Kilvert's Hay

On Wednesday of the Hay Festival, which ran 28 May to 6 June, the Kilvert Society did a short guided tour around the town. Michael Sharp, Society Chairman, led the walk, pointing out along the way various places mentioned by Kilvert in his diary. There were about twelve people in the gathering and the weather was gloriously sunny. The group was taken to see the old railway station frequently used by Kilvert, closed in the 1960's and now a busy commercial yard. During a reading by the riverbank a new 'member' of the Society, Milly, tried to tag along but the spaniel's mistress eventually caught up with her and took her home. Michael read a bit from the diary which referred to Mr Meredith, a clever man with whom Kilvert had many interesting conversations. Mr Meredith's house still stands, very near to Hay bridge. The party stopped outside The Kilvert Hotel which was once the home of Dr Clouston and Michael read the diary entry for Sunday 27 August 1871 '......I went to Cae Mawr. Mrs Morrell told me of the fearful accident that happened to their carriage in Hay last Friday week. The coachman had gone into the Post Office to get a morning order, leaving Hopie, (son of Mrs Morrell), alone on the box. Loud shouts and singing and uproar from the Blue Boar (pub) terrified the horse. At every fresh shout he plunged and backed and at last bolted past the castle round the sharp turn, the carriage poised on two wheels as the horse flew round and down two streets by Dr Clouston's to Morgan the maltsters. Hopie screamed but gallantly held on to the carriage and reins. Mrs Bevan heard the screams. The people said the horse and carriage went by their doors like lightning. They did not know what had passed and Hopie saw Pope coming and cried to him to stop the horse. Pope threw his umbrella at the horse and made him madder than before. Then a man dashed his hat in the horse's face. And then came the smash. The town wheelbarrow stood in the street, the horse jumped it, got part of the carriage over, and then fell with the carriage in a heap of ruins. Hopie was thrown out and dragged and the carriage passed over him. Then, he recollected afterwards, something was lying upon him and he could not breathe. The terror and excitement and the shouts of the crowd and the screams of the women were dreadful. Henry Dew was driving by to dine at Llan Thomas. He made his girls get out and walk on to Llan Thomas, and took Hopie to Cae Mawr in his carriage. Clouston was out. Messengers were sent after him running every way, and soon he came galloping over to Clyro, with his horse all in a foam. He examined Hopie but beyond severe bruises and hysterics and fright nothing was the matter. No internal injury. It was a marvellous escape.' It was indeed! The final stop was St Mary's church, and a welcome cup of tea and slice of cake! Photograph shows group listening to a reading on Hay bridge.