Calon Lan
The Calon Lân Project originated as an idea from a renewed interest in Mynyddbach Chapel and its rich heritage. In 2011 the chapel was on the point of dereliction but through the combined efforts of Reverend Grenville Fisher, Roy Church and the support of Treboeth Historical Association the building was saved. A project was set up to encourage and maintain an understanding of local heritage and to establish collaboration with other local organisations.
Mynyddbach has a rich cultural heritage and is the burial place of Daniel James who had the Bardic name of Gwyrosydd. Daniel wrote the words of the famous Welsh Hymn Calon Lân.
The Trustees, members and friends of the chapel are in the process of establishing the Calon Lân Heritage Centre. Through the work of the project the buildings and grounds at Mynyddbach will be preserved for future generations. The project aims is to give communities a sense of belonging and identity by using the history of the local area and the story of Calon Lân. The people of Swansea and beyond will have a better understanding of their cultural heritage and the many historical links to the past.
War Graves Honored by Swansea Sappers
The grounds of Mynyddbach Chapel contain a large and historic graveyard and unusually for anywhere on the British mainland, amongst those laid to rest here are a few war graves. Most War Graves are overseas with British and Commonwealth service personnel being buried as near to where they well as is possible. There are however war graves in the UK that are recognized by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Often during conflict a service person is evacuated back to the UK for medical care to maximize their chance of survival after being severely injured. Despite these efforts, many have died from wounds sustained in the battlefield after having already returned to their homeland.
Over lockdown the graveyard at Mynyddbach didn’t receive the maintenance it required and on 10 December 2021 Sergeant Mark Thomas, from Swansea’s own 108 Welsh Field Squadron, led a team of Sappers to repair and recondition the several war graves. This is not the first time that the Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers Militia (RMonRE(M)) has given manpower to maintaining war graves at Mynyddbach as how the fallen are honored and remembered is central to the ethos of the Regiment.
For more information on the Swansea Sappers of the RMonRE(M) Sergeant Mark Thomas is a member of their recruiting team.
