Church Micro #2615 Llanddarog Traditional Cache
Munch-Bunch: No longer able to maintain
Church Micro #2615 Llanddarog
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Size: 
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There is some debate as to the origin of the village name. 'Llan' is the Celtic name for enclosure or church settlement and 'Darog' the name of a high ranking official to Hywel Dda or he could have been a holy man or local Celtic chief, thus - Llanddarog.
The Church is dedicate to St Twrog, a Celtic saint who was apparently more active in north Wales. The earliest register dates from 1736. It is believed to have been built in 1854 on the site of a previous wooden building to a design by R K Pensan (1816-1886). In the mid 19th century Kyrke Pensan was the Carmarthenshire County Surveyor.
The spire, topped by a weathercock, is a local landmark as it can be seen for miles, at 150 feet tall.
Iolo Morganwg came to Llanddarog in 1796 and described it as a 'village with a large but rudely built church, that has a school in it, a common thing in Wales''. This could have been the wooden building later destroyed by fire.
The round churchyard is surrounded by a stone wall, which incorporates the old pound. The shape of the churchyard indicates its antiquity, as it was believed that a round enclosure would make it more difficult for the devil to get in. The old pound was used for holding stray stock which were only released to the owner on payment of a fine.
There are several ancient yew trees, the one opposite the Church door being at least 200 years old. The Celts thought the yew represented immortality and was the abode of spirits. It gives shelter to worshipers and, being poisonous, farmers were deterred from letting their stock trespass in the churchyard. On each side of the Lych Gate are Holm, or evergreen oak trees (Quercus ilex), which are not native, and are believed to be 60 to 80 years old, possibly introduced by the Puxley family. They lose their leaves in spring and grow new ones in June. Other trees include Horse Chestnut, Common Lime and Box.
A new graveyard has been consecrated behind the Church as there is no more room in the old one.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
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