Article in Pembrokeshire Life September 2009

We had a two page article in Pembrokeshie Life, mostly about our graveyard surveys - with pictures added, and also a few lines about the benefits of using http://www.geograph.org.uk/ as a source for photographs.

Lottery Grant of £1806

Tony Brinsden (Society Chairman), Maureen Ebsworth (Society Member), John Lewis-Tunster (Society Treasurer) and Winifred Tunster (Society Member)




We have been awarded this grant for our 11th book and a table-top display board.

Change of Meeting Day

From our 2009 AGM we have deicded to hold our meetings on the THIRD TUESDAY of each month and not the third Monday as previous.

Time is still 7.30pm.

Update on Next Book

We are delighted to have received a grant form the National Lottery Awards for All Wales.

Work is well underway on the draft - and the book will be published later in the year.
This will be our FOURTH history book but our SIXTH book and our ELEVENTH publication!

Mountain Chapel Llanteg - Pumps

Found a great website today - http://www.villagepumps.org.uk/.

Sent them a photo of our two pumps and have been having interesting e-mails from Richard Williams who runs the site.

He has sent me the following data on our pumps:-

'Joseph Evans "York" Cottage Pumps, strongly made, and fitted with brass lining and brass union, screwed for wrought iron tube or for lead pipe". And one of your pumps is fitted with "ears to fix to wall or plank".If the diameter of the barrel is 2.5" it was offered for sale at 37/-, 3" at 40/-, 3.5" at 44/9, and 4" at 48/6. Unfortunately, I don't know the date of the catalogue, but I'd guess the end of the 19th Century.'

Colby Lodge History Day 15th June 2008

We were asked to put on a display for this event so decided to make it a trip for the group if anyone wanted to come along - and therefore to cancel our meeting on the 16th.

I was down there on Friday 13th setting up our boards and John Lewis-Tunster should be there today selling our books and with his computerised family trees.

Some pictures I took before the event are on Llanteg Message Board at:-

www.jmrcomputers.co.uk/llanteg/forums/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=98&p=233#p233

Tiny Footbridge at Castle Ely

Saw this tiny overgrown footbridge at the entrance lane to Waterwynch (or Upper Castle Ely and Fronhaul) - only leads into undergrowth now but must have served a purpose once?

Llanteg Hall Used For Voting - 1st May 2008

Llanteg Hall used for voting as Summerhill being refurbished.

County Boundary Stone - Castle Ely

County Boundary Stone on Castle Ely Bridge.

After asking Pembs & Carms Councils to tidy up our Boundary Stone it looks like Pembs have done a little work on it as the tarmac around it is new - so thanks to them. Not been painted but don't think we're allowed to do it ourselves - will have to look into it. Just a few small brambles around the base but much better than before.
River under Castle Ely Bridge which is the county boundary.

Wikipedia Entry for Llanteg & Crunwere

Whilst searching the web found that only Crunwere Parish was mentioned and not Llanteg.

I've therefore put a short article in and links back to both the Llanteg Site and the History Blog.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Llanteg

Crunwere School

This school ran from 1876 to 1946. It is now a private dwelling called Seabreeze.

I have purchased copies of the only Admissions Book at Haverfordwest Record Office which is for the period 1898-1946.

This has been typed up alphabetically and posted on the History Page of www.llanteg.co.uk.

It has 280 names so is worth a look!

Crunwere Gravestone Survey 2006/2007

Where heaves the turf in many a mould'ring heap,
Each in his narrow cell for ever laid,
The rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep....
The cock's shrill clarion, and the echoing horn,
No more shall rouse them from their lowly bed....
For them no more the blazing hearth shall burn,
Or busy housewife ply her evening care,
No children run to lisp their Sire's return,
Nor climb his knees the envied kiss to share
From Elergy by Thomas Gray

Gravestone Photographs
The pictures have been uploaded here:-

Zoar Chapel Graves:-
http://www.kodakgallery.co.uk/I.jsp?c=cqwtkdlp.fmxc4w2x&x=0&h=1&y=-r4rb2r&localeid=en_GB

Mountain Chapel Graves:-
http://www.kodakgallery.co.uk/I.jsp?c=cqwtkdlp.3amqkopd5&x=0&h=1&y=-pxlnkd&localeid=en_GB

Crunwere Church Graves:-
In/on the church - http://www.kodakgallery.co.uk/I.jsp?c=cqwtkdlp.2o4rkvow9&x=0&h=1&y=-pdc0x6&localeid=en_GB
Rows A-D - http://www.kodakgallery.co.uk/I.jsp?c=cqwtkdlp.2359vmo3t&x=0&h=1&y=kqnope&localeid=en_GB
Rows E-J - http://www.kodakgallery.co.uk/I.jsp?c=cqwtkdlp.xbm7aukp&x=0&h=1&y=-ymhenr&localeid=en_GB
Rows K-Q - http://www.kodakgallery.co.uk/I.jsp?c=cqwtkdlp.2fe9jps5l&x=0&h=1&y=od6oj9&localeid=en_GB
Rows R-S -http://www.kodakgallery.co.uk/I.jsp?c=cqwtkdlp.27b4029zd&x=0&h=1&y=qkp8wh&localeid=en_GB
Rows T-U - http://www.kodakgallery.co.uk/I.jsp?c=cqwtkdlp.1406fl43t&x=0&h=1&y=-8ya87j&localeid=en_GB
Row V - http://www.kodakgallery.co.uk/I.jsp?c=cqwtkdlp.1rgjlbwnd&x=0&h=1&y=ujlfle&localeid=en_GB
Rows X-Z - http://www.kodakgallery.co.uk/I.jsp?c=cqwtkdlp.3djhq4ts9&x=0&h=1&y=-pa5sw8&localeid=en_GB

Or if you want to see the whole lot together go to:-
http://www.kodakgallery.co.uk/I.jsp?c=cqwtkdlp.h947nb61&x=0&h=1&y=-5qwy62&localeid=en_GB

Sorry but if you want details of the names etc you'll have to get our booklet for £3. Its not that we're trying to make money - just that the way we've collected the information doesn't allow us to upload it here.

With the grant from PAVS expiring on 21st January 2008 we managed to finish the work with just days to spare, due mainly to bad weather and illness.

The survey consisted of a photograph of each grave (296 in total in the parish church and two chapels). We then made out a sheet for each grave and used codes (taken from Harold Mytum's book) to categorise the styles of gravestone. We also collected the verses off the stones.

The names and dates of those buried had been collected previously and published in our Burial Booklet.

One copy of the survey has been sent to Harold Mytum of Liverpool University as he is doing research into Pembrokeshire gravestone styles.

Another has been deposited at the Record Office, Haverfordwest.

We will be keeping the original photographs and one copy for ourselves.

We will also be giving copies of the relevent sections to Rev'd Geach (for Crunwere Church), Amroth Community Council (for Mountain Chapel) and E.C.Thomas & Sons (for Zoar Chapel of Rest).

Thanks to Ruth and Andy Webb, who, together with John Lewis-Tunster, took all the photographs and also to Ruth Webb who collected the verses off the gravestones. Ruth Roberts put the files together and stuck in all the photographs (which were all ordered via Kodak over the internet and delivered very promptly).

Ruth and Andy managed to decipher some gravestones that we had previously marked as ‘illegible’ in our earlier Grave Booklet and even managed to find three ‘new’ gravestones – which is another story!

Crunwere Church from Afar

As we may be losing various parts of our church in the future I took a few photographs from the Castle Ely loop area to show it from a different angle.

Unfortunately I do not have a zoom lense!

This is the first church you see when entering South Pembrokeshire.

Church Symbolism

Church Symbolism

Extracted from How to Read a Church (Pocket Guide) by Richard Taylor 2007
(kindly given to me as Christmas present - I wonder why??)

The main body of a church is the Nave - for the congregation. Nave comes from the Latin Navis - meaning ship.

Pews are a fairly modern introduction - before that most people stood - but there were some stone seats around the walls and columns; hence the saying 'the weakest to the wall'.

Beyond the nave is the Chancel - usually up a step and past an arch. Beyond the Chancel is the Sanctuary - also often separated by a step/arch/alter rail. Within the Sanctuary is the alter.

When churches began they all followed a similar pattern.

The East and South were the favourable sides. People faced East for worship - in the direction of the sunrise (probably a pre-Christian habit).

Most churches are built on an East-West axis. Entering towards the West and with the alter in the Eastern end. This is the common practice but not a hard and fast rule.

Images of Christian hope are often found in the eastern window. The western side was considered best for 'doom' paintings such as the Last Judgement.

The church's early policy was to absorb pagan sites, not destroy them - so churches were often build on older structures.

Lynchgate - from lic - Old English for corpse. The priest would come out form church to receive the legal certificate from the family while the coffin rested under the gate outside church.

Graves faced east - the 'honourable' direction - also Christians adopted the old Jewish custom of burial with the feet facing the rising sun - a sign of hope. It is believed that the faithful will rise again when Jesus returns to Jerusalem and they wished to be facing the right way.

The south side of the yard was preferred for burials. The north side often being used for suicides, criminals and unbaptised babies.

Churches therefore tended to be built towards the north of the yard with the entrance facing south with a long path.

Some yards have old crosses - sometimes used for open air preaching. Also before tombstones became commonplace it could act as a single memorial.

Stoup - a bowl of stone by the church door holding holy water for people to cross themselves with. Came from the Jewish tradition of washing hands/face/feet.

Font - usually placed at the rear of the church - the beginning of lifes journey. The journey down the aisle would therefore be your journey through life towards God. Fonts can be lidded. Water would be blessed at Easter and left for later use; therefore some were lead lined. In England font covers were compulsory from 1236. Nowadays the water is blessed on the day of use.

Early columns were often made to represent trees.

Lectern - where the Bible rests. Usually in the shape of an eagle - a bird that was thought to be able to look unflinchingly into the sun - just as the words of the Bible are the unflinching revelations of God.

Pulpits were introduced in about the 14th century when the focus was more on preaching and teachings.

Rood screen - sometimes divided chancel from nave. Rood is the Anglo-Saxon word for cross - and rood screens are often topped by a large cross and sometimes flanked by the Virgin Mary and St John, who were both present at the crusifixion.

Altar - the holy heart of the church - candles can be hung there - and sometimes a candle in a red lamp is kept burning as a perpetual flame to symbolise the continual presence of God.

Symbols

Crosses

The cross is the Christian's most important symbol.

There can be an empty cross (just the two cross pieces).

A cross/anchor (with the bottom curved like an anchor shape).

The Crucifix of Triumph - Jesus on the cross with his arms outstretched, usually wearing a long seamless tunic (before the 13th century they preferred not to have Jesus stripped).

