Our region is large and varied. It contains some of the most ancient rocks in the world and some of the greatest rivers of Britain - the Severn, Wye, Dee, and the headwaters of the Trent. Stone circles, pillars and hill-forts abound, especially in the western hills. There are many layers of Paganism in our region. The oldest recognisable layer is that of the 'beaker folk' - the Bronze / Iron age peoples. They left no written remains, but they have left a rich diversity of stone monuments too numerous to mention here. (Aubrey Burl's 'Stone Monuments of Great Britain', 1997, is an excellent introduction) Their use of metal aided them in this, as it did in their introduction of agriculture.

Next to arrive were the Celts from northern and central Europe. Like their kinsfolk the Gauls in what was to be France, they were ruled by Druids, masters of the magical and mystic arts, who were superior to the kings and chieftains.

The Celts were called 'teutones' by the Romans from which the word 'teuton' comes. It comes in turn from a Celtic word 'tuath' which means a 'people'. The Romans, Pagans of a Mediterranean kind, were tolerant of and indeed interested in Celtic Paganism. The Pagans could believe and do what they liked - providing that they accepted Roman authority. But the Druids of Anglesey repudiated that, rather unwisely. The Roman general Suetonius Plotinus - the first Roman leader to lead his army across the Atlas mountains - invaded Anglesey in 61 AD., faced up to the warrior army - which was mixed with priestesses in ceremonial dress, all surrounded with the burning smell of human sacrifices - and defeated them. It was the end of organised Druidry in Britain.

Thereafter many Celts, especially the younger, brighter ones, became romanised. Paulinus then went on to defeat Boudicca, queen of the Iceni, and became governor of Britain for almost twenty years. This battle took place somewhere in the Midlands, almost certainly in our region. So when you visit us, keep your eyes open!

The Roman empire became officially Christian under Constantine in 324 AD. But Pagans of dfferent kinds continued to pour into Britain from northern Europe. Danes, Vikings,and especially Saxons , settled on the North and Irish sea coastlands, pushing the Celts, both Pagan and romanised, into the uplands of the west. This mixed Pagan heritage is very noticeable in our region. We have the 71 acre hill-top bronze age fort on the top of Titterstone Clee hill, abundant Celtic stone monuments in the hills and lowlands, the splendid Roman city of Uriconium (Wroxeter) which is only partly excavated, and the fascinating and strange Abbot’s Bromley horn dance in Staffordshire every September.

There is very much more of our region's Pagan heritage which could be mentioned. And a great deal more which needs to be discovered.

Pagan Federation South Wales Summer Camp
27 to 29th of May 2011
for more info/programme of event: visit www.myddle-earth.info
or e-mail pfsouthwales@gmail.com
Tickets on sale via Paypal.

Burslem, Stoke on Trent, 3rd Monday: History and Beyond at the Leopard, 21 Market Place ST6 3AA, 8.00pm. £3 entrance. Speakers, guided walks and paranormal investigations Contact Byron Machin, 07757736606, byronjamesmachin@hotmail.co.uk

Cardiff Moot, at the Owain Glyndwr in Cardiff Central every 1st Tuesday @ 7. 30 pm, e-mail Charlene, Midnight and Katy on pfsouthwales@googlemail.com for more information or visit us on facebook Cardiff Pagan Federation Moot.

Carmarthen Moot last Thursday 7.30pm onwards. Held at The Drover's Arms, Lammas Street, SA31 3AP. Moot dates are subject to change! Please contact for confirmation. Susan: 01267 281414 or Paul Rousselle, tel 07872 992162 or paulkwrousselle@yahoo.co.uk

Chester 1st Monday at 7.30pm at The Town Crier, City Road, CH1 3AE. Contact Mark at 07939 577796, whitephoenix500@yahoo.com. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cheshire-pagans/

Etruria, Stoke on Trent, first Tuesday at The Holy Inadequate pub, Shelton New Road, ST1 5PE, Roma Paganism, trad beer and a warm welcome. Contact kalandshel@gmail.com

Kidsgrove/Stoke on Trent. Last Tuesday at the Blue Bell, Hardingswood ST7 1EG. 8pm. Talks, quizzes, socials. Everyone welcome. £2 for speaker fund. Contact, Pat, 01782 863532, pat.pitts@ntlworld.com.

