Aberystruth

Aberystruth
The summit of Mynydd Carn-y-cefn
one kilometre west of Blaina
looking west
Nant Ystruth
Cwm-celyn, Blaina
St Peter's, Blaina, 1820. steel engraving from a drawing by Henry Gastineau
"Towards the extremity of the vale, cross the Ebwy vach, over another stone-bridge, to the church, situated in the midst of fields, upon a gentle rise overhanging the torrent. In this track, pass the Ystruth, a lively rill, which descends from a wooded dingle, and in a few paces falls into the Ebwyfach. This stream gives the name of Aberystruth to the scattered village, which is likewise called Blaenaugwent. The church is a handsome building, in the pointed or Norman style, with a square tower. The inside consists of a nave and north aisle, separated by five arches. As there is no chancel, the communion table is placed in a small recess at the extremity of the nave; over it is a whimsical group, carved in wood, and painted; two angels are represented sounding brazen trumpets, and between them a clergyman in his robes, holding an enormous trumpet in his hand. The service is performed in Welsh, the English language being little understood. The church-yard contains eleven old yews; the largest is twenty-four feet in circumference, the smallest eleven and a half. The natives wear flannel shirts, some white and others red. In ascending the northern extremity of this delightful' vale, gradually advance into a wild, dreary, and almost uninhabited district, among bleak hills and barren moors."[1]

Aberystruth was an ancient ecclesiastical parish in Wales, located beside the north-west corner of the county of Monmouthshire against the border with Breconshire and between the parishes of Bedwellty and Trevethin. It extended from Beaufort in the north beyond Abertillery in the south.[2]

  1. ^ Wales illustrated, in a series of views, comprising the picturesque scenery, towns, castles, seats of the nobility & gentry, antiquities, &c. Gastineau, Henry, 1791-1876; Jones & Co., London, pub 1830
  2. ^ "Monmouthshire parish map". Archived from the original on 2010-12-19. Retrieved 2010-11-07.