The Crucifix of Suffering - this was more popular from the 13th century - Jesus was on the cross -with his head to one side - almost always the 'right' side. Shown having just died, wearing the crown of thorns, with nails in his palms and crossed feet and also a cut just below his ribs.

The Celtic or wheel-head cross incorporated the circle.

The Easter Cross is garlanded with flowers - especially lilies, though now possibly daffodils.

The Passion Cross has ends coming to points - representing the wounds of Jesus.

The Swastika was a fairly common cross in old Christian monuments in Rome - but since its associations of the 20th century is seldom now used.

Halos

When first introduced it was as 'see through' light - but by the Middle Ages had become vast golden cartwheels. By the Renaissance had shrunk again to be discreet hoops of light.

Some halos incorporate a crucifix shape (often for Jesus and Lamb of God).

The triangular halo is to represent the Trinity.

Sometimes there is a pointed star shape.

A square or scroll shape is used to denote the person was alive when the image was made.

Other Symbols are:-

Lamb - the lamb of God - Agnus Dei

Fish - symbolises Jesus - 3 for the Trinity. Ancient Christian symbol pre-dating the cross and used as a sign by the early Christians.

Dove - can be for God or The Holy Spirit.

Eagle - divine inspiration.

Rose - purity. Virgin Mary called a 'rose among thorns'. Red for martyrdom, white for purity.

Lily - associated with Virgin Mary.

Ivy - evergreen - immortality.

Palm Leaf - associated with victory since pre-Christian times. Commonly used as a symbol of martyrdom.

Colours - Liturgical colours - the standard ones being green, purple, white and red.

Green - colour of new life.

Purple - used for repentance.

White - Liturgical colour for Christmas and Easter.

In Christian art the following often meant:-

Black - sickness, death, devil, mourning.

Black and white can represent purity.

Blue - used for Virgin Mary and also Jesus. The blue colour was the most expensive and used only on the most precious subjects.

Brown - the dress of Franciscans - imitating poor peasant dress, renouncing the world.

Gold - colour of light, same meaning as white.

Grey - ashes, symbolise death of body - repentance.

Purple - Royalty, imperial power.

Red - fire - can mean hate or love. Mary Magdalene often in red.

White - pure, innocent.

Yellow - light, halos in stained glass. also used in Middle Ages to mark out plague areas - so suggested contagion. Judas sometimes in yellow.

Sacred Monograms - IHC and IHS. Both symbols for Jesus.

IHC is from the Greek spelling for Jesus (IHCOYC). Purists tend to prefer this as it is the earliest version.

IHS is the translation of IHC into Latin form.

INRI - this was nailed to the top of the crusifixion. Latin for 'Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews'. It was usual to have a placard placed on crosses bearing the man's name and crimes.

XP - the Chi Rho - also stands for Christ - from the Greek for Christ (XPICTOC). The Chi Rho has meanings that pre-date Christianity. Its popularity soared after 312 when it was adopted by the Emperor Constantine - the first Christian Roman Emperor.

Numbers - the octagon (8) sided shape was popular - half way between a square and a circle (to mean half way between earth (square and God (circle)). Often used for pulpits and fonts.

Triangle - Trinity - Father, Son & Holy Ghost. Or could be two triangles together or one inside a circle.

Fleur de Lys - this and other three petalled flowers were also used for the Trinity; as were clover and shamrocks.

The three Magi - from the 14th century they were shown depicting different races. Gold was for kingship, frankincense for priestliness and myrrh for embalming and death.

Who's Who?

John the Baptist - shown with wild dress and ragged hair and beard.

Mary Magdalene - with long blond/red hair. Often shown with a pot of perfume (which she had used on Jesus' feet).

Four Apostles - Matthew (man or angel), Mark (lion, often with wings), Luke (bull or ox with wings) and John (eagle).

St Paul - shown with receding hair and a beard.

St Peter - with keys (of heaven), an inverted cross and a cockerel.

St John - beardless and holding a chalice (with a serpent or dragon).

St Matthew - tax collector - may have money bags.

St James the Great - pilgrim's staff, hat and scallop shell.

St James the Less - shown with saw or club.

St Bartholomew - a set of knives.

St Philip - bread, sword, lance or fish.

St Jude - book or papers.

St Simon - saw.

St Thomas - carpenter's square.

St Stephen - palms and a stone.

St Andrew - a saltire cross.

St Agnes - a lamb.

St Catherine - a wheel.

St Christopher - a lamp with child on shoulder.

St Francis - scars on hands, preaching to birds.

St George - a dragon.

St Nicholas - three gold balls, children, bishop's mitre.

St Sebastian - semi naked - with arrows.

St Teresa - flowers.

St Veronica - a cloth with image of Jesus' face.

St Michael - sword and spear and stepping on dragon. Sometimes holding scales.

St Gabriel - often shown with lily or trumpet.

St Raphael - wearing pilgrim's clothes with a staff, pouch and fish.

The Ten Commandments often depicted on two tablets.

Llanteg Poppy Collectors

Once again thanks to Tony and Margaret Brinsden of Norton Lodge who have sold poppies around the village.

They took over from Mrs M.Carter of Heatherland.

Previous to that poppies were sold my Miss Melfa Davies of Garness Mill who went around the village on her pushbike.

Remembrance Day 2007

November 11th.

Once again we opened the Hall from 10.30am.

There were 15 of us present.

John Lewis-Tunster did a short series of prayers before we stopped for the 11am silence.

Afterwards poppy crosses were put on our displays.

Thanks to all who attended.

The afternoon Act of Remembrance was conductd by Rev'd Geach - we were 10 in attendance. Rebekah Chatwin placed the poppy cross and we had another two minute silence.

A collection was made for the Poppy Appeal.

Llanteg/Crunwere War Memorial

As there was no memorial in the village to commemorate the War Dead the History Group decided to do their own.

This War Memorial was commissioned by the History Society in 2003 and designed and worked for free by Mrs Diana John of Ruelwall, being unveiled in February 2004.

War Memorial and Brass Plaque in Llanteg Hall to commemorate the three War Dead from Crunwere Parish:-

William Davies, Bevlin, 9th October 1917

(Private, 2nd Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers)

Hugh Slader Glanville, East Llanteg, 11th November 1917

(Private, 24th Battalion, Welsh Regiment)

James Edgar John Mason, Ruelwall, 14th June 1944

(Stoker 1st Class. HMLBO. Royal Navy)

Brass Plaque to commemorate Diana John of Ruelwall who designed and worked the memorial free for the History Society.

The War Memorial was unveiled by Mrs Eileen Oriel (widow of Mr J.E.J.Mason) after a dedication by Rev'd Bate in February 2004. Families and friends gathered for the short service followed by tea and refreshments.

The History Group also ensure that the Village Hall is open every Remembrance Sunday for anyone who wishes to come and pay their respects.

Virtual Tour of St Elidyr Church Crunwere

South porch rebuilt in 1878 on site of earlier porch. Decoration added by Hugh James of Arfryn

Vent in south wall of South Transept could indicate that there is an underground chamber (may have been added in 1878 when built)

Gravestone embedded in the outside wall of the South Transept. Stone states:

Near this wall lies the body of John Howell A.M.

The son of Reynold Howell of Trenewyed, Gent.

He was sometime Rector of New Radnor but in the year of Trial 1691 was deprived of all that he could not keep with a good conscience.

Who died Jan. 17th 1727, aged 70.

(A stone tablet in memory of a non-juring clergyman)

Ordnance Survey Trig Plate on south wall of South Transept

Crunwere Church and carpark

Crunwere Church

Named Lann Cronnguern in the 12th century Book of Llandaff
Of limestone rubble construction

Rebuilt in 1843 (when the South Transept was added) and restored in 1878 at a cost of £550(with the exception of the North Transept and Tower)

A medieval church central within an earthwork of a disappeared village site

Old door into church

Restoration Fund box just inside doorway

Memorial to right of doorway in Nave

Memorial to left of doorway in Nave

NAVE

32ft x 18ft

North Nave Window

Called the Broomylake Window - with a representation of the farm. In memory of Alfred James (Churchwarden for 25yrs - died 1950), his wife Elizabeth (died 1939) and their daughter Evelyn (died 1931)

South Nave window

The Lord and his Mother - in memory of Benjamin Hancock Morris (died 1941), Elizabeth his wife (died1949) and their daughter Annie (died 1936)

View down aisle to altar

Memorial plaque to Hugh Slader Glanville who died in the 1st World War

View into North and South Transepts

Two plain windows



Old gas lamps still in place

View west back down aisle





The Pulpit







Views from the pulpit

South Transept

Down aisle

Poor photograph showing wooden ceilings

Looking into North Transept

Tiled floors apparently date from the 1878 renovations

(suspended floors in 60% of church)

Possible under floor heating in 5% of church

SOUT TRANSEPT

14ft x 11ft

View into South Transept

NORTH TRANSEPT

14ft x 11ft

View into NorthTransept

(Plaque to Mr Benjamin Jones of Heatherland who bequeathed money in his Will for the instalation of electicity to church)

CHANCEL

15ft x 12ft

Rood beam

Wooden Rood Beam erected in memory of Robert Davies late of Greenacre (1861-1936) and his wife Emma E. (1866-1945). A gift of their son Paul Davies, Faith, Judy and Paul Junior, California (1957)

East window over altar

Victorian stained glass window over altar gifted by the late Mrs Georgiana Morgan of Heatherland in memory of her husband Rev'd Richard Morgan (a son of Trenewydd)

Small vestry window

Small door into vestry


Reredos - oak panelling behind the altar in memory on Thomas Jones (Priest) and Jane Morgan (erected by Emma Jane Jones in 1934)

Ten Commandments either side of altar

FONT
Heavy oak font lid in memory of Mabel Prosser (died 1950) - given by her sister Patty Davies of Sparrowsnest

View of font and towards altar

TOWER

17ft x 16ft

Dates from the mid 16th century

Of traditional Pembrokeshire type with three storeys. The western door was blocked up and a window installed.

Cross on door into base of tower area

Hatch and bellrope in base of tower



Western window (once the doorway)




Door up to tower





Three apertures for bellropes (only one in use)

West window where indentations from staircase are only just visible top right above window

St Elidyr Church Crunwere - Incumbents from 1344

List of Incumbents
Names from 1344 to 1987 were researched by Mr Charles F.Shepherd for his booklet
St Elidyr Crunwere - A Historical Note, first published in 1933 and revised in 1988
These are names he was able to trace and may not be the complete list - we have added names up to the present date.

