A colourful information board that tells the true story of Twm Siôn Cati was unveiled at Rhandir-mwyn last week.

The unveiling was carried out at the RSPB Gwenffrwd-Dinas Nature Reserve by Jonathan Edwards MP on Friday, March 22 with various items of entertainment.

Alun Jones, who has led a campaign to raise awareness of Twm Siôn Cati, said: "It was a pity that many of the people who flocked every year to Rhandir-mwyn to see Llyn Brianne reservoir and the red kite did not know about Twm Siôn Cati and his cave, which is in the wooded hills near the nature reserve car park.

“The board will help to give Twm the recognition and respect that he deserves.”

Improvements have already been made to the path leading to the cave and Carmarthenshire County Council has erected brown signs to guide visitors to the site.

Local County Councillor, Handel Davies, who was instrumental in installing the new signs, together with way markers along the path leading to the cave, said: "Although Twm Siôn Cati is the subject of several books, in Welsh and in English, and a television series based on his interesting life, he is not as well-known as he deserves to be.

“It’s hoped that the information board, signs and way markers will help to attract visitors here again so they can pay homage to one of Wales's iconic characters.”

RSPB Gwenffrwd-Dinas Site Manager, Mike Sidaway, added: “Twm Siôn Cati is one of Wales’ most renowned and colourful characters. However, not everyone is familiar with his life story.

“These new interpretation panels will allow visitors to learn about his life and discover his worth to the local community.

“We are proud of his link to RSPB Gwenffrwd-Dinas and look forward to helping recount his tales for years to come.”

When he was young, Twm Siôn Cati (1532-1609) was a wild and mischievous character, who often had to hide after playing tricks on the gentry and rich people. That is why he is known as the Robin Hood of Wales.

There was another side to his character, however. He was also a fervent Protestant. He had to flee to Geneva to escape persecution by the Catholic Queen Mary, but he returned to Wales after being forgiven by Elizabeth I.

The royal astrologer John Dee and the Protestant John Penry were among his friends. He turned to poetry and became a noted herald bard. Towards the end of his life, he married Joan, a rich widow who lived at Ystrad-ffin farm, not far from the cave.

At one time the cave attracted thousands of visitors annually, and dozens of names were carved in the rock. The earliest of these date from the beginning of the eighteenth century, but it is likely that there are earlier examples under the moss and lichen.

The carvings include the names of soldiers who travelled on horseback to the cave just before the First World War and used their bayonets to carve their names.