The Hunt
FOX HUNTING IN THE UPPER TYWI VALLE
The hunt dates back to 1914 when Mr Tom Jones, Penrhyn Farm and Mr Alfred Jones (retired Metropolitan Police Inspector) of Grove Cottage, Rhandirmwyn were given a draft of Welsh cross hounds from the late Mrs Hughes of Neuaddfawr, Lampeter. The hound were housed in a cart house at Galltybere Farm in the beginning, but as pups were reared from these hounds the cart house was too small and a kennel was built at Broncwrt Farm, Rhandirmwyn, they were then registered as ‘The Rhandirmwyn Hunt’. The hounds were trencher fed (boarded around at various places instead of in hunt kennels) during the hunting season and walked by farmers during the summer months.
The hunt meetings were held at the Miners Arms, Rhandirmwyn (1 Pannau Street). The first huntsman was Mr Tom Jones, Troedrhiwcymmer and the master was Mr Alfred W Jones, Grove Cottage, Rhandirmwyn. About 1936 Mr Stanley James of Maesygwandde, Llandovery took over as huntsman and soon the kennels were relocated to Clynmawr Farm where they have remained to this day. His wages were originally £2 per week but this was later reduced to £1. 30s 0p (£1.50) but to compensate 2 shillings was paid for every fox and badger caught. When war broke out in 1939 Mr. G. V. Lloyd took charge of the hunt both as master and huntsman. Times were hard and not much money was available. Through the war years the nearby Towy and Teifi Hunt were also finding it difficult to exist and it was decided to amalgamate with the Rhandirmwyn Hunt. In 1945 the new hunt was formed and was to be known as the Towy and Cothi Hunt – this name remains to this day.
The hunt dates back to 1914 when Mr Tom Jones, Penrhyn Farm and Mr Alfred Jones (retired Metropolitan Police Inspector) of Grove Cottage, Rhandirmwyn were given a draft of Welsh cross hounds from the late Mrs Hughes of Neuaddfawr, Lampeter. The hound were housed in a cart house at Galltybere Farm in the beginning, but as pups were reared from these hounds the cart house was too small and a kennel was built at Broncwrt Farm, Rhandirmwyn, they were then registered as ‘The Rhandirmwyn Hunt’. The hounds were trencher fed (boarded around at various places instead of in hunt kennels) during the hunting season and walked by farmers during the summer months.
The hunt meetings were held at the Miners Arms, Rhandirmwyn (1 Pannau Street). The first huntsman was Mr Tom Jones, Troedrhiwcymmer and the master was Mr Alfred W Jones, Grove Cottage, Rhandirmwyn. About 1936 Mr Stanley James of Maesygwandde, Llandovery took over as huntsman and soon the kennels were relocated to Clynmawr Farm where they have remained to this day. His wages were originally £2 per week but this was later reduced to £1. 30s 0p (£1.50) but to compensate 2 shillings was paid for every fox and badger caught. When war broke out in 1939 Mr. G. V. Lloyd took charge of the hunt both as master and huntsman. Times were hard and not much money was available. Through the war years the nearby Towy and Teifi Hunt were also finding it difficult to exist and it was decided to amalgamate with the Rhandirmwyn Hunt. In 1945 the new hunt was formed and was to be known as the Towy and Cothi Hunt – this name remains to this day.
Both Mr. G. V. Lloyd and Mr. D. E. Thomas were made joint masters. This was a Farmers Hunt run predominantly by local farmers and friends of the countryside.
The following became hunt masters Mr. D. E. Thomas, Troedrhiwbylchau, Captain B. Williams, Mr G. N. Lloyd and Mrs Raleigh Blandy. They were hunting a large area at that time, Cynghordy, Cilycwm, Rhandirmwyn, Cwrtycadno, Pumsaint, Crugybar, Llanwrda, Porthyryd, Llangadog, Landovery, Myddfai and Halfway.
On May 25th 1954 Mr. D. E. Thomas resigned as master of the Towy and Cothi Hunt and formed a new pack called the Cwrtycadno Hunt. It was at this time that Mrs Raleigh Blandy was elected the new joint master with Mr. Llewelyn Jones, Clynmawr as field master. They were followed by Mr. John Davies, Nantfforest, Mr. Emrys Price, Nantgwyn, and Mr. Arwyn Clement, all keen hunting men.