1344 Simon Johan

1349 Richard Portyn

1407 Thomas Bron

1407 James Vayner

1486 John David

1486 John Tudor

1534 Griffin Lloid

1554 Nicholas Nicols

1631 Humphrey Smart

1703 Charles Williams

1755 Thomas Williams

1783 Thomas Dalton

1830 William Morgan

1830 David Jones

1839 William Davies Phillips

1886 William Garner

1907 Richard Roberts Jones

1917 Evan Davies

1923 Robert Jackett

1934 Daniel Morgan

1948 Isambard George Horatio Bowen-Harries

1955 D.G.Lloyd Jones

1958 David Stanley Hobbs

1979 John Burrenston Lewis

1987 David Williams

1995 Nicholas Cale

Bate

2007 Sarah Geach

Trig Points in Llanteg Vicinity

From http://www.trigpointinguk.com/trigs/view-trigs.php?q=1086143

A list of trigpoints, near to grid reference SN 18700 10720

1.6
Sych Farm
TP6292
CARMARTHEN
Dyfed
SN202110
none
Secondary
Pillar

3.2
Marros Beacon
TP4671
CARMARTHEN
Dyfed
SN203080
none
Primary
Pillar

3.3
Craig-Y-Borion
TP2532
NARBERTH
Dyfed
SN158090
none
Secondary
Pillar

3.7
Brandy Hill
TP1587
CARMARTHEN
Dyfed
SN213133
none
Secondary
Pillar

4.2
Castle Merhen
TP2036
NARBERTH
Dyfed
SN146117
none
Secondary
Pillar

4.8
Pendine
TP0719
CARMARTHEN
Dyfed
SN234098
Passive station
Primary
Pillar

5.1
Pendine Cross Roads
TP0214
CARMARTHEN
Dyfed
SN237102
Passive station
none
Rivet

5.6
Windleway
TP6966
CARMARTHEN
Dyfed
SN242114
none
Secondary
Pillar

7.1
Llanddewi Gaer
TP4462
NARBERTH
Dyfed
SN144163
none
Secondary
Pillar

7.5
Windberry Top
TP6961
NARBERTH
Dyfed
SN113090
none
Secondary
Pillar

8.0
Bryn Banc
TP1726
NARBERTH
Dyfed
SN198185
none
Secondary
Pillar

8.5
Llansadurnen
TP4478
CARMARTHEN
Dyfed
SN271104
none
Secondary
Pillar

9.2
Broadfield
TP1651
NARBERTH
Dyfed
SN128036
none
Secondary
Pillar

11.2
Llangynin
TP4473
NARBERTH
Dyfed
SN251199
none
Secondary
Pillar

11.4
Pant Dwfn
TP5283
CARMARTHEN
Dyfed
SN294146
none
Secondary
Pillar

11.7
Martin Hill
TP4679
NARBERTH
Dyfed
SN069115
none
Secondary
Pillar

11.8
Robeston Wathen
TP5702
NARBERTH
Dyfed
SN080157
none
Secondary
Pillar

12.0
Crosshands
TP2620
NARBERTH
Dyfed
SN194226
none
Secondary
Pillar

12.4
Minerton
TP4844
NARBERTH
Dyfed
SN088031
none
Secondary
Pillar

13.6
Portis Bach
TP5502
NARBERTH
Dyfed
SN132231
none
Secondary

Trig Point - St Elidyr's Church

(From - http://www.bench-marks.org.uk/bm10311)


Flush Bracket S0621: Llanteg
SE angle of St. Elidyr's Church - 420.104', later 419.943' [Aberaeron to Carmarthen].LocationGrid reference: SN 1870 1072.Landranger 158: Tenby & Pembroke.

Structure: Church.Waypoint: FS0621.



Neighbouring Flush Brackets
S7948
Red Roses 1.99km to the northeast.
G5124
Near Marros 2.19km to the southeast.
G5125
Marros 2.70km to the southeast.
G5123
New Inn, Amroth 3.72km to the south.
G5126
Green Bridge Inn 3.82km to the southeast.

The nearest fundamental bench mark is Haverfordwest (1969), 22.54km to the west.

Logged VisitsLogged on 17th April 2005 by RHW.

Grid reference: SN 187 107.

Condition: Good.

Crunwear Church, Llanteg. SE corner S face. set well back, very narrow road

Britain's First Female M.D.

Many thanks to Mrs Carter of Heatherland and Mrs Davies of Trenewydd for giving such a warm welcome to Professor Neil Mcintyre when he visited the village in late September 2007.
Professor Mcintyre has retired from the Royal Free Hospital in London and has researched (and is still researching) the life and family of the first British female doctor of medicine to qualify on the continent (she graduated from Zurich in 1870 - the first lady from St Petersburg had graduated three years earlier).
Frances Hoggan (nee Morgan) was a descendant of Richard Morgan of Trenewydd and her mother, Georgiana Philipps, later lived at Heatherland.


From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frances_Hoggan
Frances Elizabeth Hoggan MD (née Morgan) (20 December 1843 – 5 February 1927) was the first British woman to receive a doctorate in medicine from a university in Europe, and the first woman doctor to be registered in Wales.
Frances Hoggan was born in Brecon, where her father was a curate. She was brought up and educated at Cowbridge and later at Windsor. During her teens, she gave birth to an illegitimate daughter, who was brought up with her mother and passed off as Frances' sister.[1] She went on to study at Paris and Düsseldorf. She obtained her medical qualification from the University of Zurich in 1870, completing the six year course in three years. In 1874 she married Dr George Hoggan. She later practised in London as a specialist in women's and children's diseases. Together with her husband, she opened the first husband-and-wife general medical practice in the UK. She became a campaigner and social reformer, and toured the United States lecturing. She had a particular interest in racial issues, and was a speaker at the Universal Race Congress in London in 1911.
Her cremated remains are buried, with her husband's, in Woking cemetery.

Mountain Chapel Unveiling Photos

Tidy hedges - thanks to Mike Abel

Ruth Roberts cutting the cakes
Display boards with pictures of chapel and gardens
Our two picture cakes





Tidy gravestone

Tony Brinsden and Rev'd Sarah Geach after the unveiling

Cars all down Stoney Road!
Rev'd Geach unveiling the plaque

Before the service

Mountain Chapel Unveiling - Pictures September 2007

Pretty heather in the yard

The nicely decorated graves

Information Panel

More of the graves

Seats inside the chapel area

Review of this Blog

Just found this review of our Blog while searching Google:-

http://www.llanteghistorysociety.blogspot.com/ is a brilliant and simple solution to the problem which confronts many societies who would like a website of their own — Llanteg History Society created a blog! Blogs are almost exclusively used by individuals for a wide range of activities, from on-line personal diaries to being devoted to a particular activity, such as family history or in my own case I do a blog about my local park. Llanteg is north-east of Tenby in Dyfed and the site contains a wealth of historical and topical information about the village and, because of its immediacy, has a lovely friendly feel, as if you know the place. I was encouraged by a friend to set up my blog and it took me no more than a couple of hours to do. It's very easy to add images and links to other websites. To see what can be achieved this is a ‘must see’ website.

http://www.local-history.co.uk/news/070809webwatch.html

Mountain Chapel Unveiling

Unveiling Ceremony on 9th September.

This was done by Rev'd Sarah Geach after a short dedication ceremony.

An introduction and background on the history of the chapel was given by Clr Tony Brinsden (also Chairman of the History Society).

We were pleased to see so many relatives and friends at the chapel for the ceremony, and also back at the Hall for tea and a chat afterwards.

Those who had donated towards the planters were given a framed photo of the chapel and a thank-you letter for their support.

Our work will continue at the chapel to ensure that is remains a fitting feature in the village.

James Merrilees of Stanwell -1890s

The following has been kindly sent to us by Darryl Gwynne - decendant of Mr Merrilees.
Darryl lives in Canada but we are now corresponding via e-mail. I am in the process of editing the following:-

Gwynne Family

James Merrliees of East Lothian, Scotland

According to the entry on the marriage certificate of James Gwynne his father was James Merrilees. James Gwynne was probably named after his father and the surname Merrilees was exceedingly rare in Wales. The names, along with James Merrliees' occupation as Steward, make it almost certain that I have the right man as father of James: Scotsman James Merrilees (the only Merrilees in the south Wales censuses of the time) was Steward to the Hon. W. H. Yelverston of Whitland Abbey. There seems little doubt that James Merrilees abandoned his lover Mary Gwynne. He was across the channel in Bristol in 1841, when she and her two children had already been confined to the Pembroke Workhouse where she died a year later. James was back in the Pembrokeshire - Camarthenshire border area by 1851. It seems very unlikely that James would have been rejected as a husband by Mary or her family; he had a good career and was from a respectable family in Scotland so it is almost certain that Thomas and Hannah Gwynne would have wanted him to "do the right thing" and marry their daughter.

In May, 2007 I followed the trail of James Merrilees and his ancestry, starting in west Wales and ending in East Lothian, Scotland. James turns up in the 1851 and 1861 censuses as the Steward (person responsible for the day-to-day running of the estate) for the household of the Honourable William Henry Yelverton, former Member of Parliament and resident of the Victorian house at the ruins of Whitland Abbey. The Abbey House is located in Camarthenshire near the Pembrokeshire border just a few miles south of the Castell Dwyran area where Thomas Gwynne was born. William, a wealthy Irishman, had acquired the estate through his marriage to Lucy Morgan. (T. Bunbury website). Gillian Parker, owner of Whitland Abbey House, gave me a tour around the estate and showed me documents pertaining to Whitland history. The original Abbey (one of many ruined following the dissolution of monasteries by Henry VIII in the 1500s) was the main Cistercian House in west Wales and identified with the national aspirations of the Welsh people and princes (monks had settled at Whitland in 1151 under the patronage of Rhys Ap Gruffydd) (Terence James Manuscript).

James Merrilees apparently had become relatively wealthy by about 1870 - probably from a paternal inheritance - as by 1871 census he had moved to his own property, Thane Cottage, just a short distance into Pembrokeshire in Amroth where he was a farmer of 21 acres. In the 1870s he had moved north again (back toward Whitland) to Stanwell Villa, Llanteg, in Crunwear parish, Pembrokeshire (Llanteg: Turning Back The Clock), where his acreage had increased by seven (1881 Census). In 1871 and 1881 James lived with servant, Elizabeth Davies, a milkmaid who was about 10 years his elder. Following that he lived alone, and remained a bachelor. James lived at Stanwell Villa from at least 1881, through 1891 to the end of his life in 1896. All censuses list his birthplace as Scotland and the 1851 sheet gives a more specific location as East Lothian (just east of Edinburgh). James Merrilees outlived his son James Gwynne by about three years. Stanwell Villa still stands near the village of Llanteg. The current owners have modified the orginal stone house by adding a second story. James Merrilees died of natural causes at Stanwell Villa aged 85 on March 14 1896. According to death certificate information, an inquest was held two days later. Such an occurrence did not necessarily indicate suspicious circumstances. It could mean that the coroner needed more information relating to the cause. For example if a doctor has not seen the deceased or could not determine cause-of-death then a post-mortem took place which may result in an inquest. An inquest might also be called if a death occurred away from home or out in public (Dyfed email list March 2007).

