A book about the “different and dramatic story” of the Dyfi Estuary has been launched at a Machynlleth museum.

The Dyfi Estuary – An Illustrated History, by Richard Mayou, is being published by the Machynlleth Tabernacle Trust, in both Welsh and English, and is the “first to tell the whole story” of the estuary.

A launch event was held on Thursday, 2 September, at MOMA Machynlleth.

A spokesperson for MOMA said: “The Dyfi estuary looks peaceful and unchanging, but this book tells a different and dramatic story.

“There have been armies, great estates, a centre of seaborne trade, a great woollen industry, cattle droving and fishing of salmon and herring and internationally renowned mines and quarries. Now its post-industrial landscape is a place of sheep farming, conservation, and tourism.

“This highly readable book is the first to tell the whole story.

“It will be an essential companion for all those who know and visit the Dyfi. It is very good to look at with 160 illustrations of maps, paintings, drawings, and photographs.

“It puts the local history of the estuary and the lands around from the sea to Machynlleth into a context of thousands of years as a strategic centre of Wales and of European trade.

“Sections cover Geography, Travel, History, Towns and Villages and Overviews of farming, forestry, fishing, industries, trade, and historic houses.”

Richard Mayou is a retired Professor of Psychiatry and Fellow of Nuffield College at Oxford University. He has visited the Dyfi area every year of his life since 1952.

The evening, which was chaired by Dr Emyr Wynn Williams, consisted of a reception and talk from Richard on his experience of writing the book - “namely how the research process changed his perceptions of the Dyfi Valley as he came to realise the vital role this area has played over the years in contributing toward trade, commerce, community and culture both locally and internationally”.

This was followed by a panel discussion, made up of Judith Alfrey, Cyril Jones, Lydia Jones and Richard Mayou in which the members shared their reflections on the book and responded to audience questions.

The book, published in both English and Welsh, are currently available in store at MOMA Machynlleth and online at moma.cymru.