Lampeter facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lampeter
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 Lampeter
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| Population | 2,970 (2011) |
| OS grid reference | SN578478 |
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| Principal area | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | LAMPETER |
| Postcode district | SA48 |
| Dialling code | 01570 |
| Police | Dyfed-Powys |
| Fire | Mid and West Wales |
| Ambulance | Welsh |
| EU Parliament | Wales |
| UK Parliament |
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| Welsh Assembly |
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Lampeter is a town in Ceredigion, Wales. It is located where the Afon Dulas meets the River Teifi. Lampeter is the third largest town in Ceredigion. Only Aberystwyth and Cardigan are bigger.
The town is home to a campus of the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. In 2011, about 2,970 people lived in Lampeter. It is the smallest university town in the United Kingdom. During term time, the university adds about 1,000 students and staff to the town's population.
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What's in a Name?
The Welsh name for the town is Llanbedr Pont Steffan. This means "Peter's church [at] Stephen's bridge." It refers to the town's church and an old castle. The English name "Lampeter" comes from this Welsh name. People also use the shorter Welsh name Llambed.
Lampeter's History
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A Norman wooden castle called Pont Steffan once stood here. It was in a good spot next to the River Teifi. The castle was destroyed in 1187 by Owain Gwynedd and was never rebuilt.
In 1282, Edward I of England took control of the area. Lampeter became part of a royal county. But this did not change the town much. The Welsh language and culture continued to be strong.
In 1284, Lampeter received its first special permission, called a Borough Charter. This allowed the town to hold a weekly market. Over the years, many fairs were also held here.
Local wealthy families ruled the town. They lived in grand houses. These families were also judges. They often gave out harsh punishments. In the 18th century, the markets and fairs could be very noisy. There was often fighting and drinking. So, the stocks and whipping post in front of Lampeter Town Hall were used often.
Lampeter became a center for local crafts and services. There were several woollen mills. One mill in the mid-1700s made special double-woven cloth. This cloth later became famous in the Welsh woollen industry. The town also had blacksmiths, leather tanneries, carpenters, and shoemakers.
Lampeter was an important stop on the Welsh drovers' road. This was a route where people walked cattle and sheep to markets in England. Many inns in town show how important it was as a rural center.
Lampeter's war memorial was created by Sir William Goscombe John. It was officially revealed in September 1921.
The University in Lampeter
St David's College was started in Lampeter in 1822. Thomas Burgess, who was a bishop, founded it. He wanted to train people to become Anglican priests. This college was the first place for higher education in Wales. It was also the third oldest in England and Wales, after Oxford and Cambridge.
In 1852, the college was allowed to give out a special degree called Bachelor of Divinity. In 1865, it could also give out liberal arts degrees. The main building looks like a traditional Oxbridge college. It has a quadrangle (a square courtyard). It was designed by Charles Robert Cockerell.
In 1971, the college became part of the University of Wales. It was then called St David's University College. In 1996, its name changed to the University of Wales, Lampeter. Later, in 2008, the original college's special permission was used to create a new university. This new university is called the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. It brought together several colleges in West Wales.
The university's Rugby Union team was the first in Wales. It started in the 1850s. Rowland Williams brought the game to Lampeter from Cambridge.
How Lampeter is Governed
Lampeter is an electoral ward. This means it is an area that elects local representatives. It elects two county councillors to the Ceredigion County Council. Since 1995, one councillor has been from the Welsh Labour Party. The other has been an Independent councillor.
At a local level, Lampeter has a Town Council. This council has 14 town councillors. They help make decisions for the town.
Culture and Arts
- Lampeter has a local festival called the Eisteddfod Rhys Thomas James Pantyfedwen. It happens every year during the August bank holiday. It is well-known for a singing competition for young people under 30. This competition is often called Llais Llwyfan Llambed, which means 'the voice of Lampeter's stage'.
- The Lampeter Museum shows the town's history. It covers how the town grew culturally and agriculturally. It also shares the history of the college.
- Theatr Felinfach is a small local theatre. It is about 7 miles from Lampeter.
- During the Second World War, the famous poet Dylan Thomas and his wife lived near Lampeter. The Dylan Thomas Trail connects Lampeter to other places in Ceredigion linked to the poet.
- The Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is a Roman Catholic Church. It is considered a great example of church design from the mid-20th century.
Famous People from Lampeter
- Eliezer Griffiths (1827–1920) was a minister who worked in Australia and America.
- David Thomas (1829–1905) was a Welsh clergyman. He helped start a Welsh church in Argentina.
- John Perowne (1863–1954) was a British Army officer.
- Watcyn Samuel Jones (1877–1964) was an agricultural leader and college principal.
- Glyn Daniel (1914–1986) was a Welsh scientist and archaeologist. He studied the Neolithic period in Europe.
- Gillian Elisa (born 1953) is a Welsh actress, singer, and comedian.
- Elin Jones (born 1966) is a politician. She has been the Llywydd of the Senedd (presiding officer) since 2016.
Sports in Lampeter
Lampeter has a strong sports community. This includes the nearby areas of Cwmann and Llanybydder. Many sports are played in the town. Rugby union is the most popular. Lampeter had the first rugby union team in Wales. The sport arrived in the late 1840s. This shows the town's long history with rugby.
The town's rugby team is Lampeter Town Rugby. It is part of the Welsh Rugby Union. It also helps train players for the Llanelli Scarlets team.
Other sports are also played, like association football. The town has a football team with junior teams and adult teams. Their field is next to the rugby club's main field. Lampeter also has a leisure center with a gym and tennis courts. There is a swimming pool and a bowling green too.
Getting Around Lampeter
In 1866, transport in Lampeter got much better. A railway line opened, connecting the town to Carmarthen and Aberystwyth. In 1911, another line opened to Aberaeron.
Passenger trains to Aberaeron stopped in 1951. Passenger trains on the main line continued until 1964. Then, the track was damaged by floods. It was decided not to fix it. This was part of the "Beeching Axe" plan, which closed many railway lines. The remaining passenger services were stopped.
Trains carrying milk continued until 1973. The railway line was finally removed in 1975. However, a part of the old line still exists. It is used by the Gwili Railway. This is a group that uses steam trains for fun during the summer.
Regular bus services run through Lampeter. They connect the town to Aberystwyth, Carmarthen, and Swansea. Some buses even go all the way to Cardiff.
Town Twinning
Lampeter is twinned with Saint-Germain-sur-Moine in France. This means the towns have a special friendship.
See also
In Spanish: Lampeter para niños