James died a wealthy man. He owned seven properties, and left five pounds to each his tenants, "who shall not be in arrears with their respective rents." He also bequeathed charitable legacies to Sunday Schools for "Bible teaching and no other purpose" (for many years he was superintentdent of Sunday Schools in Amroth: see gravestone information below). Merrilees left Stanwell to his grand-nephew with the strange proviso "that he change his name to Merrilees within 12 months" and should reside at Stanwell. This proviso appeard to have been overcome, however, as the property was sold by 1911.

For his own lasting monument James left 30 pounds for a tombstone made from "Scotch red granite" (Llanteg: Turning Back The Clock). The large red gravestone is still in excellent condition sheltered by trees on the east side of the Crunwere churchyard, and reads:

To the Sacred Memory of
James Merrilees of Stanwell Villa
Died 14th March 1896 aged 85 years. Buried 18th March 1896
He was a native of the lowlands of Scotland and was
The red ganite gravestone of James Merrilees (background)
for many years churchwarden for the parish of Amroth
and Superintendent of the Sunday school at Amroth
Honour thy father and thy mother that thy
days may be long in the land that the
Lord God giveth thee
1891 From The Mirage.
Even Now a Halo Lingers Over
Those Hollowed New Born Spheres
Gathering the Heart's Best Treasures Home
And Longing for a World to Come

James Merrilees: The East Lothian Connection

The link between James Merrilees and East Lothian, Scotland begins with the 1851 census where it is listed as James' birthplace. The link was fleshed out after I found the Merrilees Clan Website and subsequently contacted William Merrilees of Scotland and Jan Kelly (nee Merrilees) of New Zealand (now known to be fifth cousins to me and to each other) who supplied information. Jan provided a complete and impressively detailed family history from which most of the following is derived.

The links between generations of Merrilees are firm: in 1868 a James Merrilees of Aberlady, East Lothian, left a will which describes his son, and co-executor for the will, James as a farm overseer at Whitland Abbey in Wales. Our Merrilees male lineage consists of many generations living in the East Lothian area of Scotland. With only one exception, all are named James. In total there are six generations, possibly even seven (see below) of James, and eight if we include James Gwynne. To reduce confusion I borrow a device from monarchial history and use I to V for all the James Merrilees in the direct male lineage. James I, my 8x great grandfather, was a fairly wealthy 17th century blacksmith - James Mirrieleyes. Jan Kelly's family history of the "clan" (yes, there is even a Merrilees tartan: see the Merrilees Website) revealed a direct line back to this James.
The "farm overseer" James (V) of Wales was the reprobate who deserted young Mary Gwynne and their child, yet he remains the link to a direct paternal line of ancestry for us Gwynne males back to about 1610! It is fascinating to consider that this link might be eventually proven in a genetic way.
The Y - chromosome of males is inherited intact from father to son to grandson, and so on through the male line, and is therefore expected to show a reasonable correlation with surname (Jobling 2001).
There are exceptions, of course, including illegitimacy such as in the case of Mary Gwynne and James Merrilees. The Merrilees family historians have had the Y chromosome genetic material (DNA) of many Merrilees male analysed. It turns out that a common male Y "haplotype" turns up in males of all the main groups of Merrilees living today who have given samples. I intend to have my DNA analysed to see if our Gwynne males have inherited this same Y- type. This is one of those rare occasions in which a genealogical paper trail of ancestry can be potentially verified using genes!

The 1868 Imperial Gazetteer of Scotland (edited by John Marius Wilson) describes James V's
birthplace, Aberlady (population in 1831 about 973), as "a parish, . . . on the north-west coast of the county of Haddington (East Lothian); bounded on the north by the frith of Forth, which here forms Aberlady bay, and by the parish of Dirleton; on the east by Dirleton and Haddington parishes; and on the south by Gladsmuir parish ... The village of Aberlady, 5 miles north-west of Haddington, consists of one long street of a good appearance. It is occasionally resorted to by the inhabitants of Haddington as a bathing-place; but the surrounding country presents little that is attractive to the stranger."

I visited Aberlady in May 2007 and found a pleasant seaside town. The church where James (V) Merrilees (of Wales) was baptised has a yard behind that connects directly with the coastal vegetation along the stony beach. According to the Aberlady Village Website there are several stories about the origin of the town's name. "In Pictish, Aberlady may mean "Aber" - mouth or confluence, at "ledaig" - a smooth place, i.e. the bay. In the story of St Kentigern the name used was "Aberlessie" - meaning "the mouth of stench" - referring to the piles of rotting fish to be found there. More favourably, Christian tradition held that the name Aberlady was
derived from an early chapel dedicated to "The Blessed Virgin Mary" commonly referred to as "Our Lady"." The site goes on to state that "Aberlady which was a local centre for weavers in the 18th century and also a noted centre for smuggling. Imports included bark for tanners, linseed cake, malting barley and guano. With the arrival of the railway in 1846 the shipping trade through the port of Aberlady declined. In 1845 the Burgh sold its rights of anchorage, etc. to the Earl of Wemyss. For the next twenty years or so a few farmers shipped in potatoes, manure, and so on from Leith. The last load to be unshipped at Aberlady was a cargo of stone from Fife for building Aberlady manse in 1863-64."

The Surname Merrilees

Jan Kelly gives the details.
"The name Merrilees seems to derive from an estate in the Binns / Linlithgow area of West Lothian, from an Old English word meaning “pleasant pasture." Henri de Merleis, living at
Myrge Laese in 1170, is named in the Staffordshire Pipe Scrolls. The same farm is named Meryleys (1529), Mureleyis (1602), Myrey Lees (1773), Merrylees (1830), and is presently a line of cottages at a cross roads. There is no “correct” way to write the word Merrilees; it is a spoken or heard sound rather than a spelling. In the 1600s it was more often spelled with an ‘i’ or ‘y’, more recently the name is spelled with an e, Merrilees. Despite its age, and the
spread of the family into Midlothian, East Lothian, Lanarkshire, Renfrew and
Ayr, the entire known Merrilees family descends through either James Merrylees and Elspeth Blair, or a brother or cousin (all male DNA tests are the same, for all branches of the family). It was not a large family, in the 1841 Census for Scotland there were 51 households in total with the surname Merrilees, with only half a dozen families in England. In 1691 in East Lothian, in the Hearth Tax records, there were 6 families."

James Merrylees and Elspeth Grieve

James (V) Merrilees was born in Aberlady on 15th January 1812. He was the second child and firstborn son of parents James (IV) "Myrrilees," a spirit dealer (in good scotch one would hope), and Elspeth Grieve. A third James (III) (Myrrilees) along with George Grieve, were listed in the parish records as witnesses for the christening on January 26th 1812. These were almost certainly the young James's grandfathers. Strangely, his mother Elspeth also used the Christian name "Euphemia" - the names changed several times over the christenings of her nine children from 1810 to 1828: she was Elspeth for the first five and number 8 and Euphemia for the 6th and 9th. She was buried as Euphemia. In 1821 (October 26) James (IV) and Euphemia appear in the Register of Seisins (referring to the act of registering possession of a feudal property) when the couple apparently registered ownership of a tenement and garden. The legal document reads as follows: "James Merrilees residing in Aberlady, seised, Oct 21 1821, in a Tenement and Garden on the south side of the Village of Aberlady: on Disp. by Andrew Whitehead, residenter in Haddington, with consent of Margaret Gardener his spouse, Oct 17 1821: and Euphemia Grieve, his spouse: seised, in liferent of said subjects" Twenty years later, the 1841 Census for Aberlady lists James (IV) aged 55 Spirit Dealer, Euphemia age 53, along with (daughters) Euphemia aged 20, Anne aged 15, and Margaret aged 13. Euphemia died in 1853 and James (IV) in 1868 (aged 83). A gravestone still well preserved in Aberlady Kirk (church), reads as follows (beginning with their daughter Barbara):

In memory of
Barbara Hunter
the beloved wife of
Alexander Hunter
who died 20 October 1840
deeply regretted by all
who knew her
Also her mother Euphemia Grieve
wife of James Merrilees
who died 2 February 1853
Also Isabella Merrilees wife of
John Thomson who died Dec 12 1859.
Also James Merrilees their father
who died 12 Sept. 1868 aged 83

James (IV) Merrylees' Will, dated October 16 1868 (Appendix 1), was "given up for confirmation by James Merrilees, Farm Overseer, Whitland Abbey, Wales, and Robert Merrilees, Manager to Messr. Cross, Seed Merchants in Glasgow, Trustees and Executors of the Deceased." Interestingly the will states "James in Wales to receive no pecuniary advantage as he will succeed as heir to heritable property in the village of Aberlady, this property to remain in the family."

