Ilkeston Cam On Holiday 2002 - South West Wales
Part 15 - 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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