Wales on the Web A flash movie about The Town of Kidwelly in South Wales, including Kidwelly Castle, Bridgewater Canal, Gwendraeth River, Kidwelly Harbour, Pembrey Airport, Thomas Kymer, Arnim Faber, Cefn Sidan Beach and more, part of the largest collection of movies on any culture anywhere on the Web.
Wales on the Web Kidwelly - wales flash movie Kidwelly is one of the oldest towns in Britain, receiving its Charter in the early C12th, although the name dates back to the C9th. Protected by its magnificent C12th Norman Castle, the town occupies a strategic position at the mouth of the Gwendraeth River. The imposing C14th St Mary's Church stands in the centre of the town. The church's history has not been without dramawith its records containing the following account: "Upon the 29th day of October 1481, the steeple of Kidwelly fell down by lightning and a clap of thunder between one and two o'clock in the afternoon. From lightning and tempest, from battle and murder and from sudden death, Good Lord deliver us!" Over the years Kidwelly grew, with coalmines and ironworks providing employment for many. Kidwelly docks sheltered the ships that took the raw materials all over the world. Nearby, shipyards built ships to service these trades. In 1766 Thomas Kymer started work on the "first authentic canal in Wales",just 5 years after the first, and more famous Bridgewater Canal was opened. Built to transport anthracite and culm from local coal pits and limestone quarries to ships in Kidwelly Harbour, it stretched for three miles and only closed when superceded by the railways in 1865. The industrial heritage of Kidwelly and its surrounding area are preserved in the local Industrial Museum, which was built around a 1737 weir and features the history of Kidwelly and its tinplate history, including hot rolling mill engines from 1879. In 1920 Kidwelly had the worlds press flocking to the town to report the amazing case of solicitor Harold Greenwood, who was charged with murdering his wife with arsenic at Rumsey House, now Capel Sul. Greenwood was the first solicitor in Britain to be charged with murder, but thanks to a brilliant defence was acquitted. Three years later another Welsh solicitor, Herbert Armstrong, was charged with the copycat murder of his wife with arsenic. Unfortunately for him, found guilty he made history by being the first solicitor to be hanged! Nearby is the award winning Pembrey Airport, a one-time 'Battle of Britain' airfield noteworthy for Lufftwaffe pilot Arnim Faber's landing of his Focke Wolf 190 - having mistaken the Welsh coastline for that of France. His frustration at presenting his enemy such a prize had him attempting suicide. Adjacent to the airport is the Welsh Motor Sports Centre, its circuit host to Formula 3, Touring Car, truck, bike and kart racing events amongst others. At Cefn Sidan Beach and Country Park are 7 miles of golden sands that enjoy a European Blue Flag Award for cleanliness and quality. The park has 500 acres of forest with picnic areas, nature trails, pony trekking, adventure playground and a miniature train ride amongst its attractions. The park also hosts 'Ski Pembrey' - a 130m dry ski slope - and the thrilling 'Cobra' toboggan run, making this area a popular venue for visitors.