The Rest of the Merrilees Story

James (IV), father of "James in Wales," was born in Direlton, East Lothian, on 15 December 1785, the second child and son of James (III) Merrylees and Isabel Barrie who produced seven children (mainly in Direlton) between 1783 and 1800. "James Mirralees labourer and Issobell Barrie daughter to James Berrie labourer gave up their names for marriage"at Canongate Church in Edinburgh on 23 November 1781. James and Isabel are buried not far from the looming tower of Direlton Kirk. Their monument (still well preserved) reads:
Erected
by
Richard Runciman
Wright, Kingston
To the memory of
James Merrilees
His father in law, who died
June 23rd 1841 aged 84 years
and of his wife
Isabella Barrie
who died January 27 1841
aged 83 years
and also his daughter
Christina H. Runciman
who died 23 Febry 1846 aged 20 months
and also of his wife Barbra Merrilees
who died at Glasgow 24th Augst 1850
aged 50 years

According to Jan Kelly, James (III) and Isabel's last child "Barbara born 1800 married Richard
Runciman. When she died Richard emigrated to Otago on the South Island of New Zealand in 1853 on the (ship) Rajah with his five children and with Alexander Merrilees his nephew." James and Isabel's first child William at the ripe old age of 72 also eventually emigrated to New Zealand. James Merrylees (III) was born in North Berwick on July 1 1757, the last child (of eight born between 1739 and 1757) of William Merrylees and Barbara Smith. Barbara was born on February 28 1714 in Gladmuir to William Smith and Jean Heriot. The birth of William Merrylees and his twin brother Christian on May 5 1703 was announced in the parish register "bapt. to James Mirrilies and Agnes Wilson his spouse twins called William and Christian. witn. Wm. Thomson and Wm Smith." These are first twins to turn up in our family
history. This brings us back to Aberlady where the Direlton Kirk and Merrilees Monument
twins were the last of seven children of James Mirrilies (II) and Agnes Wilson. James (II) and Agnes were married in Aberlady on 29 October 1682. This James was recorded as paying two (Scots) shillings Hearth Tax in 1691. James (II) was born on 23 July 1648, the fifth child of James (I) and Elspeth Mirrilyes. On "ye 27 of Jully James Mirrilyes maried to Elspeth Blair" in the Ormiston (East Lothian) parish church on the north bank of the River Tyne. They had eleven children, mainly born in Pencaitland, between 1641 and 1661. Given their marriage date, James (I) and Elspeth would have been born about 1610-15. Jan Kelly's report states that "(James I) may have been born in eastern Midlothian, probably Inveresk or Dalkeith
(just east of Edinburgh), not in East Lothian. Parish records started around 1596. (James I) lived in Pencaitland for most of his life, where he was the blacksmith. The two Ormiston parish records (for births of three of James and Elspeth's children) may be his wife’s home parish. There is a "Testament dative” (died intestate) for James (I) and Elspeth in 1664, to settle their affairs (see Appendix). The other four Merrilees known at the time are named John, Robert , David, and Nichol. James, though, would seem to be the son of an earlier James Merrilees (note: this would be a sixth James Merrilees!), the man who witnessed at the baptism of (James I and Elspeth's first son and second child) Johne (born 1643). Alternatively he could be the James born to David, b. 1617, in Dalkeith." Both James (I) and Elspeth died in 1663. As mentioned, they died "intestate" meaning there was no will. The 1664 "Testament Dative" (see Appendix) listed their goods and chattels worth about £260 and which consisted of "two horses estimated . . . to £40, item, one cow and one calf worth £20; sown on the ground crops in the year of God above . . . 2 bolls barley, 3 bolls oats, and 3 bolls peas (lots of details of the crops followed), £90 money (worth about £7,500 in today's currency); the whole household furniture of their dwelling house [clothing, personal possessions] of the abode with a smith anvil? and hammer and . . . materials belonging to a smith estimated all in to the fowine (?) of £80 Scots."
References
Aberlady Village Website. www.aberlady.org.
James, Terence. Dyfed Archaeological Trust document on Whitland Abbey (courtesy of Gillian
Parker).
Jobling, M.A. (2001). In the name of the father: surnames and genetics. Trends in Genetics 17:
353-357
Merrilees Clan Website. www.merrileesclan.org.nz
Llanteg Local History Society. Llanteg: Turning Back The Clock:
Appendix 1. The 1868 Will of James (IV) Merrylees
(Record of Commissary Court, Haddington (the county seat) Vol XVI Inventories and Deeds. Ref SC 40/40/16, pp 362 366). According to Jan Kelly the original is three pages in length and very wordy.
Here are just a few of the details:
"Inventory of the personal estate ... of James Merrilees residing in Aberlady who died Aberlady 12
Sept 1868. Given up for confirmation by James Merrilees, Farm Overseer, Whitland Abbey, Wales,
and Robert Merrilees, Manager to Messr. Cross, Seed Merchants in Glasgow, Trustees and Executors
of the Deceased.(values are probably in Scots Pounds). Cash £2.10.0: value of household including
bed, table linens, books, body clothes etc, £15.8.0. Deposited in the Bank of Scotland, Haddington,
£170.0.0. Interest thereon to deceased's death £1.9.7. do. to the date of oath to this inventory £0.5.11,
= £171.15.6 principal, = £189.13.6. Principal sum due to the deceased by his son Robert Merrilees
£700.0.0.Estate £889.13.6. In summary: "I James Merrilees:" ... executors James and Robert ... to pay
"at the first Whitsunday or Martinmass next after my death": to son Robert £200: to daughter
Euphemia Merrilees wife of George Nichol Commercial Traveler in Edinburgh, £200 [codicil that
Euphemia's money to be withheld by the trustees who will pay her the interest on it: if she dies,
money to return to estate, it is not available to George Nicholl]: to daughter Margaret Merrilees wife of
Edmund Strachan, gardener in Dumfriesshire, £200: to granddaughter Euphemia Thomson daughter
of John Thomson and his wife my deceased daughter Isabella £70 [adjusted to £80 in codicil]: to
granddaughter Euphemia Rennie daughter of John Rennie and his wife my deceased daughter Marion
Merrilees £70: to sons of Margaret Merrilees, James Edmond Strachan and Robert Edmond Strachan
£80.All of the daughters' money to be in their own names and not available to husbands.Books to be
divided amongst the whole of children and grandchildren, plus the crockery, bed, table linens, and
etc., all itemised. James in Wales to receive no pecuniary advantage as he will succeed as heir to
heritable property in the village of Aberlady, this property to remain in the family."
Appendix 2. 1664 Testament Dative of James (I) Mirreleyes
"Translation" (in right hand column)of the Testament Dative (i.e. intestate, when the preson died without
leaving a will) and Inventory of Goods and Gear for James "Mirreleyes" in 1664 (From Jan Merrilees Kelly)
JAMES MIRRIELEYES James Mirrieleyes
25 OF MARCH 1664 25 of March 1664
THE TESTAMENT DATIVE AND INVENTAR The Testament Dative and inventory [?]
OF THE GOODES & GEIR PERTEINING & BELONGING of the goods and gear pertaining and belonging
TO UMQUHILE JAMES MIRRIELYES IN WESTER PENCAIT- to the late James Mirrielyes in Wester Pencaitland
LAND AND UMQUHILE ELSPETH BLAIR HIS SPOUSE and the late Elspeth Blair his spouse
THE TYME OF THAIR [RECENT?] DECEISS QUHUA DECIET the time if their [recent?] decease . QUHUA deceased
[UIR?] THE SAID JAMES IN THE MONTH OF ERGUST [UIR?] the said James in the month of August
i aj SIX # THRIE SCORE THRIE YEIRS AND THE SAID DE- thousand six hundred three score and three years and
the said de-
CECST ELSPETH BLAIR IN THE MONTH OF DECEM- ceased Elspeth Blair in the month of Decem-
BER IN THE SAID YEIR OF GOD FAITHFULLY MADE & ber in the said year of God faithfully made and
GIVEN UP BE JOHN MIRRIELYES SON TO THE SAID UMQUHAE given up byJohn Mirrielyes son to the said late
DEFUNCT AND ONLY [ ] DATIVE [ ] AND NEIR- defunct and only [ ] Dative [ ] and nearest
EST OF CINE TO YIN BY DE… OF THE COMMISSES OF EAESY of kin? to [YIN] by de….. of the COMMISSES of EASEY
AND THE SAINYNE OF THE SAID ACTT THE SAID DAY OF and the signing of the said Act the said day of
MARCH 1664 YERES BEIRS March 1664 years BEIRS.
IN THE FIRST THE SAID UMQUHAE JAMES MIRRIELYES AND In the first the said lateJames Mirrielyes and
HIS SAID SPOUSE HAD NO OTHER GOODS NOR GERE PERTEINING
OR
his said spouse had no other goods or gear pertaining
or
BELONGING TO THEM THE TYME OF THEIR DECEISS FIEFD EXCEPT belonging to them the time of their decease fiefed except
THE PARTICULARS FOLLOWING TO WITT TWA HORSS ESTIMAT the particulars following, to wit, two horses estimated
[ ] to xl Lib ITEM ANE COW & AND CAEF WORTH xx Lib [ ] to £40, item one cow and one calf worth £20.
ITEM SOWEN ON THE GROND CROPT & YERE OF GOD ABOVE Item, sown on the ground crops in the year of God
above
SPEIT TWO BOLLS BEIR THRIE BOLLS OATES & THRIE BOLLS PEISS SPEIT 2 bolls barley 3 bolls oats and 3 bolls peas
[ ] BEING COLLECTED [ ] IN AHIND THE SAMYNE WITH THE [ ] being collected [ ] in behind the same with the
INNES THAROF EXTENDIT ONLY TO VI BOLLS BEIR NYNE INNES [interest?] thereof extended only to 6 bolls barley
nine
BOLLS OATES AND SEX BOLLS PEISS PRYCET OF THE BOLLS BEIR bolls oats and six bolls peas priced? of the bolls barley
WITH THE FODDIE vi Lib OF THE BOLLS OATES & FODDIE iiii Lib with the fodder £6 of the bolls oats and fodder £4
AND OF THE BOLLS PEISS WITH THE FODDIE iii Lib SUMMA OF THE
SAME
and of the bolls peas with the fodder £3. Sum of the
same,
lxxxx Lib MONEY ITEM THE WHOLE INSIGHT AND PLENNISHING £90 money. Item, the whole household furniture
OF THAIR DWELLING HOUSE [ABUTHREMENTS] OF THE BODIE
WITH
of their dwelling house [clothing, personal possessioons]
of the abode with
ANE SMYTH STANDIS AND HAMMES AND [ ] MATERIALS
BELONGING
a smith anvil? and hammer and [ ] materials belonging
TO ANE SMYTH ESTIMAT ALL IN [ ] TO THE FOWINE OF to a smith estimated all in [ ] to the FOWINE of
lxxx Lib SCOTTES MONEY £80 Scots money
SUMMA OF THE INVENTAR …………….ii # xxx Lib Sum of the inventory … £230
FFOLLOWS THE DEBTS AWINE TO THE DEID Follows the debts owing to the dead.
ITEM ¥ [ ] RESTAND AWAND TO THE SAID UMQUHAE JAMES
MIRRIEItem,
the [ ] RESTAND [remainder?] owing to the said
former James Mirrielees
LEYES AND HIS SAID SPOUSE THE TYME OF Y REXUE DECECSS
SIESD
and his said spouse the time of the REXUE decease
seised
UIR [BE ] JOHN REID IN COLSTONNE xx Lib BE AND ANNE BLAIR IN
WODHEND xii Lib
UIR [be ] John Reid in Coalstone £20 by one Anne
Blair in Woodend? £12
SUMMA OF THE DEBTS AWINE TO ¥ DEID … xxxii Lib Sum of the debts owing to the dead, £32
SUMMA OF THE INR WITH THE DEBTS ii # lxii Lib Sum of the inventar with the debts, £262
FFOLLOWS HER DEBTS AWINE BE ¥ DEID Follows here debts owing by the dead.
ITEM THE [ ] RESTAND AWAND BE THE SAID UMQUHAE DEFUNCT
& HIS SAID
Item, the [ ] RESTAND [remainder?] owed by the
said former defunct and his said
SPOUSE THE TYME OF THE DECECSS TO SIR L’OT SINCLAIR OF
REMSTONE
spouse [at] the time of the decease, to Sir Lancelot
Sinclair of Remstone
FOR THE [ } OF SONE PARCELS OF LAND CROPT SEISED xxx Lib for the [ ] of SONE parcels of land cropped, seised
£30
ITEM [ ] TO HIM HALF ANE DUSSANE OF HENS AND HALF ANE
DUSSANE
Item, [ ] to him half a DUSSANE [dozen?] of hens and
half a DUSSANE
OF CAPONES PRYCE OF THE HEN AUCHT SCHILLING AND OF THE
CAPON
of capones, price of the hen 8/- and of the capon
x s INDE 5 Lib 8 s ITEM TO JAMES DAILL SERVAND FOR HIS YEIRS 10/- INDE £5.8.0. Item, to James Daill, servant, for his
years,
FIE [ ] iii Lib TO ELSPETH SCOTT SERVAND FOR HIR YEIRS fee [ ] £3, to Elspeth Scott, servant, for her years
FIE [ ] iiii Lib ITEM TO JON LAELAW SERVAND FOR ANE fee [ ] £4, to Jon Laelaw, servant, for an
YEIRS FIE xii Lib ITEM TO {J ] BLACK SERVAND FOR ANE years, fee £12,. item to J. Black servant for an
YEIRS FIE vi Lib MONEY years fee £6 money
SUMMA OF THE DEBTS AWINE BY ¥ DEID lxxxviii Lib xii s Sum of the debts owing by the dead, £88.12.0
(S NOTA 4 LIB 14 s) - note in margin S NOTA £4.14.0 [fee to the lawyer?]
RESTS OF FRIE GEIR THE DEBTS DEDUCED i # xli Lib xii s Rest of free gear the debts deducted £141.12.0
TO BE DIVYDIT IN THRIE PARTS DEIDS PARTS - lxxxxiiii Lib viii s To be divided in three parts DEIDS parts £94.8.0
SIR JOHN NISBITT & NONDIRSTANDING & NOE DECERNED & Sir John Nisbitt and notwithstanding and not discerned
and
CONFERME TO ¥ [ ] AND ANNE BLAIR WRIGHT IN [ ] confirmed to the [ ] and Anne Blair Wright in [ ]
AND DAVID MIRRIELEYS SMITH IN DUDDING- and David Mirrieleys smith in Dudding-
STONNE - BECOME [ ] AND ANE ACT BEIRS stonne - become [ ] and an act BEIRS
¥ - symbol for ‘the’ iaj - thousand # - replaces the document’s script symbol for hundred: Lib, short for Libra, Scots Pound
Roman Numerals: i, 1; v, 5; x, 10; l, 50 Word endings: ’it’ instead of ‘ed’ - diviydit, divided - ‘and’ for ‘ing’, awand, owing.
1 boll = 3 bushels 3 pecks, or 1.944 gals BEIRS: beir, beire, Sc. f. bear, beer, bere, bier, birr; obs. pa. tense bear v.; also = of both.
Not known.
Testament Dative - The Commissary Court apointed an executor when someone died intestate. Written in ‘Secretary hand’.
MFA News Sept 1999 Volume IV. Original in Scottish Record Office, Ron Merrylees in Yorkshire had it transcribed. Some words not
legible.
David Mirrieleys, smith in Duddingstone, was probably b 1614, the son of Nichol Mirrilees & Margaret Steill, he married Agnes
Johnstone in 1651, and was the smith in Duddingstone after 1660. He was thus the same generation as James and Elspeth. James
may be son of David Mirrileis (& Janet Cleghorne?) b 1617 Inveresk. Relationship? Why is there no distribution to James and Elspeths’ children?

