Misplaced Pages

Abergwili: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editContent deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 08:32, 20 May 2006 edit164.11.204.52 (talk)No edit summary← Previous edit Latest revision as of 16:37, 2 November 2024 edit undoDankJae (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users38,369 edits add/amend community mapTag: 2017 wikitext editor 
(143 intermediate revisions by 72 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
'''Abergwili''' is a ] in ], ], lying on the ]. {{Short description|Village and community in Carmarthenshire, Wales}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Infobox UK place
| country = Wales
| official_name = Abergwili
| constituency_welsh_assembly = ]
| static_image_name = St Davids Church Abergwili (geograph 3082469).jpg
| static_image_caption = St Davids Church
| coordinates = {{coord|51.866|-4.269|display=inline,title}}
| community_wales = Abergwili
| unitary_wales = ]
| lieutenancy_wales = ]
| constituency_westminster = ]
| population = 1612
| population_ref = <ref>(2011){{cite web|url=https://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=11119791&c=SA32+7EX&d=16&e=62&g=6491968&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&m=0&r=0&s=1428937287290&enc=1|title=Community population 2011 |access-date=13 April 2015}}</ref>
| post_town = ]
| postcode_district = SA32
| postcode_area = SA
| dial_code = 01267
| os_grid_reference = SN438210
| module= ]<br />Map of the community
}}
]
'''Abergwili''' ({{pronunciation|Abergwili.ogg|Welsh pronunciation|help=no}}) is a village and ] in ], Wales, near the confluence of the rivers ] and ], close to the town of ]. It is also an ]. Named after the village of Abergwili, the community includes the settlements of ], ] and White Mill. The grounds of the former Bishop's Palace are listed on the ].


== Bishop's Palace ==
It is known for its ], home to the ] until ] and now a ]. The bishop now lives at Llys Esgob.
The village is known for its Bishop's Palace, home to the ] since 1542, when Bishop ] transferred his palace from ] to Abergwili, re-using the premises of an older ] of priests. The building is believed to have been built between 1283 and 1291, when ] was made bishop of St Davids. It was known as a college until it was amalgamated with another to create Christ College in Brecon. It was almost completely rebuilt in 1903 following a disastrous fire. It contains the ] originally added by ] in 1625, when he was ]. In 1974 the old ] palace was purchased by ] for use as a museum, whilst a new residence for the bishops, "Llys Esgob", was built in part of the grounds, together with Diocesan Offices - thereby continuing a connection with Abergwili which has now lasted for well over 400 years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.carmarthenmuseum.org.uk/history/bishops_palace.html|title=Friends of Carmarthen Museum|access-date=12 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130814044733/http://www.carmarthenmuseum.org.uk/history/bishops_palace.html|archive-date=14 August 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>


Until 1802 the river Towy ran past the back of the Palace; it changed course and left an ]. Today it is a large lily pond with large amounts of wildlife.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.carmarthenmuseum.org.uk/history/garden.html|title=Friends of Carmarthen Museum}}</ref> The park is registered at Grade II on the ].<ref>{{NHAW|uid=117|num=PGW(Gm)59(CAM)|desc=Bishop's Palace, Abergwili |class=HPG|access-date=6 February 2023}}</ref>
Abergwili has seen a substantial increase in population in recent years with new property developments but has kept its character and rural tranquility.


== Amenities ==
The village is home to the Carmarthen Quins who are fierce rivals with Carmarthen Athletic who are situated in Carmarthen itself.
Abergwili has seen a substantial increase in population in recent years with new property developments but has kept its character and ] tranquility. The Celtic cross war memorial was built in memory of those from the village who died in the two world wars. Abergwili has a bilingual primary school in the centre.<ref> {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130709203548/http://www.abergwili.amdro.org.uk/Pages/default.aspx |date=July 9, 2013 }}</ref>


The village is home to the ] rugby union team. Merlin's Hill Centre is a farm which has been opened up to the public.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.merlinshill.com/index.html|title=Merlin's Hill Centre & Bed Breakfast, Carmarthen}}</ref> Merlin's Hill is next to the farm. There is a footpath that goes to the top of the hill, which is the site of an Iron Age hillfort.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.merlinshill.com/pages/merlin.html|title=Merlin, Merlins Hill and the old hill fort}}</ref> Merlin's Hill is down in local legend as the final resting place of ] from the ]. The "Wheat Sheaf" ] in the village is one of the oldest pubs in Carmarthenshire. Around 1850 there was also a pub called the "Albion Inn".
A tourist attraction in Abergwili that has received a lot of publicity recently is the Merlins Hill Centre which is a farm which has been opened up to the public and has a lot of activity, especially for younger children. Its situated at the top of the hill (and has fabulous views) where reportedly the Wizard Merlin's bones were discovered.


