare opportunity to go inside the historic building.
Brecknock YFC members working alongside former members of the Epynt community demonstrated the old skills.
Pupils were welcomed to the day by Brecknock YFC Chairman Mary Phillips , SENTA Camp Commandant Eddie Mahony, MBE and by Epynt descendent Glyn Powell.
An exhibition of old Epynt photographs is currently to be seen at Llanwrtyd's Victoria Hall. The last event in the COFIO'R EPYNT project will be the final performance of GOLAU'R EPYNT, Brecknock YFC's all-Wales winning presentation of the story of Epynt at Theatr Brycheiniog, Saturday, October 30th.
The COFIO'R EPYNT project is supported by a Wales Heritage Lottery grant.
Further Information
For further information regarding any of the events please contact;
John Davies - 07791 158465 / 01874 690293
Euros Lewis - 07813 173155 / 01570 471328
Brecknock YFC Office - 01874 612 2107 / 612 389 email; mailto:brecknock@yfc-wales.org.uk
