Pembrey

Pembrey is a village in Carmarthenshire Wales, situated between Burry Port and Kidwelly, overlooking Carmarthen Bay.

Related Topics:
Carmarthenshire - Wales - Burry Port - Kidwelly - Carmarthen Bay

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Evidence of an early Norman motte-and-bailey castle has been suggested close to the village square and buildings remain in the village from later Norman times. In fact, the village was home to Arnold le Botoler, a Norman squire and ancestor of the US presidential Bush family. His manor, Court Farm, subsequently extended into a Jacobean manor house and then a farm, is now sadly derelict. The le Botoler (Butler) crest can be seen in the village church.

Related Topics:
Norman - Bailey - Castle - Norman - Arnold le Botoler - Bush

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However, most of the village was created during the 18th and 19th century coal mining boom, when Pembrey was a port. Pembrey Mountain (in the Welsh language, Mynydd Penbre) was thoroughly mined by both Welsh and English companies for about 100 years and some reserves are said to remain underground. Pembrey's harbour was prone to silting and was abandoned in favour of New Pembrey Harbour - soon renamed Burry Port Harbour, just a mile further upstream on the Burry Estuary.

Related Topics:
Welsh - Welsh - Burry Port - Burry Estuary

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Pembrey's mountain and beach Cefn Sidan are reputed to have provided some villagers with careers as wreckers - attracting sailing ships with fires purporting to be beacons, then raiding them when they foundered. However, no firm evidence of wrong-doing such as booty has ever been discovered. Nevertheless, a number of vessels were certainly lost around Pembrey, including one carrying Napoleon's niece as a passenger. She is buried at St. Illtyds Church, Pembrey.

Related Topics:
Cefn Sidan - Napoleon - St. Illtyds

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Pembrey Burrows and Cefn Sidan are now part of extensive leisure areas run by local authorities.

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From the days of le Botoler to the early 20th century, Pembrey was generally dominated by at least one leading family. Latest of these was the Ashburnham family (Earl of Ashburnham) who lived until the 1920s at Pembrey House, lost to fire some 50 years ago. The Ashburnham Golf Club championship course is the area's main sporting attraction, Ashburnham Road is one of the village's two main thoroughfares and the Ashburnham Hotel one of its hostelries.

Related Topics:
Ashburnham - Earl of Ashburnham - Ashburnham Golf Club

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Military connections include the past use of areas of the Ashburnham estate as a firing range. In the 20th century, an RAF station, RAF Pembrey was situated in Pembrey and played a major role in Britain's defences as home to both fighter and bomber aircraft. Close by, a Royal Ordnance Factory, ROF Pembrey, provided high explosives for Britain's war effort. Both these facilities attracted a number of Luftwaffe raids over the village during World War II.

Related Topics:
RAF - RAF Pembrey - Royal Ordnance Factory - ROF Pembrey - High explosives - Luftwaffe - World War II

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One airman based and living in Pembrey, Ian Smith,was to become Rhodesian prime minister. Another, Squadron Leader Guy Gibson, led the Dambusters.

Related Topics:
Ian Smith - Rhodesian - Squadron Leader - Guy Gibson - Dambusters

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An attempt to establish a munitions testing range in Pembrey was made during the 1960s but was strongly resisted by villagers, who mounted a highly media-savvy SOS (Save Our Sands) campaign. The opposition proved successful, leading to the establishment of Pembrey Country Park instead.

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Royal Air Force training continues to this day on a bombing range to the west of Pembrey Country Park near Kidwelly. As a recognition of this, the RAF Red Arrows aerobatics display team perform annually at Kidwelly's carnival, with the best vantage point being Pembrey Mountain and many of their stunts taking place over the village of Pembrey itself.

Related Topics:
Royal Air Force - Red Arrows - Aerobatics

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Today, the village depends on farming and some tourism, although accommodation in the area is limited to a few bed and breakfast establishments. Attractions include mountain walks and picnic areas, the traditional links golf course, Pembrey old harbour, Pembrey Country Park, the Welsh motor racing circuit, horse-riding, a working airfield and flying club, and St. Illtyds Church.

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