Meidrim is a village and community located about 8 miles (13 km) west of Carmarthen and 3.3 miles (5.3 km) north of St Clears in Carmarthenshire, Wales.
Location and Geography.
The village and its twin settlement, Drefach, sit on either side of the Afon Dewi Fawr, where the B4298 and B4299 roads intersect, making Meidrim a natural waypoint for local traffic and walkers exploring rural Carmarthenshire.
Topographically, Meidrim slopes from southwest to northeast, offering panoramic views of the Black Mountain peaks, including Tair Carn (482 m), Garreg Lwyd (616ย m), and Fan Hir (802ย m), to the east, and Betws Mountain to the south. The average elevation of the parish is about 91ย m above sea level.
Historical Background.
The name โMeidrimโ was first recorded in 1612 as โMidrimโ in the Llyfr Plygain, and derives from the Welsh mei (โhalfโ or โmiddleโ) plus the mutated form of trum (โslopeโ or โridgeโ), reflecting its position on a gentle hillside.
Historically a parish in the hundred of Elvet (later Derllys), Meidrim covered some 6,000 acres of farmland, chiefly wheat, oats, and barley, with oak and ash woodlands. An attempt to exploit local coal deposits in the 19th century showed promising results but was never fully developed.
The ecclesiastical heart of Meidrim is St Davidโs Church. This Norman-style edifice stands beside the site of a prehistoric yew tree once crowned by an ancient grove, symbolising continuity from pre-Christian to medieval worship.
Community Life and Amenities.
Meidrim boasts a vibrant community life centred around:
- A parish church (St Davidโs) and three Nonconformist chapels.
- A village pub, primary school, and Youth Hall.
- A village green, park, and self-catering cottages that draw visitors year-round.
- A community car park with public conveniences and meeting rooms for local clubs.
- The village green hosts annual fairs and festivals, while local walking trails link Meidrim to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and the Brecon Beacons, making it popular with hikers and nature lovers.
Governance and Demographics.
Administratively, Meidrim lies within the Carmarthenshire unitary authority and the preserved county of Dyfed. It borders the communities of Bancyfelin, Trelech, Abernant, Newchurch and Merthyr, St Clears, Llangynin, and Llanwinio.
At the 2011 census, the community population stood at 582 residents, reflecting its status as a small but cohesive rural parish.
Local affairs are managed by the Meidrim Community Council, which oversees planning applications, village maintenance, and the organisation of community events.
Points of Interest and Activities.
- St Davidโs Churchyard. Site of the legendary Meidrim Yew, once over 2,000 years old, now memorialised by its stump.
- Bethel Chapel. A mid-19th-century Calvinistic Methodist chapel noted for its ornate Victorian fittings.
- Local Walks. Waymarked trails along the Afon Dewi Fawr and across rolling farmland.
- Annual Events. Village fairs, agricultural shows, and heritage open days bring the community together.
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