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Darllen yn GymraegExplore R. S. Thomas's years at Eglwysfach
R. S. Thomas served as vicar at Eglwysfach from 1954 to 1967, linking this part of the Dyfi Valley with an important period of his poetry. Explore the church's setting and surrounding habitats alongside his writing on faith, identity and rural life. Check access arrangements before making a visit specifically to the church.
An artistic partnership
His wife, the artist Elsi Eldridge, also responded to the landscape. Together they made distinctive changes to the church interior, adding another local connection between visual art and writing.
Birds and the estuary
Thomas shared an interest in birds and conservation with naturalist Bill Condry. The woods, wetlands and open views around Ynyshir make an evocative setting for considering this side of his life.
Keep exploring
Image credits: The mouth of the Dyfi estuary - geograph.org.uk - 5699748.jpg — Nigel Brown / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons). · National Library of Wales.jpg — Ian Capper / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons). Images may be resized or cropped for the layout.
Sources and visitor information: Dictionary of Welsh Biography: R. S. Thomas