Welsh Journals

he had grasped and appreciated the fact that many of these names provide intimations of what is of significance for the geologist, the archaeologist, the historian, and the student of lore and custom. It is an interesting fact that man has often shown much more concern about meaning when naming his fields and landmarks than when naming his own offspring. Opportunities will come again to delve into that 'Col. Sir John Lloyd's Collection' of papers and manuscripts at our County Museum. In the meantime, we welcome the biographical sketch. Considering the mass of material from which selection had to be made and the limitations of space at his disposal, the author has done well in confining himself, in the main, to those human and home influences that were so potent in the making of the Sir John we knew and seek to commemorate. The year 1958 saw the County of Brecknock celebrating, in manifold ways, the Festival of Wales. In the varied programme, there was one event of great significance and promise for the sponsoring and furthering of interest in the county's history. We refer to the Breconshire Historical Pageant, performed by the pupils of our schools. This Pageant was the outcome of a suggestion, made at a Teachers' Refresher Course in 1957, that the schools should take steps to trace their county's history and present its main features to the inhabitants of Brecknock. The suggestion was taken up with great enthusiasm by the Breconshire Education Committee, the teachers and the pupils, and most helpful and sympathetic support was given by the Ministry of Education and H.M. District Inspector. The bulk of this Pageant of thirteen episodes was written by the Brecon playwright, Mr. T. C. Thomas, whose contributions to the Drama Movement in Wales are so well known. Another stalwart of the Drama, Mr. Horace Morgan, Ystradgynlais, wrote the remaining two episodes, and the production was under the expert guidance of the County Organizers-Mr. Brinley Jenkins, the County Drama Organizer; Mrs. Ogwen Thomas, the County Music Organizer and Mrs. P. Mackintosh, the County Organizer of Physical Education. The whole project fired the imagination of all concerned, and the public performances given by the school children in their respective school districts were grand, thrilling experiences. The very titles of the Pageant's episodes are, in themselves, revealing- The Lake Dwellers of Llangorse Lake': 'The Romans': 'Brychan': 'Cynog': 'The Normans': 'The Death of Llywelyn': 'John Penry': 'Sarah Siddons': 'Camhuanawc': 'The Methodist Revival': 'The Industrial Revolution', and 'The 24th Regiment'. They testify to the prominent role played by Brecknock in our country's history, attracting the invader from the east along its river valleys of the Wye and the Usk, and providing the cradle for some of the most important cultural and religious movements. Another significant development during the year, as may be gathered