Tywyn and District History Society Forum

At their meeting on Monday December 15th the speaker, Dr Quentin Deakin, gave a talk on 'The rise, fall and survival of one-occupation towns in north and mid Wales. As examples he chose Blaenau Ffestiniog, Porthmadog, Amlwch, Holywell, Newtown and Talgarth and described how each had its own unique p...

At their meeting on Monday December 15th the speaker, Dr Quentin Deakin, gave a talk on 'The rise, fall and survival of one-occupation towns in north and mid Wales. As examples he chose Blaenau Ffestiniog, Porthmadog, Amlwch, Holywell, Newtown and Talgarth and described how each had its own unique p...

The next meeting of the society, on January 19th, continues the theme of 'One occupation towns', with contributions from members looking at other such towns in Wales.

The speakers for the society's meeting on November 17th 2025, Quentin and Liz Deakin, gave paired presentations entitled 'New Lanark to New Harmony - Utopias'. Quentin's talk continued the story of Robert Owen's innovations at New Lanark which attracted international acclaim for the improved workers...

What happens when the occupation that kept the local economy of a town alive ceases to thrive? Blaenau Ffestiniog is the often quoted example, but there are several others just in north and mid Wales. Dr Deakin explores the wide range of examples. The picture isn't always as disastrous as it sounds ...

At the society's meeting on 20th May 2024 two members gave complementary talks on the history of the car industry in Wales and England, both drawing upon experience of their career within it as well as further research. Looking at cars produced solely in Wales and with the aid of excellent circulate...

On Monday October 21st 2024, at the first of two meetings on the theme of Politics in Wales, the society was pleased to welcome County Councillor Steve Churchman for a presentation entitled The Era of Liberal Party Ascendancy in Wales. Steve gave an excellent and enlightening talk tracing the emerge...

At their meeting on 17th June 2024 the society welcomed speaker Nick Thomas-Symonds, MP, for a presentation (by Zoom) entitled 'Bevan and the early NHS'. Nick is chair of the Aneurin Bevan Society and author of the biography Nye. The talk began with an exposition of the life of his subject. From a m...

At their meeting on March 17th, the society welcomed Dr William Ault for a talk entitled The Townscape and Architecture of Aberdyfi and Tywyn. Now retired and a resident of Aberdyfi, Dr Ault's career encompassed both practical town planning and architecture, as well as teaching at university level. ...

Following their AGM on 14th April the society enjoyed two informative presentations by residents on the history of their village. The longer talk, by Treasurer David Harrison, was a very well-researched and illustrated account of the history and development of Llwyngwril from the Iron Age to the pre...