Llanafan - Extract from 'A Topographical Dictionary of Wales' by Samuel Lewis 1833

"LLANAVAN (LLAN-AVAN), a parish in the upper division of the hundred of ILAR, county of CARDIGAN, SOUTH WALES, 8 miles (S. E.) from Aberystwith, containing 384 inhabitants. This parish, which derives its name from the dedication of its church to St. Avan, is pleasantly situated on the river Ystwith, which at this place forms a fine bold curve, and is enriched on both its banks with pleasingly varied and highly picturesque scenery : a neat modern stone bridge has been erected over this river. Within the parish is Cross Wood, the seat of the Earl of Lisburne, a neat mansion, pleasantly situated in grounds which are tastefully laid out. Lead-ore was formerly procured here at the Grogwynion mines, but these are now exhausted, and no new mines have been opened. The living is a perpetual curacy, in the archdeaconry of Cardigan, and diocese of St.David's, endowed with £600 royal bounty, and in the patronage of the Chichester family, to whom the tithes are impropriated. The church is an ancient structure, consisting of a nave, chancel, and south transept : part of the ancient screen which separated the chancel from the nave is still remaining, and exhibits an elegant specimen of carved work : the ancient font, octangular in form, is also preserved. Among the communion plate is a curious ancient dish of silver, gilt, and embossed with twelve figures, of which ten represent warriors, and the other two dragons : all are arranged in couples, and engaged in combat. The church is situated within half a mile of the river, and in the churchyard is a fine avenue of trees, leading from the entrance of the cemetery to the south transept. The average annual expenditure for the maintenance of the poor is £46.19."

[Gareth Hicks: 6 December 1999]