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‘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

 

The Thomas & Elizabeth Mayhook Charity held it’s annual general meeting yesterday, at which, on the retirement of the founding chairman Richard Goodridge, after seven years at the helm, the charity was pleased to appoint Mary Thorley as the new Chair.

Mary Thorley was born and brought up in Carmarthen. After studying for a degree in History and Politics at Swansea University she became a primary school head teacher in Gloucestershire and, later, in her home town. She was also Head of Teacher Training at Trinity St. Davids for a number of years and is now retired. Mary’s  PhD thesis from Aberystwyth University was titled ‘The Naming of Women. The Lives of the Middle Class Women of Carmarthen 1850-1918.’ Some of the women she studied are buried in St. David’s Churchyard. Mary is committed to the work of The Thomas and Elizabeth Mayhook Charity which honours so many of the people who have been part of the life of Carmarthen Town.

David England was appointed Vice Chairman, and also on the retirement of Robert Goodridge as Treasurer,  Mrs Gwyneth Thomas was appointed to look after the charities finances. Both Richard and Robert will remain volunteers of the charity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As we approach Christmas this year and all that it brings, let’s spare a thought for John Jones, who at the age of 35 passed away peacefully on Christmas Day 1856 and is commemorated here in St David’s cemetery. One of the most unusual memorials in this cemetery is this little headstone commemorating the burial of three members of the same family….Ebenezer, his wife Mary, and their son John.

Clearly, the memorial is based on the design of the Star of David. Its adoption as a distinctive symbol for the Jewish people and religion dates back to Medieval times.  The name Ebenezer is also a Hebrew name synonymous with the Jewish people, and so it is quite remarkable to see such a design in a Welsh Cemetery which is nearly 170 years old. May they all rest in peace.

May I take this opportunity to wish you all a happy and peaceful Christmas.

Richard Goodridge (Chairman of Trustees)

As always this time of year ( and indeed throughout the year ) the headstones are cleaned in readiness for visitors to the cemetery, to look at the seven  Commonwealth War Graves that come under our care.

Poppy Crosses and flowers are placed on each grave throught the year and this time of year is of course no exception.  As the Cross of Souls memorial was unveiled and consecrated earlier this year it was felt appropriate that a poppy wreath should be placed here also to remember all those who fell in battle and have themselves no known grave.

“At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them”

The ongoing restoration of the cemetery continued again yesterday with the visit of volunteers from the Mackworth Club of local Freemasons who spent the whole morning working hard and were joined by three trustees and Mr David England- a regular helper and supporter. Luckily the rain kept off and we were able to repair two memorials, a third was also “uprighted” as it was leaning at a 45 degree angle, and a lot of ivy and overgrowth was removed from the surrounding wall. Also grading of the soil of a small section of the cemetery was also achieved with the help of Richard Holmes, who once again offered his services free of charge. The Mackworth Club has visited us on a number of occasions and the Thomas & Elizabeth Mayhook Charity would like to express their thanks and appreciation for their efforts.

David England also spent the whole morning cleaning away the overgrowth of holly and ivy from one of the “rarer” types of hipped stone memorial to the BRIGHT family, who were well known publicans in the town in the mid eighteenth century. All in  all the mornings work was well worth the effort and as the days are drawing in, everyone was pleased to have been provided with sausage and chips before they packed up and left. Finally we are likely to have to cut the grass ONCE MORE in the next week or two weather permitting as it just seems to keep on growing ! The headstone below was found under the soil about two years ago and placed for safety alongside the boundary wall close to where it was found. A further amount of work will be needed to complete the restoration but at least it has now been reunited for the first time in almost a hundred years.

 

 

Dear Friends I thought I would share with you this picture which I took this afternoon amidst glorious sunshine. All four mowers were in operation for nearly two hours. About one third of the cemetery was cut, the remainder having been done previously. I would think that even now, we shall return once more to give it it’s final “trim” and then at last we can put away the mowers until next spring ( after having them all serviced first )

In two weeks time we will see the return of a number of volunteers to complete the soil levelling using earth moving machinery and to restore a number of memorials that we were unable to complete this year due to the pandemic. So by this time next month I am hopeful that we will finally see the “home straight” in our six year long battle to restore St Davids Cemetery to a place of dignity as befits such an historic cemetery. A full write up of that “volunteers weekend” will appear on the website soon afterwards. Taking “selfies” is not my forte, but as usual I am extremely grateful to to all who came along today and if you didn’t know already, I am closest to the camera followed by Chris Dzioba (Trustee) David England ( Volunteer) & Robert Goodridge (Trustee).  Best wishes

Richard Goodridge (Chairman)

The restoration of the last resting place of CAROLINE GEORGIANA CATHERINE PRYTHERCH is finally nearing completion. After nearly two years since the box tomb itself was completely rebuilt, the trustees are embarking on the final piece of the jigsaw, in the complete restoration of the massive cast iron railings that surround it and replacing it’s missing ornate finials. The finials, having been recast last year at considerable expense have sat waiting to be re-united until now. The work will be carried out over the next few weeks and once complete will be coated with a special preservative/primer to prevent any further corrosion.

Once this has been done a special and unique video will be available on the website to view the restoration and the story behind it. It is widely believed that Caroline was the youngest grand-daughter of George III by his alleged liaison with Hannah Lightfoot whilst Prince of Wales, but as ever, it will be up to each individual to form their own opinion. It is not the intention of our charity to rewrite history but I am sure the story will be of interest, especially from the restoration point of view.

We are now in the “peak” of the growing season and our four mowers like ourselves are flat out in keeping the grass cut short and the weeds at bay.

Strimming is also part of our work of course and we continue as ever to keep the cemetery in good order thanks to our “Friends” and volunteers.