When in Wales in the summer wander along the lanes and smell the honeysuckle, it grows wild in the countryside. Yes I am on one of my yearning missions but in the process collecting more information about a particular cromlech. This one remained long in my memory, the sheer joy of just wandering along a green lane, and also a path to a redundant school 19th century where once children followed the same path to school. And no car has ever reached this school, I wish I could find a photo, it is called Hennen school in Garn Wynda. I came across something Rhiannon (Modern Antiquarian) had written about the name Gwyndaf which was the saint the church was named after and also the prehistoric burial cromlech seen here in an early blog - Going Back in Time.
Adding the Welsh Saint who gave his name to the local church and Neolithic burial chamber. Rhiannon had quoted from Baring Gould, but on looking the saint up in Breverton's book of Welsh Saints
Saint Gwyndaf Hen born in the 6th century, his tale is not very auspicious but still. When travelling back from Fishguard one day on horseback after an argument with St. Aidan, he had to cross his boundary stream. A fish suddenly leapt out of the water frightening his horse and Gwyndaf fell and broke his leg.
He cursed the stream so that no fish would ever swim in it again but it still springs from the holy well near the church.
talking of stories made up by the saints, and note some of these Welsh names used for the burial chambers can be different for instance Breverton calls it Carn Wynda or Carreg Samson
Carn = a pile of stones
Garn = a prominence
Llan = means land. The land round a church for instance.
Carreg = stone
 |
| Garn Wynda |
Ysgol Henner 1910 - 1915 / Henner School 1910 - 1915 | Ysgol Henner School, Goodwick / Wdig, Llanwnda | Fishguard and Goodwick local history
Can you imagine a school nowadays unreachable by road!
ReplyDeleteThey even drive to the one in the village - just from the other end of the village - 200 yds!
Yes Sue, schools have always had that problem of over parking, which is a dangerous problem for children between the vehicles.
DeleteYou certainly know your history of places, Thelma. I don't know the terms you use sometimes and probably won't remember them but I admire your knowledge! ;)
ReplyDeleteNot really Ellen only that which interests me.
ReplyDeleteReading your account of visiting Carn Wnda sent me hunting though the web for pictures and information, something I enjoy doing. I found these photos which you might find interesting at https://www.hanesabergwaun.org.uk/places/education/henner-school/ysgol-henner-1910-1915-henner-school-1910-1915 which I think are of the pupils of the school you referred to.
ReplyDeleteThat is brilliant Ruta. Thank you. The school seemed to have closed by 1915 and that photo of the children is so telling. The brief list of non-attendance at school by some children is an indication that children were needed for labour in the fields. Thelma
ReplyDeleteSuch great history and such an interesting language.
ReplyDelete