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Llandyssil

Coordinates: 52°33′00″N 3°11′10″W / 52.550°N 3.186°W / 52.550; -3.186
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For the town in Ceredigion, also known formerly as Llandyssil, see Llandysul.

Llandyssil
Llandyssil is located in Powys
Llandyssil
Llandyssil
Location within Powys
Population300 
Community
Principal area
CountryWales
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townMONTGOMERY
Postcode districtSY15
Dialling code01686
PoliceDyfed-Powys
FireMid and West Wales
AmbulanceWelsh
UK Parliament
Senedd Cymru – Welsh Parliament
List of places
UK
Wales
Powys
52°33′00″N 3°11′10″W / 52.550°N 3.186°W / 52.550; -3.186

Llandyssil is a village in the community of Abermule with Llandyssil,[1] in Powys, Wales, in the traditional county of Montgomeryshire. It is about two miles from the town of Montgomery.

In 2001 there were 420 inhabitants in the parish, of whom 300 lived in the village itself.[2][notes 1][3]

Connection with Celtic saints

Old St Tysul's Church, Llandyssil c.1855 (from a drawing by Harry Longville Jones)
St Tyssul holding Llandyssil Church (window in Montgomery church)

Llandyssil takes its name from St Tysul, a little known Welsh saint of the 7th century.[4] Only two churches in Wales were dedicated to this saint, Llandyssil in Montgomeryshire and Llandysul in Ceredigion, and the feast day for this saint was celebrated on 31 January.[5] The old church in the village (largely demolished in 1866) stood in the graveyard to the southeast of the present village. This suggests that the present settlement dates back to the period around 700. There is also a connection with another early Welsh and Breton saint, St Padarn.[6] On the highland to the south in Cefn y Coed is the farm Cwm Badarn. The Llandyssil Brook rises in this Cwm or valley, and between Cwm Badarn Farm and the Pinion is a rock-cut spring, that was possibly a holy well, dedicated to St Padarn.

History

In the medieval period, Llandyssil was in the Cantref of Cedewain in the Kingdom of Powys. The parish was divided into four townships: Bolbro, Bronywood (or Bronycoed), Bryntalch and Rhandir. Rhandir, which contained the parish church, was the largest of these townships. It was probably an amalgamation of three other townships; Cefn-y-coed, Coedywig and Trefganol.[7]

In 1536, following the Act of Union, Llandyssil became part of the new county of Montgomeryshire. For ecclesiastical administration, the parish was in the Bishopric of St Asaph, the Archdeaconry of Montgomery and the Deanery of Cedewain.[8] For Parliamentary representation, Llandyssil fell within the County of Montgomery until 1885, when, for electoral purposes, it was included within the Montgomery Boroughs. It was transferred back to the county in 1918, when only one MP represented Montgomeryshire.

With the establishment of the Montgomeryshire County Council in 1894, Llandyssil Parish Council was created, and it was included in Forden Rural District Council. In 1974, as a result of local government reform, Llandyssil Parish Council became a Community Council within the Montgomeryshire District Council.[9] At this time, Llanmerewig was joined with Llandyssil to form the new community council, and in 1984 this was renamed Abermule with Llandyssil Community Council. At this time, the council covered the old parishes of Llanmerewig and Llandyssil, together with Dolforwyn, which had been a township in Bettws Cedewain parish. In 1996, with the abolition of the Montgomeryshire District Council, the Community Council became part of Powys County Council.

Population and language

According to census returns, the historical population of Llandyssil has been as follows:[10]

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1801645—    
1811758+17.5%
1821870+14.8%
1831914+5.1%
1841876−4.2%
1851808−7.8%
YearPop.±%
1861790−2.2%
1871830+5.1%
1881890+7.2%
1891704−20.9%
1901606−13.9%
1911626+3.3%
YearPop.±%
1921661+5.6%
1931572−13.5%
1951509−11.0%
1961520+2.2%

In 1880, a portion of the township of Bolbro was transferred from Llandyssil to Llanmerewig and the size of the parish was reduced from 4187 acres to 3800 acres. This may be reflected in the decrease in population between the 1881 and 1891 censuses.

