Twm Carnabwth - Thomas Rees - is one of West Wales' legendary figures.

Twm, from his miserly cottage on the slopes of the Preselau, led the gang of 'Merched Beca' to demolish the Efailwen tollgate on three occasions during the summer of 1839.

The peasants of the area believed that the erection of another tollgate was nothing but outright oppression particularly since only the owner, Englishman, Thomas Bullin, would profit.

It added to the farmers' hardship since they carted lime from Ludchurch at that time of the year to manure their poor soil. Paying for the lime was enough of a burden let alone paying for its haulage at various tollgates. The tolls they believed were unjustified.

That is why Twm Carnabwth led a gang of men at dead of night to smash the Efailwen tollgate. After it was smashed to smithereens on a third occasion in broad daylight with a crowd of 500 onlookers Thomas Bullin gave up the idea of collecting tolls at Efailwen.

'Carnabwth' on Maenclochog Square on July 17, 18, 19 will re-enact the episode as well as portray the circumstances that led to the 'Rebecca Riots'.

The rebels decided to wear petticoats, shawls and bonnets because of a prevailing belief that women would not be arrested and prosecuted for flouting the law.

It is believed that 'Beca' was the name of a formidable lady who lent her petticoat to Twm and the men called each other by the names of the lenders of clothes!

Who was Twm? What sort of man was he? The stories about him are legion. It is understood that he was a fearsome fighter at the regular fairs of the time. Indeed, he lost an eye in a pub fracas eight years after the Efailwen episode.

But in his later years he was highly respected as a regular and useful member of Capel Bethel, Mynachlogddu. It is worth seeing the verse on his gravestone on the western side of the chapel - a verse that adds to the myth surrounding Twm and underlines his own humour as a compulsive legpuller.

Despite his early indiscretions it is believed that in his own way he possessed something of the mountain dignity and a deep sense of fair play towards his fellow men.

'Carnabwth' is a community show put together by local inhabitants as a sign of their sense of heritage. Following the local insurrection the 'Rebecca Riots' later spread across West Wales in the early '40s of the 19th century.

The show has been organised by Cymdeithas Clychau Clochog and funding and support has been received from the Arts Council, Welsh Development Agency, Pembrokeshire County Council and PLANED.

If more information is require d - or tickets need to be booked - please contact either Cyril Ridley (01437) 532264 or Rebeca Ashe (01437) 532556.