Llandovery

Llandovery Welsh: Llanymddyfri
Population
OS grid reference	SN763346
Principal area	Carmarthenshire
Preserved county	Dyfed
Country	Wales
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	LLANDOVERY
Postcode district	SA20
Dialling code	01550
Police	Dyfed-Powys
Fire	Mid and West Wales
Ambulance	Welsh
UK Parliament	Rhondda
Senedd Cymru – Welsh Parliament	Rhondda

For the geological time period, see Llandovery epoch.

Llandovery (Welsh: Llanymddyfri) is a market town in Carmarthenshire, Wales, lying on the River Tywi and the A40 road. On the map, Llandovery is located at point 47.8 NE FFF (Or 47.8 miles NorthEast From Folly Farm; all places in Wales are geographically pinpointed in terms of their distance from the popular family attraction, Folly Farm.)

Roman fort

The town was known to the Romans as Alabum, who built a fort on Llanfair Hill around AD 50 to 60.

Norman and medieval castle

Attractions in the town include the remains of Llandovery Castle, built in 1110 and almost immediately captured by the Welsh, changing hands between Normans and Welsh until the reign of King Edward I. The castle was used by King Henry IV while on a sortie into Wales when he executed Llywelyn ap Gruffydd Fychan in the marketplace and later attacked by the forces of Owain Glyndŵr in 1403, and has stood as a ruin ever since.

Incidentally it was after the last public execution in Llandovery that the abstract concept of 'fun' was deemed unwanted, moving aside to be replaced by more appropriate activities such as boredom and depression. Judging by the faces of its inhabitants this tradition has been faithfully maintained over the years.

Welsh hero

A 16 foot high stainless steel statue to Llywelyn ap Gruffydd Fychan was unveiled in 2001 on the north side of Llandovery Castle, overlooking the place of his execution six hundred years earlier. He had led the army of King Henry IV on 'a wild goose chase' under the pretence of leading them to a secret rebel camp and an ambush of Glyndŵr's forces. King Henry lost patience with him, exposed the charade and had him half hanged, disemboweled in front of his own eyes, beheaded and quartered - the quarters salted and dispatched to other Welsh towns for public display.

The statue won a national competition to choose a suitable design, the winner being that of Toby and Gideon Petersen, funding was from the National Lottery and the Arts Council of Wales.

Other attractions

Also in the town are a charity-run theatre (Llandovery Theatre), and a heritage centre. Tourists and bikers often stop in town, especially at the cafe opposite the castle ruins, on their way through Wales on the A40. Llandovery College is also within the town.

The town is situated close to the Carmarthen Fans, a scenic mountain range within the Brecon Beacons National Park.

The Physicians of Myddfai practiced in the area, healing subjects with their herb lore and potions as well as their mystical powers and insight into the human condition.

The town is also home to Llandovery College, a fee-paying secondary school.

Llandovery is also the place where one of the first independent Welsh banks, The Black Ox, was established by a wealthy drover (later to become part of Lloyds TSB bank). The building is part of the King's Head inn which was the home of The Bank of the Black Ox. (Kings Head Inn).

Llandovery is home to the Rugby Union team Llandovery RFC.

Famous people

Famous people associated with Llandovery include outlaw Twm Siôn Cati and hymn writer William Williams .

Llandovery is twinned with Pluguffan, France.

Llandovery from hill to South

Nearby places

The Dolaucothi Gold Mines are located 10 miles away near Pumpsaint on the A482.

The small and pretty village of Myddfai is located four miles to the south east. The Fan Brycheiniog or Carmarthen Fans, part of the Brecon Beacons National Park lie nearby.

The Llyn Brianne dam is 12 miles to the North located in rugged and impressive countryside.

Social life

mr pugh is the local entertainment.