Adpar Explained

Adpar (standardised as Atpar bilingually^[1]) is a village in Ceredigion, Wales, in the community of Llandyfriog, now considered as a part of Newcastle Emlyn, to which it is joined by a bridge across the River Teifi. The village was also known as Trefhedyn and was a borough in its own right.^{[2] [3]}

History

The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales records a "possible medieval castle motte" within the village. The mound is low, about 3.5 metres in height and damaged in subsequent periods.^[4] At one time Adpar was relatively more important than it is now. It was an ancient borough, returned its own member of parliament, and had a Portreeve and two bailiffs. It had a market and several seasonal animal fairs. Several industrial enterprises used the fast-flowing waters of the River Teifi for power, including a woollen mill that produced flannel, blankets and knitting yarn. There was also a fishing weir above the bridge to catch migratory salmon.^[5]

The first permanent printing press was established in Adpar in 1718 by Isaac Carter (printer and native of Carmarthenshire). It is believed that the first two publications from this press were Welsh language Cân o Senn i'w hen Feistr Tobacco ("song from Senn to his old master, tobacco") by Alban Thomas and Cân ar Fesur Triban ynghylch Cydwybod a’i Chynheddfau ("Song in triplet measure concerning conscience and its qualities").^[6] The press was transferred to Carmarthen in about 1725.

The last duel that took place in Cardiganshire occurred in Adpar in 1814.

Notable people

In birth order:

• John Elwyn (1916–1997), British painter, illustrator and educator

Notes and References

1. Web site: Atpar. Welsh Language Commissioner.
2. Book: Rowlands (Lleyn, Gwilym) William. Llyfrydiaeth y cymry: yn cynnwys hanes y llyfrau a gyhoeddwyd yn yr iaeth gymraeg, ac mewn perthynas i gymru a'i thrigolion, o'r flwyddyn 1546 hyd y flywyddyn 1800; gyda chofnodau bywgraffiadol am eu hawduron, eu cyfieithwyr, eu hargraffyddion, a'u cyhoeddwyr . William Rowlands (Gwilym Lleyn). Evans. D. Silvan. Daniel Silvan Evans. Cambrian bibliography: containing the history of the books published in the Welsh language, and in relation to Wales and its inhabitants, from the year 1546 to the year 1800; with biographical notes on their authors, translators, printers, and publishers. 321. 1869. John Pryse. Llanidloes. ...Trefhedyn (a elwir yn Seisoneg Adpar), yr hon er nad yw ond bechan, sydd un o fwrdeisdrefi Ceredigion.. ...Trefhedyn (known in English as Adpar), which although it is only small, is one of the boroughs of Ceredigion.. cy. 1080088.
3. Web site: About Adpar . Newcastle Emlyn and Adpar / Castell Newydd Emlyn ac Adpar . 11 Nov 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20091008070817/http://www.newcastle-emlyn.com/adpar . 8 October 2009 . dead .
4. Web site: ADPAR, MOTTE . . 2009 . 11 Nov 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120303194850/http://www.coflein.gov.uk/en/site/303776/details/ADPAR,+MOTTE . 3 March 2012 . dead.
5. Book: Jenkins, J. Geraint. Ceredigion: Interpreting an Ancient County. Gwasg Careg Gwalch. 2005. 25. 59877355. 2008431869.
6. Davies. William Llewelyn. 1959. CARTER, ISAAC (died 1741), printer. s-CART-ISA-1741. 4 November 2025.