REMAINS of 42 people have been recovered from the site of Cardigan’s former Priory Hospital during ongoing housing development works.

The discovery is being described by local historians as one of the most significant finds linked to the town’s medieval past in recent memory.

The human remains, believed to date from the medieval period, were uncovered by Archaeology Wales during excavations ahead of a Wales and West Housing scheme to transform the historic Priory House site into new homes, a café and office space.

The burials include adults, children and infants. They were laid east to west, in keeping with Christian tradition. Some appear to have been buried in plain wooden coffins, while at least one may have been placed in a stone slate cist.

Gareth Thomas, Head of Development at Wales and West Housing, updated Cardigan town councillors on the discovery, confirming that 42 bodies had so far been recovered.

The remains have been carefully removed for specialist analysis and are expected to be re-interred on consecrated ground at St Mary’s Church.

A layered history

The Priory Hospital site has a long and complex history.

It was originally home to a 12th-century Benedictine priory, before later becoming a Regency villa designed by the renowned architect John Nash.

In the 20th century, it served as Cardigan’s war memorial hospital before falling into disuse.

The current development aims to bring the site back into use while dealing with its deep historical significance.

Local historian Glen Johnson has welcomed the discovery, but has also raised concerns about the pace of work and the possibility of further unrecorded archaeology.

Speaking to local media, Mr Johnson described the find as “the most important archaeological find ever made in relation to the Priory.”

He has urged authorities to consider stronger protection for the site, including possible scheduling, and has called for a full geophysical survey before further groundwork, including service trenches, is carried out.

Mr Johnson has disputed suggestions that the burials may have been those of “undesirables” or executed criminals.

He said the east-west orientation, together with evidence of coffin and cist burials, pointed instead to respectful Christian interment.

He believes the remains are more likely to be those of monks, townspeople, or a mixture of both, and may show that the medieval priory complex extended further than previously understood.

The presence of children’s remains also suggests the site may have served as a wider community burial ground.

Development and heritage

The discovery highlights the continuing challenge of balancing modern housing needs with the protection of West Wales’ archaeological heritage.

Urban development on historic sites often reveals buried history, as seen in the major medieval cemetery uncovered beneath Haverfordwest’s former Ocky White department store site.

Archaeologists have described the Cardigan remains as being of moderate regional importance.

Specialist analysis is expected to provide valuable information about medieval life in Ceredigion, including diet, health, disease, life expectancy and possible evidence of hardship or local events.

A spokesperson for Archaeology Wales said that while the finds were more extensive than first expected, proper protocols had been followed.

Developers have also committed to a watching brief for any further discoveries during the build.

Local interest

The discovery has generated considerable interest in Cardigan, where many residents still have strong family links to the former hospital.

Some have welcomed the development as the regeneration of a neglected site, while others fear that important history could be lost beneath new housing.

Mr Johnson said: “These bones are not just relics — they are our ancestors. Proper recording and study can tell us so much about how people lived, worked, and died in medieval Cardigan.”

The Herald understands that further updates are expected once scientific dating and detailed bone analysis are complete.

Radiocarbon dating and examination of any associated artefacts, such as coffin nails or textile fragments, could help refine the timeline and context of the cemetery.

The discovery is a reminder that the past often lies just beneath the surface in West Wales’ historic towns.

As development continues, careful stewardship of such finds will be essential to honouring local heritage while building for the future.

Joe Lycett, Bridget Christie and Stewart Lee among big names heading to Bannau Brycheiniog as Green Man sells out months in advance

GREEN MAN Festival has revealed its comedy programme for 2026, with some of the UK’s biggest stand-up names set to join a packed line-up of music, arts and entertainment in the heart of Wales this summer.

The award-winning festival, held in the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park from Thursday, August 20 to Sunday, August 23, will welcome comedians including Joe Lycett, Bridget Christie, Stewart Lee, Josie Long, Jessica Fostekew, Glenn Moore and Garth Marenghi to its much-loved Last Laugh comedy stage.

The festival’s comedy programme, hosted at the Babbling Tongues stage, will feature 39 acts ranging from household names to emerging performers, in keeping with Green Man’s long-standing reputation for showcasing new talent alongside established stars.

Leading the bill is comedian and television presenter Joe Lycett, known for Joe Lycett’s Got Your Back, Late Night Lycett, and appearances on programmes including Taskmaster, QI and Have I Got News For You.

He will be joined by comedian, actor and writer Bridget Christie, whose Channel 4 sitcom The Change won widespread praise, alongside comedy veteran Stewart Lee, returning to Green Man after topping the bill in 2025.

Other major names announced include Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee Josie Long, horror-comedy favourite Garth Marenghi, stand-up Kerry Godliman, and Jessica Fostekew, whose acclaimed show Hench earned an Edinburgh Comedy Award nomination.

The programme also features rising talent including Jack Shep, recently announced as part of the cast of Saturday Night Live UK, alongside sketch act Tarot, comedian Glenn Moore and a host of newer voices from across the UK comedy circuit.

Comedy forms just one part of Green Man’s wider cultural offering, with the festival also boasting a major music programme led by headliners Mogwai, Wilco, Four Tet and Wolf Alice.

Other acts confirmed for 2026 include Cat Power, Sparks, Tricky, Mogwai, Shame, Dry Cleaning, Aldous Harding, The Beta Band, Cate Le Bon and Mannequin Pussy.

Green Man, now in its third decade, remains Wales’ largest independent music, science and arts festival, attracting around 25,000 people daily to the Black Mountains area of Powys.

Festival organisers said all tickets for Green Man 2026 sold out within an hour of release in September 2025, although official resale tickets remain available through the festival’s approved resale platform.

Known for combining music with literature, film, science, wellness and family-friendly attractions, Green Man continues to draw visitors from across the UK and beyond while generating millions for the Welsh economy each year.

Fiona Stewart, founder and managing director of Green Man, has previously described the festival as a celebration of creativity and community, with a focus on supporting Welsh producers, artists and emerging talent.

For more information or resale tickets, visit Green Man Festival’s official website.

Photo caption: Green Man Festival has revealed its 2026 comedy programme, featuring major names including Joe Lycett, Bridget Christie and Stewart Lee (Pics: Green Man Festival).

A CLASSIC fairy tale will be brought to life at the Torch Theatre this June as Ballet Cymru presents a fresh take on Sleeping Beauty.

The production, set to Tchaikovsky’s iconic score, tells the timeless story of a young princess placed under a curse and drawn into an enchanted sleep, in a tale where good and evil collide.

Ballet Cymru’s version explores themes of love, acceptance and what it means to be different, combining innovative choreography, exceptional dancing, distinctive costumes and immersive projections.

Audiences are invited to step into the woods and join Ballet Cymru as it celebrates its 40th anniversary with a magical production performed by some of Wales’ most breathtaking dancers.

The performance will also feature pre-recorded audio description in both Welsh and English.

Anwen Francis, from the Torch Theatre Marketing Team, said: “We are all familiar with the story of Sleeping Beauty, where the young princess falls into an enchanted sleep only to be woken by true love’s kiss.

“With Ballet Cymru celebrating its special birthday, we can’t wait to invite them, and our audiences, to the Torch to be part of this incredible milestone and celebration.”

Ballet Cymru’s Sleeping Beauty will be performed at the Torch Theatre on Wednesday, June 3, at 7:30pm.

Tickets cost £19, £18 concessions and £11 for under-eights. Book online at torchtheatre.co.uk or call the box office on 01646 695267.