Llangrannog

Llangrannog (otherwise Llangranog) is a small coastal village in Ceredigion, Wales. According to the United Kingdom Census 2001, the population of Llangrannog was then 772 people. Also, the census reveals that 51.8% of the population speak Welsh fluently, with the highest percentage of speakers being in the 15-19 age group, where 100% are able to speak Welsh.

It lies in the narrow valley of the little River Hawen, which falls as a waterfall near the middle of the village.

History

The earliest parts of the village (the "church village") lie above the waterfall hidden by a twist of the valley from view from the sea. This protected them from the attention of sea maurauders, the Vikings and the Irish. After the mid-eighteenth century the sea became safer and a "beach village" and small seaport developed. By 1825 Llangrannog commercial activity was largely concerned with the sea, including the shipment of coal. A number of ships were built on the sands, the largest the "Ann Catherine" a brig of 211 tons. The last developments, in the 1860's, were the "ribbon village" which connected the beach and church villages; and extension of the beach village on the southern slope of the valley. Partly this accommodated the increasing local population, but also for the beginnings of tourism.

The economy is now dominated by tourism. By the beach there is a shop; two pubs ("Y Llong" – the Ship; and the Pentre arms), a cafe (The Patio Cafe, which serves home made icecreams) and a snack bar. The summer camp ("Gwersyll") of the Urdd is nearby.

Miscellaneous

According to legend Carreg Bica (Bica's rock), a large sea-weathered stack of Ordovician rock on the beach, is the tooth of the giant Bica who lived in the Ceredigion area, and was forced to spit his tooth onto the beach following a bad toothacheFact|date=February 2007. In some versions of the story Bica has been romanised as Neptune.

Edward Elgar once spent a holiday in Llangrannog. Welsh artist Christopher Williams visited and painted here. His painting "Holidays - Village Girls at Llangrannog" is in the collection of the National Library of Wales.

References

* "Llangrannog" by J Geraint Jenkins, published by Llangrannog Community Council
* "The story of Llangrannog" by Mervyn Davies

External links

* [http://www.geograph.org.uk/search.php?i=3090528 www.geograph.co.uk : photos of Llangrannog and surrounding area]
* [http://www.llangrannog.org.uk/ Official website]
* [http://tourism.ceredigion.gov.uk/saesneg/llangrannog.htm Details]
* [http://www.wannasurf.com/spot/Europe/UK/West_Wales/Llangrannog/index.html Llangrannog Surfing]
*gbmapping|SN312542