"Many people ask where exactly Trefeurig is and I welcome this opportunity to clarify the misconception over the name. It is not as some believe the name of a village but of an area within a pasrish called Trefeurig. The area in question consists of four small villages or hamlets, namely, Penbontrhydybeddau, Cwmsymlog, Cwmerfyn and Banc-y-Darren. They lie in the hilly upper region of the parish in contrast to Penrhyncoch, the largest and most developed village that lies in the more fertile lower region.

Steeped in history, the beautiful hills and narrow valleys of this area coneal what was once a classic mining district of lead and silver, where in the 17th century, Sir Hugh Myddleton derived enormous wealth.

Following the closure of the mines in the early 1900s the population saw a big decline. All that remains to be seen of that prosperous period today are some waste tips and a chimney stack in Cwmsymlog.

The chimney has now been registered as an ancient monument by CADW.

With the aim of promoting tourism in the area the community council entered into a partnership with CADW - Ysbryd y Mwynwyr and Welsh Mines Preservation Trust to renovate the chimney and to erect a stone plinth nearby, incorporating nhistorical, geaographical and botanical information panels.

Today on these same hills and valleys the red kites fly and nest, along with buzzards, treecreepers, red starts, nuthatches, and numerous other birds.

The cuckoo still visits annually and is usually heard singing in Cwmerfyn ojn 21 April for the first time every yeqar.

The footpaths once used by miners are still in use, walked regularly by Ramblers and others who enjoy taking leisurely walks, absorbing the natural beauty of nature that surrounds them.

Many hedgerows are still adorned by wild flowers in the spring and summer and by wild fruits and berries in the autumn and winter.

Bilberries are in abundance on the hillside in early summer and field mushrooms ijn late summer.

Is it any wonder that I am so fond of my square mile.

Yes we have lost quite a few important services - shops, post office, bus service and even our local primary school, but all is not lost.

The primary school, built in the village of Penbontrhydybeddau in 1875 closed its doors officially in July 2007.

In the absence of a village hall the school building has always been seen as the heart of the community, used as a hall and meeting place.Esteddfodau, concerts, plays, pantos, whis drives and the like have been held there regularly over the years and with the recently formed Ysgol Trefeurig Development Group (YTDG) it is intended to undertake a feasibility study which will identify a sustainable future for the school building as a community centre.

Using the information collected as part of a community questionnaire the YTDG has successfully bid for funds from WCVA Social Risk Fund to expand the range of activities available to residents in the rural villages of Trefeurig.

The group has recently appointed a facilitator for the project who will work with other established community groups to expand the activities on offer.

What is there for visitors to see and visit you may ask. Some of these I have already mentioned. Here are a few more:
Stone age fort at Banc-y-Darren, called Penceiliog.
Two marble war memorial plaques to commemorate the two world wars. These can be seen on one of the interior walls of the school building, listing the names of those from Trefeurig, who served and also those who lost their lives.
Also, a view in the school is a silver cup presented to the parish Home Guard Unit in 1944-45.
The small whitewashed Siloah chapel in Cwmerfyn - the only chapel still in use in the area.
The old graveyard at Cwmsymlog chapel where you will find interesting and historical and stone epitaphs.
The children's play area in Penbont with parking area and picnic tables.

A documentary film called 'Sleep Furiously' was made by Gideon Koppel from Cwmerfyn in and around Trefeurig in 2006."

Article written by Edwina Davies