Author: Jeffrey

‘The stories beneath our feet’, a visit by the Carmarthenshire Antiquarian Society. Wednesday 16 July 2025

A short walk led by Mary Thorley, Richard Goodridge and Prof. Tony Curtis, followed by refreshments.

Over 40 members of the Carmarthenshire Antiquarian Society, old and new, met at St David’s Churchyard Carmarthen where they were given a tour of the restored graveyard by members of the Thomas and Elizabeth Mayhook Charity.  We were treated to a history of the graveyard which tells, through its monuments and gravestones, important aspects of Carmarthen’s history. The areas covered included social, military and women’s history.  At the end of the tour members enjoyed a convivial hour or so chatting and enjoying light refreshments.

The Antiquarians offered their thanks to those who made the evening possible especially Professor Tony Curtis and Richard Goodridge who conducted the tours, Janet Williams and Margaret Curtis who supported the event and provided refreshments. A special mention also to Robert and Alison Goodridge and David England who ensured that the grounds were in perfect condition for the visit.

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An  Open Day  was held at St. David’s Church cemetery as part of the Cadw event on  September 23rd 2023.

  

There were guided tours of some of the graves by Mary Thorley speaking about some aspects of Carmarthen’s social history which are reflected in the history of the graveyard. Also by Richard Goodridge who selected examples of those graves with a Military and Maritme theme, including:

Captain George Jones  Quay Warden

Fred Cadwallader Master Mariner

Prytherch Family Vault

George Nott

Sgt Major John Morgan Family Memorial

Sgt Major John Kyle 

Sgt John Samuel

Further details on their stories can be found in the section ‘ What’s in a Name’

Professor Tony Curtis read some of his poetry which is dedicated to the memory of those interred in the graveyard, including his poem Climbing the Overhang at Eglwys Dewi Sant

Climbing the Overhang at Eglwys Dewi Sant 

Rusted nails, the slip of loosened slates,

Another and another – the place is open to the weather,

Rain from the west, snow from the east

Complete the wrecking work and then it’s too late.

 

The Church throws good money after bad

To fill the holes – a small fortune

Goes up into the clouds that come over the Irish Sea.

So the place is sold. The pews are plastered by pigeons,

 

The pulpit is soiled and silent, the font dry.

The wooden list of the Great War’s dead

And the marble plaques to the crach-ach – Pictons, Williamses, 

Davieses – all renege on their promised immortality.

 

In the churchyard, to the rear and towards the town,

Seven war graves decline, their greying Portland

Head-stones sinking into a maze of barbed brambles:

We shall strain to remember them.

 

Your grandmother and grandfather’s marble chips

And small urn persist against the weeds and ivy

Under the ancient yew. You call and tidy up

Each time that you pass through.

 

Though now you have to negotiate the parked cars,

Families using the climbing and bouldering centre 

That rears from the nave and vestry: repurposed.

The angled grips and coloured foot-holds pattern the walls

 

Like stained glass, some galaxy exploding from its last millenium.

The Overhang. It’s a tough climb:

Roped and helmeted, harnessed and gloved,

They spider their way to heaven.

                                                               Tony Curtis

Following the removal of the storm damaged sycamore tree, it was decided that it should be replaced by some alternative planting.  On September 21st 2023 we received a generous donation of four saplings from the National Botanic Garden of Wales.  The planting was overseen by the Senior Horticulturalist at the Gardens, Ayshea Cunniffe-Thomas who organised the donation. Many thanks for all her advice on selection of specimens and tips on future care of the saplings. They can be found at various points in the graveyard and are clearly labelled.  

Juniperus communis

Ilex aquifolium ‘Ferox Argentea’  (Holly)

 Laurus nobilis

 Itea virginica ‘Henry’s Garnet’

The official planting ceremony was attended by members of the Trustees as well as local rugby legend Roy Bergiers, also a friend of the Charity and Richard Goodridge MBE,  founder of the Charity.

Left to Right:  David England (volunteer) 

Ayshea Cunniffe-Thomas (Horticulturalist) 

Roy Bergiers

Mary Thorley

 Richard Goodridge