The Valley Sales Notice - 1902

Sales Notice for The Valley from 1902. Kindly lent for copying by Mr & Mrs Dee of The Valley.

Unfortunately, because of its condition, we've been unable to get it copied so the next best thing was for us to take some photographs!

Top Section

Middle Section

Bottom Section

Complete Poster

Village Leaflets

Just received the new leaflets today.

These will be given to all members of the society and also be free to take at the Hall and also the Garage - plus other local businesses.

You can always get copies off me too if you wish.

They've not changed much from the original publication but will be of more interest to those who are new to the area or who didn't see the first leaflets in the 1990s.

Its a pity we missed the Village Newsletter delivery at the weekemd but perhaps we'll include one for each house with the Christmas issue.

Llanteg's 'Roman Road'

The thick red line roughly shows where the old road used to go through the village from west to east. As you can see the 'new' A477 cuts a much straighter course.

(The red circle on the map is the location of the old school gardens - mentioned here elsewhere.)

This may not be an offical Roman Road but was always called that by locals.

It was once the main route through Llanteg before the Turnpike Road came in the 1830s, later to become the A477, which cut through the parish.

It went from Trenewydd Lane in the west, behind Middleton, Blackheath and Crofty. It then looped south (behind the Hall), crossing the new A477 and going behind Brongwendrath (little bungalow by side of road) continuing on until it looped back again just behind the Garage. Crossing the A477 again to became the Church Lane - which passed the field containing the church and continued on past an old property called Oxford and then left the parish - near Castle Ely.

As you can see the section behind the Hall, shown above, is now an impenetrable tangle of brambles. Once it was easily walkable (its still an official footpath) - although the path was blocked up nearer the Trenewydd end.

Old Gate Post?

This old stone pillar is probably an old gate post - spotted in the Church Lane near The Meadow.

Crunwere Church Approach

The Church That Time Forgot!

Not so much find the church - more find the sign!!

The approach from Crunwere Lane into the church field.

The sign is hiding in the bushes on the right.

Here it is again among the brambles - thought it had been taken down at first!

View of the church across the field.

Another view across the field.

The smooth lane to the church - better condition now that it was when the church was open.

View from Church Lane - south across the A477 past Myrtle Villa and over Marros Mountain.

Another lovely view over Marros Mountain

The Laurel's Mountain

These stiles are at either side of The Laurel's Mountain - the short cut that the Victorian (and later) children used to get to Crunwere School

The stile by the old school (Sea Breeze)

Stile by old school again

Path across Laurel's Mountain

Other end of path coming out by Mountain Chapel

Aerial Photo at Village Hall

The above is a photograph of the aerial picture bought for the Village Hall by the History Society in 2003 (this was purchased with Lottery Funding - together with a large map of the parish).

The photogrpah has now been reframed and is hanging in the Hall.

The map is currently being reframed and covered in perspex - after it managed to get covered in someone's grubby fingerprints and left lying around after the first week it was put up!

Mountain Chapel - Tidier Yard

Some ivy on the walls but I think that adds character!

Pretty picture of the pumps through the foliage

Tidy yard

Tidy paths too

A big thank-you to Mike Abel for doing such a good job - even with a bad wrist.

School Field Gardens - Location

Reproduced from Ordnance Survey map data by permission of Ordnance Survey, © Crown copyright.

School field gardens marked in red - take the lower road (south of A477 and turn down by the row of four houses (used to be our Council Houses).

This was a field set aside for villager's recreation when the school was built in the 1870s.

School Field Gardens

The pretty flower border

Grass neatly cut (by John James today I believe)

View in over the gate.

View from Allan's Lane (on road down to Rose Cottage)

Work Still Needing Doing at Mountain Chapel

Now the inside of the yard and chapel are being tidied we might have to see about getting a working party together to tidy up around the walls and hedges and also weed along the path surrounding the chapel.

We want to get it looking really nice before the unveiling ceremony in (possibly) September.

If anyone can help at all or feels like doing a bit of weeding when they visit please feel free to do so, or get in touch with Ruth.

Grass Cut in Mountain Chapel Yard

Grass nicely cut but we need to see about round the edges.

Mountain Chapel Planters & Yard

Our two pumps in close-up.

View looking into the chapel area.

Our six planters have now been planted up - but it will take a little while for the plants to mature.

At least we have no need to worry about watering at present!!

Mountain Chapel Planters

Great news - two successes to report!!!

Chapel grass all nicely cut - although I didn't inspect all the way round.

Also the plants are now in the planters!! Not sure when it happened but called in tonight in passing and it was all finished.

Will post pics soon but didn't have camera with me this evening.

Gravestones at Old Chapel?

The original Mountain Chapel seems to have been operating from about 1814 to 1889.
Hugh James cannot recall any gravestones at the old chapel but there have been local rumours of a stone from there, with inscription (possibly taken with chapel stones for building work) being at Bevlin.
However the then owners (Collinsons) were asked and they couldn't recall seeing anything like that there.
So where the stone has gone to is now a mystery - and are there others anywhere??

Revised Village Leaflet

New village leaflets are about to be received from PLANED- they will be available from the History Group plus the Garage and other local businesses.

They are not much altered from the 1990s version but are in larger type and brought up to date about the chapel closures etc.

If any business wishes to stock them please get in touch.

Timeline for Llanteg and Crunwere

Llanteg/Crunwere Timeline

12th Century

12th c Name Lann Cronnguern appears.

14th Century

1324 Name Lanteg appears, owned by John Champagne.
1329 Name Nanteg recorded.
1344 First vicar recorded.

16th Century

1526 Name Nautege recorded.
1563 25 households (return of Bishop of St. Davids).
1565 David Griffith, a Llanteg ‘fryzemaker’, was exporting from Tenby on the Katherine.
1568 Trenewyth (sic) recorded.
1574/87 Dating of Elizabethan chalice at Crunwere Church.

17th Century

1611 Mr. Morris lived at Llanteg/Lanteague (1611-1617).
1615 Mountain House recorded.
1634 Land dispute at Crunwere.
1651 & 53 ‘Black Death’ in south Pembrokeshire.
1670 Hensleighs at Lanteague with 2 hearths.34 households (Hearth Tax): one with 6 hearths, three with 3 hearths, three with 2 hearths and all the others with only one hearth each.
1671 Henry Davies at White House with 3 hearths (probably East Llanteg).
1686 Reginald Howell bought Trenewydd.Blane Havod (sic) recorded.
1690s Three residents refused to take the Oath of Allegiance: Morris Davids, Rev. John Howell and Robert Howell.

