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Revision as of 14:20, 10 November 2018 by Tony Holkham (talk | contribs) (copy edit; not a stub)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff) This article is about the village. For the ward, see Cenarth (electoral ward). Human settlement in WalesCenarth
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|---|---|
 View of River Teifi from Cenarth | |
  CenarthLocation within Carmarthenshire | |
| Population | 1,030 (2011) |
| OS grid reference | SN268416 |
| Community |
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| Principal area | |
| Preserved county | |
| Country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | NEWCASTLE EMLYN |
| Postcode district | SA38 |
| Dialling code | 01239 |
| Police | Dyfed-Powys |
| Fire | Mid and West Wales |
| Ambulance | Welsh |
| UK Parliament | |
| Senedd Cymru – Welsh Parliament | |
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Cenarth is a village and community in Carmarthenshire, on the border between Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire, and close to the border with Pembrokeshire, Wales. It stands on the banks of the River Teifi, 6 miles (9.7 km) east of Cardigan and 4 miles (6.4 km) west of Newcastle Emlyn, and features the Cenarth Falls, a popular visitor attraction.
History and governance
The ancient parish extended for 5 km south of the river, and included the town of Newcastle Emlyn. In 1934, it annexed the adjoining parish of East Cilrhedyn, and the enlarged parish corresponds with the modern community, which had a population of 1,022 in the 2001 census. With the community of Newcastle Emlyn, it makes up the Carmarthenshire electoral ward of Cenarth, which had a population of 1,995 in 2001, with 60 per cent Welsh language speakers. The ancient parish (less Newcastle Emlyn) had an area of 6,420 acres (2,600 ha). Its census populations were: 672 (1801); 897 (1851); 638 (1901). The percentage of Welsh-speakers was 98 (1891); 96 (1931).
The enlarged parish (post-1934) had an area of 4896 ha. Its census populations were: 1098 (1951); 1066 (1961); 926 (1971); 971 (1981). The percentage of Welsh-speakers was 92 (1951); 91 (1961); 82 (1971); 69 (1981).
The community is bordered by the communities of: Newcastle Emlyn; Llangeler; Cynwyl Elfed; and Trelech, all being in Carmarthenshire; by Clydau and Manordeifi in Pembrokeshire; and by Beulah, Pen-y-wenallt, and Llandyfriog in Ceredigion.
Features
East of the village, the River Teifi emerges from a deep ravine over a ledge that produces a spectacular waterfall when the river is in full spate and this attracts many visitors throughout the year. A dramatic painting of the falls was made by Frank Miles and is now at Nottingham City Museum. Miles's father inherited Cardigan Priory from his father, Philip John Miles, but lived in Nottinghamshire as Rector of Bingham.
A dominant feature of the village is Cenarth Bridge over the Teifi west of the falls; the bridge was built in 1787 by William Edwards of Eglwysilan and his son David. The bridge features their trademark series of circular holes (perforated spandrels that allow the weight of the structure to be reduced without losing strength.
Other visitor attractions are a seventeenth-century flour mill and coracle museum. The village is home to the National Coracle Centre.
Worship
The parish church is dedicated to the local saint, St Llawddog. Although the present building is relatively modern, it is on an important ancient site, and was the "bishop house" of the cantref of Emlyn.
References
- "Community population 2011". Retrieved 13 April 2015.
- "GENUKI: Cenarth". Retrieved 10 November 2018.
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/yourpaintings/paintings/salmon-leap-cenarth-falls-cardiganshire-47218
- Halstead, Robin; Hezaley, Jason; Morris, Alex; Morris, Joel (2007). Far from the Sodding Crowd. Penguin books. pp. 164–169. ISBN 978-0-7181-4966-6.