"Llanfair Caereinion is a lovely place to live. Everyone is very friendly and everything is so convenient. We have a post office, two banks, two chapels and a church, good bus links and a lively Welsh society.
The population has increased over recent years and a lot of people have moved in. However, the Welsh language is still going strong.
We have all kinds of groups meeting regularly in the town - for example, the Male Voice Choir (Cor Meibion Llanfair Caereinion), Merched y Wawr, 'te bach' (high tea) in the chapel every Wednesday, a history society, a discussion group (Cylch Trafod) every Tuesday. We also have two thriving schools here - a secondary and a primary school.
It's a very agricultural area although lots of farming families now have other jobs as well these days in order to make ends meet.
The woollen industry was once strong here with lots of mills along the river banks but they've all closed now. At one time, they did look for coal here but they never made any major finds.
The town used to hold big markets and fairs - the May Fair and the Autumn Fair when pupils would be given a day off school. People would flock to the town to buy and sell animals and other goods but the fairs aren't held any more.
One tradition which is still going strong is the 'Plygain' folk singing which starts either mid December or early January depending on the area. Young people have taken up the baton and there are several different groups singing plygain.
The area can lay claim to several people of note, including Lewis Evan - one of the first Methodist reformers of the 19th century. He established the chapel at Adfa about four miles outside Llanfair. John Hughes, Pontrobert was another well-known minister from this area, along with the hymnwriter Ann Griffiths and Pat O'Brien one of the leading Eisteddfod conductors of his time.
Much has changed about the town but it remains a friendly place. When people come here, they tend to stay. It's as good a place to be as any. The only drawback perhaps is the volume of traffic - and the lack of parking!"
your comments
Sam Evans, King's Lynn
As I remember there was a small market/livestock pens next to the Baptist/Zion Chapel, and on Wednesdays the Black Lion used to have Market opening hours despite the market having been long gone. The pens survived into 1970s at least. Any info re the market's history would be welcome.
Mon Sep 21 16:43:13 2009
Jim Cross, Long Eaton, Nottingham
I used to live in Llanfair during the Second World War with my grandparents at the national school with my brother, George. We lived there for seven years. Our teachers were Miss Craig and Mr Hewitt. I'm trying to find old friends, so if anyone could help, it would be much apprecialted. Those who were at the national school during the war (1939-1936).
Wed Sep 9 14:15:39 2009
Barbara May Curry, Victoria, Australia
I visited Llanfair a few years ago and managed to find the tombstone of my great, great grandfather David Bailey in the Churchyard - My great,great grandmother who died a few years later was found buried in Penarth Cemetery. They lived in Waterdale? Street. I would have loved to find out more about them, but was not successful in the limited time I was there.
Tue Apr 7 15:19:33 2009
Janet Ahner Rubinoff from Toronto, Canada
My ancestors on my Dad's side were supposed to have come from Llanfair Caereinion. My great great grandfather was Hugh O. (Owen) Roberts and he & his family immigrated in the mid-1820s to western New York State. They helped to found the town of Freedom, New York. We don't know anything about prior ancestors & their descendents in Wales. Does anyone know anything about a Hugh Roberts family originally of Llanfair?
Fri Sep 19 09:09:45 2008
Ella Cadwallader Llanfair Caereinion
It is a lovely place and intend to stay here.
Mon Jan 28 08:12:03 2008
R Garsed, Mildura , Australia
Visited Llanfair Caereinion briefly in 2005, a lovely spot, unfortunately our friends Bob & Sue were not at home so we spent a night in Builth, another delightful place. regards Roy & Una.
Thu Dec 20 11:27:55 2007
Dave, Llanfair
Rest in Peace Idwal - you are missed here in Llanfair.
Sun Oct 14 11:09:49 2007
Pete Sansom, Lancashire
Lovely town, I have visited many times and little has changed (thankfully!) The steam railway is probably one of the best value rides in the country and is well worth a visit. The goat hotel in the top of the town has wonderful beer and great food, we always call there when visiting the railway.
Thu Sep 27 09:39:04 2007
Katerina Muffett
I visit my mum in Llanfair Caereinion every summer and always enjoy my stay. The people are very friendly and will always say good morning. Hadyn the local shopkeeper,always has a kind word to say and when I return its like I've never left. It's a beautiful part of the world!!
Wed Aug 15 11:40:06 2007
Paul Kenyon, Lathom, Lancashire
I used to visit Llanfair with my father and uncle during my summer holidays when I was a teenager back in the 1960s. We stayed at the Wynstay arms in those days with Mr and Mrs Astley, great times , I always looked forward to my fishing holidays on the Banwy and meeting old Bill Price, what a character, good days.
Fri Jul 13 08:28:39 2007
D J Murphy (Disc Jockey)
Many a happy time I have spent in LLanfair Caereinion with my discotheque entertaining the lovely people of this town. Does anyone remember me? I was with the Band called the Clubmen in the sixties...
Wed May 23 16:34:44 2007
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