Llanpumsaint
Encyclopedia
Llanpumsaint is a village
and community
in Carmarthenshire
, West Wales
. In the 2001 UK Census, Llanpumsaint community had a population
of 595. It is not to be confused with Pumsaint
, a small village some distance away on the River Cothi
.
Llanpumsaint community comprises the neighbouring hamlet of Nebo, the Hindu
community and temple at Skanda Vale
and a number of farms.
According to the 2001 Census, 50% of those living in Llanpumsaint community are able to speak, read and write Welsh, this is well above the 39% average recorded for Carmarthenshire in the same census.
and the A486
at Llandysul
and Pentrecwrt
. The village straddles the River Gwili
between Bronwydd and Llanllawddog
, at the confluence of two small tributaries, Nant-cwm-cerwyn and Nant Aeron. The nearest major settlement is Carmarthen
, approximately 4.5 miles (7 km) away by road.
, Gwynno
, Gwynoro, Ceitho and Celynin who came from the nearby hamlet of Cynwyl Gaeo
. They were sons of Cynyr Barbtruc (or "cut-beard"; Welsh: "Cynyr Farfdrwch") and descendents of Cunedda the Imperator
(Welsh: "Cynyr Wledig").
The five brothers are said to have built the Llanpumsaint Parish Church around the 5th or 6th Century. It is thought that they built the church on a pre-existing pagan site. There are also five pools in Nant-cwm-cerwyn which are named after each of the saints. These pools were the destination for pilgrimage
s to the village during the Middle Ages
. Such pilgrimages tended to take place around the time of St. David's Day.
The names of the five saints appear elsewhere in the area. One of the brothers, Ceitho, is the patron saint of Llangeitho
in Ceredigion
where he founded an abbey and lived as a hermit there within. Another example is St Celynin's Church in the neighbouring community of Bronwydd which was built as a missionary church to Llanpumsaint in 1894.
indicating the site of a possible medieval timber castle of the motte and bailey or ringwork
form.
was opened. "Llanpumpsaint" station was opened in 1864 when the line was extended as far as Llandysul
. At the height of its operation, the Carmarthen Aberystwyth Line linked Llanpumsaint to Carmarthen
in the south (connecting to the West Wales Line
) and to Cardigan
, Aberaeron
and Aberystwyth
(connecting to the Cambrian Line
) in the north.
The railway served the village for over 100 years until the line finally stopped taking passengers in February 1965 and the station was closed. Freight trains continued to pass through the village on their way between Felin Fach and Carmarthen until 1973 when the line was finally closed and lifted. The dismantled railway still passes through the village and, until recently, the original "Llanpumpsaint" station sign could be seen in front of the Railway Inn. In neighbouring Bronwydd, a section of the line was reopened in 1978 for tourists and named the Gwili Railway
. The Gwili Railway aims to eventually restore the railway as far as Llanpumsaint. Plans are currently underway to extend the line South to Abergwili Junction. However, the logistics of restoring the track as far north as Llanpumsaint (there are seven derelict bridges crossing the Gwili between Bronwydd and Llanpumsaint) mean that there is currently no timetable for restoration.
. The precise age of the church is unknown. At the time of the The Religious census of 1851, the parish priest William Henry Powell attested that the church had been "...consecrated from time immemorial." There is a 6th century Ogham
stone in the churchyard which may give some indication of the church's age. The original church building was restored in 1882. An extension to the nave and the porch date from 1933.
The east window of the nave was designed by Mildred "Elsi" Eldridge, the wife of renowned Welsh poet R. S. Thomas
.
Very near to Llanpumsaint Parish Church is Bethel Presbyterian
Chapel which was originally built in 1796. Nearer to the old trainline there is also Caersalem Baptist
Chapel which was built in 1904.
and as such is a registered charity.
Village
A village is a clustered human settlement or community, larger than a hamlet with the population ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand , Though often located in rural areas, the term urban village is also applied to certain urban neighbourhoods, such as the West Village in Manhattan, New...
and community
Community (Wales)
A community is a division of land in Wales that forms the lowest-tier of local government in Wales. Welsh communities are analogous to civil parishes in England....
in Carmarthenshire
Carmarthenshire
Carmarthenshire is a unitary authority in the south west of Wales and one of thirteen historic counties. It is the 3rd largest in Wales. Its three largest towns are Llanelli, Carmarthen and Ammanford...
, West Wales
West Wales
West Wales is the western area of Wales.Some definitions of West Wales include only Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire, an area which historically comprised the Welsh principality of Deheubarth., an area called "South West Wales" in the Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics....