During the post war years the hunt thrived with many excellent huntsmen leading the field, namely Mr Watkins from Brecon, followed by John Davies, Rhandirmwyn and then Johnny Morgan, Dinasbach, Rhandirmwyn. Mr Rhys Jones, Nantllwyd Farm, Cwm Camddwr followed Johnny Morgan as huntsman. Many members of his family were huntsmen with various packs in and around the area. There was great enthusiasm during these times with many followers on horseback. The old traditions were kept with every host of the meet providing food and drink to the followers.
Later in the sixties Mr. D. J. Lewis, Llwynjack, Llandovery was elected master and held the position for many years. He was followed by Mr. Robert Powell, Cefentrinfa who sadly died whilst still master. Mr. Wil Evans, Cwmcynwal had been an avid follower and was elected master a post he held for many years. During this time the huntsman was Mr. Dewi Price who held the position for thirty years, the longest serving huntsman in the history of the Towy and Cothi Hunt.
The hunt may have flourished in the fifties and sixties but there were clouds on the horizon. There were many uncomfortable years as the voice of those opposed to fox hunting became louder and louder. Hunt saboteurs were in regular conflict with hunters, in particular in areas of England where the followers were often wealthy gentry.
There was little conflict in the mid Wales area and hunting continued.
Eventually there was a free vote in Parliament and the Hunting Act 2004 became law. This did not totally ban fox hunting but a series of restrictions were imposed. The Towy and Cothi Hunt members have learnt to live with these rules and there are still a band of keen followers.
Mr Gareth Morgan was huntsman until 2011. The present huntsman is Mr John Hughes and the Masters are Mr. Tegwyn Powell (Gun Master) and Mr. Ken Price (Field Master).
If you have any information or photographs relating to the hunt, please let us know.
e.mail [email protected]
We are grateful to the following for providing the information and data relating to the Tywi and Cothi Hunt. Mr. Glyn Price (Llandovery and its Environs) Mr. Llewelyn Jones. Mr. Goronwy Thomas.
The following became hunt masters Mr. D. E. Thomas, Troedrhiwbylchau, Captain B. Williams, Mr G. N. Lloyd and Mrs Raleigh Blandy. They were hunting a large area at that time, Cynghordy, Cilycwm, Rhandirmwyn, Cwrtycadno, Pumsaint, Crugybar, Llanwrda, Porthyryd, Llangadog, Landovery, Myddfai and Halfway.
On May 25th 1954 Mr. D. E. Thomas resigned as master of the Towy and Cothi Hunt and formed a new pack called the Cwrtycadno Hunt. It was at this time that Mrs Raleigh Blandy was elected the new joint master with Mr. Llewelyn Jones, Clynmawr as field master. They were followed by Mr. John Davies, Nantfforest, Mr. Emrys Price, Nantgwyn, and Mr. Arwyn Clement, all keen hunting men.
During the post war years the hunt thrived with many excellent huntsmen leading the field, namely Mr Watkins from Brecon, followed by John Davies, Rhandirmwyn and then Johnny Morgan, Dinasbach, Rhandirmwyn. Mr Rhys Jones, Nantllwyd Farm, Cwm Camddwr followed Johnny Morgan as huntsman. Many members of his family were huntsmen with various packs in and around the area. There was great enthusiasm during these times with many followers on horseback. The old traditions were kept with every host of the meet providing food and drink to the followers.
Later in the sixties Mr. D. J. Lewis, Llwynjack, Llandovery was elected master and held the position for many years. He was followed by Mr. Robert Powell, Cefentrinfa who sadly died whilst still master. Mr. Wil Evans, Cwmcynwal had been an avid follower and was elected master a post he held for many years. During this time the huntsman was Mr. Dewi Price who held the position for thirty years, the longest serving huntsman in the history of the Towy and Cothi Hunt.
The hunt may have flourished in the fifties and sixties but there were clouds on the horizon. There were many uncomfortable years as the voice of those opposed to fox hunting became louder and louder. Hunt saboteurs were in regular conflict with hunters, in particular in areas of England where the followers were often wealthy gentry.
There was little conflict in the mid Wales area and hunting continued.
Eventually there was a free vote in Parliament and the Hunting Act 2004 became law. This did not totally ban fox hunting but a series of restrictions were imposed. The Towy and Cothi Hunt members have learnt to live with these rules and there are still a band of keen followers.