During the later part of the 18th century, it appears that the Welsh language was supplanted by English for general usage in the village.[11] There remain some Welsh speakers in the village, but they have mainly come from elsewhere in Montgomeryshire.

Archaeological and historic monuments

Llandyssil is particularly rich in archaeological sites, especially of the Later Bronze Age and Iron Age.[12][13] To the northeast is Ffridd Faldwyn, possibly the largest hillfort in Wales, which is adjacent to Town Hill in Montgomery. Most of the sites have been discovered by aerial photography.[13] The main sites are as follows.

Prehistoric

The prehistoric sites include:[14]

  • Brynderwen Enclosure. Ditched enclosure close to the river Severn, dated to c.3350-3000 BC. Late Neolithic Peterborough ware pottery has been found at the site .[15]
  • Cefn Llan Hillfort in Cefnycoed. This enclosure, situated on low hill, is a scheduled ancient monument. The site is overgrown and its bank is starting to erode.[16][17] To the north of the hillfort is a triple-ditched enclosure.[18]
  • Cloddiau. This is a triple-ditched enclosure,[19][20] possibly a late Bronze Age or Iron Age cattle krall[clarification needed] or banjo enclosure[21].
  • Coed y Wig hillfort.[22] An Iron Age hillfort revealed by aerial photography.
  • Cuckoo Hill Hillfort.[23] Another triple-ditched enclosure, this was excavated in 1993. A single rim sherd, probably dating from Roman times, was discovered there.[24][25]
  • Fron Fraith Wood Hillfort.[26] This is the northwest part of two ditched enclosures. Excavated in 1994.[24]
  • Goron Ddu Hillfort.[27] This hillfort overlooks the river Severn to the north of the village. Geophysical survey has shown a concentration of features in the centre of the enclosure, but with insufficient clarity to distinguish roundhouses.[28]
  • Mount Pleasant Defended Enclosure.[29] A scheduled ancient monument, this is a double-ditched enclosure with surviving earthworks. Inside the enclosure, the remains of a clay dump rampart were discovered, with the remains of a hearth and grains of spelt. Radiocarbon dating suggests that the site was occupied in the earlier Iron Age.[30]

Roman

  • The Roman road from Forden Gaer/Lavrobrinta[31] to Caersws runs through the parish along the river, probably largely in line with the B3484 from Caerhowel railway bridge to the Abermule railway bridge. A length of the road was uncovered in 2006, during the construction of the Felin Hafren housing estate in Abermule.

Early Medieval and Norman

  • Brynderwen motte-and-bailey castle is an early castle that guarded the river Severn crossing. The motte has gone and the bailey area is occupied by a farm.[32][33]
  • Cefn Bryntalch motte-and-bailey castle stands to the southwest of Cefn Bryntalch house.[34][35]
  • Mound by Llandyssil Bridge. This may have been a barrow or medieval mill mound. Place names in the vicinity, such as Cae Melyn and Ty Melyn (originally Cae Melin and Ty Melin – Welsh for Mill Field and Mill House) may support its identification as a windmill mound for a post mill.[citation needed]

Church and chapel buildings

St Tysul's Parish Church
  • Old Church and Graveyard. The former church of St Tysul stood on the hillside overlooking the village. Now only a stone porch with an 18th-century doorway remains, standing in the churchyard. The single-chambered medieval parish church is shown in a woodcut illustration[36] to have been extensively rebuilt in the 18th century with round arched windows and roof dormers. It had also the most elaborate of the Montgomeryshire timber west bell-towers — a tower which was enclosed by an open gallery, corbelled out from the supporting framework, built inside the nave. Lych Gate to the graveyard by the architect Harold Hughes, of Bangor 1907.[37]
    Bethesda Presbyterian Chapel
  • St Tysul. By the architect Thomas Henry Wyatt, 1863–6. Nave with west aisle, chancel, SE tower and spire. The church is orientated nearly north–south rather than the usual east–west. The four-bay arcade to the nave with polished red granite columns, with red sandstone and white limestone blocks used to decorate the stone arches. Chancel arch in Early English style. Caen stone and alabaster reredos. Monument to John Pugh (1784). Bells by Mears and Stainbank of Whitechapel,[38] and recent clock by Joyce of Whitchurch.
  • Wesleyan Chapel, with Gothic windows, now converted into a house called “The Arches”.
  • Bethesda Presbyterian Chapel, Cefn y Coed. Low building with three bays of cambered sash windows and porch. Founded 1840, but possibly the building is later. A good example of a simple rural chapel. Closed in 2008 and currently unused.