. In the 2001 UK Census, Llanpumsaint community had a population
Population
A population is all the organisms that both belong to the same group or species and live in the same geographical area. The area that is used to define a sexual population is such that inter-breeding is possible between any pair within the area and more probable than cross-breeding with individuals...
of 595. It is not to be confused with Pumsaint
Pumsaint
Pumsaint is a village in Carmarthenshire, Wales situated half way between Llanwrda and Lampeter on the A482 in the valley of the River Cothi. It forms part of the extensive estate of Dolaucothi which is owned by the National Trust....
, a small village some distance away on the River Cothi
River Cothi
The River Cothi is the largest tributary of the River Tywi in south Wales. It is noted for its trout and sea trout fishing and for its beautiful scenery.-Dolaucothi:...
.
Llanpumsaint community comprises the neighbouring hamlet of Nebo, the Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
community and temple at Skanda Vale
Skanda Vale
Skanda Vale is a Hindu Temple/Monastery in Llanpumsaint community, Carmarthenshire, south-west Wales. The temple is dedicated to Lord Subramanya, who is also known as Skanda, Karttikeya, and Muruga...
and a number of farms.
According to the 2001 Census, 50% of those living in Llanpumsaint community are able to speak, read and write Welsh, this is well above the 39% average recorded for Carmarthenshire in the same census.
Location
Llanpumsaint is located on minor road that joins the B4336 just north of Bronwydd ArmsBronwydd
Bronwydd is a village in the county of Carmarthenshire, Wales, situated about three miles north of Carmarthen in the valley of the River Gwili.In Census 2001, Bronwydd community had a population of 572...
and the A486
A486 road
The A486 is an A road in Carmarthenshire, Wales, which links Saron with New Quay.The A486 begins at the junction with the A484 south of Saron. After departing Saron from the south it crosses the settlements of:*Pentrecwrt*Dolgran*Llandysul*Horeb...
at Llandysul
Llandysul
Llandysul is a small town in the county of Ceredigion, Wales. The community of Pont Tyweli lies directly across the Teifi River in Carmarthenshire. It is in the valley of the River Teifi and is visited for its fishing and canoeing....
and Pentrecwrt
Pentrecwrt
Pentrecwrt is a village in north Carmarthenshire, Wales on the A486 road half way between Carmarthen and New Quay.-History:Pencastell is a bracken and tree-clad motte that can be seen on the hillside above Pentrecwrt....
. The village straddles the River Gwili
River Gwili
The River Gwili is a river in Carmarthenshire, Wales. A tributary of Wales' largest river, the River Towy, it's headwater is found east of Llanllawddog, in the Brechfa Forest. It runs west, through Llanpumsaint, to its confluence with the River Duad, just south of Cynwyl Elfed village...
between Bronwydd and Llanllawddog
Llanllawddog
Llanllawddog is a community located in Carmarthenshire, south-west Wales....
, at the confluence of two small tributaries, Nant-cwm-cerwyn and Nant Aeron. The nearest major settlement is Carmarthen
Carmarthen
Carmarthen is a community in, and the county town of, Carmarthenshire, Wales. It is sited on the River Towy north of its mouth at Carmarthen Bay. In 2001, the population was 14,648....
, approximately 4.5 miles (7 km) away by road.
Foundation
The name Llanpumsaint translates as "Parish of the Five Saints" ("Llan" means church or enclosed area of land). The five saints were brothers named GwynGwyn
Gwyn meaning "white" in Welsh and Cornish, may refer to the following:- As given name :*Gwyn ap Nudd, a mythical ruler of Annwn.*Gwyn Prosser, a British politician.*Gwyn Nicholls, a Welsh rugby union player....
, Gwynno
Gwynno
Gwynno, or Gwynnog ab Gildas, is the name of a 6th century Welsh saintArchives at the Vatican record that his festival is October 26; he is regarded as a confessor; and that there is said to be a sacred well, Ffynnon Wyno, associated with Llanwonno, in Glamorganshire.Gwynno appears to have been the...
, Gwynoro, Ceitho and Celynin who came from the nearby hamlet of Cynwyl Gaeo
Cynwyl Gaeo
Cynwyl Gaeo is a parish and community located in Carmarthenshire, Wales....
. They were sons of Cynyr Barbtruc (or "cut-beard"; Welsh: "Cynyr Farfdrwch") and descendents of Cunedda the Imperator
Cunedda
Cunedda ap Edern , was an important early Welsh leader, and the progenitor of the royal dynasty of Gwynedd.-Background and life:The name Cunedda derives from the Brythonic word , meaning good hound. His genealogy is traced back to Padarn Beisrudd, which literally translates as Paternus of the...
(Welsh: "Cynyr Wledig").
