Aber-Nant - Sundry items

1890 ABERNANT.

THE scholars of the Abernant National School had their annual treat on Tuesday, the 19th inst. The children were regaled with tea, cake and buns in the schoolroom, at three p.m.

The merry chatter and beaming faces of both the children and the ladies, who kindly assisted in preparing and serving the tea, bore testimony to the general satisfaction given by the good things provided.

The Rev. John. Morgan, vicar, expressed his pleasure at seeing so many of the managers' wives and daughters present at the schoolroom. Tea over, the children, accompanied by their teachers, marched to Pantycendy. They sang a few school songs on the lawn, and then the sports began.

Sweets and coppers were the order of the day. The sweets gratis, and the coppers for athletic effort. Mr Hallam Evans and his brother, Mr Trevor Evans, assisted by the schoolmaster arranged and superintended the different events.

Various children's sports were indulged in, and the winners duly rewarded, but the "tug of war," in which the whole of the children participated, deserves special mention, because it was so stubbornly contested. Both sides were about equally matched in strength and endurance, and after a prolonged struggle the balance of victory was but barely decided. This event terminated the sports. Mrs Evans of Pantycendy distributed buns to the scholars, and after three times three for this lady and her visitors, this pleasant gathering dispersed to their homes.

From The Carmarthen Journal and South Wales Weekly Advertiser -29th August 1890

1892 THE STATE OF ABERNANT CHURCH NEAR CARMARTHEN.

At the present day, as a rule, nothing claims more of our attention and respect than the relics of antiquity. I say, as a rule, because there is a proverb that there is no rule without an exception. I wish it were in my power to trace the history of this ancient church, for doubtless it would be very interesting, but alas I dare not.

But one glance to the dear old place of worship and its surroundings carries us back to the days of long long ago. Indeed one would be amply repaid for walking a very long way by the sight of this spot. The first thing that strikes one is the extensive churchyard, which must be many acres in area, a fact which reminds us of the time when all parishioners were brought to the parish churchyard to be buried, a time long before any of the surrounding chapels were thought of.

It is said that a great battle was fought in the vicinity, and the bodies of the slain were buried in it, which if true, accounts for the numerous mounds that are to be seen here. Then again there are the quaint old yew trees, which are by far the most interesting of their kind that I have ever come across.

One of them is many yards in circumference; its inside is quite hollow, and into this the school children may be seen running for shelter, when the rain comes on during their recreation hours. Would that this old tree could have a tongue and speak to some of the Nonconformist zealots of Wales, of the many centuries that it and the Church have stood side by side.

But the last and greatest of all is the Church itself and it was the present state of this sacred edifice that urged me to write this hefty letter.To say the least it is in a lamentable condition, and to any true churchman and especially to those who are in any way connected with Abernant, and have their dear ones sleeping peacefully in those silent graves it is a sight to be deplored. Oh the sad neglect that it receives at the hands of those to whom it should be almost as dear as life itself.

To those who wish to do penitence, I would say come to Abernant Church and I assure you that three half-hours spent in that building on a cold wintry morning will be as well devoted as that of a month in the worst of cells. But take our friendly advice do not go there in your best Sunday clothes, unless you wish to sow leeks or set potatoes in them when you come out.

When you take a seat there be gentle, or you may find yourself in contact with "mother earth." further in this strain, or the reader might think that I am in jest, which, indeed, is far from being the case, and I shall simply say as to the building that from a sanitary point of view, it is not fit to be entered, and one hardly knows when to expect a part of the ceiling or wall to drop down.

Fair play, its doors are only open once every Sunday, and locked for the remaining days of the week so that the few who visit this place of worship have not much chance of inhaling its contaminated air. One service each Sunday, a Sunday school or weekly meeting. Such then is the state of Abernant church. What are the natural results? A parish which contains a very strong church element is gradually falling into the hands of nonconformists and that simply through the pure negligence of the church authorities in not opening its doors oftener and making the place more attractive and accommodating.

The young folks will go where there is an attraction and where they are trained up, there will their hearts be, viz. in the numerous chapels around here.

What wonder then that there is a cry for Disestablishment. At any rate at Abernant, it is not without a just cause. Dear old Abernant, are there not some among thy wealthy parishioners that will come to the rescue? Those who are interested in the welfare of the church would do well to visit this parish church. It affords a rare place for meditation.

Yours, &c., CHURCHMAN’s letter.   

From The Carmarthen Journal and South Wales Weekly Advertiser 6th May 1892 News p.3

Both the above items were contributed by Jeni Molyneaux (26/11/2019)