"The Llandoddies essentially is an idea that was originated by myself with the help from my researcher Pat and a local artist. The thought process behind the idea was to create an "elf" like creature for the town, which would appeal to the younger generation and would in a fun way teach them about the area and the local history.
Llandrindod is a town that in many ways takes itself very serious and I felt that a Llandoddie would put a smile on people's faces and could explore the lighter side of the towns heritage.
As a consequence of the storms of October 2002 and after assessments originally undertaken in 1999, it was determined that a splendid and significant oak tree located to the south of the restaurant at The Lake Park, was deemed unsafe and of immediate danger to the public using the footpath. After consultation with the Town Council it was agreed that the only course of action was to fell the tree leaving a significant part of its base, below the crown, to be used as a basis for a wood sculpture.
This was the site for the first Llandoddie. The statue at the Lake (there are more planned!!) is that of Dewi Fawr (Big David) who saved the Llandoddies from the Grogs invasion at the Battle of the Lake! To give you an indication of how popular this relatively new statue is - over 200 people a day visited the statue in the summer of 2003 and it is already believed that touching it will bring you good luck.
The first book to accompany the Llandoddies has been written and is due out during 2004."
BBC News Online did a story about the Llandoddies in April 2004
your comments
Zane Mills, Llandrindod wells
it is nice to hav the llandoddies it is a great attraction to llandod and it the best
Thu Jun 18 14:37:40 2009
Tony Johnson, Howey
Llandodie is great fun, trying to get my wife to pose for a photo next to him, as for the history buffs, don't take life so seriously, after all howey has a longer history, our villiage was here before Llandod.
Mon Nov 3 16:19:01 2008
Peter Sartin, Crossgates
Presumably, the location of Llandoddies in Rock Park serve as a warning that should you attempt to use the exercise apparatus in the Park, unsupervised, you could end up looking like a Llandoddie!!
Tue Sep 9 17:07:18 2008
Paul Moore, Ipswich.
I like them, they remind me of some of the lads and mates I use to know. I once lived there about 18/20 years ago, nice.
Wed Jul 30 12:40:37 2008
Cori Davies, Landod
its ace man !!!
Mon Jun 16 09:17:29 2008
Gail Evans
When I moved to work in the city my friends called me a Llandodie because I came from Llandod, that was in 1972. Llandod people were called Landodies in towns around Llandod years ago, they probably still are for all I know? This Landodie likes the Llandoddie. There are not many real Llandodies left in Llandod these days.
Tue Oct 9 09:19:45 2007
ISJ, Llandrindod Wells
Well we are few and far between, it's a great pity, not many of the real Landoddies left in this town......, when my family owned Hotels in the area, it was quite a town.
Thu Oct 4 09:13:24 2007
Kevin Martin
Mr Blees – Thanks for taking the time to reply to my post. I think I should take a step back, seeing as this whole project is funded by private money, then that is entirely a different story. I was under the impression that this was public money hence my concerns that it was not being put to full use. Seeing as this is, in fact, money from your own pocket, I feel that you should be commended for wanting to make a difference to the town. At the end of the day Llandod is full of people who will criticise others yet give very little towards the community, they seem to sit in the shadows to react whenever somebody tries to make a difference, I maybe fall into this category too even though I do pay money out of my own pocket to put on events (where I often end up losing out financially) for a certain section of society that are often shunned. I had grown frustrated that public money was being wasted around the town on silly little projects when good schemes couldn’t seem to get financial help to run and thought the Llandoddie scheme was another one of these money-wasters, now I’m enlightened to the full facts I think I owe you an apology and you, and all the action team, should be commended for your work, effort and desire to make a change not just talk about making a change. Keep it up
Thu Oct 4 09:13:12 2007
Sally Jones, Llandrindod
I like the Llandoddie, he should be sat in the park, he's more pleasing to look at than those hideous seats!
Tue Oct 2 13:05:22 2007
K. Davies
What a shame this old tree could not have been used for something more pleasurable at end of it's life, after all the pleasure it has given in it's life time. Think about all that has happened in the life time of this tree, for it to end up sculpted into a silly creature. Very sad!
Tue Oct 2 08:16:04 2007
Melissa, Llandod
Actually matt the tree was already dead. Did you want it falling on you or have an original sculpture that's proved really popular with anybody that has some taste. Personally I think the llandoddies are a really good idea and bring something different to the town. It's a great idea!
