Llanybydder

Llanybydder
Llanybydder  Llanybydder shown within Carmarthenshire
Population	1,423
OS grid reference	SN523438
Principal area	Carmarthenshire
Ceremonial county	Carmarthenshire
Country	Wales
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	LLANYBYDDER
Postcode district	SA40
Dialling code	+44 (0) 1570
Police	Dyfed-Powys
Fire	Mid and West Wales
Ambulance	Welsh
EU Parliament	Wales
UK Parliament	Carmarthen East and Dinefwr
List of places: UK • Wales • Carmarthenshire

Llanybydder (Welsh pronunciation: [ˌɬanəˈbəðɛr], sometimes formerly spelt Llanbydder) is a market town straddling the River Teifi in Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion, West Wales, with a population of 1,423, almost three quarters of whom are Welsh-speaking according to the United Kingdom Census 2001. The nearest university is the University of Wales, Trinity Saint David, located in the nearest town, Lampeter (Llanbedr Pont Steffan). Mynydd Llanllwni (408 m) and Mynydd Pencarreg (415 m) are mountains to the east/south east of Llanybydder.

The name Llanybydder translates as "The church of St Peter".

History

There is evidence of an iron age settlement on the hill that overlooks the town. Highmead, once a country house, is now a centre of religious studies for the Muslim faith.

Llanybydder gained a connection to the national rail network on the Carmarthen Aberystwyth Line in 1867, which was originally part of an ill-fated scheme to link Manchester to the deepwater port at Milford Haven. However, financial pressures led the route to be diverted, and it remained a cross country route, with passenger services running until flooding severely damaged the line south of Aberystwyth in December 1964. The cost of repairs to a little-used rural line was deemed prohibitive, and although a limited service continued running from Carmarthen to Tregaron for another few months this was the era of the Beeching Axe and the line was closed to passengers in February 1965.

Today

Llanybydder is famed for the horse fairs held there on the last Thursday of every month. These attract dealers and buyers from all parts of the UK and Ireland. The biggest is held in September & October. Of particular interest are the sales of local Welsh Cobs.

Dunbia (Dungannon Meats) is the largest business in Llanybydder, an abbatoir, providing around 400 jobs. Around 260 migrant workers, mainly Poles are employed there, and the presence of such a large Polish community has had a significant impact on the rural community. They specialise in Welsh lamb; the business was formerly known as "Oriel Jones" - a family run business owned by a farmer, who still lives locally.

Local businesses

At one point there were seven bakeries in the village, and at least ten pubs. Now only one bakery remains, and five pubs.

Llanybydder also has a number of other businesses, including cafes, farmers' co-operatives, a Post Office, a solicitors practice, and a hotel in the village square.

The National Farmers Union also has a small office in the village.

Sport

Llanybydder Rugby Club

Llanybydder has a rugby union team and are currently in the Swalec Division 4 (West).

Llanybydder Football Club

Llanybydder has 3 football teams - 2 mens and 1 ladies, and play their home matches in Alltyblaca. They have an official website which includes match reports.

Nationalities

About 250 Polish workers also live in Llanybydder as well as Slovaks and Czechs, most of whom work for Dunbia and have become an integral part of the local community.

Famous residents

One of Wales' most important mediaeval poets, Lewys Glyn Cothi, is thought to have been born in the parish in c.1420.

External links

• Llanybydder and Rhydcymerau Community Council website
• Llanybydder demographics
• www.geograph.co.uk : photos of Llanybydder and surrounding area