Llanddewi Brefi


Llanddewi Brefi is a village, parish and community of approximately 500 people in Ceredigion, Wales.
In the sixth century, Saint David, the patron saint of Wales, held the Synod of Brefi here and it has borne his name since; "Llan" referring in Welsh place names to a church or holy place. Llanddewi Brefi, is one of the largest parishes in Wales.

History and description

The grade II* listed parish church of St David dates from the 12th century, on a site associated with religious worship since the 7th century. Fragments of much older buildings are incorporated into the Norman church. The church contains a modern statue of Saint David and a collection of Celtic crosses. When the Synod of Brefi was held in the village in the sixth century, it is said that the small hill upon which the church stands marks the spot where the ground was miraculously raised up under St David so that he could be heard better at this synod.
In addition to the Anglican church, there is a non-conformist chapel, two pubs and one village shop. The village and the surrounding area are largely Welsh-speaking and the local economy is dominated by sheep and dairy farming.
A mile to the south-west and still within the parish is Pont Gogoyan, also a grade II* listed structure over the River Teifi.
In 1977 the village was the scene of one of the world's biggest ever raids involving the drug LSD. Over 6 million tabs of the drug were seized as part of Operation Julie on 26 March of that year.
The village is the home of the character in the television comedy series Little Britain.