Henllanfallteg Newsletter, Page One
Community newsletter covering your local area

This year the History Society has been investigating amongst other things, the route of the Roman Road running from Carmarthen towards the west. The route has been identified as and being know as the "via Julia". At present the total extent of the via Julia is undiscovered and uncertain.

Historians were sceptical of any Roman incursions into West Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire at all until comparatively recent times. However Roman finds in Ambleston some 50 years ago gave some impetuous into investigating further. Aerial photographic surveys in 1991 and 1992 gave clear evidence of a road route from Carmarthen, then to the north of St Clears and on to Whitland, and Clunderwen. Construction works on the Whitland bypass at Pwll-y-Hwyaid Farm in 1992 exposed the roadway. Archaeologists from Cambria Archaeology undertook rapid and detailed investigation of the exposed section of the road, and confirmed it to be of Roman origin. There are several excellent photographs of this section of the road with the History Society. Further investigative digs were organised at other points along the predicted road route, including Bryn Farm in Llanddewi Velfrey.

A well respected Welsh Historian, Richard Fenton, writing in 1811 in his book, "Historical Tour Through Pembrokeshire", records being shown the Roman Road entering the boggy ground in the garden at Glanrhyd, then passing up through the field to the north of Castell Dwyran, and then on to the existing highway heading towards the north west at Ad Vicessimum. (Whitesands, at St Davids)

Our work so far has only been discovering what others have already found, but we are trying to record this from a local perspective. The evidence we have to date shows that the road ran along or just outside of our community boundary east to west. From the point where North Road Whitland crosses the bypass to the west in a straight line to Lainlliwe, then on near to "Sarn Bridge" where the railway crosses the Avon Taf. After this it has been identified to the east of Bryn Farm then crosses the roadway near Glanrhyd Bridge before going on westwards to the north of Castell Dwyran Churchyard.

We have been surprised at the size of the road, being some 30-40 feet (12-15 metres) wide from extremity to extremity, with the wearing surface some 12 - 15 feet wide in the centre. Both sides would normally be ditched at the very edges, and the whole surface cambered outwards. The military were in charge of the construction of the roads, and the wide verges were a means to deter surprise attack from the roadside undergrowth, as well as permitting line abreast marching of Centurions and other militia.

There must be plenty more to discover about the events of this past time, and maybe even the opportunity to undertake some original investigative ground work, who knows. We shall continue!

DK
27/10/2004
Llanfallteg History Society

The village playing field is administered by trustees and is a registered charity. It is the role of the trustees to maintain the park and obtain funds for the upkeep of field and play equipment for the local community. The main function for money raising is the annual village fete, which since combining with the community Association, has seen the overall profit grow each year.
If you can give a small amount of your time occasionally for the benefit of a worthwhile facility, please contact Dave King at Taf House or on 01437 563087 who is the Chairman of the Trustees.

When researching your family history, some surprises possibly await you. Residents of Llanfallteg with ancestors in our village and the surrounding area might be descended from criminal types.

The National Library of Wales has recently introduced a Crime and Punishment database that can be searched 'on line'. This database is about crimes; criminals and punishments included in the gaol files of the Court of Great Sessions in Wales, from 1730 until its abolition in 1830.

Some of the information for Llanfallteg and other local parishes might include one of your ancestors, revealing your own 'skeleton in the closet'.

Llanboidy

29th September 1735, Lewis David a yeoman and his father, Thomas David a Yeoman were accused of the murder of John Thomas of Llanboidy, following a quarrel and scuffles on the way home from St. Clears Fair. The plea was not guilty; the couple were sentenced to death but pardoned and transported for life.

8th December 1735, Phillip Rees a yeoman from Llanboidy was charged with attempted murder by shooting. The accused was described as a farmer but of a disorderly nature and often 'in liquor'. The prosecutors complained that the prisoner had been 'at large' and out of gaol most of the time. Phillip Rees was fined £10 and imprisoned until he finds security for good behaviour for two years.

