"TRELÊCH-AR-BETTWS (TRÉF-LLÊCH A'R BETTWS), a parish, in the higher division of the hundred of ELVET, union and county of CARMARTHEN, SOUTH WALES, 8 miles (N.W. by W.) from Carmarthen; containing 1620 inhabitants. This parish comprises a large tract of arable and pasture, inclosed, and a very extensive district of uncultivated land, consisting chiefly of heath and turbaries, from which latter the inhabitants principally obtain their fuel, and which also afford a supply to the neighbouring parishes. The surface is uneven and in some parts hilly. The petty-sessions for the hundred are held here every month. . . The church, dedicated to St. Teilo, and situated within two miles of the turnpike-road from Carmarthen to Cardigan, was rebuilt in 1834, and is a neat and commodious structure: Capel Bettws is a chapel of ease for it. There are two places of worship for Independents, one for Methodists, and one for Baptists. A school was founded in 1804 . . . it contains about 70 children . . . There are also three day schools, in which about 110 children are educated at their parents' expense; and five Sunday schools, containing about 385 males and females, supported by subscription. . . In the parish is a remarkable barrow, called Crûg-y-Deyrn, or the "King's Barrow,", about sixty paces in circumference at the base . . ."
[From A Topographical Dictionary of Wales (S. Lewis, 1844).]
Some things may have changed since this was written but Trelech a'r Betws is still a thriving parish of communities with lots going on for you to get involved in if you wish. From WI meetings and Young Farmers Club to places of worship and local schools, there is something for everyone!
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