Literary Tea

Nanteos Mansion (near Aberystwyth)
Thursday 11th & 26th April 2-5pm

Over 100 members have now attended the 2 of the 3 teas organised by Public Affairs Committee for Ceredigion Federation Women's Institute. The third date is booked for September 26th 2-5pm

Gerald Morgan a well-known local historian introduced us to the history of the house and its family charting the loves and lives of both the Jones and the Powell families including all their inter-marriages. This was based on the research for his book on Nanteos which was for sale and book signing.

Surprising facts were learned including the life of George Powell (1788-1854). He was a friend of Charles Swinburne the famous poet, and an acquaintance of Richard Wagner. George was also a fan of the Marquis De Sade a French aristocrat, who was renowned as a revolutionary politician, philosopher and writer, who wrote prose and verse, but he specialised in testing the limits of decency, and shocking the aristocracy.

This talk was followed by Bill Hines from the Hugh Owen Library at Aberystwyth University, he gave details of the bequest to the University of the George Powell Collection. Apparently George Powell was an avid traveller and collector and the bequest includes Important books, music manuscripts and art. One of the books includes a schoolbook of William Thackeray and some of Shakespeare's works that had been owned by Ben Johnson. There is a score from Mendelssohn and also works from Rossetti and an etching from Rembrandt.

The talks were followed by an excellent afternoon tea and a tour of the house and stables.

Nanteos stable block

Below the mirror room where wedding ceremonies take place