There is something autumnal about foxes. Maybe it’s the fact that the colour of their coats reminds us of dried, fallen leaves. Or maybe it’s because, as the days shorten, there is more chance that we’ll be out walking at the same time as the fox wends his way back to his den after a night of hunting.
The Fox on the Common
Known as Cadno in south Walian Welsh but Llwynog in the north, the fox has a strong connection to this area. Mainly, perhaps, because he has lent his name to Bedlinog – one of the villages backing onto the Common. There is also a stream – the Nant Llwynog – that begins its journey on the Common, traveling down through Pits Woods, into Parc Nant Llwynog then down under the square before it joins the Afon Tâf Bargod near the Bedlinog Inn. This pub is known locally as the ‘Tav’. This name is likely to derive from Tafarn Isha, the old Welsh description of it – the lower tavern.
One of the farms that has grazing rights on the Gelligaer and Merthyr Common is Bedlinog Farm. But as late as 1841 the name of the farm was recorded as Bedlinog Uchaf (Upper Bedlinog). There is a deed from 1604 for a large field called Gwayne vedlinog that probably became part of Coly Isaf farm later on. The following description of Coly Isaf appeared in 1688: “a tenement and lands called Bodloynog alias Tir Coli”. It is probable then, according to the Gelligaer Historical Society, that Bedlinog referred originally to a geographical area of land rather than the name of a farm.
At one point, the current village of Bedlinog was split in two – the bottom was Cwm Felin because of the mill (Melin) that used the water of the Nant Llwynog and the Taf Bargod to turn its wheel, and what is now the higher part of the village was known as Llwyn Crwn after the farm of the same name.
Over the past decade and longer, there have been discussions about the origin of the name Bedlinog. Some insist that it stems from Bedd Llwynog – the Fox’s Grave. However, by looking at the names of nearby villages, we notice quite quickly that the first part of the name – Bed – also appears in other nearby villages, like Bedwellty and Bedwas for example. This Bed – just like the ‘bed’ in Bedlinog – most probably comes from the word ‘bod’ – which means permanent home, dwelling place – ‘abode’. For an area that has lost its Welsh dialect – y Wenhwyseg or Gwentian in English – these local names are one of the final ties that we have to the Welsh that was once spoken here by almost everyone, and by older members of local families until the last few decades. By holding on to the name as it is – Bedlinog – we hold on to a language that has been taken away from us. But on our tongues, its secrets remain.
The Fox and Bedlinog
Locally, the road that leads from Bedlinog towards the Pengarn Bugail car park is known as The Fox. And as that road reaches the cattlegrid, just as the Common spreads out before us, there used to be a pub called The Fox and Hounds. All that remains are its ruins with the odd sheep using the empty rooms – now full of grass and moss and fern – to shelter from the summer sun or the harsh weather of winter.
It is true to say that the fox is an unofficial totem for the people of Bedlinog. The rugby team is known as the foxes and if you ever drive or walk through the village – look carefully around you. On a stone, on a rugby post, on a front door, a window – you’ll see an array of images of the fox.
The Life of a Fox
The foxes that live in Wales are Red Foxes and their Latin name is Vulpes Vulpes. In good conditions the fox can live to be twelve years old – but life is hard. As a result of road accidents, hunting and diseases most foxes only live for around two to three years. In December the male fox will start looking for his vixen and will follow her around for months before she’s ready to mate. The vixen will be pregnant for 53 days and in that period, and while the fox cubs are newborns, she will be entirely dependent on her mate for food. She almost never leaves the den until the cubs are strong enough to face the world. They are born in March or April.
October and November are also important months for the fox as this is the time of year when the young adult foxes and some vixens look for dens. To announce this important time in a young fox’s life you will often hear them barking and howling. Listen carefully at night this month. You can hear the sound of their freedom echoing across the Common.
The Fox in Music and Literature
There is an opera by the Czech composer Leoš Janáček called Příhody lišky Bystroušky which translates as The Adventures of the Sharp Eared Vixen but the English title – The Cunning Little Vixen – was taken from the German translation by Max Brod. This is the title now used all over the world – apart from in Leoš Janáček’s home country. The opera was composed between 1921 and 1923 but the story is still as beautiful and sad today as it was a century ago. You can hear the opera in full by clicking below:
Welsh speaking children from the 1950s onwards are very familiar with the children’s story Siôn Blewyn Coch about a red-haired fox, his wife Siân Slei Bach and their children. He is the hero who manages to outsmart the farmer Eben every single time. And in 2011 Welsh writer Siân Melangell published the short story ‘Foxy’ inspired by a taxidermy fox owned by the writer’s family.
The Gelligaer and Merthyr Common is a patchwork of animals, insects, birds, plants, trees, stones, rocks, ponds and ancient ruins… and all the while, the fox is there weaving his away amongst it all, lending his name and his legend to stream and land, village and road as well as the grassy, moss-filled ruins of old public houses.
I am Red Fox – why do you need me?
I am your double,
Jackie Morris
your ghost, your other,
The spirit of wild,
the spirit of weather,
Red is my fur and
red is my art,
And red is the blood,
of your animal heart.
The above is a verse from the poem ‘Fox’ by writer and artist Jackie Morris who lives in Pembrokeshire.
Observations on the common: october
The beautiful photos and sketches in this blog piece were created by local artist @pollylove.studio
Thank you to the Gelligaer Historical Society for information about the names of farms and fields in the Bedlinog area.
