Ilkeston Cam On Holiday
In South West Wales - Part Fifteen
Carew
The
photos on this page were taken on Thursday 18th July
It would be
quite easy when travelling along this road to blink and miss
Carew (pronounced Care - oo) altogether. A narrow bridge crosses
the millpond to enter the village and the road passes between
a pub on one side and the Wesley Chapel on the other.
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A few yards
further on another pub, the Carew Inn stands on the corner of
a lane leading to a number of dwellings in the village but anyone
passing straight on would miss the village's main attractions.
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Almost opposite
the Carew Inn a car park allows access to the first of these
attractions, the Carew Cross. This 11th century Celtic cross
was erected to the memory of the last King of Dyfed after he
was slain.
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From the cross
a mile long path leads around the millpond and passes the second
attraction. Carew Castle, today open to the public, has much
history attached to it including the Great Tournament, held here
following Sir Rhys ap Thomas' appointment by Henry VII (for his
assistance in defeating Richard III at Bosworth Field) to the
status of Knight of the Garter.
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And so to
yet another building of great interest just beyond the castle.
Following a fire in 1955 which destroyed a similar building in
Pembroke, this tidal mill remains the only one of its kind in
Wales. Much restoration work has taken place and it is hoped
that in time, the mill will again be fully operational.
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The millpond
covers 23 acres and is flooded by the incoming tide twice each
day. The flood gates close automatically and when the water is
released through the sluice gates, the flow operates the machinery
in the mill. Because of the differing times of the tides this
led to some very unsociable working hours. After crossing this
footbridge the path leads up the other side of the millpond opposite
the castle and back to the main road.
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