Llanwrtyd Wells is reputedly the smallest town in Britain - it's certainly one of the best positioned, with stunning upland countryside surrounding it on all four sides. This walk explores some of the countryside, heading north alongside the Afon Irfon to the sprawling plantations of the Irfon Forest and then returning down the upper stretches of the valley formed by the Afon Cerdin - smaller than its neighbour, with which it eventually joins forces, but no less enthralling to walk. A interesting information board in the forest tells the story of the region's turbulent geological past - certainly food for thought - and an impressive pewter statue in the town centre celebrates the town's links with the magnificent red kite, which although quite common now, was once down to just a few breeding pairs that took sanctuary in this area.
Tom Hutton's latest guide is on pages 15 - 18.

You can find her tomb in the porch of the parish church in Beaumaris, a sarcophagus once used as a horse trough. It is large and solid and empty. It is appropriate perhaps that this is an unfilled tomb. We can look at the empty chest and fill it with our own stories. We have to, because what happened, was such a long time ago. This is a fascinating story, which happens in a space between love and politics. It may have happened a long time ago when the world was a different place, but the people within it were the same as ourselves, driven by the same emotional needs and desires as we are.....
To learn about Joan - or Siwan - and her marriage to Llewelyn the Great see pages 21,22 and 23.

Monmouth is a bustling market town in south east Wales, that remains rich in history soon evident as you explore the area. Most of the interesting features are within easy walking distance of the town centre and there are good parking facilities. The town is surrounded on three sides by rivers giving a clue as to the importance of one of Monmouth's most famous landmarks, the Monnow Bridge.
This thirteenth century gatehouse bridge was built as a town defence and is the only surviving medieval bridge in Britain................ Monmouth is a pleasant town and its history sits well in its modern setting. There is a happy friendly atmosphere about the town and it is well worth a visit.
Andrew Seabourne Evans on pages 26 and 27.

I give twenty to thirty gardening talks a year and am always amazed when I show photographs of plants at Clyne Garden how few people in Wales, outside of Swansea itself, know of this delightful and important garden, home to three National Plant Collections (Enkianthus, Pieris and Rhododendron). Quite why this should be I do not know, but I suspect it has something to do with the fact that the garden is owned and maintained by the City & County of Swansea and is free to enter and enjoy and so has not become as widely acclaimed as other privately owned gardens which are extensively advertised and promoted.
Richard Cain's visits Swansea's hidden gem on pages 61,62 and 63.

The tale of Jack and the Beanstalk has been told and retold down the ages. Idle dullard Jack can't be bothered to walk all the way to market to sell his mother's cow, so he swaps beast for beans and returns home to a furious mum. Now ruined, her meagre assets having been squandered by a wastrel son, in a fit of rage Jack's mother throws the beans into the garden. Magically a mighty beanstalk grows, and for down-and-out Jack the only way is up. His daft decision leads to mayhem and murder, but it also has an unexpectedly bountiful outcome................
We could see no positives: the willow had to go. It would leave no great hole in our lives, but a big one in the lawn, and we had no spare soil.............
Pat O'Reilly ponders some gardening decisions with unexpected wildlife benefits on pages 10 - 12