Mineral mining: The harpist who was lost in the Ogo
The following tale was related to me when I was a lad some 50 years ago. The main points I have never forgotten. I have only a hazy recollection of the harpist's name. I think it was Ned Pugh. Ned asserted that he could walk from the Ogo to the Lion Inn, Llanymynech [underground]. He was not believed, and then he made a wager that he would on the following Sunday play a tune, at the usual time that the choir sang, that could be heard by all the congregation in Church. His boasting challenge was taken up.
On the following Sunday Ned went to the entrance of the Ogo on the hill carrying with him his harp, and he disappeared in the Ogo. As the time came on for the choir to sing, everyone was intently listening to catch the sound of the harp, and sure enough, out of the earth proceeded its sounds. The people distinctly heard a tune which the singers took up, and, when they had finished, the harpist too ceased. The poor man, though, never emerged out of the Ogo. It was thought that he lost himself in the inextricable windings, and there died a miserable death. That tune in consequence, was called 'Farewell Ned Pugh.' The distance from the mouth of the cave to the church is, perhaps, three-quarters of a mile. It is said that Ned had often played to the Lion Inn guests out of the cave.
Reproduced by kind permission of the The Montgomeryshire Collections. Volume XXIX 1896
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