Llanfihangel-yng-Ngwynfa

Llanfihangel-yng-Ngwynfa (Welsh pronunciation) was a parish within the former historic county of Montgomeryshire. It now forms a major part of the community of Llanfihangel in Powys,[1] which covers an area of 5,366 hectares (20.72 sq mi).[2] Its Community Council extends to take in Dolanog and Llwydiarth, having approximately 413 registered voters (as at 2012).[3] The parish originally consisted of the following townships: Cefncleisiog, Cydwnfa, Dolwar, Fachwen, Farchwell, Fynnonarthwr, Garthucha, Halfen, Llaethbwlch, Llwydiarth, Nanty-Candy, and Rhiewlas. Dolanog seceded from Llanfihangel in 1856.[4]

Llanfihangel-yng-Ngwynfa

The memorial to the poet and hymnwriter Ann Griffiths in Llanfihangel-yng-Ngwynfa churchyard
Llanfihangel-yng-Ngwynfa
Location within Powys
Population467 (2011)
OS grid referenceSJ 0816
Principal area
CountryWales
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townLlanfyllin
Postcode districtSY22
PoliceDyfed-Powys
FireMid and West Wales
AmbulanceWelsh
UK Parliament
A group of boys in the churchyard, photographed by John Thomas in about 1885

Poet and hymnwriter Ann Griffiths (1776–1805) was born in, and is buried, in this place.[5]

Geography and amenities

The main village is dispersed astride a gently winding uphill road extending many miles past St Michael’s Church to the south. Its relative concentration of homes commence just south of the Llanfyllin to Llanwddyn road, WNW of Welshpool; on the east side is the cemetery, six houses largely still owned by the local authority, and a couple of bungalows. The church is no longer used, as unsafe.

At the centre are The Goat Inn, a post office/shop, and the village hall, opened in 1981, which has frequent whole-community, family and retired community events.

History

A war memorial is at the centre of the village.

Behind it is Poplar Cottage, once the home of E. D. O'Brien (1911-1953), a noted Eisteddfod conductor.[6]

Ffair Llan

A fair, known as Ffair Llan, used to be held every year on 9 May, when store cattle and sheep were sold to visiting dealers. Piglets were brought by horse and cart, with a mesh strung over to prevent their escape.[6]

Demographics

Llanfihangel community's population was 467, according to the 2011 census;[2] a 9.5% decrease since the 516 people noted in 2001.[7]

The 2011 census showed 52.6% of the population could speak Welsh, a fall from 65.0% in 2001.[8]

Governance

Llanfihangel-yng-Ngwynfa is in the Llanfihangel electoral ward which elects a councillor to Powys County Council. This ward had a population of 1,049 at the 2011 census.[9]

Life in a Welsh Countryside

In 1950 Life in a Welsh Countryside, A Social Study of Llanfihangel-yng-Ngwynfa by Alwyn D. Rees was published. This was soon seen as a classic study of the social structure and life in a predominantly Welsh-speaking rural community in upland Wales. This study describes the farming, kindred relationships, customs and traditions, and the role of religion, particularly the chapels.

In 2003 the Llanfihangel Social History Group published A Welsh Countryside Revisited: A new study of Llanfihangel-yng-Ngwynfa, which records the changes since the original publication such as decline in chapel attendance and preferred use of Welsh.

Literature
  • Morgan V. et al. A (2003), "A Welsh Countryside Revisited" A new study of Llanfihangel-yng-Ngwynfa, Powysland Club, Llanfihangel Social History Group.
  • Rees A.D., (1950), Life in a Welsh Countryside, A Social Study of Llanfihangel-yng-Ngwynfa, University of Wales Press, Cardiff.
  • Thomas, D.R.(1911) History of the Diocese of Saint Asaph, Vol II, 227-230.

References
  1. http://www.powys.gov.uk/en/elections/town-and-community-councils/
  2. "Area: Llanfihangel (Parish)". Office for National Statistics. 30 January 2013. Retrieved 15 August 2015.
  3. http://www.llanfihangelcc.org.uk/Llanfihangelncc/Default.aspx
  4. Thomas, D.R.(1908) History of the Diocese of Saint Asaph, Vol 1, 503-4
  5. "Griffiths [née Thomas], Ann". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/11614. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
  6. http://www.llanfihangelcc.org.uk/Llanfihangelncc/Local_Information_17680.aspx
  7. "Area: Llanfihangel (Parish)". Office for National Statistics. 18 November 2004. Retrieved 15 August 2015.
  8. "2011 Census results by Community". Welsh Language Commissioner. 2015. Retrieved 15 August 2015.
  9. "Ward population 2011". Retrieved 12 November 2015.
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