Wed Sep 26 08:22:40 2007
Matt, Llandrindod
Don't like this Llandodie one bit, what a childish ridiculous waste of time and money.Was this carving giving the go ahead on one persons idea? Waste of a good tree...
Mon Sep 24 08:46:39 2007
Michiel Blees
Thanks Kevin for your comments, yes the Llandoddie was a bit of quirky fun that ended up having a life of its own. The original idea was to have a softer less serious image for the town and relating this to the wells and lake (mainly to get some of our youth on board with our projects). The situation with the tree by the lake made things speed up more than we expected and gave us the sculpture, made by a local artist. I’m glad you like the book. I believe there are quite a few books available on the town’s history and the Thomas Jones statue celebrates some of our true history. I agree with you there is scope for more. Incidentally, although the Action Team supported the Llandoddie project, it is entirely funded privately by me and some friends. So far it has created a lot of fun for young and old.
Wed Sep 12 16:05:36 2007
Kevin Martin
Regarding the creation of the "Llandoddie". I was just curious to know as to why the town, or Action Team, saw fit to create this "myth" of Llandod? Llandrindod has its own history, and that could and should be explored and then displayed to tourists and locals alike. Or even a myth based no Llandrindod’s true history. As a resident of Llandrindod I am slightly confused as to why this "Llandoddie" was created, it seems to be an idea purely plucked from the air with no substance or relevance to Llandrindod Wells and its true history. Yes it's pretty, quirky and clever, but i'd rather this sort of time and money be committed to show a true representation of Llandrindod Wells. Not one person’s or small group of people’s mythical and fictional account. Granted it's better than nothing, but I just think some semblance of the town's true history should have been explored to create such landmarks and myths. On a side note, the book is a really good bit of fiction and can be purchased throughout the town. Tolkien would be proud.
Tue Sep 11 08:45:37 2007
Mr. Blees
Answer to Philomena Hearn's question:The carver is Dave King, a local woodcarver.
Wed Jun 27 16:37:27 2007
Philomena Hearn from Llandrillo
Who carved the Llandoddie? There is a lot about the writer of the book, but what about the wood carver?
Sun Jun 24 19:47:44 2007
Val Blees
Do you know something about Family Blees? I mean people living in 1900 in Russia, and do you know Anna Gillert?
Mon Jan 15 09:58:17 2007
Vladimirs, Riga, Latvia
Actually I miss Llandrindod Wells. Quite cute place, people are o.k. as well, lived here for a long one year. I like such weather, especially on winters as around the all Uk as well. Regards to Glen Usk Hotel staff. I am the banker now, but it still pleasant to remember spending time in Dod.
Wed Oct 18 11:35:50 2006
Jeanne - new to Howey
I think when there are more; it would make a good walk for Llandrindod Wells; cute idea; and hope it flourishes. Bravo!
Wed May 17 08:48:45 2006
Michiel Blees, Llandrindod Wells
Don't worry Rhiannon, the paint has been removed and Big Dewi is looking his best again. Did you know all the characters in the Llanddie book are drawn on people in the town?
Sun Dec 18 17:32:22 2005
Ken Goodall, Llandrindod Wells.
Fine piece of carving.Makes an attractive and interesting feature.
An information plaque would prove useful. Pity about the tree.
Mon Dec 5 12:06:51 2005
Rhiannon Griffiths from Sheffield
I was born in Llandrindod and my dads side of the family still all live there, I rarely get to visit though! Seeing the Llandoddie made me laugh and I felt quite proud! But last time I visited my Dad someone had put paint all over it!!!
I hope its OK now!
rhiannon
Sat Nov 26 19:10:22 2005
Michiel Blees
Thanks to Soph and Jessica for the comments on the Llandoddie, I'm pleased you like them. You'll be pleased to hear that we've been able to find a publisher for the Llandoddie book and it will be out Easter 2006. The book titled, "The Grogs Invasion" is about Big David (the statue by the Lake) and his friends Little David and Essie, the girl Doddie. In the next few weeks you'll be able to pick up more information from the Llandoddie website www.llandoddies.com
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites
Sun Oct 2 19:28:14 2005
jessica from llandrindod
the llandoddies i think are brilliant. it is an amusement to llandod and it is really random!
Wed Sep 28 12:13:19 2005
Soph from LLandrindod
I think our Llandoddie is pretty funky and I think that it was a great idea to make our Llandoddie out of an existing tree base. It's a great idea for the children as it is a great inspiration to there imagination. Well done.
Tue Sep 13 11:22:06 2005
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