L to R: Carla Rapoport, Susan Adams, Elizabeth Jeffreys

Art

Join us – Support an Artist Commission!

In 1912, 910 women donated to a subscription to have a life-sized oil portrait of Gwenllian commissioned. That oil portrait still hangs in Brecon’s Guildhall.

By contrast, there is very little of Gwenllian Morgan’s legacy to be seen anywhere else in Brecon. Y Gaer’s historic courtroom, for example, features only portraits and busts of men. This has now been corrected following the installation of a sculpture of Gwenllian in the central niche of y Gaer’s historic courtroom in April 2025.

Following an open competition in early 2024, local artist Susan Adams, pictured above, was selected to produce the commission. Susan created the sculpture from local wood and will add 4 animations to be activated by viewers smartphones or watched on a nearby screen later in 2025.

This project was initiated by Elizabeth Jeffreys and Carla Rapoport, Secretary and Committee Member respectively, Brecon Story Network.

If you’d like to support this exciting project, please click on the donate button.

Photo of Susan Adams’ maquette.

Stories

The Welsh Archers

The Battle of Agincourt took place on October 25 1415 in Northern France. The stirring story of Henry V’s forces defeating a much larger French army has become one of the most celebrated events in British history, inspiring poems and play through the ages.

Fun and Festivities with Brecon With Bells On

A fun-filled day of free music and entertainment through town, Brecon With Bells On is the annual event that celebrates the switching on of the town lights and heralds the start of the build-up to Christmas.

A Gift for the Spirit and the Town

Within the bleak mid-winter, a bright light came to sing at Brecon Cathedral. Hear how this came to happen as Nic Groombridge interviews the Dean of Brecon.

Brecon Festival Ballet

When the Brecon Festival Ballet performed its inaugural show of The Nutcracker at Theatr Brycheiniog in December 2019, it notched up a lot of firsts. The show has gone from strength to strength and 2024 sees it returning for 5 shows just before Christmas.

Rorke’s Drift

Brecon’s long and storied military history takes in many of the most significant conflicts of the last several hundred years, but perhaps the most famous is the battle of Rorke’s Drift during the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879.

Brecon’s pioneering woman doctor honoured with Purple Plaque

A pioneering, Brecon-born woman doctor, campaigner and social reformer has been honoured with Wales’ 11th Purple Plaque, unveiled on the place of her birth in High Street, Brecon.

1st Female Mayor of Wales

The new sculpture of Gwenllian Morgan has been unveiled at y Gaer. This was commissioned as part of the celebrations of International Women’s Day 2024.

Brecon Celebrates Centenary of Regimental Memorial

The centenary of the South Wales Borderers and Monmouthshire Regiments’ war memorial has been marked in a moving service in Brecon Cathedral.

Our Stories

Brecon Story

Brecon Story offers an insight to the ‘fabric’ of our town - what makes it special, both now and because of the stories that have shaped its history and the heritage buildings that we are so proud of.

Both our residents and people who visit the town can be enriched by the knowledge and context that these stories offer you.

What's On?

"Bringing Gwenllian Morgan to Life"

Brecon Women's History Group

Brecon enjoys a rich history, going back to the mid-5th century. While women have played key roles in that history, their stories have not been well researched or celebrated.

Learn More