Notable buildings and bridges

Cefn Bryntalch
  • Cefn Bryntalch. The house of 1867–69 by G F Bodley is an important early example of the Queen Anne revival. The house was completed by Philip Webb. The client was Richard Jones, who had made a fortune in the flannel trade. The exterior is cleanly detailed and well-executed in red brick, with prominent string-courses. The south front with three big gables and a balance of irregular chimneys and near-regular windows, and many C18 features – a hipped roof, two bays, sash-windows, and the central Venetian window. The symmetrical entrance front is rather a C17 vernacular – the west front is picturesque and irregular in contrast, an asymmetrical gable anchored by a shafted chimney; lower tile-hung wing. The interior is neo-Georgian, though the plan is arranged with the main sides at right-angles. The rear Courtyard has one side – a low service range extends from the house, with a stringcourse, and pediment over the doorway. At the North end, a large barn with timber-framing picturesquely closes the vista.[39] The house is a Grade II* listed building[40] and its Victorian garden is listed, also at Grade II*, on the Cadw/ICOMOS Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Wales. The hall was home to the composer Peter Warlock in the early 20th century.[41]
  • Rectory. 1812–14 by the Shrewsbury architect Joseph Bromfield. An attractive and well-preserved Regency design. Stuccoed, with hipped roofs and hoodmoulded windows. The original front was of three bays. The low hip-roofed tower to the rear gives the air of a picturesque Tuscan villa. The interior of the house was modified, bay windows and a new brick wing were added by Thomas Penson in 1858 for the Rev Henry Foulkes.[42] In 1865, the east range was added to match by Thomas Garland, clerk of works to Thomas Henry Wyatt. He also renewed the veranda, keeping the original iron stanchions, but adding wooden circles in the spandrels of the arcade. Grade II listed.[43]
  • Former School, opposite the church and built at the same time. By the architect Thomas Henry Wyatt. Now Village Hall Two-bay school with truncated chimney; gabled master's house. The interior contains some woodwork from the old church's box pews. The building has recently been restored and a weatherboarded extension added to the south.
  • Phipp's Tenement. Three-bay farmhouse built of substantial square-timber framing. The dormer gable is dated 1630. At right angles to the main building a timber framed barn.[44]
  • Plas Robin. An old stone house which stood on the opposite side of the road to Phipp's Tenement. Demolished before 1960.
  • Oak House and Smithy (Inn and later village shop), built mainly of local Llandyssil siltstone and dating c1700, with surviving “Montgomeryshire” iron-framed windows. Possibly an Inn when the Old Coach road came through the village. Became the village shop when the Upper House was built. Shop owned by the Varley family and closed in 1959–60.
River Severn, Fron footbridge - geograph.org.uk - 923467
  • The Upper House. Built as a Public House pre 1849.[45] The village Quoits Court was behind the Pub until 2003.
    River Severn, Brynderwen road bridge - geograph.org.uk - 659348
Print of Fronfraith Hall, Llandyssil, 1870
  • Brynderwen Bridge - in the old Llandyssil parish, close to Abermule. A single 109-ft span across the Severn (and a smaller span across the canal) on five iron girders. Designed by Thomas Penson. The openwork lettering on the outer ones reads 'This second iron bridge constructed in the county of Montgomery was erected in the year 1852'; 'Thomas Penson, County Surveyor'; 'Brymbo Company, Ironfounders'. The bridge came from Brymbo Ironworks, later steelworks, near Wrexham, and would have been transported to the site by the Montgomeryshire Canal. Grade II* listed.[46]
  • Fron Footbridge. An elegant iron suspension footbridge over the river Severn, taking a footpath from Severn Villa to Lower Llegodig Farm. Built in 1926 by David Rowell & Co, London (Westminster) bridge builders in 1926.
  • Middle Llegodig. Timber-framed lobby-entry house of c. 1700, a late example of its type. In the later C18, the eaves were raised and a matching bay added to the right.
  • Fronfraith Hall, designed by James Pickard of Shrewsbury, c1860 for ?Morris Jones. West wing burnt down in 1966.[47]