18th Century

1708 Chancey Davies ‘of White House in Llanteague’.
1712 Legerland and Gardenes (Garness) recorded.
1723 Gardeners (Garness) Mill recorded.
1726 Milton recorded.Gardeners Mill becomes Garness Mill.
1727 Death of John Howell, a non-juring minister, whose slate monument is on the outside of the south transept of Crunwere Church.
1753 Griggs recorded.
1754 Marriage records in existence from this date.
1768 Oxen Ford (sic) recorded.
1773 Downs and Milton Backs (sic) recorded.
1782 John Thomas of Crunwere apprehended for assault on Ann, wife of Thomas Rees late of Kiffick (sic) - found not guilty.
1783 Baptism and Burial records in existence from this date.
1786 Broomlay alias Brimlake (sic) recorded.
1789 Three Wells recorded.
1793 Furzy Park and Rigman Hill recorded.

19th Century

1801 44 households on census, population 191.Cultivated land: wheat (24 acres), barley (59), oats (80), potatoes (7) and turnips (2).
1811 Population 198.
1814 Ruelwalls (sic) recorded.
1815 Bariets (sic), Crafty and the Folly recorded.Three people from the Folly buried between 10th and 27th January, aged 22 years, 21years and eleven months.
1819 Bevlin recorded.Baptists worshipped in grain loft at Long Lane.
1821 Population 229.
1822 Martha Thomas, Summerhill, buried at Crunwere aged 102 years.
1825 Mission held in loft of house near Llanteague Cross.
1830 Turnpike road begun.
1831 Horsemanstone recorded. Population 274.
1834 274 inhabitants (Topographical Directory of Wales). £58 6s 0d applied for maintenance of the poor.
1838 Year of milestone manufacture. Belview recorded.
1839 6th May, the Royal Mail Coach first travelled through Llanteg on the new Turnpike Road.
1840s Rev. W.D.Phillips resolved to rebuild all but the tower and parts of the walls of Crunwere Church. The cost was £241 and the church reopened in 1847.Toll Gate occupied by William Oriel who also ran a school and was a cobbler.Llanteg had two inns: The Golden Lion and The Royal Oak.
1841 Elizabeth and John most popular names.69 households on census.Gutterlas (later Pantglas) recorded.Middleton recorded.Population 263.
1842 Tithe Schedule records Crunwere as having 1442 acres: rable 540 acres, meadow/pasture 750 acres, common/waste 84 and glebe 68.
1844 266 inhabitants recorded. A corn mill and mill where coarse cloth is prepared and dyed, a limestone quarry, and a church in ruins with sittings for 200 people.
1847 Labourers’ wages with food 9d-10d a day, without food 1s and 1s-3d in winter. Farm servants £5-£9 per annum, female servants £3-£7. (State of Education in Wales.)
1848 Blackheath recorded.
1849 Elizabeth Davies, Bevlin, is buried aged 100 years.
1851 70 households on census. Shops:- Golden Lion - butcher, Moors - shopkeeper, Ruelwall – shopkeeper, Middleton - fishmonger.Evening service had 150 attending out of a population of 289.10 year old Mary Griffiths a nursemaid at Lanteague.13 year old errand boy living in the loft at Trenewydd.
1850s Zoar Baptist Chapel built at a cost of £60.
1852 A woman accused of adultery was carried around the village on a Ceffyl Pren.
1853 13 burials at Crunwere Church, much larger figure than average.
1861 Population 261.
1863 Sandy Grove recorded.
1868 168 acres of common land enclosed (1 rood given to the Churchwardens and Overseers as the site for a school).
1871 Population 210.
1876 Public Elementary School erected by Henry Hitchings of Pantglas to accommodate 50 pupils.
1877 The school opened on 13th February with 15 on register.
1878 South door of Crunwere Church reopened and a new porch added. Box pews and gallery removed. The vestry was probably added at this time. The renovations cost £550.
1881 53 households on census, population 212.
1889 Present Mountain Chapel erected on land given by Sir Owen Scourfield.
1891 49 households on census, population 179.
1893 Mary Price, Lanteague, buried aged 101 years.
1894 Two children from Crafty were buried in May aged 1 year and 4 years.
1896 Broomylake rebuilt by Alfred James.
1897 First P.O. date stamp for Llanteg.Letterbox at the Toll Gate taken over by bees.William James, Broomylake, slipped off a ladder whilst repairing an outhouse, died 15th September.

20th Century

1900 John Jenkyn drowned in the Captain’s Pond.
1901 P.O. run by Mrs Jane Davies, Ashdale. Population 188.
1902 William Davies (Cong. Minister), Oaklands, gored to death by his bull.
1903 Ledgerland rebuilt by Alfred James.Mrs A.Purser of Llanteglos left a detailed Will which included a hair bracelet with fastening containing Charles 1st hair and monogram surmounted by the Royal Crown’.
1904 Furzy Park rebuilt by Alfred James.
1905 Daily delivery of letters commenced.Oxford rebuilt by Alfred James.
1907 Alfred James, Broomylake, commenced work on New Inn bridge Amroth.
1911 Population 179.
1913/14 Blackheath rebuilt by Alfred James.
1914 36 parishioners served in 1st World War, two were killed.
1915/16 Middleton rebuilt by Alfred James.
1917 Hugh Slader Glanville died at Gaza during the 1st World War.David Phillips was dangerously wounded in the 1st World War and had a leg amputated.
1918 Mrs Charlotte Dunbar, headmistress, died of Spanish Flu.
1919 Ruelwall rebuilt by Alfred James.
1921 Population 186.
1923 P.O. at the Laurels run by Mrs E.Raymond.
1925 Congregational Centenary service.Crunwere Farm rebuilt by Alfred James.
1931 Population 175.
1935 Porch and gate added to Zoar Baptist Chapel.
1939 29 parishioners served in 2nd World War, two were killed.
1940 Local Defence Volunteers formed, later known as the Home Guard.
1944 J.E.J.Mason was killed whilst ferrying troops at Normandy.Mr Wyn Lawrence attended the Stand Down Parade of the Home Guard at Hyde Park, London.
1946 Crunwere School closed in December, 8 children transferred to Amroth.
1948 Llanteg Village Hall built.Women’s Institute commenced.
1950s Electricity comes to the village.End of Christmas Day postal deliveries.Romano/British homestead excavated at Trelissy.
1951 Population 160.
1961 Population 156.
1970 Crunwere Church united with Amroth.
1971 Population 135.
1972 P.O. moved to Stanwell with Mrs Alice Brinsden.
1977 P.O. moved to York House with Mr Dudley.
1979 Crunwere Church united with Ludchurch and Templeton.
1981 Population 169.
1987 Crunwere Church united with Ludchurch and Begelly.
1992/3 P.O. moved to Llanteg Garage with Mrs Rose Gammon.
1990s Zoar Chapel closed.
1999 Mountain Chapel closed.Llanteg History Society formed.

21st Century

2000 Llanteg Women’s Institute disbanded after 52 years.1st January, Church bells rung by Alan and Andrew Mason.Millennium Census and Pictoral Record of the parish conducted by Llanteg History Society.
2002 224 adults on the Electoral Roll.

2003 Mountain Chapel demolished, vestry altered to dwelling.Captain’s Pond fenced off from village.Road subsidence outside Village Hall.40mph limit imposed from Folly to Castle Ely.Castle Ely County Boundary Stone renovated.

2004 War Memorial tapestry unveiled in the Village Hall to commemorate the three War Dead of the parish.

2005 New water mains put in around the village. Village Recipe Booklet compiled by the History Society. Rectory Hill road closed for repairs. Information-panel unveiled at Mountain Chapel. Post Office at Llanteg Garage closed; no other post office opened in Village.
2006 Inside of old Mountain Chapel tidied up and paving laid. Park behind the old school cleared of undergrowth.
2007 Planters put inside the old Mountain Chapel by History Society.
Minute Books and other documents relating to Mountain Chapel come to light and are studied by the History Society.
The Community Association continues its work at the Old School Gardens.
Crunwere Church declared a dangerous structure and is cordoned off and danger signs erected.
The History Society lauched a 'blog' on the internet.
The Hall Committee launch a website for the whole of Llanteg and District community in June.

Nature Activity Days held at Old School Gardens, August 30th & 31st.
Unveiling of Memorial Plaque at Mountain Chapel, 9th September.
Photographs taken of cordoned off church and its artifacts by Hisory Society and posted on Llanteg website.
Old Minute Books of Crunwere Church lent to History Society and notes made.
2008 Photographs taken of all graves (296) in parish and notes made of the various styles of gravestones. Verses also copied. File given to Record Office Haverfordwest and the relevent sections given to Crunwere Church, Zoar Chapel of Rest and Community Council for Mountain Chapel.
Claypits begun to be cleared by Community Association.
Out of 161 questionnaires sent out in November regarding the future of the church only 15 are returned. Church to definitely close.

Ronnie and Audrey Glanville - Diamond Wedding Anniversary

Ronnie and Audrey Glanville on their Wedding Day

5 July 1947

(sorry about the poor quality copy - the original is lovely!)

Many congratulations to Ronnie and Audrey Glanville of SEAFORD, Llanteg, who will be celebrating their 60th Wedding Anniversary on 5th July 2007.

Ronnie was born and bred in Llanteg and he and Audrey have always taken a very keen and supportive interest in the History Society's ventures.

Mountain Chapel Planters

Six new planters at Mountain Chapel

June 2007

Just waiting for plants to arrive!

Pity about the long grass.

Mountain Chapel Photographs

These are more photographs which have surfaced from the documents of the late Mrs Lillian Callnon (kindly loaned by daughter Carol).

May 1989 - Centenary of Mountain Chapel.

Back L to R - David Shanklin, Hywel Brown, Mrs Brown, Peter Hellings.

Front L to R - Megan Shanklin, Tom Shanklin (Elder), Lilian Callnon (Secretary, Elder & Organist), Rev'd T.J.Hopkins (late Minister), Mrs Jones, Mrs Hellings, Mrs G.Jones, Miss Eleri Jones, Mr R.Jones (Treasurer & Elder).

Taken outside Mountain Chapel (by Rev'd Bob Cole)

L to R - Lilian Callnon, Mrs Cole (Minister's wife), W.Shanklin, Mrs Megan Shanklin, Tom Shanklin, Joan Shanklin (holding daughter of Rev'd & Mrs Cole).,

Mountain Chapel's 50th Anniversary - 1939

L to R - Mr Schourfield, Mrs Hodge, Mrs Phillips, Mrs Callen, Mrs Shanklin, Rev'd T.J.Hopkins, Mrs Williams, Miss Evans, Mrs Davies, Miss Greta Williams, Mr Ben Evans, Mr W.Shanklin.

