Sorbus aucuparia as "Thor's protection". In English folklore, twigs of "S. aucuparia" were believed to ward off evil spirits and witches. The plant was called "the witch" in England and dowsing rods to find ores were made out of its wood. Twigs of "S. aucuparia" were used to drive cattle to the pasture for the first time in spring to ensure their health and fertility. The wooden shafts of forks and other farm implements were constructed from "S. aucuparia", to protect farm animals and production from witches' spells. In weather lore, a year with plentiful rowan fruit would have a good grain
Mountain Ash East Newtown, Caegarw, Cwmpennar and Cefnpennar. According to the 2011 UK Census Mountain Ash East had a population of 2,909. Mountain Ash East includes the village's Grade II listed St Margaret's Church, designed by John Pollard Seddon. An electoral ward of Mountain Ash East pre-existed the community. The ward elects one county councillor to Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council. Since 1995 the ward has been represented on the council by Plaid Cymru councillor, Pauline Jarman, who was previously a councillor on Cynon Valley Borough Council. She first stood for election in 1976. Cllr Jarman has been leader of the Plaid