It has a hospital, ], and heritage railway, ]. It once had a ].
The Wheat Sheaf pub in the village is one of the oldest in Carmarthenshire retaining rural charm.


==Religious history==
John Carmody is one of the most well know characters currently residing in this village due to this links with the local football team and karaoke competitions. He is widely known as a 'karaoke mogul'. His nephew Carl Carmody represented Great Britain at the Special Olympics soccer tournament in the Republic of Ireland.
There are two places of ] worship in the village of Abergwili: Ebeneser Chapel, a Welsh ] Independent Chapel, and ], a ] ]. St David's was rebuilt in the early 1840s when the Rev. ] was vicar, on the foundations of a much earlier church. The new church was consecrated in 1843.<ref name="Coflen">{{cite web |title=St David's Church, Abergwili |url=https://coflein.gov.uk/en/site/117057/ |website=Coflein |publisher=Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales (RCAHMW) |access-date=20 May 2023}}</ref> The cost was £1,400, and Hughes was later to become ]. ] was buried at this church.


The parish of Abergwili also includes a number of other places of worship, including the church at Llanfihangel uwch Gwiliand the Independent (Congregationalist) chapel at Peniel.
Abergwili FC were formed in 1991, when it was felt the village needed to be re-launched as a vibrant suburb of Carmarthen. With many changes in the playing staff and managment structure over its 15 years of existence, it is hoped a stable period in the club's history is about to be embarked upon. John Camrody's resignation as Team Coach is heralding a new era. Carmody will be a hard act to follow after taking 'Gwili to succesive promotions, first as reserve team coach, then with the first team, which culminated in narrowly missing out on promotion to the Premier Division. However, after relegation two seasons ago, last year was a period of consolidation and rebuilding. Next season 'Gwili are expected to build the first team around youngsters such as Richard Foreman (alias - Teddy), Matthew Rowlands and the self professed 'David Beckham' of Abergwili, Jamie Evans, a powerful forward in the Lee McCulloch mold. Evans has recently recieved good reviews by local paper the Carmarthen Journal, and it is reported that Cardiff University Football Club have been monitoring his progress with one of their feeder sides. The first team is held together by midfield dynamo Chris Devon (ironically a former Carmarthen Athletic rugby star), who's tough tackling, no-nonsense style is popular with fans and players alike. First team captain Aled Williams is seen as the leader of this young side. Williams is comfortable on the ball, with a biting tackle and a penchant for the 'hollywood ball'; brother Gethin is a pacy forward who likes to run onto balls played behind the defence, and complements Lee 'Skinny' Davies and veteran Grant Tolchard who both know where the back of the net is. With a couple of fresh faces expected in the summer, 'Gwili are expecting to mount a promotion challenge back to Division 1 of the Carmarthenshire League, and look to bring back the prestigious Mond Cup, which was last won in 2001. Contorversially the Club changed from its traditional blue home kit, to a more ferverant yellow after announcing the largest sponsorship in its history with 'Outback' and Waterside - two prominent bar/nightclubs in Carmarthen. The blue kit was rumoured to be disliked by local legend Merlin the Magician who as previosuly mentioned resided in Abergwili.


==Local government==
In the 2004/2005 season Abergwili FC Seconds Team went through an 18 game unbeaten run. The gaffer, Mal Davies was inspirational in this run choosing to mix a team of experienced, versatile, veteran journeymen with young, pacy, enthusiastic kids. After a well publicised power struggle Davies has since resigned as seconds manager. He can now be spotted residing in local watering hole, 'The Wheat Sheef' and indulging in his hobby of participating in darts tournaments.
Abergwili is an ] for the purposes of elections to ]. From ] until 2017, the ward was represented by ] councillor Pam Palmer. Abergwili also has a community council. It was won by Plaid Cymru candidate Dorian Williams in 2017, who was succeeded by Neil Lewis in ].

The ] is bordered by the communities of: ]; ]; ]; ]; ]; and ], all being in Carmarthenshire.

== Notable people ==
* ] (1760–1850), Welsh Anglican priest and writer
* ] (1822–1897), Welsh bishop and scholar, ] from 1874, died in Abergwili
* ] (1854–1926), professor of Welsh, ] and ] from 1897; died in Abergwili
* ] (1856–1940), Welsh suffragette, feminist and public speaker; died in Abergwili
* ] (1860–1934), British sports journalist who wrote about rugby union and cricket

==References==
<references/>


== External links == == External links ==
{{commons category-inline|Abergwili}}
*{{gbmapping|SN433211}}
*
*
*

{{Communities of Carmarthenshire}}

{{authority control}}


] ]
]
{{Wales-geo-stub}}
]

