SUMMARY.

Located in the north eastern corner of Preseli, Clydau possesses some of the most striking scenery in the district, but is somewhat isolated and mostly served by narrow minor roads. There are only three small villages, at Tegryn, Bwlchygroes, Llwyndrain and Star. They are of recent origin, either growing around a nonconformist chapel or road junction, though the proximity of the disused Glouge slate quarries suggests that Tegryn may have its roots in local industrial developments during the latter half of the 19th century.

The community contains a wide range of archaeological and historic sites, ranging in date from the neolithic to the modern period, though few are of notable importance. One of the most significant sites is the parish church of Clydau, which contains evidence of pre-Norman Christian activity in the area. The dramatic wooded valley of Cwm Cych runs along the eastern fringe of the community and a landscape wealthy in myth and folklore, being the scene of some of the stories related in the Mabinogi.

HISTORY.

A) Prehistoric Monuments.

Y Frenni Fach (SN225348). Bronze age round barrow.

Castell y Blaidd (SN240318). Bronze age round barrow. Roadside location.

Crug Bach (SN250322). Bronze age round barrow. Near public footpath.

Crug yr Ebolion (SN269318). Bronze age round barrow. On the Pembrokeshire / Carmarthenshire county boundary.

Hen Gaerau (SN283346). This is a small iron age hillfort situated on the slopes of a prominent hill overlooking Cwm Pedran. No current public access.

Caer Henfeddau (SN249315). A small Romano-British or iron age settlement.

The Glan Cych Hoard. In the mid 19th century, peat diggers uncovered a significant hoard of bronze weapons near Glan Cych (or Lancych)(SN260383). It was said that this was the site of an ancient battlefield, although the weapons could have been deposited in the ground as a votive offering to the gods.

Christian Heritage.

St. Clydai's church (SN251354). This is one of the most interesting parish churches to be seen in the county. Set in a circular churchyard indicative of dark age origins, the church possesses three dark age inscribed stone monuments and a mediaeval font and water stoup. The church is set in beautiful surroundings, and much of its stonework is of 13th or 14th century date, including an impressive castellated tower. Clydai is said to have been one of the daughters of Brychan Brycheiniog, the 6th century Irish king of Powys. The neighbouring parish church of West Cilrhedyn, St. Teilo & St. Llawddog's (SM278348) is now demolished and only the overgrown churchyard remains.

Llan Geneu (SN222339). The farm of Llangene Fawr, 1km north west of Tegryn, has been identified as the site of Llan Geneu, one of the so called "Seven Bishop Houses" of pre-Norman Dyfed (Charles-Edwards, 1971). These seven Celtic monasteries represented the ecclesiastical heart of each of the seven pre-Norman Cantrefi, or provinces, of the ancient kingdom of Dyfed. An important monastic settlement may well have existed here in the early mediaeval period and this may explain why such fine early Christian inscribed stones are kept in the parish church. It has also been suggested that the monastery of Hendy Gwyn ar Daf, usually identified with Whitland, was in fact near here, closer to the source of the Taf. This was of course the monastery made famous as the location where the Welsh laws were made statutory by Hywel Dda in the 10th century, and not the later Norman Abbey near Whitland.

Llwynyrhwrdd Independent Chapel, Tegryn (SN229327). This is the most significant nonconformist chapel in the community area, being prominent in the landscape and also a good viewpoint. The chapel was first built in 1805 and was later enlarged and restored, but it is not architecturally important. It possesses a large graveyard and Morgan Jones, Trelech is buried here. 4. Star Baptist Chapel (SN245350). Built in 1879, after a local minister had a dream of a shooting star landing on the hill above Star village, which he took to be a divine message that a chapel should be built there.

Bwlchygroes Calvinistic Methodist Chapel (SN239360). Built in 1883.

Llwyndrain Independent Chapel (SN265345). Built in 1856.

Military Heritage.

Castell Crychydd (SN261347). A well preserved mediaeval motte and bailey castle. No public access at present.

Trade, Industrial & Maritime Heritage.

Glôg quarry (SN220338). These slate quarries were described as being large and successful by Fenton (1811, 267), but during the later 19th century the combination of the quarries and the neighbouring Llanfyrnach lead mine proved a sufficient concentration of industry to ensure that the Whitland & Cardigan Railway was routed through the area. Work continued here until after the First World War.

Forestry. The woodlands of Cwm Cych have been exploited by man since time immemorial. The historic importance of the forest to past societies is now little appreciated, but the careful management and exploitation of the woodlands as a source of timber, fuel and food would have been of prime concern to the inhabitants of the area in centuries gone by. More recent activity in the valley includes the harvesting of large areas of woodland during the inter-war period, when tramways were laid in some tributary valleys of the Cych and felled trees brought to the main road by rail (according to local information, this happened in the valley of the Afon Sylgen, near Cwmorgan).

Godremamog Woollen Mill (SN281358). The eastern half of the community is characterised by deep river valleys which were ideally suited for the location of water powered woollen mills in previous centuries. The industry has long ceased in the area but a number of factory buildings survive, including a ruined example in Star village (SN245349). Godremamog is now a holiday complex, but the character of the mill has been maintained.

Henfeddau (SN278314). Until the 19th century, Henfeddau was an important centre of droving activity. Samuel Lewis (1833) noted that there were three annual cattle markets held there, on the 13th of May, 17th of September and the 30th of October.

CUSTOMS & FOLKLORE.

Social Customs & History.

The vale below Blaenbilain, at Pwlldu (SN2237), was the field of play for Cnapan games at low Easter (Fenton, 271). The area is now mostly wooded.

Art & Literature.

Bro'r Beirdd. The Tegryn area is notable as the homeof several Welsh language poets of some renown, all products of the village primary school, who have been active during the mid and later 20th century;

E. Curig Davies, Tresaeson

David Gwyn Evans, Blaenyffynnon

Tommy Evans, Blaenyffynnon

W. Rhys Nicholas, Tegryn

Amongst their published works are a number of poems of local interest, such as;

Llwynyrhwrdd - E. Curig Davies

Cerdd i Ddyfed; Y Preselau - Tommy Evans

Myth & Legend.

1. The Mabinogi. The area figures in the mediaeval collection of folktales known as the Mabinogi. Cwm Cych is mentioned as the hunting ground of the early kings of Dyfed, and is the location where Pwyll meets Arawn, the King of Annwn - the underworld - whilst hunting. The entrance to the kingdom of Annwn was said to be in the locality.

2. Cadifor, Lord of Blaen Cych. Cadifor is a historical figure, but a local tale maintains that he built his palace on arches crossing the Afon Cych, connecting the Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire sides of the river. A small cave known as Ffwrn Cadifor (SN214337), was said to be the old kitchen of the palace.

Llanfyrnach Lead Mines

We are looking to increase the amount of information relating to Tegryn on this Page If you are a resident or a past resident of Tegryn, could you HELP?

Maybe you are a descendent of a past resident? We are looking vast amount of undiscovered history relating to the area. We need stories, photos and any historical knowledge that exists to help join up the dots as it were.

We are looking for details of the houses, farms, church, school, chapel, shop, cafe, post office, mines and lime kilns in the area and also illustrated local industry. .

Will you share with us any maps, photographs and family stories that maybe are not remembered by our current villagers?

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