(We have no names for the two ladies sitting at the side of the chapel)

Llanteg Location

Llanteg is a small rural parish on the eastern border of Pembrokeshire, South West Wales.

We are bisected by the busy A477 trunk road which is the main route into South Pembrokeshire (including the popular resorts of Saundersfoot and Tenby).

The village lies within the parish of Crunwere (previously also known as Crunwear).

Zoar Chapel

Zoar Baptist Chapel

The chapel has now closed and is a Chapel of Rest for E.C.Thomas & Son, Funeral Directors.

G.R.(George V) Letterbox

G.R. Postbox (George V 1910-36), The Folly, Llanteg
Old post box which will only take narrow envelopes and not birthday cards!

Village Milestone

Oaklands Milestone

Made by Moss & Sons 1838

Secretary's Contact Details

Ruth Roberts can be contacted via:-
this blog (under comments)

e-mail - ruthroberts123@gmail.com

tel - 01834 831298

Post:-


Sandy Grove
Llanteg
Narberth
Pembs
SA67 8QG

20th Century Map of Crunwere

The red line denotes the boundary of Crunwere Parish.

19th Century Map of Crunwere Parish

Notice the old road layout before the A477 road cut throught the area in the 1830s.

Many of the little lanes are still there as footpaths.

Castle Ely Bridge County Boundary Stone

Refurbished Boundary Stone in 2003 - Castle Ely Bridge

The above three pictures show how the boundary stone was brought back to life in 2003 after being completely lost in undergrowth.
Sadly, the poor stone now looks slightly the worse for wear and could do with another lick of paint (this was done for us before by Pembs County Council workers).

Church Notelets for Sale

Crunwere Church from field

Crunwere Church Porch

Crunwere Stained Glass Window

Crunwere Church Rood Screen

Crunwere Church Stained Glass Window - depicting Broomylake

The above images were taken from cards on sale from Audrey James of Rose Park, Llanteg.

Copyright J.P.Elliott-Hunt (Little Black Cat 01834 811 575)

Claypits As They Look Now

Clearing at A477 side of Claypits for work to commence.

Looking down the 'Stoney Road' towards Ledgerland, with the 'Claypits' behind the seat.

The 'Claypits' as viewed from the A477 opposite the Mountain Chapel down towards the garage.

I'll keep you updated about any work that takes place there - and post more photographs!

Rectory Well and Tap - Ongoing Project

Tap near the bottom of Rectory Hill

The above tap and well are on the Rectory Hill - on the way up the road which leads up from the crossroads by Llanteg Garage towards Tavernspite.

We are planning to have the old metal well door refurbished and a plaque put there - as this well and water supply was used a lot by villagers before mains water arrived.

This project has been ongoing for a while but we've had various setbacks so far - nevertheless its still on our 'to do' list!

The First Mountain Chapel

The map shows the same area as the one for the Claypits (outlined in dark) - the original chapel was believed to have existed from around 1814 (as a chapel and school) and was the black square of a building shown on the triangle of land just to the right of the heavy outline - marked with green.

It went into disrepair and the new chapel was built in 1889.

It seems the triangle of land may have been incorporated into the adjoining field many years ago and no trace seems to be remaining of the old chapel.

We can have a good look once the Claypits are cleared.

Hugh James can recall 3-4ft walls there when he was a lad in the 20s.

Sometimes at Anniversary Services the members of Lanteague would go to the old chapel for part of their services.

The Claypits

Map of centre of Llanteg

The map shows the A477 before the Chapel was built on the other corner

(the road running down the map is the one off the A477 going down towards Llanteg Park)

This was a small area that was given to the village when the commons were enclosed in the 19th century.

It actually consists of two areas - one was the Claypits (for gathering clay to keep the home fires burning) and the other was a Quarry - for supplying stones for the upkeep of the parish roads.

The Claypits is now a completely overgrown area - along the side of the A477 eastwards from Mounatin Chapel Gardens towards the Village Hall.

Its hoped that this area can be cleared and made a site that can once again be used by villagers.

Mountain Chapel Lanteague - Documents

Mountain Chapel

(The above picture was found on a 1993 calendar)

One of the last Trustee's when the chapel closed in 1999 was Mrs Lillian Callnon, who was then the Secretary. After her death in 2006 her daughter Carol Mason acquired papers and account books relating to the chapel and before passing them to the Record Office she has been kind enough to lend them to the History Group for me to make some notes.

Last weekend I went through one batch and yesterday collected another.

Reading through the minutes last night really brought it home to me how much the members loved their chapel - Mrs Callnon said in one place that sometimes there had been four generations of her family at services together.

From the 1970s onwards you read of their struggle to get good attendances at Anniversary Services and Carol Concerts. Their membership dwindled until it was four people - and these so afflicted with age and ill health that you could feel their distress coming through the pages. It brought the people back to life and showed how they had lived - not, as today, that most of them are just names on the grave stones.

It was such a sad day when they finally closed after the Carol Service in December 1999. All their years of trying to maintain and keep the building in good repair came to nothing, for in a few months it was being demolished.

No wonder it broke their hearts.

I'm just so glad that we've done something to try and get the chapel gardens looking something decent - they at least deserve that.

It just makes you think that maybe soon we'll be seeing the same thing happening with Crunwere Church.

(I'd better stop now and concentrate on typing up notes for our next book!)

Sad Day for Crunwere Church

It was a sad day on Sunday 22nd April 2007 when the church was surrounded by tape to show its a danger to venture near. This work was done by John Lewis-Tunster and Mick Day.

Nonagenarian Birthday Greetings

Hugh - the day before his 90th Birthday

27/4/07

Many happy returns to Hugh James of Arfryn who celebrates his 90th Birthday on 28th April 2007.

Hugh comes from an old Crunwere family and was himself born and bred in Llanteg: growing up just over the road at Blackheath.

Hugh has been most helpful to the History Sociey over the years; from telling us stories of old inhabitants to helping indentify photographs.

Hugh's support and encouragement of our efforts has been most gratifying.

We hope you have a very Happy Birthday Hugh.

Stile Opposite Mountain Chapel

This is one of the two stiles that were built to cross 'Llanteg Mountain' - a quick way for the children to cross over to get to Crunwere School before its closure in 1946 (now Seabreeze).

We are hoping to get the two stiles tidied up over the summer.

30 April - I've cleaned up the one near the old Council Houses - it seems fine - it was just covered in ivy and is in great condition.

Crunwere Church - Unsafe

John Lewis-Tunster and Mick Day will be taping around the church this week to prevent people getting within 3 metres of the building in case of accidents.

From now on it will be a sorry sight I'm sure.

Update on Llanteg Mountain Garden

Just popped in to see what it was like.
Pleased to say the gate now opens very easily thanks to the Community Council.
Went inside the garden area and only about four little weeds poking through the slate chippings which I've removed.
Once the planters are fastened in place we can get them planted up and organise an unveiling after the plaque is made.

Crunwere Church, Llanteg

Just heard unofficially that our church is now classed as unsafe.
The electricity has been turned off and shortly it will be cordoned off - but still allowing access to most of the graves.

Therefore there will be no more services there - a sad end to such an old building.

Its fortunate that we are recording the graves and taking photographs as who knows what might happen if the tower fell.

Mountain Chapel Memorial Gardens

The now demolished Chapel

Date Stone of Chapel

Memorial Gardens

The two pumps came from Woodview (but were originally from Sparrows Nest and Crunwere Farms)

We are currently collecting donations to go towards the six planters and plants.

These planters will soon be secured in the gardens and then planted up. We intent to have a memorial plaque in memory of families who donated towards them.

A possible unveiling and dedication service is planned for later in the year.

Possible Future Projects

Exhibition of large village family tree.

Compile Wills booklet.

Compile history of the church- especially relevent now the church building has closed.

Compile history of the school.

Compile Information Board for Old School Field

Compile another picture book - 1950s to present day.

Compile another picture book of old photos.

Current Projects

Refurbishing the Rectory Hill well and tap.

Compiling our fourth History Book of the village which we would like to publish in 2009 as it is the Society's tenth anniversary.

Compiling a computerised family tree of all the interconnected village families.

Completed Projects

With help of grants from The Lottery, SPARC (now PLANED) and PAVS, some of our work includes:-

Transcribed village censuses 1841-1901.

Collected old Wills, Newspaper articles, Sales Notices etc.

Bought a large map of village, 10 display boards plus an aerial photo for the Village Hall.

Compiled a Millennium census of residents and taken photos of each property.

Taken picture of features around the village and also take more shots as places change.

Collected reminiscences of older residents.

Collected Christmas reminiscences.

Collected old and current field names for comparison.

Conducted a year long Hedgerow Survey into plants in the parish.

Redrafted and published the Village Information Leaflet.

Researched the names of people who fought in the 2 World Wars and commissioned a War Memorial for the village hall.

Purchased 2 old water pumps and remodelled the gardens where the old Mountain Chapel had stood. We also erected an information panel.

Collected all grave inscriptions and photographed each of the 296 gravestones in the parish.

Tidied Mountain Chapel Gardens and put two old village pumps there - together with planters and a plaque.

Published:-

three history books, two picture books, W.I.booklet, Graves booklet, Recipe booklet, two House History booklets.

Llanteg Exhibitions

To date we have held three very successful exhibitions plus a book launch last April, 2006.

Llanteg Books (see list down right of page)

So far we have published:-
3 history books (£5.99 & £4.99)
2 picture books of photos up to 1950s (£4.99)
Grave Inscriptions (£3.00)
W.I. History (£4.00)
House Histories up to 1900 (£3.00)
House Histories for 20th Century (£3.00)
Village Recipe Book (£3.00)

These are all available for purchase from Ruth. Please add 75p per book if you wish them posted and make any cheques payable to Llanteg History Society.

Post your payment to:-

Ruth Roberts

Sandy Grove

Llanteg

Narberth

Pembs

SA67 8QG

The contents of these publciations is now listed on the History Page of Llanteg's website (see under Llanteg Hall) at:

http://www.llanteg.co.uk/

Meetings

Meetings are held in Llanteg Hall on the third TUESDAY of each month at 7.30pm.

During the summer we usually have a trip and there is no meeting in August.

Our November meeting is replaced by a Christmas meal and we have no meeting in December.

Notices of meetings and possible speakers are placed in local papers and on the village notice boards.

Llanteg History Society Aims

The society was formed in March 1999 to help collect as much history about the parish of Crunwere and the village of Llanteg as possible, and to circulate our finds.

Llanteg History Society Membership

Membership costs £10 per family per year and is collected at our AGM in March.

This is to cover Hall rental and postage and printing costs.

After each meeting a newsletter is posted out to each member.