Llansaint
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Llansaint |
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Llansaint shown within Carmarthenshire | |
OS grid reference | SN385081 |
Community | |
Principal area | |
Ceremonial county | |
Country | Wales |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | KIDWELLY |
Postcode district | SA17 |
Dialling code | 01267 |
Police | Dyfed-Powys |
Fire | Mid and West Wales |
Ambulance | Welsh |
EU Parliament | Wales |
UK Parliament | |
Welsh Assembly | |
Llansaint is a village of farmsteads and cottages that is located in Carmarthenshire, Wales. It includes a cluster of 19th century stone-built houses around the church, and it is surrounded by farmsteads and modern residential development.
On Allt Cunedda, a hill about a mile north of the village, are Bronze Age burial mounds found during an excavation in the 1850s. Findings included a skeleton and remains of an Iron Age fort. Other evidence of human settlement is inscriptions made into stone walls.
The village of Llansaint developed around a cemetery in the 5th and 6th centuries. The holy well of Ffynnonsaint, close to the current location of the Tabor chapel and Jinni Will well in the Cwm valley, indicates an early Christian settlement. The church was built in the 12th century, and a tower was added in the 14th century. Two early Christian monuments of Ogham stones are embedded in the south eastern external wall and commemorate two 6th century Irish priests named Cimestle Avicat and Vennestl.
Up until the 17th century Llansaint was known as Halkenchurche meaning church of the saints. This is continued in the present name: "llan" being Welsh for church and "saint" representing the saints.
In the 18th century Pengay Farm was the seat of Bevan family, prominent supporters of Methodism who introduced improved agricultural methods. Although the present house and farm buildings are 18th century, the arched gateway contains a 1760 bell from a wrecked Dutch ship.
In 1896 the "Silver band", who won national competitions, was well respected in the community. The band continued until the early 1990s, and yet the musical tradition continues with many former band members and youngsters providing musical entertainment for the community.
During World War II, Llansaint was one of the villages that took in evacuated children from London and other areas.
All Saints Church Tower
Supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund
Llansaint is governed on a local level by Carmarthenshire County Council and on a community level by St. Ishmael's Community.