News

Llangwm: Restoration of church nearing completion

Published

9 years ago

February 27, 2017

Tom Sinclair

Effigy: Saved from damp

AN AMBITIOUS project involving more than 100 volunteers is finally reaching its conclusion with the completion of restoration work on a historic Pembrokeshire church.

Llangwm’s medieval Church of St Jerome was closed for 18 months for the extensive renovations and is now due to reopen its doors next Monday (March 6).

A re-dedication service will be performed by Bishop John Saxbee, former Bishop of Lincoln.

Not only is the building now free from the damp that was threatening its two 700-year-old effigies, it’s now the proud possessor of a state-of-the art air source underfloor heating system, a first for any medieval church in Britain.

It also has a modern audio visual system which can be used not only for services, but for concerts and other events.

The interior – and the exterior if you know where to look – certainly appear different. The pews have gone, replaced by comfy chairs, there’s new carpet on the floor and modern LED lighting.

The two effigies, now known to date back to around 1300 for the woman and 1340 for the man, were saved from further damage by having damp-proof sheets slipped between them and their plinths.

But perhaps the biggest change of all will be the addition of ‘The Talking Tapestry of Langum’, a five-metre long permanent display telling the tale of Llangwm’s Flemish founders and stitched by 30 Llangwm women who gave more than 2,000 hours of their time.

The tapestry, housed in a side chapel, will be declared open in a special ceremony on March 25 by the Flemish government’s representative in Britain, Nic van der Marliere.

It can be visited by groups between then and Easter, when it will be open to all visitors.

The tapestry will be accompanied by a downloadable app giving the story of the Flemish settlers, spanning almost 400 years from the time the Flemings arrived with William the Conqueror, to the death of the last of the main line of descendants of the original family.

The app will be ‘narrated’ by Mabel the Fleming, who appears with her husband Hugh in Haverfordwest’s extensive 13th century property records – and who 800 years on, has now been given a voice.

But the church renovation wasn’t without its problems.

After removing the floor to install the heating, workmen found bones, thought to date back to the 15^th or 16^th centuries, which had probably been scattered by builders the last time this type of work was carried out in 1835.

A Victorian-era central heating system was also discovered – proving perhaps that nothing is new.

To add to the problems, having removed the cement render from the walls of the North Transept, which houses a chapel thought to have been built in 1349, the walls were in fact found to be standing on nothing more than mud.

One theory is that experienced stonemasons of the time were in short supply, many having lost their lives in the Black Death.

The church renovation and the creation of the tapestry were part of a larger project, backed by the Heritage Lottery Fund and others, which also included DNA testing of Llangwm men (which found a link to men now living in Flanders), an archaeological dig, podcasts, extensive documentary research into the history of the Flemings in Pembrokeshire, and a DVD which will be on sale later in the spring.

Crime

Man in critical condition after serious assault in New Quay

Published

1 hour ago

July 4, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A 20-YEAR-OLD man remains in a critical condition in hospital after being seriously assaulted in New Quay.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the incident happened at around 12:51am on Saturday (July 4) in Margaret Street, leading to Uplands Square.

The victim suffered serious, life-threatening injuries and was taken to hospital, where he remains in a critical condition.

A 37-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm and remains in police custody.

Police said enquiries are progressing, led by CID and the Major Crime Team. A visible police presence is expected to remain in the area over the coming days.

Officers are appealing for witnesses, or anyone with information, to come forward.

Anyone who can help is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police online, by emailing [email protected], by direct message on social media, or by calling 101.

Quote reference: DP-20260704-028.

Community

Kilgetty and Begelly tractor run raises funds for local charities

Published

3 hours ago

July 4, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Around 70 tractors joined the annual charity road run, hosted by the Begelly Arms Hotel

THE ANNUAL Kilgetty and Begelly Charity Tractor Run brought a colourful convoy to the roads around the Narberth area on Saturday (Jul 4), with around 70 tractors taking part.

The event was hosted by the Begelly Arms Hotel, where farmers, families and supporters gathered before the start of the run.

Entrants were treated to bacon rolls and coffee by the hosts before setting off, while many families took the opportunity to pose for photographs alongside the tractors.

The road run once again proved to be a popular community event, bringing together local farmers, vintage tractor enthusiasts and supporters for a good cause.

The sight of dozens of tractors heading out together made an impressive display as the convoy travelled through the local area.

Organisers said local charities are set to benefit from money raised at the event.

The annual run has become a well-supported fixture in the local calendar, with farming families turning out in force to take part and support the fundraising effort.

For further information, contact Peter Adams at the Begelly Arms on 01834 812601.

Pictures: Malcolm Richards

Community

Pontrhydfendigaid Carnival brings village together for colourful celebration

Published

4 hours ago

July 4, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PONTRHYDFENDIGAID Carnival returned in style on Saturday, with a strong community turnout as villagers, families, children and young people gathered on the Village Green before the procession moved on to Bont Pavilion.

The afternoon was full of colour, music and community spirit, with bunting, balloons, decorated floats and smiling faces helping to create a true village celebration.

Among the highlights were the children’s and young people’s entries, which showed real creativity, confidence and effort. Farmyard scenes, animal costumes, a Noah’s Ark-themed float and brightly decorated tableaux all helped bring the carnival to life.

Organisers praised the work that had gone into the displays, competitions and activities, with many families clearly spending hours preparing costumes, props and entries.

The carnival programme featured a wide range of competitions, including floats and tableaux, children’s age-group entries, adverts, pairs, “anything on wheels” and the ever-popular welly throwing competition.

The mix of Welsh and English throughout the event reflected the strong local identity of Pontrhydfendigaid and the importance of keeping village traditions alive for the next generation.

Thanks were also paid to the organisers, volunteers, presidents, compères, families and all those who gave their time behind the scenes. Events of this kind take a great deal of work, and the turnout showed how much the carnival continues to mean to the community.

Pontrhydfendigaid Carnival 2026 proved to be a joyful reminder of what can be achieved when a village comes together.

Photographs and report by Jeremy Rundle