Building on the Past

Last updated: 24 November 2005

Join architectural expert Professor Malcolm Parry on an audio visual tour around the town of Machynlleth. The former head of the Welsh School of Architecture visited the area in 2005 to record a series for BBC Radio Wales called 'Building on the Past'. From Glyndwr's parliament to the Centre for Alternative Technology, he points out what bricks and mortar can reveal about the history of a place.

Professor Malcolm Parry 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  Macolm on Machynlleth: "Market days in Wales can be busy, busy busy. The first traffic jam I experienced in my Welsh travels this summer was in Maengwyn Street in Machynlleth and that was as a pedestrian on the pavement on a Wednesday! Stalls here sell everything from peaches to bonsai trees and kitchen cleaners to antiques. This is the town where the Castlereagh family thought a suitable present for their eldest son was a clocktower for the town. He might have been disappointed but the Machynlleth citizens probably celebrated. A town for heroes. Owen Glyndwr's first parliament was here, here too Laura Ashley's first dresses were made. It's home to Y Tabernacl and MOMA Wales, an elegant arts centre. On the outskirts of the town, the world famous Centre for Alternative Technology offers a family day out with a green agenda. An attractive historic town in beautiful surroundings, another of Wales' most pleasurable destinations."

your comments

NIgel Hodson St Clears
Linda in Malaga we live near Carmarthen notMachynlleth.Do get in touch...
Thu Jan 8 09:54:10 2009

Davlin, Malaga Spain
I'm looking for an old friend of my husband tony jones from round table tetten hall wolverhampton. His name is nigel hodson and works for auction house in machynlleth any information wil be apreciated.
Wed Jul 9 15:15:59 2008

Davlin Malaga Spain
I'm looking for an old friend of my husband tony jones from round table tetten hall wolverhampton. His name is nigel hodson and works for auction house in machynlleth any information wil be apreciated.
Wed Jul 9 09:06:06 2008

Cora Edwards Machynlleth
The Castlereagh Memorial Clock at Machynlleth was built with monies raised by public subscription. The money left after the building of the clock was to plant an avenue of trees along the main street. (Maengwyn Street) These trees were taken down in the last century to be replaced by younger trees.
Wed Jan 2 09:35:02 2008

Alan Whiston from Stoke-on-Trent
I have a grandfather clock which says on its face "Rees and Sons Machynlleth". I love it. Can you tell me more about Mr Rees, please?
Sun Oct 14 11:09:15 2007

Marjorie Inger Stratford, Taranaki, New Zealand
Hello from New Zealand. I lived in Mach for a short while before moving to NZ to live in 2004. I will be visiting old friends and family again when I visit in September October this year.I recently lost my dear friend Evien Jackson who lived in Machynlleth on Tregarth and it will be sad not to see her again.
Sat May 12 10:40:28 2007

Carol Handcock
How can we get Proffessor Parry to come & speak at a public meeting organised by the local Machynlleth heritage society Etifeddiaeth Dyffryn Dyfi.
Wed Apr 11 10:08:03 2007

Robert Owen
It was good to see how some things have changed in "Mach" since I was there last. Being an "Old Boy" of Mach living in Cae Crwn and attending Mach High School, its lovely to have a look around the old place. Still having many friends there and trying to come back as often as possible, I would like to be able to see around the town on the website. Perhaps we could have some more pictures of the town and surrounding area to compare with the old days.
Sun Feb 4 11:18:05 2007

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