A walk up Pen-y-Crug, Brecon, for mental health and well-being/Sunday 31st July.
The Friends of Brecon and District Mind are holding the annual Tea-on-Top walk. Organised to raise awareness of mental health issues, it revives a tradition which was popular in the region until the 1950s of holding a picnic tea at the top of a local hill. Traditionally, this event took place on the Brecon Beacons but today a more modest walk is planned up Pen-y-Crug near Brecon and everyone is very welcome to come along. In Wales, gatherings on the top of hills at this time of year were, sometimes, connected to the first harvest festival of the year. Trefor Owen, in his book on customs and traditions of Wales, describes ‘the shepherds’ feast’ (ffest y bugeiliaid) when shepherds would bring food to feast on a hill-top.
The walk will be a three-mile round trip, passing the ancient Maendu Well and exploring the Iron Age hill-fort of Pen-y-Crug with its expansive views of the Brecon Beacons. There will be tea, cakes, sandwiches and music. To help with catering please let the organisers know if you intend coming along. While care will be taken by the organisers, those taking part are advised that they must take responsibility for their personal safety. Children should be accompanied by a responsible adult. Please wear stout shoes and suitable clothing. Although there is no charge, a donation to Mind would be appreciated. We meet in Brecon Cathedral car park at 2pm.
Brecon and District Mind is a voluntary sector organisation providing open-door facilities and a wide range of healthy activities and outreach services. Designed to support people who experience mental distress these are delivered by an experienced and friendly team of staff and volunteers. The services complement those provided by the community mental healthteam and other voluntary sector agencies. They are, in part, funded by Powys Teaching Health Board and Powys Social Services.
The Friends of Brecon and District Mind has been formed to support the work of Brecon and District Mind and to help raise awareness of mental health issues in and around Brecon, Crickhowell, Talgarth and Hay-on-Wye. Open to anyone, the Friends aim to be a sociable group holding talks, activities and fund-raising events.
Further details may be obtained from Brecon and District Mind, Tŷ Croeso, St David’s House, 48 Free Street, Brecon, Powys, LD3 7BP (www.breconmind.org.uk), ringing 01874 611529 or e-mailing: info@breconmind.org.uk. The Friends may be contacted on: friends@breconmind.org.uk
David Moore