Lampeter 1st Sunday at the Cwmanne Tavern, Cwmann Terrace from around 7.30pm, An informal meeting of Pagans, Druids, Asatruans, Wiccans, Witches, Shamans, Heathens, Magicians, Muggles, Students, Klingons and anyone else who wants to come along. Contact Carle at pagan@lamp.ac.uk.

Neath Moot last Friday of the month starting at 7.30pm at JK's restaurant, Briton Ferry, in the side room. Contact 07975634990. For details and maps visit http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/pfwales/files/Crown Inn/, 07975634990 or pfsouthwales@gmail.com for further info.

Newport Coffee Morning - Run by The Shadows Light Coven. Last Saturday of the month, 10am - 1pm, in Coffee #1, Newport Town Centre, South Wales. For more information, please contact the.shadows.light@hotmail.com

Oswestry first Tuesday 7.30pm at The Golden Lion, Upper Church Street, SY11 2AA. Contact Steve Ludford, offasring@lineone.net, 01691 679066.

Pembrokeshire Moot Haverfordwest. 1st Saturday 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm. For further details s10.invisionfree.com/West_Wales_Pagans

Pontardawe Y Garreg a'r Crochan moot, first Monday 7.30pm at the Ivy Bush Hotel, High Street, Pontardawe Swansea SA8 4JN. Contact Jude on ygarregarcrochan@gmail.com or visit www.ygarregarcrochan.moonfruit.com There's also a facebook page: Y Garreg A'r Crochan Pagan Moot.

Pontypridd Moot 2nd Wednesday at Flagstones Bar in Trefforest Pontypridd at 7-30 pm. It is hoped to arrange other activities including ceremonies for the sabbats, talks, workshops and lots more! for further information please e-mail the.shadows.light@hotmail.com or call 07859815618.

Presteigne at the Radnorshire Arms Hotel, Presteigne, Powys. Starting at 7 30pm. We are in a private room upstairs. Entry £1 for costs. FFI 01547 510 343

Ruthin, 1st Wednesday of the month 8-10pm, For venue and details, please phone Sioned on 01490 412909

Shrewsbury 1st Thursday 8.00pm: Mind and Body and Spirit. Quaker Meeting Hall, Corporation Lane, Coton Hill, Shrewsbury. £4 admission includes refreshments. Kerry & Kim Tel 01743 271792 or 350017.

Shrewsbury The Minstrels Moot is every second Sunday of the month from 6.45pm until 10.30pm The Loggerheads pub, Church Street, Shrewsbury. Open to all pagan/pagan friendly folk, lively discussion & occasional ceremonies/events. Contact mrshipz@yahoo.co.uk

Stafford 3rd Tuesday 8.00pm at The Shrewsbury Arms, 75 Eastgate Street ST16 2NG. Meet like-minded people for a drink and a chat. £2 when there's a speaker. Contact Ellen, ellen.nicholson@btinternet.com or Ian, 01785 227471, raggedrobin@live.co.uk

Stoke on Trent Mysteries Group. 2nd Tuesday at the Red Lion, Old Stoke Road, Hartshill ST4 6ES, 8.00pm. Researching the unexplained. Note: meetings run from September to May, and venue may change. Contact mjwaltersuk@yahoo.co.uk http://mysteriesgroup.atspace.org/

Swansea Moot 3rd Tuesday, at Mozart's on Walter Road. 7.30 pm onwards. For further information phone Cyt on 01792 578309.

Tamworth /Tame Weoth Grove 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 8.00pm at the Ogma Centre 36B George Street, Tamworth B79 7LJ 0786 7844409

Usk: 3rd Tuesday in the month 7.30pm at The New Court Inn, 62 Maryport Street, Usk, NP15 1AD. Ffi Tye at tazwelsh5@hotmail.com or telephone 07786-050 700

Valleys Moot - We are in the process of sorting a new location. Contact Richard Blackburn on 07980977515 or e-mail krishak2099@hotmail.com

Wellington, near Telford. First Wednesday at the Red Lion Pub Holyhead Road,TF1 2EW from 8.00pm. Open and social moot, all welcome. Contact Pat French, 07967329909, flutes@moonforge.com

Wrexham Moot Will anyone interested in a moot in Wrexham, or nearby, please contact Steve.01691 679066, offasring@lineone.net