The five brothers are said to have built the Llanpumsaint Parish Church around the 5th or 6th Century. It is thought that they built the church on a pre-existing pagan site. There are also five pools in Nant-cwm-cerwyn which are named after each of the saints. These pools were the destination for pilgrimage
Pilgrimage
A pilgrimage is a journey or search of great moral or spiritual significance. Typically, it is a journey to a shrine or other location of importance to a person's beliefs and faith...
s to the village during the Middle Ages
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
. Such pilgrimages tended to take place around the time of St. David's Day.
The names of the five saints appear elsewhere in the area. One of the brothers, Ceitho, is the patron saint of Llangeitho
Llangeitho
Llangeitho is a village and community in Ceredigion, Wales situated on the upper river Aeron about 6 km due west of Tregaron and 11 km north of Lampeter. It has a population of 874....
in Ceredigion
Ceredigion
Ceredigion is a county and former kingdom in mid-west Wales. As Cardiganshire , it was created in 1282, and was reconstituted as a county under that name in 1996, reverting to Ceredigion a day later...
where he founded an abbey and lived as a hermit there within. Another example is St Celynin's Church in the neighbouring community of Bronwydd which was built as a missionary church to Llanpumsaint in 1894.
Evidence of medieval settlement at Pant Glas
At Allt Pant Glas, to the south of Llanpumsaint village, there are earthworksEarthworks (archaeology)
In archaeology, earthwork is a general term to describe artificial changes in land level. Earthworks are often known colloquially as 'lumps and bumps'. Earthworks can themselves be archaeological features or they can show features beneath the surface...
indicating the site of a possible medieval timber castle of the motte and bailey or ringwork
Ringwork
A ringwork is a form of fortified defensive structure, usually circular or oval in shape. Ringworks are essentially motte-and-bailey castles minus the motte...
form.
Railway village 1864-1965
In 1860 the Carmarthen and Cardigan RailwayCarmarthen and Cardigan Railway
The Carmarthen and Cardigan Railway was a broad gauge railway from Carmarthen, Carmarthenshire, to Newcastle Emlyn, Wales. Part of the route is now used by the Teifi Valley Railway and the Gwili Railway.Despite the name, the line never reached Cardigan...
was opened. "Llanpumpsaint" station was opened in 1864 when the line was extended as far as Llandysul
Llandysul
Llandysul is a small town in the county of Ceredigion, Wales. The community of Pont Tyweli lies directly across the Teifi River in Carmarthenshire. It is in the valley of the River Teifi and is visited for its fishing and canoeing....
. At the height of its operation, the Carmarthen Aberystwyth Line linked Llanpumsaint to Carmarthen
Carmarthen
Carmarthen is a community in, and the county town of, Carmarthenshire, Wales. It is sited on the River Towy north of its mouth at Carmarthen Bay. In 2001, the population was 14,648....
in the south (connecting to the West Wales Line
West Wales Line
The West Wales Lines are a group of railway lines from Swansea through Carmarthenshire to Pembrokeshire, West Wales...
) and to Cardigan
Cardigan, Ceredigion
Cardigan is a town in the county of Ceredigion in Mid Wales. It lies on the estuary of the River Teifi at the point where Ceredigion meets Pembrokeshire. It was the county town of the pre-1974 county of Cardiganshire. It is the second largest town in Ceredigion. The town's population was 4,203...
, Aberaeron
Aberaeron
Aberaeron |Aeron]] being a Welsh god of war) is a seaside resort town in Ceredigion, Wales. Situated between Aberystwyth and Cardigan, it is home to the headquarters of Ceredigion County Council. The population was 1520 in 2001.-History and design:...
and Aberystwyth
Aberystwyth
Aberystwyth is a historic market town, administrative centre and holiday resort within Ceredigion, Wales. Often colloquially known as Aber, it is located at the confluence of the rivers Ystwyth and Rheidol....
(connecting to the Cambrian Line
Cambrian Line
The Cambrian Line is a railway from Shrewsbury to Welshpool, Aberystwyth and Pwllheli. The railway runs first through the central part of Wales and then along the coast of Cardigan Bay....
) in the north.
The railway served the village for over 100 years until the line finally stopped taking passengers in February 1965 and the station was closed. Freight trains continued to pass through the village on their way between Felin Fach and Carmarthen until 1973 when the line was finally closed and lifted. The dismantled railway still passes through the village and, until recently, the original "Llanpumpsaint" station sign could be seen in front of the Railway Inn. In neighbouring Bronwydd, a section of the line was reopened in 1978 for tourists and named the Gwili Railway
Gwili Railway
The Gwili Steam Railway operates a standard gauge preserved railway from Abergwili Junction in South Wales along a short section of the former Carmarthen to Aberystwyth railway that closed for passenger traffic in 1965, the track being lifted in 1975.The Gwili Railway was formed in 1974 and, by...
