Skenfrith
| Skenfrith | |
| Monmouthshire | |
|---|---|
 Skenfrith from the air, showing the castle and River Monnow | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SO457201 |
| Location: | 51°52’37"N, 2°47’17"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 272 |
| Post town: | Abergavenny |
| Postcode: | NP7 |
| Dialling code: | 01600 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Monmouthshire |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Monmouth |
Skenfrith is a small village and ancient parish in Monmouthshire, about six miles north-west of Monmouth. It is located in the Skenfrith Hundred, to which it gives its name, on the River Monnow, close to the Herefordshire border. The road through the village (B4521) was once the A40, linking Ross-on-Wye and Abergavenny.
History and amenities
Skenfrith is most famous for its castle, one of the Three (or 'trilateral') Castles – with Grosmont Castle and White Castle – built in the area after the Norman conquest by Marcher Lords to subjugate and dominate this part of the turbulent Marches into the mediæval period. The castle was substantially rebuilt by Hubert de Burgh between 1219 and 1223, but by 1538 it was abandoned and in ruins.
St Bridget's Church, Skenfrith was first mentioned in 1207, and was reconstructed and enlarged in the 14th century. The church has a squat tower and large buttress. The whole is listed Grade I. The interior has a Jacobean pew and the tomb of the last governor of the Three Castles.[1] It also holds the Skenfrith Cope, an embroidered vestment of red velvet and linen which has been dated to the late 15th century. Its design shows the Assumption of the Virgin, surrounded by angels and saints.[2]
The Bell at Skenfrith, originally a 17th-century coaching inn, was voted Michelin 2007 Pub of the Year, for the whole of Great Britain.[3]
Skenfrith was used as the location for the fictional village of "Upper Leadworth" in the Doctor Who episodes "Amy's Choice", broadcast on 22 May 2010 and the related Doctor Who Confidential episode "Arthurian Legend". In the episode quoted Skenfrith was labelled as the village which time forgot.
In June 2010 a regular produce market opened in the village hall on the second Saturday of each month. This was set up to promote local producers of meat, poultry, fruit and vegetables, honey, bread, jams and preserves, cakes, cider, beer and cheese.[4] The market is now well established and is regarded as one of the best local produce or farmers' markets in the Monmouthshire-Herefordshire border country.
Friends of St Bridget's
There is an active secular charity, The Friends of St Bridget's, Skenfrith, which supports the repair and maintenance of the church and has raised funds, in particular for the recent conservation project and new display and conservation of the pre-reformation cope. Patrons include the Lord Lieutenant Simon Boyle, Sara Fulgoni and Sir Roy Strong. The Friends run a monthly sweepstake.[5]
References
- ↑ Skenfrith at Britainexpress.com
- ↑ Leaflet, The Skenfrith Cope, Church of St Bridget, Skenfrith
- ↑ The Bell at Skenfrith
- ↑ The Skenfrith Produce Market website
- ↑ "Friends of St Bridget's, Skenfrith". friendsofstbridgetsskenfrith.co.uk/. http://www.friendsofstbridgetsskenfrith.co.uk/. Retrieved 13 June 2013.