Dinas Powis Castle. - Incorrectly * entitled 'Dynas Powis Castle' in the Rock Bros. publication '107 Views of Cardiff and District'. The castle is Norman, apparently erected in the early part of the 12th century. In the 1950's and early 1960's it was still very much overgrown when I used to climb its walls. There was a easy way up in the furthermost corner using some old vines as climbing ropes. I loved playing with my friends and fellow vandals in the Norman castle and at Dinas Powis Primary School we used to have nature walks with a stop for a short history lesson as we passed the castle. I understand that the castle was up for sale in 2001 but back in 1330 it was said 'to be worth nil beyond re-prices'. Another from the Penarth Dock Collection and many thanks to the Cardiff Ramblers for its fine ramblings about its history too. The lower image has been colourised. [001]

* I recall being told off for spelling the name of my home village incorrectly whilst in class at the Dinas Powis (Powys) Primary School back in the latter half of the 1950's. We were a railway family and I often had a railway ticket in my grubby little mitt which clearly stated from Dynas Powys to where-ever. Yes, that's right, Dynas. 60 years later, whilst reading a booklet about the history of the Barry Railway by D. S. M. Barrie, I read that the incorrect spelling was in fact an error on the part of the printing company. I got a good telling off because of their mistake it seems - thanks a lot!

Subsequently, I found an old map, apparently the first one-inch to a mile map of Glamorganshire, which was surveyed in the 1790's and published in London in 1799 by John Cary (1754-1835) which gives the place name as Dynas Powis. The mystery deepens!

The Castle, Dinas Powis. - A lovely postcard, plus colourised version, from the Penarth Dock Collection which shows the open sluice gate of the mill leat in the foreground with the castle remains above. The leat was a long man-made water course which diverted water from the stream to the water wheel of the old corn mill situated at the end of Millbrook Road. That mill dates back to 1426. It was great fun for boys and girls to jump across back and forth until someone fell in - oh, how we all laughed as they pretended to drown in the fast flowing water! Higher up the valley, water-cress grew in the streams at the side of the track which was tasty and cooling to chew on those long, warm, summer days after the long climb up to the Cwm George hill fort which dated from 450 BC - 650 AD! This postcard dates from September 1923 and the writer informs Miss G. Knowles of Bilston:- 'We can see the ruins of the castle from the meadows. The ruins are lovely but the weather is not!' [001]

Two lovely photos taken inside the castle. The upper photo is entitled 'Doorway in east wall' and the lower 'The doorway from without'. Many thanks to Abaroth for permission to use these images for non-profit purposes only. [426]