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Are you..?
A local
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Curious about ecodyfi
Projects:
Mentro Allan (Venture Out)
Transport
Tourism
Energy
Waste
Fair Trade
Biosffer Dyfi Biosphere
Communities First
Lifelong learning
Contact details
Ty Bro Ddyfi, 52 Heol Maengwyn, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8DT, UK. phone: 01654 703965 e-mail: info@ecodyfi.org.uk

Become a member of ecodyfi We want everybody in the Valley to join, so it only costs £1. Drop into Ty Bro Dyfi or send some stamps.

The information centre is open Monday to Friday between 10.00 and 3.00. You might even like to get involved in staffing it or in helping to run a project. Please come and see us!

Find us

The Dyfi valley is a bilingual community combining traditional ways of doing things with newer influences.

Slate quarrying, forestry and sheep farming have been the area's biggest employers but are now overtaken by tourism and other services.

Farming

Farming has played a key role in the development of the landscape and in maintaining Welsh traditions in the area. Today, while there is a growing spirit of enterprise and new ideas, unemployment in the valley is relatively high.

The Welsh language

The Welsh language is a strong and live element in the local communities, with a 60% Welsh speaking community in Machynlleth and up to 80% in parts of the valley. Many in-comers and visitors choose to study Welsh by attending Welsh classes, or by joining in with Welsh medium activities and groups.

History

To anyone interested in history, the valley offers a wealth of clues to the past. There are dolmens and stone circles dating from pre-historic time.

From the Roman period there are the remains of forts, mines and roads. Machynlleth, site of the last Welsh parliament, is rich in the history of Owain Glyndwr, prince of Wales. It is interpreted at the Parliament House in Maengwyn Street and information about his historic 'Pennal letter' can be viewed in Pennal village church.

The Owain Glyndwr society has information online. Celtica offers a way in to the world of the Celts. Industrial archaeology includes water driven blast furnaces to slate working and the infrastructure which developed as a result.

Books

Many excellent reference books have been produced about the valley. Local publishers, Y Lolfa have further details. Alternatively, visits by visitors and locals to the National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth are positively encouraged.