Mr Gareth Morgan was huntsman until 2011. The present huntsman is Mr John Hughes and the Masters are Mr. Tegwyn Powell (Gun Master) and Mr. Ken Price (Field Master).
If you have any information or photographs relating to the hunt, please let us know.
e.mail [email protected]
We are grateful to the following for providing the information and data relating to the Tywi and Cothi Hunt. Mr. Glyn Price (Llandovery and its Environs) Mr. Llewelyn Jones. Mr. Goronwy Thomas.
THE TOWY AND TEIFI HUNT - MEET AT RHANDIRMWYN
The 26th December was a notable day in and about the above place. It was the day of the special meet of the Towy and Teifi Hunt, when about 40 sportsmen on horses attended, and also about 15 motor-cars and motor-bicycles from the district of Pumpsaint, Llanycrwys, Llangybi, Llangeitho and Llanddewi-Brefi, all supporters of the hunt and faithful followers of the hounds in their districts.
At Troedrhiwgelynen, Rhandirmwyn, all were invited to lunch at 9. 30 a.m. through the generosity of Mr Tom Thomas, the son of the farm who is a successful solicitor at Dorchester. Through the loyalty to the hunt, and the kindness of the ladies of the farm and others from the vicinity, the field had a thoroughly enjoyable time. Some friends of the Hunt delivered appropriate speeches in thanks to Mr Tom Thomas for his liberal hospitality, and enthusiastic cheers were given him and a heart-felt desire was expressed for his success.
Afterwards the hounds were let free and the field moved out, and in a short time Reynard was on the run; he showed his cunning by making a fair double by the Gwenffrwd River, and by this prank the hounds had to be closely on their guard for a few minutes. But after hounds came out of the “double’ it was a beautiful sight to see them making their way up through the fields and wood of Troedrhiwbylchau, right up to the hill as far as Cribyn Du, then across the land of Troedrhiwhir, and under Craig Ddu, Gellyhernyn, but he did not have leisure and time to climb up to his well known “mansion” at the top of the last named rock; instead he had to take the wood westwards towards Troedyrheol Wood, when again we
“Heard the hounds’ triumphant chorus,
And the deafening ‘Tally ho !’
When old Reynard brushing, dirty
Through the hedge, and then ‘dead ho ! “
So ended a glorious day of sport and enjoyment. May the success of the Towy and Teifi Hunt continue. That is the united wish of all sportsmen in the hilly district of North Carmarthenshire.
THE OLD SPORTSMAN
Carmarthen Journal, January 8th 1932
At Troedrhiwgelynen, Rhandirmwyn, all were invited to lunch at 9. 30 a.m. through the generosity of Mr Tom Thomas, the son of the farm who is a successful solicitor at Dorchester. Through the loyalty to the hunt, and the kindness of the ladies of the farm and others from the vicinity, the field had a thoroughly enjoyable time. Some friends of the Hunt delivered appropriate speeches in thanks to Mr Tom Thomas for his liberal hospitality, and enthusiastic cheers were given him and a heart-felt desire was expressed for his success.
Afterwards the hounds were let free and the field moved out, and in a short time Reynard was on the run; he showed his cunning by making a fair double by the Gwenffrwd River, and by this prank the hounds had to be closely on their guard for a few minutes. But after hounds came out of the “double’ it was a beautiful sight to see them making their way up through the fields and wood of Troedrhiwbylchau, right up to the hill as far as Cribyn Du, then across the land of Troedrhiwhir, and under Craig Ddu, Gellyhernyn, but he did not have leisure and time to climb up to his well known “mansion” at the top of the last named rock; instead he had to take the wood westwards towards Troedyrheol Wood, when again we
“Heard the hounds’ triumphant chorus,
And the deafening ‘Tally ho !’
When old Reynard brushing, dirty
Through the hedge, and then ‘dead ho ! “
So ended a glorious day of sport and enjoyment. May the success of the Towy and Teifi Hunt continue. That is the united wish of all sportsmen in the hilly district of North Carmarthenshire.
THE OLD SPORTSMAN
Carmarthen Journal, January 8th 1932
Rhandir-mwyn - Present Day - Country Life - The Hunt - People of the Past - World Wars - News of the Day - Churches and Chapels
