Adroddiad Ffynnon Fair Report

(English below)

Yn dilyn dau gyfarfod a dau ymweliad safle, mae’r arbenigwr ffynon ac awdur Phil Cope wedi creu ei adroddiad terfynol ynglŷn â Ffynon Fair ger eglwys Llangrannog. Comisiynwyd a thalwyd am yr adroddiad gan James Stewart, yr oedd ei fam yn byw yn Llangrannog ac â diddordeb byw yn adfywiad y ffynnon. Diolch yn fawr i’r ddau.

Mae’r gymuned wedi bod yn ymwneud yn helaeth â gwaith cynnal a chadw i’r safle hyfryd hwn, a gobeithiwn fynd â hyn ymhellach yn 2023. Gallwch weld mwy am y gwaith a wnaed hyd yma yma. Bydd rhagor o wybodaeth am fod yn rhan o ddatblygiadau pellach ar gael ar y wefan hon ac ar dudalen Facebook Hwb Llangrannog.

Gellir lawrlwytho adroddiad Phil isod (fformat PDF). Os na allwch chi/eraill lawrlwytho ac yr hoffech ddewis arall, cysylltwch â’r Ysgrifennydd.

Following two meetings and two site visits, well expert and writer Phil Cope has created his final report on the spring at Ffynnon Fair near the church in Llangrannog. The report was commissioned and paid for by James Stewart, whose mother lived in Llangrannog and had a keen interest in the revival of the well. Many thanks to both.

The community has been heavily involved in maintenance work to this lovely site, and we hope to take this further in 2023. You can see more about the work done so far here. More information on being involved in further developments will be forthcoming on this website and the Llangrannog Hwb Facebook page.

Phil’s report can be downloaded below (PDF format). If you/others cannot download and would like another option please contact the Secretary.

llangrannog well

Ffynon Fair

Ffynon Fair (St Mary’s Well) in Llangrannog is situated just up the road from the churchyard on the right hand side. The site is owned by the Llangrannog Welfare Committee, and we have long thought to do something with it. When we were approached by James Stewart and well expert Phil Cope, we were delighted to plan to uncover the well.

llangrannog well

The first work party got going on 15 May, followed by more clearing the next week. Enjoy some of the photos and the water test results; more information to follow. If you would like to get involved, email info@llangrannog.org.uk.

PDF file: Ffynon Fair Project Overview

FIRST WATER TEST from Llangrannog Well
Sunday 15 May 2022

This is a fairly basic first test, but gives an interesting (and mostly positive) analysis of the (surprisingly clean in the circumstances) water

Total Hardness        50mg per litre (low)

Free Chlorine           0mg per litre

Iron                             0mg per litre

Copper                       0mg per litre

Lead                            0mg per litre (good news)

Nitrate                       10mg per litre

Nitrite                        0mg per litre

Bromide                    6mg per litre

Total Chlorine          0mg per litre

Fluoride                     0mg per litre

Cyanuric Acid           0mg per litre

Carbonate                 80mg per litre

Total Alkalinity        80mg per litre

pH                                6.4 (7-8.4 is good)

  1. Ffynon Fair (notes from a Welfare Committee meeting with James and Phil)

Welcome to Phil Cope (author of The Living Wells of Wales) and James Stewart to discuss Ffynon Fair.

James’s mother grew up in Llangrannog at the rectory; his grandfather was the rector. His mother had an interest in the well and James would like to pay for Phil to do a consultancy in memory of his mother.

Phil believes this well has national significance.

Two phases are anticipated

  • An examination of the meanings of well springs
  • Phil offers a talk giving an intro to holy wells in general and FF and its possibilities to encourage support
  • Determine what we know already about FF
  • The naming(s) of wells (Welsh to Christianisation) ­– 50% have ended up becoming Lady Well or St Mary’s Well
  • We should look at it in the context of all the others in the village – Penfynnon/Bywell
  • Ownership and source of the water
  • Importance of education esp. with children as a part of climate conerns. Part of plans on what the well’s future should be. Community involvement.
  • Cranogwen’s poem Y Fynnon
  • Well-dressing and well-guarding
  • Initial exploration, cleaning and assessment of site
  • Dyfed Archeaelogical Trust are interested; water test
  • Further community meeting to show progress and designs for the future
  • Press and publicising online etc.
  • Budget and funding applications for Phase 2
  • Phase 2 – Delivery. Buildling a new well, seating, surrounding, interpretation panel, direction signs etc.
  • Well launch and possible festival
  • Publication – TV, radio, papers etc.
  • Links with other sites e.g. Carantek/Crantock/Irish site

Ian ap Dewi remembers being taken after Sunday School to drink the well water, and that it was known as Carannog’s Well. Speaking to John MO and Ian would be very useful.

Mary and June Sylvester would have some information.

Lowri Williams as director of Gwersyll yr Urdd

Boco and others of the Beechey family.

It was noted that some drainage work was done on the field and the spring does not flow as it used to. DAT could help here.

We can begin asking for stories and photos, but should hold forth on the physical work.

We are not bound by the rules of Cadw etc. so we can marry this with our own creative contribution to the development of the life of this well by buildling on what has gone before. What does this mean to us today; how is it relevant (e.g. ecology, water, climate etc.)?

Gather ideas of local artists, craftspeople, wall-builders, historians etc.

Within 12 months of agreement – could be done by September 2022. First open meeting could be Feb 2022. March school work. April cleanup. July 2nd meeting. Report Sept 22.

Plans etc. Early 2023. 2023 phase 2. Project completed May 2024.

Heritage Lottery Fund will be very keen especially as we have not had money from them before. This will not be a very expensive project.