Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd

Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd is a village and community in Denbighshire, Wales, situated in the Vale of Clwyd about one mile south of the town of Ruthin. By the 2001 census, it had 1048 residents and 50.6% of them could speak Welsh. The figures for the 2011 census were: population 1,053:Welsh speakers 46.9%.[1] The age group with the highest percentage of Welsh speakers was the 15-year-olds where every one could speak it. The villages of Pentrecelyn and Graig Fechan are located in the community.

Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd

Church of St. Mary and St. Cynfarch
Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd
Location within Denbighshire
Population1,053 (2011)
OS grid referenceSJ133554
Community
  • Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd
Principal area
CountryWales
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townRUTHIN
Postcode districtLL15
Dialling code01824
PoliceNorth Wales
FireNorth Wales
AmbulanceWelsh
UK Parliament
Senedd Cymru – Welsh Parliament

Church of St. Mary and St. Cynfarch

‘The church of St. Mary in the Vale of Clwyd’ – in Welsh Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd – shares its dedication with ‘Saint’ Cynfarch, apparently a Celtic chieftain from northern Britain, related to Coel Hen or ‘Old King Cole’. It is fine big 15th century ‘double-naved’ church with an impressive tower. It also shares its churchyard with massive yew trees, the stump of a preaching cross, a Georgian ‘vestry house and a timbered lychgate inscribed ‘Heb Dduw, Heb Ddim’ (Without God, Without Anything’).

Though the interior is much restored, medieval features remain here. Both roofs have carved ‘canopies of honour’ over their east ends – a distinctive local feature – and part of the medieval rood screen still stands in the south aisle. Beside the altar, and perhaps two centuries older than this woodwork, lies a monument to an early 14th-century Welsh knight, David ap Madoc: it depicts his hand clutching his sword, and a cat-like lion on his flowery shield. The most outstanding medieval survival is the mosaic of stained glass (dated 1503) in a south window, including figures of saints and the feet of Christ pierced by a huge golden nail. According to tradition, this glass was once in the big window above the altar, and was preserved from destruction during the Civil War by being buried in the mighty iron-bound oak chest which stands below its present position. There is more medieval glass in the window by the font, near the Elizabethan memorial to Thomas ap Rice, who died ‘at cock-crow’ on a Sunday in 1582. The well-written guide book will enhance a visit to this attractive church.[2]

The church is generally open during daylight hours.[3]

Governance

The community falls in Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd/Gwyddelwern electoral ward. This ward has a total population of 2,227 taken at the 2011 census.[4]

References

  1. "Community population & percent of Welsh speakers 2011". Retrieved 24 May 2015.
  2. Dr Charles Kightly. Enjoy Medieval Denbighshire. Denbighshire County Council.
  3. accessdate=2014-05-31, Diocesan Contacts
  4. "Ward population 2011". Retrieved 24 May 2015.
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