Aberaeron’s annual book festival is taking place next weekend. The diverse programme includes a feast for lovers of history and historical fiction by the following authors: Alis Hawkins was brought up on a dairy farm near Newcastle Emlyn. She has two Victorian crime fiction series with a strong local interest. The Teifi Valley Coroner series featuring the investigations of blind coroner Harry Probert-Lloyd will be known to many members. The more recent Oxford Mysteries, set at the beginning of the womens’ college movement, feature feisty Llangrannog girl Rhiannon Vaughan whose mentor is none other than Cranogwen. Susan Stokes-Chapman is a graduate of Aberystwyth University. She writes historical fiction set in the Georgian era. The Shadow Key, a gothic tale of myth and medicine is set in a fictional mining village in rural Meirionydd. Yours truly and co-author, historical fiction writer SE Morgan will also be doing a session on our book. The House that Bensha Built is all about the residents of Aberaeron’s Portland House and we will be focussing on Ann Howell, a lady with a secret in her past. The full programme and details of all speakers can be found on Gwisgo Bookworm’s website: https://www.gwisgobookworm.co.uk/

Our Winter series opened with the final talk in ‘The Remarkable Residents of Portland House’ series - focussing on Phyllis Sewell. It also acted as the launch of the accompanying book, ‘The House that Bensha built.’ Portland House moved out of the hands of the family who had built it for the first time in the 1950s. The new owner, Phyllis Sewell (or Warden Brown), was a remarkable woman indeed and well ahead of her times. Born in Hull in 1895, her university studies were interrupted by the outbreak of World War 1. During that time, she worked on the front as a VAD, (a member of the Voluntary Aid Detachment), and then became an administrator for Queen Mary’s Army Auxiliary Corps. She was awarded an MBE in 1919 for her services in France. She had dealt with soldiers with horrendous injuries in incredibly difficult circumstances. Phyllis ( photograph kindly shared by her great grandson Mathew) After that she had a prestigious career in Hong Kong as a teacher and later an administrator in Canada, before coming to Aberaeron where she bought up property for rent. Phyllis put Portland House into multiple occupancy, living in one floor herself. Eccentric in her older age perhaps, she was known for walking about town in a fur coat over her nightie, with sandals on her feet stuffed with bloodied tissue between her toes. There are many tales about her time here in Aberaeron where she is remembered equally with fear and trepidation. You can read more about her, the mysteries in her life, and the other residents of Portland House in ‘The House that Bensha built’ available locally in Gwisgo Bookworm or via Amazon. All profits from the book sales will go to Cymdeithas. https://www.amazon.co.uk/House-that-Bensha-Built-Remarkable/dp/B0H9Z249TS

Read all about it: The House that Bensha Built has been published today. A collaboration with historical fiction writer SE Morgan, the book combines my history of the people who have lived in Portland House, Aberaeron and a series of short stories by Sarah based on these characters. Taken from the back cover: Two authors, two genres, a book of two halves. The link, a house. "Portland House built by Benjamin Evans 1853.” A date stone; the only clue the new owner had when she bought this iconic, crumbling townhouse overlooking Aberaeron harbour. She knew she must find out more. From that single name and date, a rich and fascinating history unfolded: one woven with political intrigue and scandal, lives lived and lost at sea, bustling trade and devoted public service, temperance and excess, and feisty women ahead of their time. Tales of elopement and abandoned wives. Whispered secrets passed down through generations. What stories these walls can tell. Combining an engaging history, evocative photographs and imagined voices inspired by its residents, glimpse into the lives of the remarkable people who have lived, loved, and died within the walls of Portland House. It will be launched at the Cymdeithas meeting on Tuesday September 8th (7.30 pm Tabernacle Vestry) and will be available for purchase that evening at the reduced price of £10. Sarah and I will also be doing a slot at Aberaeron Book Festival on October 18th. It’s available on Amazon from today and after the launch there will be copies in our local bookshop, Gwisgo Bookworm. All profits will go to Cymdeithas. https://www.amazon.co.uk/House-that-Bensha-Built-Remarkable/dp/B0H9Z249TS

Allt y Graig Woodland Trail In May 1995 Aberaeron Town Council purchased Allt y Graig Woodland with the assistance of various grants. Members of the public are now able to enjoy walking on a trail through the 15 acre woodland using our map below.

Welcome to Cymdeithas Aberaeron Society Celebrating , interpreting and presenting the maritime & architectural heritage and social history of Aberaeron and the surrounding district. About Us Cymdeithas Aberaeron Society is registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) via the UK Charity Commission with Charity no: 1145491. Our Annual Accounts are filed with the UK Charity Commission. We hold an Annual General meeting in public to account for our activities. CAS is run entirely by volunteers with our income coming from membership fees and donations. Our Aims Set up to continue the work of the 2007 Aberaeron Bicentenary community heritage project, the objective of Cymdeithas Aberaeron Society (CAS) is the promotion for the public benefit of the local heritage and history of Aberaeron and the surrounding area. We aim to continue to grow a proactive membership that participates in our activities and events including: - Talks of local interest - Visits and trips - A dining club. Our Team The people overseeing CAS are: President: Elinor Gwilym Chair: Siân Stewart Treasurer: Gwyn Jones Membership Secretary: Sandra Evans Meetings Secretary: Sally Hesketh Website Manager: Steve Davies Other Trustees: Phill Davies, Mair Jones. Please let one of us know if you would be interested in joining our number.

Digital Stories George Chapman: Documentary (1960) Play Video Share Whole Channel This Video Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Link Copied Search videos Search video... Now Playing George Chapman: Documentary (1960) 15:59 Play Video Now Playing Childhood Dream 01:55 Play Video Now Playing Siân's Story 01:17 Play Video Now Playing Camp Prize 01:48 Play Video Now Playing A Wartime Friendship 04:04 Play Video Now Playing Shanko's School Days 01:30 Play Video Now Playing The Clock 01:23 Play Video Now Playing A story of two houses. 03:26 Play Video Now Playing Brigantine Henry and Dora 02:03 Play Video Now Playing A trip to the Fair. 01:45 Play Video Now Playing Gareth's Childhood Memory 00:28 Play Video Now Playing Sylvia's Story 03:01 Play Video Now Playing The National School 03:12 Play Video Aberaeron Story Play Video Play Video 14:04 The Aberaeron Story What is it? The Aberaeron Story project was designed to raise awareness of Aberaeron’s heritage in the town, making it more visible and accessible to residents and visitors alike. We produced this video, built mosaics, printed some of our extensive photograph collection, and made our extensive local history archives accessible to all. Play Video Play Video 14:06 Y Stori Aberaeron Pwrpas prosiect ‘Stori Aberaeron’ yw i godi ymwybyddiaeth o dreftadaeth Aberaeron mewn modd hawdd a gweledol i breswylwyr ac ymwelwyr. Cynhyrchwyd ffilm a gȇm, crëwyd mosäig, argraffwyd casgliadau o ffotograffau gan roi mynediad i’n harchif o hanes lleol i bawb. Home Movies Play Video Play Video 02:47 Playtime at Parc-y-Fro, Aberaeron - 1969 Delightfully innocent memories of Helen, Miriam and Ruth Herbert playing at Parc-yFro, Aberaeron. Carefree days prior to health and safety regulations in play areas! Play Video Play Video 00:43 Elephants at Albert Street, Aberaeron - 1957 A herd of circus elephants taking time out on Albert Street and organising themselves for the parade around Aberaeron town.