Llanfallteg

4th February 1732, Phillip Howell, blacksmith and Griffith Rees, yeoman of Cilymaenllwyd were accused of obstructing the highway in Llanfallteg by erecting a hedge across it.

4th January 1739, John Rogers of Cilymaenllwyd was accused of forcible entry onto freehold owned by George Thomas, a yeoman of Llanfallteg and cutting down a tree.

20th March 1739, Owen James, yeoman and John Rogers, yeoman of Cilymaenllwyd was accused of riotously breaking and entering the freehold in the possession of George Thomas of Llanfallteg.

Lampeter Velfrey

27th November 1782, John William a yeoman of Lampeter Velfrey was charged with breaking and entering the house of Griffith William a blacksmith of Lampeter Velfrey and stealing handkerchiefs. He was found guilty to the value of 6d being sentenced to one-year imprisonment and to be whipped twice.

Llanddewi Velfrey

1st June 1819, William Williams aged 19; a labourer of Llanddewi Velfrey was accused of the theft of a watch from Lewis John a yeoman, of Llanddewi Velfrey. The watch was later sold to a watchmaker in Pembroke. He was found guilty and sentenced to one-year imprisonment with hard labour.

This is only one project being carried out by Llanfallteg Historical Society, perhaps you might like to come along to our next meeting and see what other research is being done in the village. Details of all meetings are in the Newsletter or contact either, Dave King, Peter Icke or John Spencer.

e-mail: llanfallteg.folk@btopenworld.com

Sources
National Library of Wales, Crime and Punishment archives.
www.llgc.org.uk/sesiwn_fawr/index_s.htm

Compiled by John Spencer, Llanfallteg

Our new look Council with four new faces in the seven is getting into its stride since the elections in June. Councillors have shown a particular interest in planning matters and have decided to meet weekly if necessary to deal with applications. They only have three weeks to make comments and this causes problems with a council that normally only meets every two months. They held the first of their special planning meetings in September. The new councillors have also been meeting with the chairman to study the powers and procedures of community councils.
The Council is once again without a clerk, Desmonde Jeffries having resigned. This was a real blow as Desmonde had the time and experience to do the job properly. Councillors were treated to detailed accurate minutes and agendas, and he solved many of the Council's long term problems (he managed to reclaim a lot of VAT back for instance).
So if any Newsletters readers are looking for an interesting and worthwhile part-time job they should contact the chairman Dave King on 01437 563087.
The Council are putting together a Ten Year Plan for the parish. This will cover the Council's policies on village growth, sewerage, traffic and parking, internet access, opening up of footpaths etc. You will soon be asked for your comments on the draft policy.
The Community Council was supposed to have had the County Council Rights of Way Officer as a speaker at the September meeting but he failed to appear. Work on footpaths has been halted by the County Council. There seems to be a problem insuring the volunteers.
BT have written to the Council describing their plans to close three of the parish's four telephone boxes. The only one likely to survive is the one in Llanfallteg near The Plash. The ones at Henllan, Rhydywrach and Cwmfelin Boeth are for the chop. The Council has replied expressing concern.

Peter Icke

The Fete in July 04 was a record breaker both in terms of people coming and cash raised. People came in swarms and stayed to enjoy the atmosphere and the attractions. As ever the water slide kept the younger ones wet all afternoon and there was a lot of interest in "Ancient Whispers" where you could dress up in very heavy chain mail or as Celts and make pots and grind corn. Radio Pembrokeshire talked to everybody and broadcast interviews during the following week. In the hall there were excellent entries in the handicraft and horticultural show sections. Laura Bowen won the new Jim Slater Cup for the best in show and the Tim Husband Cup for best junior entry was won by Elliott Bowen. £1485.16 profit was made and this will all be spent on improving the facilities in the play area. The organisers thank everybody for their support and especially those who very generously gave donations and prizes for the draw and silent auction.
In next year's fete on Saturday July 23rd there will be several new classes in the handicraft section including home made wine, jam, and chutney. In response to requests there will also be classes for tapestry and needlework. Schedules are now being prepared and will be sent to every house in the house in the parish early in the new year.

Peter Icke

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