Clergy

Sinecure Rectors

  • 1537 John Vaughan
  • 1556 Morgan Griffith
  • 1575 Griffith Lewis D.D.
  • 1607 Godfrey Goodman MA
  • 1616 Thomas Kyffin
  • 1622 John Berkeley D.D.
  • 1625 Robert Lloyd
  • 1660 Michael Hughes

Quoiting

Playing quoits was a widespread pastime in many rural areas. It had largely died in much of England by the 2nd World War, but after the War enjoyed a revival in Mid-Wales, when the quoits were made by a light engineering company in Newtown. In Llandyssil the “Old” or Long quoits rules were followed. The quoits court was moved to behind the Upper House Public House by 1983, when an international game was played between Wales and Scotland. The Welsh team was captained by Glyn Owen of Llandyssil, and other village players were Les Owen and George Mills. The Welsh team lost to Scotland. In the 1991 International match at Llandyssil, when Les Owen was in the team, Wales convincingly beat Scotland 252 to 83. The last championship match was held at Llandyssil in 2003, after which the court was closed. It is to be hoped that the sport might be revived in Llandyssil in the future.[48] [49]

Sheep Dog Trials

The 2012 Welsh National Sheep Dog Trials were held on the field by Llandyssil bridge at Henfron, Llandyssil, between 19 and 21 July 2012.[50]

Notable people

  • Rear Admiral Sir Charles Thomas Jones (1778–1853), Royal Navy officer, knighted in 1809. High Sheriff of Montgomeryshire 1832.[51]
Otter Hunt - John Lloyd of Abermule and George Thomas, by Thomas Weaver ca.1817
Diz Disley, 1981)
  • George Thomas (1786–1859), writer and poet, the first postmaster of Llandyssil. In 1817 he wrote a poem about Otter Hunting, commemorated by a painting in the National Museum of Wales.[52]
  • Henry Powell Ffoulkes (1815–1886), Rector of Llandyssil 1857–1879, he demolished and re-placed the old Church in Llandyssil in 1863.[36] [53]
  • Brigadier General Lumley O W Jones (1876–1918), Brigadier General, Chevalier of the Legion of Honour; last of 12 British General Officers to die on the Somme.[54][55]
  • Senator Rupert Davies (1879-1967), Canadian politician and newspaper editor, purchased Fronfraith Hall in 1932 and used until sold in 1948.[56]
  • Peter Warlock (1894–1930), composer, lived at Cefn Bryntalch. Composed many of his more important works there and played the organ in Llandyssil Church.
  • Nigel Heseltine (1916–1995), writer and colonial administrator brought up at Cefn Bryntalch.[57]
  • Brian Sewell (1931-2015), art historian and media personality brought up at Cefn Bryntalch
  • Diz Disley (1931–2010), jazz guitarist, lived in Oak Cottages in the 1930s.
  • John Billington (born 1936), junior high jump Champion; AAA championships in 1954.[58]
  • Julie Christie (born 1940), film actress, lived at Whitehall Farm, Cefn y Coed, 1981–2010.[59][60]
  • Iolo Williams (born 1962), naturalist and TV presenter, lives in Llandyssil.[61]


