In June 2017 pupils of Penglais School, Aberystwyth, took part in the #WaterPoet2017 John Taylor project. They used a School Pack, which I provided, in order to consider John Taylor's journey through Mid Wales, from Bangor to Carmarthen. The pupils who took part worked on this while in the English as an Additional Language unit (EAL).
The pack contained an extract from the modern spelling edition, but they did well to read writing from nearly 400 years ago. The project gave the pupils a chance to compare their impression of Aberystwyth to that of an early modern travel writer and Londoner. They were also encouraged to think about Aberystwyth's place in Wales and its history. See a selection of their work below.
I'm tremendously grateful for the input into the project from these Penglais pupils!
Extract from School Pack
John Taylor normally worked in London as a waterman. He rowed people in a boat across the Thames River at a time when there weren’t very many bridges. But he also liked writing and travelling – he was known as ‘the Water Poet’.
In 1652 he travelled from London around Wales and back – nearly 600 miles. He walked much of the way but sometimes he got on his horse. This horse was quite old but sturdy, a bit like John Taylor who had his 74th birthday during his trip. When he got home he arrange for the story of his journey to be published. He was providing news about Wales to people in London and he was trying to earn some money from the sale of his travel writing.
He travelled just after the English Civil War (1642–1651) and he was interested to see how that war had affected the places that he visited. He wanted to know how well they were doing since the war.
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This pack contains the section of his writing relating to Aberystwyth. It begins a few days before and a few miles north in Bangor and it ends in Carmarthen, south of Aberystwyth.
Some questions to answer (based on the extract)
1. Where did John Taylor stay during his journey?
2. What did John Taylor see in Aberystwyth?
3. As well as the market, what had made the town successful and prosperous in the past? (hint: something to do with digging underground)
4. What did John Taylor think about Aberystwyth?
5. What kinds of food does John Taylor mention in his travel writing?
6. What is the name of John Taylor’s horse?
7. Who is said to have been born in Carmarthen?
8. Why did John Taylor have to pay more than usual to get a guide to show him the way sometimes? (Hint: something to do with the time of year and farming)
9. How would describe Aberystwyth now to someone who hasn’t been there?
10. Can you mark out this part of John Taylor’s journey on a map of Wales?
Chear Meng, Yr 7
Victor Andronache, Yr 7
Alharith Aljahwari, Yr 7
How would you describe Aberystwyth?
Aberystwyth is a small town located in Mid Wales. Aberystwyth is historcally part of Ceredigion. The town has two major rivers called Rheidol and Ystwyth. Aberystwyth has a pier and seafront which stretches pass the Constitution hill. Aberystwyth has a Castell from the English Civil War.
Aberystwth areas include Llanbadarn Fawr, Waunfawr, Llanbadrn, Trefechn, Penparcau. The most populated area is Penparcau. The town of Aberystwyth is one hour and forty five minutes away from the nearest city, Swansea. To get there people can use cars or the local bus station or the train station. Aberystwyth also has the National Library of Wales which was built in 1874. Aberystwyth also has a harbour. Near the harbour is the first Aberystwyth University which was biuld in 1872, two years before the National Library was built. Later on the unversity was upgraded and was rebuilt near the National Library.
Toward the end of each year students from the UK and around the world come to Aberystwyth University. This causes the business to increase, the population to rise and more money is brought to Aberystwyth. There is more culture and the town is busy during the night and day. There are camp fires and parties on the beach and the town seems more lively when the students are here.
Zaid Khan (Yr 10)
Penglais School
Answers provided by Hamzah Al Shakarchi, Yr 7:
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John Taylor stayed in Bangor, Caernarfon, Clenennau, Harlech, Barmouth, Aberdyfi, Aberystwyth, Llanfair Clydogau and Carmarthen.
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John Taylor saw in Aberystwyth a strong castle and many houses which had been destroyed by the civil war.
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The silver mines had made Aberystwyth successful and prosperous.
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John Taylor thought Aberystwyth was a miserable town.
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John Taylor mentions the following kinds of food: a hen, bacon, butter, salmon, eggs and pears.
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John Taylor’s horse is called Dun.
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Merlin the prophet is said to have been born in Carmarthen.
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John Taylor had to pay more than usual to get a guide to show him the way because it was harvest time.
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To someone who hasn’t been in Aberystwyth it is a town that is on the seaside. It has a population around 13,000. There is a famous castle and a university there.
