Introduction

The Glasbury and surrounding area is a mainly rural one with rich valley soils on the flood plain where the larger farms are, rising to steeper slopes supporting smaller hill farms and then to common land and upland grazing, with the Radnor Hills to the north and the Black Mountains to the south.

In the past the community tended to be religiously strong, more self sufficient and with scattered population - but with large families. There was a lack of transport and the horse played a significant roll for both work and leisure. Agriculture and industry were initially geared to local needs i.e. sheep, cattle, pigs, various fowl and crops on the farming side ( with many householders keeping hens and sometimes a few sheep and a pig for personal use. ) It should be noted that as the population of major towns grew rapidly so did the demand for meat, poultry and other commodities, leading to the drovers routes up and down the country and as far as London with cattle for the needy market.

Cottage industries produced bread, butter, cheese, cakes, home grown vegetables, jams, clothes etc and these traditions survive today at a personal level, for fund raising for a variety of charities and at the numerous annual shows in the area. At a broader level were the corn mills, blacksmiths, coal merchants, timber felling and sawmills. By the mid 19th century shops included butchers, bakers, shoemakers and grocers (some dealing in sundries as well )

The larger farms and estates such as the Maesllwch and the Gwernyd provided much local and outside employment in the 19th century but less so as the level of mechanisation and transport improved during the next century. This and two world wars led to less labour intensive farming and rising costs for the larger estates produced a similar effect for its own workforce.

At a social level singing ( at home and in local choirs ), sport, games, local events, annual shows and visiting circuses along with the local hostelries have all played their part, as have the village halls, the W.I., the Young Farmers and the Scouts, Guides and Cubs in the 20th century.
Hunting, shooting and angling have long been prominent and still enjoy continuing support in the area.

B Bowker - March 3rd 2013