Suzette & I, together with Mike & Kirsty & our grand-daughter Phoebe visited Glascwm, Radnorshire in August 2010. This tiny village, with less than 50 inhabitants, was once a bustling cattle station (during the life of Owen Owen). Cattle from all over Wales were driven through Glascwm on their way to the cattle markets of London. While the birth place above for Owen Owen is shown as Llandriddod Wells, he was actually born in Glascwm (as shown on the original family tree by my grand-father Ken Owen). The sign-post shows how close the two villages are to each other.
We spent a lovely afternoon in the village, and were able to chat to the retired Bishop of Hereford and his wife, who purchased the old Rectory. It was he who told us about how Glascwm originally served the cattle-drivers taking their cattle to London. In Owen Owen's day Glascwm had about 500 villagers. When a train-line was built, the village of Glascwn was no longer required to serve the cattle trade, and families moved elsewhere, as is reflected by our family tree.
If any of the family is ever in Wales, I would really recommend taking a drive through Brecon, to Glascwm, Brilley, and Lyonshall. It is certainly the most beautiful region that we have visited in the UK. Lots of hills and trees, and it is very green! There is a pub in Lyonshall dating back to the 1700's that serves a great steak-roll!
I am very glad we visited this area, home to our earliest known Owen ancestors. The region is only about 70km's away from Merthyr Tydfil, where Mike, Kirsty & Phoebe currently reside. (Neville Owen - December 2010)
