Van, Llanidloes

Coordinates: 52°28′29″N 3°32′47″W / 52.4746°N 3.5464°W / 52.4746; -3.5464

Van (Welsh: Y Fan) is the Anglicised placename for a small hamlet to the north west of Llanidloes in Powys, Mid Wales.

It is also often spelt "Fan", with the full, correct Welsh language name being "Y Fan". It is believed the name originates from the two ancient farms of the area; Manledd Uchaf and Manledd Isaf.

The hamlet grew in the 19th century with the discovery of large deposits of lead, and a thriving lead mine was developed. At one point during the late 19th century 'Van Mine' was the most productive in Europe. The mines declined under pressure from foreign imports in the early 20th century plus mis-management, and operations ceased in the inter-war period. The name Van is also given to the small lake located just outside the village, Van Pool (Welsh: Pwll y Fan).

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Llanidloes

Coordinates: 52°26′56″N 3°32′25″W / 52.449°N 3.5402°W / 52.449; -3.5402

Llanidloes (Welsh pronunciation: [ɬanˈɪdlɔɨs]) is a town along the A470 road and B4518 road in Powys, within the historic county boundaries of Montgomeryshire (Welsh: Sir Drefaldwyn), Wales. The population in 2011 was 2,929, of whom 15% could speak Welsh.

It is the first town on the River Severn (Welsh: Afon Hafren). The town's Member of Parliament is the Conservatives' Glyn Davies (MP since 2010) and its Assembly Member is Conservative Russell George (AM since 2011).

Surroundings

The town is close to the large dam and reservoir Llyn Clywedog. There is a scenic mountain road connecting Machynlleth and Llanidloes.

Llanidloes is popular with hikers who walk on the scenic footpaths surrounding the town, including Glyndŵr's Way, which in conjunction with the Offa's Dyke path forms a 160-mile circuit around Mid Wales and local passage over the spine of the Cambrian Mountains.

The Sarn Sabrina Walk - a 25-mile circular walk from Llanidloes to the source of the Severn and back - has been held yearly on the Saturday preceding the Late Spring Bank Holiday since 2006. In 2007 the Semi Sabrina, a 12-mile circular walk, was added. The Hafren Forest is also used for car rallies such as Rally GB and motorcycle Enduro events throughout the year.

Arwystli

Arwystli was a cantref in mid Wales in mediaeval times, located in the headland of the River Severn. It was chiefly associated with the Kingdom of Powys, but was heavily disputed between Powys, Gwynedd, and the Norman Marcher Lords for hundreds of years, and was the scene of many skirmishes between those groups. Like many other cantrefs and subdivisions, it was divided up by the Laws in Wales Acts in the 16th century.

Early history

During the Roman era Arwystli formed part of the territory of the Ordovices, the Celtic tribe that controlled much of northern Wales. It is unclear when it formed as a distinct unit, but the name itself derives from the personal name Arwystl, borne by a disciple of Dubricius. The first reference to Arwystli occurs in the 11th-century Domesday Book, where it appears as the "hundred of Arvester". At some point it was subdivided into the commotes of Arwystli Is Coed and Arwystli Uwch Coed (Arwystli Below the Wood and Arwystli Above the Wood). Important settlements included Talgarth, Llandinam, Llanidloes, and Caersws. There is some conjecture that Arwystli may have been associated with the region known as Rhwng Gwy a Hafren (English: Between Wye and Severn). Hubert Hall suggests that it was one of the cantrefs of the obscure region once known as Cynllibiwg, located "between Severn and Wye", mentioned in the Red Book of the Exchequer.