Latest revision as of 16:37, 2 November 2024

Village and community in Carmarthenshire, Wales

Human settlement in Wales
Abergwili
St Davids Church
Abergwili is located in CarmarthenshireAbergwiliAbergwiliLocation within Carmarthenshire
Population1,612 
OS grid referenceSN438210
Community
  • Abergwili
Principal area
Preserved county
CountryWales
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townCarmarthen
Postcode districtSA32
Dialling code01267
PoliceDyfed-Powys
FireMid and West Wales
AmbulanceWelsh
UK Parliament
Senedd Cymru – Welsh Parliament
List of places
UK
Wales
Carmarthenshire

51°51′58″N 4°16′08″W / 51.866°N 4.269°W / 51.866; -4.269


Map of the community
1853 drawing of the village from Parade, Carmarthen

Abergwili (Welsh pronunciation) is a village and community in Carmarthenshire, Wales, near the confluence of the rivers Towy and Gwili, close to the town of Carmarthen. It is also an electoral ward. Named after the village of Abergwili, the community includes the settlements of Peniel, Llanfihangel-uwch-Gwili and White Mill. The grounds of the former Bishop's Palace are listed on the Cadw/ICOMOS Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Wales.

Bishop's Palace

The village is known for its Bishop's Palace, home to the Bishop of St David's since 1542, when Bishop William Barlow transferred his palace from St David's to Abergwili, re-using the premises of an older college of priests. The building is believed to have been built between 1283 and 1291, when Thomas Bek was made bishop of St Davids. It was known as a college until it was amalgamated with another to create Christ College in Brecon. It was almost completely rebuilt in 1903 following a disastrous fire. It contains the chapel originally added by Archbishop Laud in 1625, when he was Bishop of St David's. In 1974 the old episcopal palace was purchased by Carmarthenshire County Council for use as a museum, whilst a new residence for the bishops, "Llys Esgob", was built in part of the grounds, together with Diocesan Offices - thereby continuing a connection with Abergwili which has now lasted for well over 400 years.

Until 1802 the river Towy ran past the back of the Palace; it changed course and left an oxbow lake. Today it is a large lily pond with large amounts of wildlife. The park is registered at Grade II on the Cadw/ICOMOS Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Wales.

Amenities

Abergwili has seen a substantial increase in population in recent years with new property developments but has kept its character and rural tranquility. The Celtic cross war memorial was built in memory of those from the village who died in the two world wars. Abergwili has a bilingual primary school in the centre.

The village is home to the Carmarthen Quins rugby union team. Merlin's Hill Centre is a farm which has been opened up to the public. Merlin's Hill is next to the farm. There is a footpath that goes to the top of the hill, which is the site of an Iron Age hillfort. Merlin's Hill is down in local legend as the final resting place of Merlin from the Arthurian legend. The "Wheat Sheaf" pub in the village is one of the oldest pubs in Carmarthenshire. Around 1850 there was also a pub called the "Albion Inn".

It has a hospital, Glangwili General Hospital, and heritage railway, Gwili Railway. It once had a railway station.

Religious history

There are two places of Christian worship in the village of Abergwili: Ebeneser Chapel, a Welsh Nonconformist Independent Chapel, and St David's, a Church in Wales parish church. St David's was rebuilt in the early 1840s when the Rev. Joshua Hughes was vicar, on the foundations of a much earlier church. The new church was consecrated in 1843. The cost was £1,400, and Hughes was later to become Bishop of St Asaph. Richard Davies was buried at this church.

The parish of Abergwili also includes a number of other places of worship, including the church at Llanfihangel uwch Gwiliand the Independent (Congregationalist) chapel at Peniel.

Local government

Abergwili is an electoral ward for the purposes of elections to Carmarthenshire County Council. From 1995 until 2017, the ward was represented by Independent councillor Pam Palmer. Abergwili also has a community council. It was won by Plaid Cymru candidate Dorian Williams in 2017, who was succeeded by Neil Lewis in 2022.

The community is bordered by the communities of: Llanllawddog; Llanegwad; Llanarthney; Llangunnor; Carmarthen; and Bronwydd, all being in Carmarthenshire.

Notable people

References

  1. (2011)"Community population 2011". Retrieved 13 April 2015.
  2. "Friends of Carmarthen Museum". Archived from the original on 14 August 2013. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
  3. "Friends of Carmarthen Museum".
  4. Cadw. "Bishop's Palace, Abergwili (PGW(Gm)59(CAM))". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
  5. Ysgol Abergwili | Abergwili School Archived July 9, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  6. "Merlin's Hill Centre & Bed Breakfast, Carmarthen".
  7. "Merlin, Merlins Hill and the old hill fort".
  8. "St David's Church, Abergwili". Coflein. Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales (RCAHMW). Retrieved 20 May 2023.

External links

Media related to Abergwili at Wikimedia Commons

Communities of Carmarthenshire
Categories: