Kidwelly

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Coordinates: 51°44′10″N 4°18′25″W / 51.736°N 4.307°W / 51.736; -4.307
Kidwelly
Welsh: Cydweli
Kidwelly

 Kidwelly shown within Carmarthenshire
Population 3,289 
OS grid reference SN407067
Community Kidwelly
Principal area Carmarthenshire
Ceremonial county Dyfed
Country Wales
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Post town KIDWELLY
Postcode district SA17
Dialling code 01554
Police Dyfed-Powys
Fire Mid and West Wales
Ambulance Welsh
EU Parliament Wales
UK Parliament Llanelli
Welsh Assembly Llanelli
Website kidwelly.gov.uk
List of places
UK
Wales
Carmarthenshire

Kidwelly (Welsh: Cydweli) is a town and community in Carmarthenshire, west Wales, approximately 10 miles (16 km) north-west of the main town of Llanelli. In the 2001 census the community of Kidwelly returned a population of 3,289.[1]

It lies on the River Gwendraeth above Carmarthen Bay.

History

The earliest written form of the name, 'Cetgueli', is recorded by the monk, Nennius, writing in the 9th century. One theory is that the name means the land, territory, or kingdom of Cadwal. Another theory is that the name is the combination of the two words 'Cyd' (joint) and 'Gweli' (bed), i.e., the joining of the two river beds Gwendraeth Fawr and Gwendraeth Fach, wherein Cydweli lies. The town itself is ancient, established by written records at around 1115 AD.

The substantial and well preserved castle and church were established by the invading Normans in 1106. The earliest castle on the site was a typical Norman motte and bailey design that was made of earth and timber. The 13th century re-design was commissioned by Edward I Longshanks as a strategic part of his 'Ring of Steel' oppression against the Welsh. At the time of the stone castle's creation, Kidwelly benefited from the latest strategic military thinking in castle design. It had a concentric design with one circuit of defensive walls set within another to allow the castle to be held even if the outer wall should fall. The great gatehouse was begun late in the 14th century but it wasn’t completed until 1422, somewhat due to the Welsh rebel Owain Glyn Dŵr’s efforts to reclaim Welsh independence.

A field in the neighbouring forest of Kingswood, Maes Gwenllian is known as the location of a battle in 1136, in which Princess Gwenllian, sister of Owain Gwynedd, led her husband's troops into battle against a Norman army during his absence. She is believed to have been killed either during the battle or shortly afterwards, historians debate whether her death was at Maes Gwenllian or if she was marched back to Kidwelly Castle to be beheaded there.

Although being an ancient town, Kidwelly grew significantly during the industrial revolution, as did many other towns in South Wales. The town was home to a large brickworks and tinworks. Little evidence now exists of such activities since the closure of the industrial works, with the exception of Kidwelly Industrial Museum.

An atmospheric quotation from a despondent vicar in the nineteenth century provides insight to times gone by;

Kidwelly Parish Church records, 1851 "Remarks: [MS torn] . . . Lords day in this Town is but very little regarded as a day for spiritual worship [pub] lick houses are allowed to be open, and frequented during Divine Service. Publick [hou]ses are very numerous in this place, and even the Town Clerk keeps a . . . publick house. Often times on the Lord's day we are not only hear cursing and . . . once swearing in our streets, but frequently we see most brutal fighting, and . . . [n]otice taken thereof by the authority of the Town. This is the cause why places [of wor]ship are so little frequented and religion so little appreciated and professed at Kidwelly." Thomas Griffiths, Vicar

Tourism

Local attractions include Kidwelly Castle, founded in 1106; a fourteenth-century bridge and gate; the former quay (now a nature reserve); a Norman parish church, and an industrial museum.

Kidwelly Carnival is an annual event held on the second Saturday of July each year. Previous carnivals have featured aerial displays.[2]

The town is twinned with French village St Jacut de la Mer.

Transport

Road - Kidwelly is connected to Llanelli and Carmarthen by the A484 road.

Bus/Coach - There are regular local buses running through Kidwelly, linking the town with Llanelli and Carmarthen, with a main stop in the town centre. There is also a Coach Park located in the town centre.

Rail - Kidwelly railway station is on the West Wales Line. Westbound services from Kidwelly terminate at Carmarthen or Pembroke Dock, with less frequent direct services to Fishguard and Milford Haven. Eastbound services terminate at Swansea railway station or Cardiff Central, with less frequent direct services to Manchester Piccadilly and London Paddington.[3][4]

Cycling - Kidwelly is connected to the National Cycle Network along the coast from the east and west by NCR 4.[5] The cycle path runs directly through the town centre.

Air - Pembrey Airport is approximately 3 miles (4.8 km) east of Kidwelly, and is connected to the town by regular bus services. The nearest airport with domestic and international scheduled flights is Cardiff International Airport.

Walking- There are numerous public footpaths and bridleways in Kidwelly and Mynydd-y- Garreg, including Glan yr Afon, just behind the Wesleyan Chapel on the Bridge and Summer Way (Maes yr Haf) off Water Street. Information and maps are obtainable from the Town Council Offices in Bridge Street.

Government

Kidwelly is governed on a local level by Carmarthenshire County Council and on a community level by Kidwelly Town Council, who appoint a Mayor of Kidwelly and Mynydd-y-garreg.

Sport

The local rugby union team is Kidwelly RFC, a club formed in the 1880s which now plays in the Welsh Rugby Union league they play their home games at Parc Stephen's, Kidwelly. Parc Stephen's is also the home venue of local football, cricket and lawn bowls teams. The football team, Kidwelly Town AFC (nicknamed The Black Cats) earned promotion in 2011/12 and will begin the 2012/13 season in Carmarthenshire League Division 2 in the Welsh football pyramid.

The town also boasts a large number of junior football, rugby union and cricket teams.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Davies, John; Jenkins, Nigel; Menna, Baines et al., eds. (2008). The Welsh Academy Encyclopaedia of Wales. Cardiff: University of Wales Press. pp. 436–437. ISBN 978-0-7083-1953-6. 
  2. ↑ Kidwelly Carnival
  3. ↑ National Rail Enquiries
  4. ↑ Route 14 South and Central Wales and Borders
  5. ↑ Sustrans

External links

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