Cwm Gwaun
| Cwm Gwaun | |
| Pembrokeshire | |
|---|---|
| |
| Location | |
| Location: | 51°58’8"N, 4°51’60"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 266 (2001) |
| Post town: | Fishguard |
| Postcode: | SA65 |
| Dialling code: | 01834 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Pembrokeshire |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Preseli Pembrokeshire |
Cwm Gwaun is a village and parish in northern Pembrokeshire. The village is located just to the west of Pontfaen hamlet (which forms part of the parish) some it lies 4½ miles east of Fishguard. The name means the Gwaun Valley.
Geography
In 2008 the parish was reported to have an area of 9,563 acres and have a population of 266 inhabitants.[1] The Companion Guide to Wales describes Cwm Gwaun as "one of the most important meltwater channels from the last ice age to be found in the British Isles." [2] The River Gwaun rises in the Preseli hills near the village and its tributaries have carved heavily-wooded steep, narrow side-valleys. To the north-west are hills such as Mynydd Dinas and Mynydd Melyn and the valley forms a notable wetland.[3] Trees found in the valley include sessile oak, beech, alder, rowan, ash and willow.[2] The highest point of the Preseli hills is Foel Cwmcerwyn at 1,760 feet.[4] The area is a notable 5.2-mile nature walk area of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.[5] The Rough Guide to Wales says of the community, "Cwm Gwaun and the inland hills Cwm Gwaun, the valley of the burbling River Gwaun is one of the great surprises of Pembrokeshire – a bucolic vale of impossibly narrow lanes, surrounded by the bleak shoulders of bare mountains."[6]
New Year celebrations
The locals continue to follow the tradition of the pre-1752 Julian calendar and celebrate New Year on 13 January.[2][6] Children walk from house to house, and sing traditional Welsh-language songs. In return, householders provide gifts, or calennig, of sweets and money. In 2012, it was reported that most children from the local primary school would be absent that day to take part in the celebrations.[7]
Notable landmarks
Pontfaen contains a primary school and a pub of considerable local renown named the Dyffryn Arms, known locally as Bessie's and run by Bessie Davies's family since 1840.[8] The Gwaun Valley also contains a brewery at the Kilkiffeth Farm.[9]
References
 |
("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Cwm Gwaun) |
- ↑ Davies, John; Jenkins, Nigel; Baines, Menna (2008). The Welsh Academy encyclopaedia of Wales. University of Wales Press. ISBN 978-0-7083-1953-6. http://books.google.com/books?id=-ZEUAQAAIAAJ. Retrieved 20 September 2011.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Barnes, David (2005). The companion guide to Wales. Companion Guides. p. 240. ISBN 978-1-900639-43-9. http://books.google.com/books?id=Np_H_j3hXUEC&pg=PA240. Retrieved 20 September 2011.
- ↑ British wildlife. British Wildlife Publishing. 2006. pp. 35–36. http://books.google.com/books?id=j_pJAAAAYAAJ. Retrieved 20 September 2011.
- ↑ Else, David (2007). Great Britain. Lonely Planet. p. 688. ISBN 978-1-74104-565-9. http://books.google.com/books?id=963H_WwdUVUC&pg=PA688. Retrieved 20 September 2011.
- ↑ "Cwm Gwaun". BBC. http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/southwest/nature/thingstodo/walks/allwalks/cwm_gwaun.shtml. Retrieved 20 September 2011.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Nevez, Catherine Le; Parker, Mike; Whitfield, Paul (28 April 2009). The Rough Guide to Wales. Rough Guides. p. 211. ISBN 978-1-84836-050-1. http://books.google.com/books?id=I6z234p43ggC&pg=PA211. Retrieved 20 September 2011.
- ↑ BBC South West Wales, Gwaun Valley children mark old New Year, 13 January 2012
- ↑ Rough Guides Ltd. (COR) (2 May 2011). Rough Guides Make the Most of Your Time in Britain: 500 Great British Experiences. Rough Guides. p. 78. ISBN 978-1-84836-685-5. http://books.google.com/books?id=i56eoVOcm8AC&pg=PA78. Retrieved 20 September 2011.
- ↑ "Microbrewery in Pembrokeshire, Wales". Gwaun Valley Brewery. http://www.gwaunvalleybrewery.co.uk/. Retrieved 20 September 2011.