The Cambrian Mountains, Alyn Wallace and Dafydd Wyn Morgan

Large images of the Elan Valley by Alyn.
Image above of the aurora in the Cambrian Mountains by Dafydd Wyn Morgan.

“I’ll never forget my first night under the stars here. Gazing down from the steep valley walls upon the reflection of the Milky Way took my breath away instantly.”..Alyn Wallace

Dafydd Wyn Morgan talks about Alyn, including the Dark Skies Rum inspired by Alyn.

I could not believe the dark skies of the Cambrian Mountains. Stunningly dark, no light pollution, to the eye the stars and the Milky Way were as sharp as a pin.

On Saturday 27th July a few of us, including Alyn’s parents, Pauline and Ian, had assembled to remember Alyn at the Triangle Inn, a beautiful 16th century hostelry in the equally beautiful market town of Rhayader in mid-Wales. The event was organised by Dafydd Wyn Morgan, Alyn’s friend and a manager at the Cambrian Mountains Initiative. Also there were some of Alyn’s friends, fellow photographers Kevin Nash, Greg Lawson, Nick Jackson, Jawad Saleem, Kat Lawman, and Gareth Môn Jones. Joining us on the night were Elan Valley farmers Brian and Sorcha Lewis. Sorcha had met Alyn in the Elan Valley on numerous occasions and is a keen night photographer herself.

It was perfect timing as advance copies of Alyn’s Memorial edition had just arrived, main shipment is due back on 9th September when copies will be mailed out.

You can purchase a copy HERE

After the perfect evening in the Triangle Inn (the food and beer were superb), with the ‘hwyl’ typically Welsh, we then assembled at Cronfa Ddŵr Craig Goch/Craig Goch Reservoir  and Dafydd led us up Esgair Gris to a wonderful viewpoint above the reservoir used by Alyn, who lived not far away in South Wales. We lit sparklers, thought of Alyn and took photographs.

And I don’t think seeing the stars reflecting in the still water will ever lose its novelty…Alyn Wallace

Dafydd first met Alyn in 2016 at the end of a day’s walking in the Elan Valley and Alyn was scouting out a night shot, the start of a friendship and over the next few years, Dafydd and Alyn really put the Cambrian Mountains on the map as regards night sky photography.

“We kept in touch and as a result of meeting Alyn I engaged with a variety of people to start a discussion on the creation of a trail of communities that could help achieve new Dark Sky Discovery Site status. With Allan Trow from Dark Sky Wales, we began setting up the Cambrian Mountains Mountains Astro Trail. Alyn produced a Dark Skies in the Cambrian Mountains video so that we could capture the imagination of local people and increase support for the Cambrian Mountains Astro Trail.”

I asked Dafydd, what are your and Cambrian Mountains plans to commemorate Alyn’s life?

“We are currently working with Alyn’s parents with regards having a memorial of some kind in the Elan Valley of the Cambrian Mountains. Early discussions have been held with Visit Wales – whom Alyn worked with on an various campaigns – as well as the Elan Valley Trust and Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water. More information will follow once all involved have discussed on the best way forward to commemorate and celebrate Alyn’s life under the dark skies of Wales”

As well as working with Alyn in the Cambrian Mountains, Dafydd also accompanied Alyn on a night sky workshop on Tenerife.

“I missed out on a workshop to Chile in 2023 but signed up for his May 2024 Namibia workshop. Sadly Alyn died a month or so before the Namibia adventure and I never got to spend another moment under the night sky with him.

The Namibia workshop went ahead thanks to Alyn’s family’s hard work and coordination. I made it out to the country on May the 5th and had the most amazing time under super dark skies. Alyn was in my thoughts throughout the trip and whilst other members of the group and Richard the local guide had never met Alyn, I made it known to them all how incredible a person Alyn was and had been to me both personally and professionally.”

The Cambrian Mountains Alyn Wallace Super 7 +1 Adventure

Dafydd intends to visit seven locations in the Elan Valley that Alyn photographed many years ago. “I’ve called it the “Alyn Wallace Super 7 +1 Adventure”. The +1 is a location I never got to share with Alyn but recently visited to spend a few quiet moments contemplating the loss of Alyn as a friend”.

Dafydd has provide information about the dark skies of the Cambrian Mountains at thecambrianmountains.co.uk/discover-dark-skies and whilst there you pick up several Dark Skies products including Dark Skies Preserve (jam) by Radnor Preserves, Star-themed chocolates by Sarah Bunton Chocolates, Dark Skies Coffee by Teifi Coffee, Dark Skies Rum by Dà Mhìle, Stargazer Tea by Morgan’s Brew Tea and Astro-themed artwork by Hafod Hardware. In 2025 there will be a limited edition of a star-themed t-shirt to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Elan Valley International Dark Sky Park in 2025 by Studio Mayfly.

Dafydd also runs Serydda (the Welsh for Stargazing) providing 60-minute stargazing experiences to local communities and visitors as well as supporting local tourism and hospitality businesses to make the most of world-class dark skies of the Cambrian Mountains.

Dafydd would like to convey his continued sympathies to Alyn’s family, partner and friends at a time when his passing continues to be difficult to comprehend to so many.