Saturday, August 20, 2005

A Gazetteer of Monmouthshire Wellsites

A Gazetteer of Monmouthshire Wellsites: "Llanover
Spout (capped) and horse trough (ST 3070 0907)
Apparently there are holy wells at Llanover but this well edifice, built in 1875, recalls the 'bee of Gwent', Lady Llanover. She became more Welsh than the Welsh; designing costumes of national dress that won an Eisteddfod award, steeping herself in national lore and leaving this extraordinarily romantic well structure complete with three Welsh inscriptions inviting all to drink but not to forget the bee of Gwent. One verse translates to;
�Water, O Lord, is the drink,
When you would allow us to refresh our tongues,
The Devil sent alcohol
To put an end to man and his wealth.�
The Gwent bee was a big teetotaller and managed to close all but one pub (the Goose and Cuckoo) in the vicinity. She is certainly well remembered for that! Her watery monument, fascinating as it is, is sadly marred by being immediately on A4042; but well worth a look. For more horse trough"

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