  • St Tyssul, Montgomery church
    St Tyssul, Montgomery church
  • Llandyssil War Memorial
    Llandyssil War Memorial
  • Llandyssil War Memorial - the 1914–18 War
    Llandyssil War Memorial - the 1914–18 War
  • Llandyssil Bridge
    Llandyssil Bridge
  • The Upper House, Public House, Llandyssil
    The Upper House, Public House, Llandyssil
  • Brook from Llandyssil Bridge
    Brook from Llandyssil Bridge
  • Brooklyn, Llandyssil
    Brooklyn, Llandyssil
  • The Old Rectory, Llandyssil
    The Old Rectory, Llandyssil
  • View over Llandyssil from the old churchyard.
    View over Llandyssil from the old churchyard.
  • The Former Wesleyan Chapel, Llandyssil
    The Former Wesleyan Chapel, Llandyssil
  • Lych Gate, St Tysul's Old churchyard, Llandyssil
    Lych Gate, St Tysul's Old churchyard, Llandyssil
  • The re-built porch of the Old Church, Llandyssil
    The re-built porch of the Old Church, Llandyssil
  • Llandyssil Home Guard after a Church Parade at Parish Church
    Llandyssil Home Guard after a Church Parade at Parish Church
  • Llandyssil Churchyard. Grave of Walter Buckley Jones and wife Edith
    Llandyssil Churchyard. Grave of Walter Buckley Jones and wife Edith
  • Llandyssil Churchyard. Grave of Richard Jones and wife Catharina.
    Llandyssil Churchyard. Grave of Richard Jones and wife Catharina.
  • Phipp's Tenement and Barn, Llandyssil
    Phipp's Tenement and Barn, Llandyssil
  • Dormer Window dated 1630, Phipp's Tenement, Llandyssil
    Dormer Window dated 1630, Phipp's Tenement, Llandyssil

Notes

  1. ^ The population figures are approximate because the 2001 Census figures do not coincide with the historic boundaries of the parish

