A group of boys in the churchyard, photographed by John Thomas in about 1885
Llanfihangel-yng-Ngwynfa (Welsh pronunciationⓘ) was a parish within the former historic county of Montgomeryshire. It now forms a major part of the communityofLlanfihangelinPowys, which covers an area of 5,366 hectares (20.72 sq mi).[1] Its Community Council extends to take in Dolanog and Llwydiarth, having approximately 413 registered voters (as at 2012).[2] The parish originally consisted of the following townships: Cefncleisiog, Cydwnfa, Dolwar, Fachwen, Farchwell, Fynnonarthwr, Garthucha, Halfen, Llaethbwlch, Llwydiarth, Nanty-Candy, and Rhiewlas. Dolanog seceded from Llanfihangel in 1856.[3]
Poet and hymnwriter Ann Griffiths (1776–1805) was born in, and is buried, in this place.[4]
The main village is scattered along a gently winding uphill road extending many miles past St Michael's Church to the south. The housing becomes denser just south of the LlanfyllintoLlanwddyn road, WNWofWelshpool; on the east side is the cemetery, six houses largely still owned by the local authority, and a couple of bungalows. The church is no longer used, and is unsafe.
At the centre are The Goat Inn, a post office/shop, and the village hall, opened in 1981, which has frequent whole-community, family and retired community events.
A fair, known as Ffair Llan, used to be held every year on 9 May, when store cattle and sheep were sold to visiting dealers. Piglets were brought by horse and cart, with a mesh strung over to prevent their escape.[5]
In 1950 Life in a Welsh Countryside, A Social Study of Llanfihangel-yng-NgwynfabyAlwyn D. Rees was published. This was soon seen as a classic study of the social structure and life in a predominantly Welsh-speaking rural community in upland Wales. This study describes the farming, kindred relationships, customs and traditions, and the role of religion, particularly the chapels.
In 2003 the Llanfihangel Social History Group published A Welsh Countryside Revisited: A new study of Llanfihangel-yng-Ngwynfa, which records the changes since the original publication such as decline in chapel attendance and preferred use of Welsh.
