NEWPORT BRANCH TALKS: 2024 September 24
TALES OF CEFN MABLY by PAUL BUSBY
We had a welcome return of Paul Busby as our guest speaker. Paul can easily entertain without the aid of any pictures but this time his talk was fully illustrated. He gives talks on the historical buildings in our area and the lives of their inhabitants.
This time the subject was Cefn Mably, built originally in the 11th Century supposedly by Mabel, daughter of the Norman baron Robert Fitzhamon. Hence the name, which translates to ‘Mabel’s Ridge’.
We don’t have space here to mention everything but interesting facts about the Kemeys Family, who owned the buildings for many years, include Nicholas Kemeys, a powerful and strong man who was an excellent wrestler; Charles Kemeys, who at his time was rated as one of the best dancers in Wales and Edward Kemeys who, although totally corrupt, succeeded in being appointed Sheriff of Glamorgan on no less then three separate occasions.
Fortunately for those who missed Paul’s talk or who would like to re-live it, I can refer you to the collection of Paul’s podcasts to be found on YouTube under the title ‘Little Knowledge Podcasts’. There are more than 50, written together with Goff Morgan. Each lasts about an hour and they provide enough material to entertain us for many of the dark, dismal and, now for many of us, cold winter evenings to come.