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Pennal

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Pennal

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Pennal is a village in north Wales, on the A493 road, on the north bank of the Afon Dyfi (River Dovey). It lies in southern Gwynedd, in the old county of Merionethshire/Sir Feirionnydd. It was the site of a Roman fort, probably guarding a ford or ferry crossing of the Dyfi on Sarn Helen.

Pennal is best known for its historical association with Owain Glyndŵr. The remains of the Roman fort lie under the 14th century house of Cefn Caer, overlooking the village. It is here that Owain is thought to have written the "Pennal Letter" of 1406, a letter to the King of France setting out his plans for an independent Wales. The letter was briefly returned to Wales from France for an exhibition at the National Library of Wales in 2000, and a campaign has since sprung up for it to be returned permanently to Wales and put on show at the National Assembly building in Cardiff.

The church of St Peter ad Vincula within the village is recognised as the site of Glyndŵr's last senate meeting, and a memorial garden has been created for the native Welsh princes.

In the early nineteenth century there were quays on the Dyfi where slate from the quarries around Corris, Aberllefenni and Abergynolwyn was brought by packhorse for loading onto sea-going vessels. This trade died out when the Corris Railway to Machynlleth and the Talyllyn Railway to Tywyn were built.

The village also has a place in music history, as it was here that Robert Plant was living when he wrote the rock classic, "Stairway to Heaven". This has made it a mecca for Led Zeppelin devotees.


 Hotels in Pennal:
 Riverside Hotel
       Pennal
       Machynlleth
       Powys
       SY20 9DW
 01654 791285


 Campsites/Carvans in Pennal:
 Gwerniago Campsite
       Pennal
       Machynlleth
       Powys
       SY20 9JX
 01654 791227
 http://www.gwerniago.co.uk/index.html

 Jones
       Gwerniago
       Pennal
       Machynlleth
       Powys
       SY20 9JX
 01654 791227


 Places of Worship in Pennal:
 St Peter Ad Vincula
       Rectory
       Pennal
       Machynlleth
       Powys
       SY20 9JS
 01654 791216


 Schools/Colleges in Pennal:
 Ysgol Gynradd Pennal (Primary)
       Pennal
       Machynlleth
       Gwynedd
       SY20 9JT
 01654 791225


Pennal - From 'A Topographical Dictionary of Wales' (1849)
PENNAL, a parish, comprising the Upper and Lower divisions, in the union of Machynlleth, hundred of Estimaner, county of Merioneth, North Wales, 4 miles (W.) from Machynlleth, and 14 (E. N. E.) from Aberystwith; containing 678 inhabitants, of whom 264 are in the Upper, and 414 in the Lower division. This parish is situated on the rivers Dovey and Dulas, and intersected by the turnpike-road from Machynlleth to Aberdovey and Towyn. It comprises 8349 acres, of which 3152 are common or waste. The soil is thin and poor, but in the lower grounds not altogether unproductive; the declivities of the hills afford a scanty pasturage for sheep and young cattle. Peat, which forms the principal fuel of the inhabitants, is found in various parts. The village is small, and presents rather a picturesque appearance; petty-sessions for the hundred are held here every alternate month. The living is a perpetual curacy, endowed with �200 royal bounty, and �1400 parliamentary grant, the latter sum now invested in �1584 three per cent. reduced Bank annuities; net income, �75; patron and impropriator, the Bishop of Lichfield, whose tithes have been commuted for a rent-charge of �225. The church, dedicated to St. Peter, was rebuilt about seventy years ago, with the materials of an ancient Roman fortress, called Cevn Caer; but, as the edifice is entirely covered with stucco, the old Roman bricks are not discernible: it is situated near the western extremity of the parish, and is attended by many families from the contiguous parish of Towyn. There are places of worship for Calvinistic Methodists, Independents, and Wesleyan Methodists. A day school affords instruction to about twenty children, six of whom are taught free at the expense of Miss Thurston, of Talgarth; the remainder are paid for by their parents. Five Sunday schools are also held. In 1774, Margaret Carr bequeathed �20, the interest of which is annually distributed among the poor.

Of the Roman fortress of Cevn Caer, nothing but the site is remaining. Several coins of Domitian, Augustus, and Tiberius, have been dug up on the spot; and in a turbary at no great distance from it was found a spear-head, evidently of Roman construction. From this situation is obtained a fine view of the river Dovey to its mouth, and of Cardigan bay, with the Cardiganshire coast, and the parts adjacent. At Esgair Llyverin, in the parish, are preserved the bed and furniture prepared for the reception of Charles I. at Machynlleth, when on his way through the country to Chester; having been removed to this place from an ancient mansion still remaining in the town of Machynlleth. In the grounds of Pant-yLludw is a yew-tree of amazing growth: the trunk is thirty-two feet in girth, at the height of six inches from the ground, and forty-eight feet in height; and the largest branch nine feet in girth, and forty-four in length.



 

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