Allan James talks about two local stories at Maesteg Library, 4th November 1998. The Maid of Cefn Ydfa is the tragic love story of Ann Thomas (1704 - 1727) and Will Hopcyn (1700 - 1741). Ann was from in the village of Llangynwyd, Maesteg and fell in love with the thatcher Will Hopcyn. Unfortunately she was forced to marry Anthony Maddocks, but Ann is deeply unhappy. Will Hopcyn is known for his song "Bugeilio'r Gwenith Gwyn" a firm favourite of the local choirs in the valley. the Maid of Sker tells the story of Elizabeth Williams and Thomas Evans, a harpist. Elizabeth's father was furious and locked her in her room at Sker House, Porthcawl. Forced to marry Thomas Kirkhouse of Neath, but pines for her love. Within nine years of her marriage, Elizabeth dies in 1776. The story is greatly changed and immortalised by R. D Blackmore (author of Lonra Doone) in 1872.