In this final episode of the first series of Tramping's Return to My Trees, Matthew Yeomans walks from the Bwlch Mountain to Maesteg. Along the way he contemplates the legacy of the coal industry to the people and the landscape of South Wales, and he considers the lessons that can be learned for a just transition as societies begin to move away from dependence on fossil fuels.

The Tramping podcast will be back with a new series in early 2025.

Credits:

Narrated by Matthew Yeomans

Edited by Dylan Yeomans

Music by Filkins Drift

In this episode, Matthew Yeomans walks further up the Rhondda Fach exploring the history and legends of Penrhys, and the great coal discovery in Ton Pentre that made Welsh black gold the most sought after source of energy in the world.

Credits:

Narrated by Matthew Yeomans

Edited by Dylan Yeomans

Music by Filkins Drift

In this latest episode, author Matthew Yeomans explores the coal industry's impact on South Wales during the early 19th Century. He visits Castell Coch on the edge of Cardiff and Cymmer in the Rhondda Fach, examining the legacy of the Bute and Insole families - including the infamous 1856 Cymmer Colliery disaster that killed 114 men and boys.

Credits:

Narrated by Matthew Yeomans

Edited by Dylan Yeomans

Music by Filkins Drift

In this latest Tramping podcast episode, Matthew Yeomans explores Eglwysilan Common above Caerphilly, investigates Ifor Bach's rebellion against the new Norman lords and contemplates the impact that the Cistercian order had on Wales's relationship to the forest and nature. Spoiler alert - it involves a lot of sheep!

Credits:

Narrated by Matthew Yeomans

Edited by Dylan Yeomans

Music by Filkins Drift

The Normans are coming! And that's bad news if you're Welsh back in the 11th century.

In this new episode of the Tramping podcast, Matthew Yeomans walks through the south Wales countryside and hills exploring how the Norman invasion changed local people's relationship to the land and the woodlands they had depended on for food, fuel and shelter. Talk about 1066 and all that....

Credits:

Narrated by Matthew Yeomans

Edited by Dylan Yeomans

Music by Filkins Drift

In this episode, Matthew Yeomans follows the old Monmouthshire canal route from Newport towards Rogerstone and explores the mythology surrounding the Celtic Saints who came to prominence in what is often called The Dark Ages. We meet Gwynllyw, the Welsh pirate saint, Melangell protector of animals, glorious Gwladys and very holy Cadoc. Could they have drawn inspiration from the ancient Druids?

In this latest episode, Matthew Yeomans tramps from Caerleon to the outskirts of Newport exploring the Roman legacy and how the legend of King Arthur became so closely associated with this part of South Wales.

Credits:

Narrated by Matthew Yeomans

Edited by Dylan Yeomans

Music by Filkins Drift

In this new episode, author Matthew Yeomans continues his tramping journey through Wentwood Forest exploring the impact the Romans had on the Silurian people, the Druids and the trees of Wales when they invaded back in 49AD.

Their approach to warfare and to ruling would further accelerate the decline of Welsh forests and the attacks on nature.

Credits:

Narrated by Matthew Yeomans

Edited by Dylan Yeomans

Music by Filkins Drift