THE courage and fortitude of a handful of Cardiganshire families who emigrated to the United States in 1818 in search of a better life will be marked by a series of events around Aberaeron in June.

A hardy group of pioneers from 16 villages between Aberaeron and Tregaron set sail from Aberaeron bound for ‘The New World’, eventually settling in Ohio in an area which became known as Little Cardiganshire.

They established 25 Welsh-speaking chapels in the district, some of which still exist today.

Now, a committee set up to mark the bicentenary of the exodus is looking forward to welcoming around 50 American descendants of the settlers to a series of events from 23 to 30 June.

These include a barbecue at Tirbach farm, Cilcennin, home of John Jones, leader of the original six families who left for Ohio in 1818; and an open-air Cymanfa Ganu and bus trips to the homes of the original emigrants whose stories will be re-enacted on the quayside at Aberaeron.

The flagship event will be an open-air concert featuring, among others, former Royal harpist Catrin Finch and concert soprano Gwawr Edwards at Aberaeron’s Square Field on Saturday, 30 June.

Arwel Jones, a member of the 2018 Ohio Bicentenary Celebrations committee whose president is renowned Welsh television broadcaster Huw Edwards, said Aberaeron was central to the story even though the emigrants hailed from outlying villages.

See this week’s south papers for the full feature, available in shops and as a digital edition now