. The Gwili Railway aims to eventually restore the railway as far as Llanpumsaint. Plans are currently underway to extend the line South to Abergwili Junction. However, the logistics of restoring the track as far north as Llanpumsaint (there are seven derelict bridges crossing the Gwili between Bronwydd and Llanpumsaint) mean that there is currently no timetable for restoration.
Llanpumsaint Parish Church
Llanpumsaint Parish Church (The Church of St Celynin, Ceitho, Gwyn, Gwyno and Gwynoro) is a medieval church belonging to the Church in WalesChurch in Wales
The Church in Wales is the Anglican church in Wales, composed of six dioceses.As with the primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, the Archbishop of Wales serves concurrently as one of the six diocesan bishops. The current archbishop is Barry Morgan, the Bishop of Llandaff.In contrast to the...
. The precise age of the church is unknown. At the time of the The Religious census of 1851, the parish priest William Henry Powell attested that the church had been "...consecrated from time immemorial." There is a 6th century Ogham
Ogham
Ogham is an Early Medieval alphabet used primarily to write the Old Irish language, and occasionally the Brythonic language. Ogham is sometimes called the "Celtic Tree Alphabet", based on a High Medieval Bríatharogam tradition ascribing names of trees to the individual letters.There are roughly...
stone in the churchyard which may give some indication of the church's age. The original church building was restored in 1882. An extension to the nave and the porch date from 1933.
The east window of the nave was designed by Mildred "Elsi" Eldridge, the wife of renowned Welsh poet R. S. Thomas
R. S. Thomas
Ronald Stuart Thomas was a Welsh poet and Anglican clergyman, noted for his nationalism, spirituality and deep dislike of the anglicisation of Wales...
.
Very near to Llanpumsaint Parish Church is Bethel Presbyterian
Presbyterian Church of Wales
The Presbyterian Church of Wales , also known as The Calvinistic Methodist Church , is a denomination of Protestant Christianity. It was born out of the Welsh Methodist revival and the preaching of Hywel Harris Howell Harris in the 18th century and seceded from the Church of England in 1811...
Chapel which was originally built in 1796. Nearer to the old trainline there is also Caersalem Baptist
Baptist Union of Wales
The Baptist Union of Wales is a fellowship of Baptist churches in Wales.-History:The General Baptist minister Hugh Evans was one of the first Baptists to preach in Wales around 1646, in the parishes of Llan-hir, Cefnllys, Nantmel and Llanddewi Ystradenny, as well as in districts across the upper...
Chapel which was built in 1904.
Skanda Vale
Skanda Vale, also known as "The Community of the Many Faces of God", is a Hindu Temple/Monastery located in the Llanpumsaint Community, at a distance of 1.6 miles (3 km) from Llanpumsaint village. The temple holds festivals which are attended by pilgrims from all over the UK and even further afield. Skanda Vale also runs a hospiceHospice
Hospice is a type of care and a philosophy of care which focuses on the palliation of a terminally ill patient's symptoms.In the United States and Canada:*Gentiva Health Services, national provider of hospice and home health services...
and as such is a registered charity.
Notable people
- Martha LlwydMartha LlwydMartha Llwyd was a Welsh poet and hymnist, born in the small Carmarthenshire village of Cynwyl Elfed.Despite being unable to read or write, Martha Llwyd composed many hymns and poems which she kept in her memory and taught to others. Her hymns became very popular and were sung far and wide during...
(1766-1845) Welsh poet and hymnist. - William Williams (1788-1865) Welsh businessman based in London, RadicalRadicals (UK)The Radicals were a parliamentary political grouping in the United Kingdom in the early to mid 19th century, who drew on earlier ideas of radicalism and helped to transform the Whigs into the Liberal Party.-Background:...
MP 1835–1847 and 1850–1865 - David Owen (Brutus)David Owen (Brutus)David Owen David Owen David Owen (?December 1796 - 16 January 1866, known by the pseudonym Brutus, was a Welsh satirical writer, editor and preacher.He was born in Llanpumsaint, Carmarthenshire where he was brought up as a Congregationalist. Thereafter he spent periods of time in other parts...
(1795-1866), a satirical writer, editor and preacher. - Timothy Davies (politician)Timothy Davies (politician)Timothy Davies was a British Liberal Party politician who was twice elected as a Member of Parliament ....
(1857-1951) Welsh businessman based in London, Mayor of Fulham, LiberalLiberal Party (UK)The Liberal Party was one of the two major political parties of the United Kingdom during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was a third party of negligible importance throughout the latter half of the 20th Century, before merging with the Social Democratic Party in 1988 to form the present day...
MP 1906-1920 - Jennie Eirian DaviesJennie Eirian DaviesJennie Eirian Davies , was a Welsh politician and magazine editor.Jennie Howells was born in Llanpumsaint, Carmarthenshire and educated at the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth. She was a teacher by profession...
(1925-1982), Welsh politician and magazine editor.