Mrs. Blodwen Jones remembers Dolwar Chapel, Dolanog near Welshpool - 1994

Dolanog is a beautiful hamlet in Mid Wales near Welshpool, and my mother's family lived in the area for many generations. Dolanog itself at one time had three places of worship in the village itself; the old Independent Chapel, now long demolished, the present Ann Griffiths Memorial CM Chapel on the site of the former Salem Chapel and St John's CofE Church, built in 1855.
Lying just off the B4382 out of Dolanog, Powis on a small road almost opposite Dolwar Hall, the Moriah Wesleyan Methodist Chapel was originally built in 1842. It was rebuilt circa 1900 and remained in use, possibly until the 1940s - although there are some indications that it may have been functioning rather later. By the time this video was made in 1994, the old Chapel had fallen into disuse and disrepair. By the early 2000s it had been converted into a private residence.
Mrs Blodwen Jones Jones, who lived much of her life at Dolanog Mill, was a fount of local knowledge which she enjoyed sharing with great gusto and enthusiasm. She and her family were lifelong friends of my family, and she was an invaluable source when I began researching the history of my family in Dolanog back in the early 1990s. I made several videos of her at the time and during the ensuing years, interviewing her about my family members and other local characters and places. I am so glad I took these all those years ago. It's lovely to see and hear her again, still bright and chirpy as ever, sharing her precious memories of the people and places around Dolanog.

Lyrics of the Ann Griffiths Hymn:

Er mai cwbwl groes i natur
Yw fy llwybyr yn y byd,
Ei deithio a wnaf, a hynny'n dawel,
Yng ngwerthfawr wedd
dy wyneb-pryd;
Wrth godi'r groes
ei chyfri'n goron,
Mewn gorthrymderau llawen fyw;
Ffordd yn uniawn, er mor ddyrys,
I ddinas gyfaneddol yw.
...
Ffordd gyfreithlon i droseddwyr
I hedd a ffafor gyda Duw.

Although wholly against nature
Is my path in the world,
Travel it I will, and that quietly,
In thy valuable presence
of thy countenance;
While raising the cross
counting it a crown,
In oppressions joyful alive;
A straight road, though so entangled,
Is to an inhabited city.
...
A consecrated Road, I will go all along it
To finish in it beyond the curtain.

[mariegriffiths]

Lovingly put together including music.