Abergwili
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Abergwili is a village in Carmarthenshire, Wales, lying on the River Tywi.
It is known for its Bishop's Palace, home to the Bishop of St David's until 1974 and now a museum. The bishop now lives at Llys Esgob.
Abergwili has seen a substantial increase in population in recent years with new property developments but has kept its character and rural tranquility.
The village is home to the Carmarthen Quins who are fierce rivals with Carmarthen Athletic who are situated in Carmarthen itself.
A tourist attraction in Abergwili that has received a lot of publicity recently is the Merlins Hill Centre, which is a farm which has been opened up to the public and has a lot of activity, especially for younger children. It is situated at the top of the hill (and has fabulous views) where reportedly the Wizard Merlin's bones were discovered.
The Wheat Sheaf pub in the village is one of the oldest in Carmarthenshire retaining rural charm.
John Carmody is one of the most well known characters currently residing in this village due to this links with the local football team and karaoke competitions. He is widely known as a 'karaoke mogul'. His nephew Carl Carmody represented Great Britain at the Special Olympics soccer tournament in the Republic of Ireland.
The pinnacle of the village, Abergwili FC were formed in 1991, when it was felt the village needed to be re-launched as a vibrant suburb of Carmarthen. With many changes in the playing staff and management structure over its 15 years of existence, it is hoped a stable period in the club's history is about to be embarked upon. John Camrody's resignation as Team Coach is heralding a new era. Carmody will be a hard act to follow after taking 'Gwili to successive promotions, first as reserve team coach, then with the first team, which culminated in narrowly missing out on promotion to the Premier Division. However, after relegation two seasons ago, last year was a period of consolidation and rebuilding. Next season 'Gwili are expected to build the first team around youngsters such as Richard Foreman (alias - Teddy), Matthew Rowlands and the self professed 'David Beckham' of Abergwili, Jamie Evans, a powerful forward in the Lee McCulloch mold. Evans has recently received good reviews by local paper the Carmarthen Journal, and it is reported that Cardiff University Football Club have been monitoring his progress with one of their feeder sides. The first team is held together by midfield dynamo Chris Devon (ironically a former Carmarthen Athletic rugby star), who's tough tackling, no-nonsense style is popular with fans and players alike. First team captain Aled Williams is seen as the leader of this young side. Williams is comfortable on the ball, with a biting tackle and a penchant for the 'hollywood ball'; brother Gethin is a pacy forward who likes to run onto balls played behind the defence, and complements Lee 'Skinny' Davies and veteran Grant Tolchard who both know where the back of the net is. With a couple of fresh faces expected in the summer, 'Gwili are expecting to mount a promotion challenge back to Division 1 of the Carmarthenshire League, and look to bring back the prestigious Mond Cup, which was last won in 2001. Contorversially the Club changed from its traditional blue home kit, to a more ferverant yellow after announcing the largest sponsorship in its history with 'Outback' and Waterside - two prominent bar/nightclubs in Carmarthen. The blue kit was rumoured to be disliked by local legend Merlin the Magician who as previously mentioned resided in Abergwili.
In the 2004/2005 season Abergwili FC Seconds Team went through an 18 game unbeaten run. The gaffer, Mal Davies was inspirational in this run choosing to mix a team of experienced, versatile, veteran journeymen with young, pacy, enthusiastic kids. After a well publicised power struggle Davies has since resigned as seconds manager. He can now be spotted residing in local watering hole, 'The Wheat Sheef' and indulging in his hobby of participating in darts tournaments.
[edit] External links
Abergwili • Abernant • Ammanford • Betws • Bronwydd • Carmarthen • Cenarth • Cilycwm • Cilymaenllwyd • Cwmamman • Cyngor Bro Dyffryn Cennen • Cynwyl Elfed • Cynwyl Gaeo • Eglwyscummin • Gorslas • Henllanfallteg • Kidwelly • Laugharne Township • Llanarthney • Llanboidy • Llanddarog • Llanddeusant • Llanddowror • Llandeilo • Llandovery • Llandybie • Llandyfaelog • Llanedi • Llanegwad • Llanelli • Llanelli Rural • Llanfair-ar-y-bryn • Llanfihangel Aberbythych • Llanfihangel Rhos-y-Corn • Llanfihangel-ar-Arth • Llanfynydd • Llangadog • Llangain • Llangathen • Llangeler • Llangennech • Llangunnor • Llangyndeyrn • Llangynin • Llangynog • Llanllawddog • Llanllwni • Llannon • Llanpumsaint • Llansadwrn • Llansaint • Llansawel • Llansteffan • Llanwinio • Llanwrda • Llanybydder • Llanycrwys • Manordeilo and Salem • Meidrim • Myddfai • Mynydd-y-Garreg • Newcastle Emlyn • Newchurch and Merthyr • Pembrey and Burry Port Town • Pencarreg • Pendine • Pontyberem • Quarter Bach • St. Clears • St. Ishmael • Talley • Trelech • Trimsaran • Whitland
