25th August 2010
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.