References

  1. ^ "Powys County Council - Election of Community Councillors" (PDF). Government of Powys. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 January 2018. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  2. ^ "Welcome to Llandyssil-Croeso I Llandyssil". llandyssil-powys.co.uk. Archived from the original on 6 May 2013.
  3. ^ English E (ed) 1999 "A Collected History of the Communities of Llandyssil, Abermule and Llanmerewig".
  4. ^ Bartrum P C “A Welsh Classical Dictionary: People in History and Legend up to about A.D. 1000”, National Library of Wales, 1993, 630. Tysul’s full name was Tysul ap Corun ap Cunedda - or son of Corun, son of Cunedda
  5. ^ Thomas D R The History of the Diocese of St Asaph, Vol I, Caxton Press, Oswestry 1908 (2 ed.),524.
  6. ^ “Bartrum”, 522-524.
  7. ^ ’‘Thomas’’ Vol 1, 524,
  8. ^ "Thomas" Vol 1, 524
  9. ^ “English”, unpaginated. This provides a very detailed history of the Parish and the successor Community Council,
  10. ^ "Victorian Montgomery - Llandysul population". history.powys.org.uk.
  11. ^ Pryce W R T “Changing Language Geographies of Montgomeryshire c1749-1991” in Jenkins D (ed) “The Historical Atlas of Montgomeryshire”, Powysland Club, Welshpool 1999, 118
  12. ^ "Historic Settlement Survey, Montgomeryshire - Llandyssil" (PDF). Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust.
  13. ^ a b RCHMW: An Inventory of Ancient Monuments Volume 1, County of Montgomery, HMSO, 1911, 77
  14. ^ Silvester, Robert J, 2011, Recent Research on Late Prehistoric and Romano-British Enclosures in Montgomeryshire, "The Montgomeryshire Collections" : 99 : 1-26. This provides the most recent survey of the Llandyssil earthworks in their Montgomeryshire context
  15. ^ Gibson, A M & Musson, C R, 1990, A cropmark enclosure and a sherd of later Neolithic pottery from Brynderwen, Llandyssil, Powys, The Montgomeryshire Collections : 78 : 11-15
  16. ^ “RCHMW” : 77, no 385, no386
  17. ^ "CPAT Regional Historic Environment Record - Cefn Llan Hillfort". Archwilio.
  18. ^ "CPAT Regional Historic Environment Record - Cefn Llan enclosure". Archwilio.
  19. ^ Chris Musson “Wales from the Air: Patterns of Past and Present” RCAHMW c.1996, 133, aerial photograph.
  20. ^ ”Musson”, 87
  21. ^ "Banjo Enclosures - Introduction to Heritage Assets". Historic England. July 2018.
  22. ^ "CPAT Regional Historic Environment Record - Coed y Wig hillfort". Archwilio.
  23. ^ "CPAT Regional Historic Environment Record - Cuckoo Hall hillfort". Archwilio.
  24. ^ a b "Britnell & Thomas" 2010
  25. ^ "Silvester" 2011, 19
  26. ^ "CPAT Regional Historic Environment Record - Fron Fraith Wood hillfort". Archwilio.
  27. ^ "CPAT Regional Historic Environment Record -Goron Ddu enclosure". Archwilio.
  28. ^ "Silvester" 2011, 16-17
  29. ^ "CPAT Regional Historic Environment Record - Mount Pleasant enclosure". Archwilio.
  30. ^ "Silvester" 2011, 19, fig11, for plan of site
  31. ^ “Musson” 88-89, with aerial photograph of the Roman fort
  32. ^ RCHMW : “An Inventory of Ancient Monuments Volume 1, County of Montgomery”, HMSO, 1911, 77, no 386
  33. ^ "Site Record - Garn Wen, Cairn Ii". Coflein.
  34. ^ RCHMW : An Inventory of Ancient Monuments Volume 1, County of Montgomery, HMSO, 1911, 77, no 387
  35. ^ Musson C, “Montgomeryshire Past and Present from the Air”, The Powysland Club, 2011, 93, Col. Plate
  36. ^ a b "Archaeologia Cambrensis" 125-132 and 269-272
  37. ^ "Thomas" 524-529
  38. ^ "Thomas" 524-529
  39. ^ Haslam R Powys: The Buildings of Wales Penguin, London 1979, 75
  40. ^ Cadw. "Cefn Bryntalch Hall (Grade II*) (7714)". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  41. ^ Cadw. "Cefn Bryntalch Hall (PGW(Po)29(POW))". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
  42. ^ Foulkes Parish Notes, Llandyssil Church Records, Powys County Archives
  43. ^ “Llandyssil Rectory: its architecture and building history” Montgomeryshire Collections, Vol. 90, 2002, 99-108.
  44. ^ Peter Smith "Houses of the Welsh Countryside" 2nd ed, 1988, HMSO/RCAHMW, fig. 177a
  45. ^ shown on Llandyssil Tithe Map of 1849- photocopy in Powys Archives, Llandrindod
  46. ^ C. R. Anthony “Penson’s Progress: the work of a 19th-century county surveyor”, Montgomeryshire Collections, 1995, Vol 83, 115-175.
  47. ^ "English" Section 6.1
  48. ^ http://www.lindahome.co.uk/Quoits1/ABindex.htm [permanent dead link]
  49. ^ Albert Baker. "The History of Quoits in Wales". ukquoits.org.
  50. ^ Forgrave, Andrew (1 August 2012). "Pentrefoelas sheepdog handler back on top". North Wales Live.
  51. ^ Richard Williams “Montgomeryshire Worthies", Newtown (1884), 59
  52. ^ Frazer Thomas. George Thomas of Llandyssil, 1786–1859. The Montgomeryshire Collections, Vol 97, 2009, 101-121
  53. ^ Brown R L, Henry Powell Ffoulkes, Archdeacon of Montgomery. The Montgomeryshire Collections, Vol 94, 2006, 131-142
  54. ^ https://www.twgpp.org/photograph/view/2776855, with photograph of headstone[permanent dead link]
  55. ^ "WW1 Cemeteries in France - World War One Cemetery in France - French WW1 Memorials".
  56. ^ “English’’, 6, section 1
  57. ^ Meic Stephens (ed) "The New Companion to the Literature of Wales", 2nd edition, UWP, 1998, 317
  58. ^ "British Athletics Championships 1945-1959". www.gbrathletics.com.
  59. ^ "Whitehall Farm". Rightmove. Archived from the original on 5 February 2012.
  60. ^ Pearce, Garth (28 February 2015). "'I had to escape Hollywood's madding crowd!' Julie Christie on swapping glamour for sheep". Express.co.uk.
  61. ^ "TV presenter Iolo Williams says 'sign the petition'", County Times (Welshpool), 13 May 2013.
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