Welsh Journals

Our outdoor meetings this year ranged throughout the County. We visited Whitton and Pilleth in March and in April Roger Pye led us on a tour of the Folly and the Warden near Presteign and then on to Lyonshall castle. The Teme valley was the venue for May when John Powis took us to Llanfair Waterdine, Bettws y Crwyn, and Bryndrienog. The Treasure Hunt in June led members to explore the Radnor Forest and July saw us sampling the delights of the Edw Valley with Robert Hughes. In August members helped in a variety of capacities at the National Eisteddfod and in September Brian Lawrence led us to Abbey Cwm Hir. The enthusiasm of the regular attenders at our outdoor meetings is reflected in the fact that whatever the weather we have had at least 20 at all our gatherings. The A.G.M. was held at Walton hall in October when the following officers were elected: Chairman: Sadie Cole Vice-Chairman: Dai Hawkins Secretary: Sian Williams Treasurer: Joy Ashton Editor: Brian Lawrence As an additional event a Quiz was planned for November at the Severn Arms, Penybont. The final part of our most enjoyable year was marred by the illness and death of one of our most active and respected members, Priscilla Evans, whose knowledge of the County and its families will be sorely missed. I would like to conclude my first annual report by thanking all the members of the Field Section for their help and support and I hope that next year will be as successful. Our meetings are, of course, open to all members of the Radnorshire Society. Sadie Cole Chairman JOHN STRATTON 1920-1993 Members were saddened to hear of the sudden death of a former Secretary and long time member of the Executive Committee. On leaving school at sixteen John passed tjie entrance examination and became a Civil Servant. During the war he served with the King's Royal Rifle Corps in Africa, Italy, and Denmark. After demobilization he returned to his career in the Customs and Excise until ill health forced him into early retirement. It was at this time eighteen years ago that he and Nan moved to live at Llandrindod Wells. John soon became involved in the community, particularly with Caebach Chapel, the Radnorshire Society, and the Powys Family History Society. In a sense he only retired from salaried employment, in most other respects he devoted his time and interest to a number of activities mainly connected with local history and railways. Indeed it was following his weekly visit to Kington Library to conduct some family history research that he was found collapsed at the wheel of his car. When medical advice forced him to relinquish being Secretary of the Society I filled the post and it was from that time that he and I