At Hayscastle-the name really means “hay on the castle”-you can find a small rural community perpetuating the joining of picturesque scene and social solidarity, heritage, and spirit. The village has thrived in an environment of limited resources, acting as a veritable prove-all that even small communities can achieve great things when working in unison among themselves. Hayscastle is truly an example of this situation.
Hayscastle Community Website – A New Beginning
The Hayscastle Community Website was established to bring together community information, key events, and essential resources.
This website was created not just to create an online presence, but to:
- Newly arrived families have access to comprehensive information about the village and its amenities
- Local residents receive regular updates
- The activities, history, and institutions within the community can be preserved
- This website is the result of the dedication and hard work of all those who want to make Hayscastle better and more organized.
The Project Begins – A Community Effort
In early 2019, the Hayscastle Community Forum met with representatives from Pembrokeshire County Council. The aim was to obtain a grant for community development from Second Homes Tax and related funds The Forum included representatives from various community groups and local residents.
After several months of meetings, it was decided that the funds would be used for three main purposes:
- Hayscastle Community Booklet
- New Community Website
A larger marquee for the Community Centre, providing additional space for events and group meetings
The necessary applications were filed to achieve these objectives, and the plan was approved in due course. This was a major success for Hayscastle, proving that change is possible when the community comes together and plans.
Hayscastle – History, Identity, and Culture
Called Castellhaidd in the local language, Hayscastle means Barley Castle.
This small rural community:
- Surrounded by vineyards and grassy pastures
- Dominated by Plumstone Mountain
- And set against the mellow backdrop of the Preseli Hills.
- The area is divided into three wards: Hayscastle, St. Lawrence, and St. Edrens, with a total population of about 480.
Agriculture Still Remains the Mainstay.
Most of the village’s residents are still involved in agriculture and rural industries. Many of the old farms that are now major agricultural centers were once small medieval villages.
Some examples:
- Brimaston (Treowman)
- Tancredston (Trebwrnallt)
- Rhyndaston (Treindeg)
Of these, Hayscastle Farm is a historic site that once housed a medieval village, and remains of that old settlement remain visible near St. Mary’s Church.
A Changing Picture Over Time
The late 20th and early 21st centuries brought many changes to the village. The population grew, but many important amenities declined. In recent years:
- Two local shops
- Petrol station
- Garage
- Post Office
have ceased operations. Even the village school, which operated for 130 years, closed in 2010.
But amidst all this, one thing remains strong – the Cross Inn Pub, which has been run by the same family for 160 years.
Language and Culture – Welsh Still Alive
A survey made in 1999 suggested that 38% of villagers spoke Welsh, which indeed embodies their culture, literature, and identity. Newcomers honor this heritage by learning Welsh so as to become part of the wider community.
Natural Splendor-a True Heaven for Travelers and Nature Lovers
Winding trails, peaceful woodlands, and unmade footpaths render Hayscastle an ideal travel destination:
- Hykers
- Cyclists
- Horseriders
Everyone. For nature lovers, sites like Plumstone Mountain, Brandy Brook Valley, and Tre-Rhos Common SSSI are treasures.
Memories of World War II Still Alive
The old World War II-era military camp in Hayscastle Cross still exists, a major attraction for those interested in military history.
Community Centre – Hub of Activities
Hayscastle Community Centre and Woodland today:
- Meetings
- Events
- Programs
The main venue is the St. Lawrence Church Hall.
Held annually in August, the Hayscastle Pony and Horticultural Show is a popular occasion for locals to come together and celebrate.
Community Activism – Different Groups, One Purpose
Many organizations are active in Hayscastle, keeping the village vibrant and dynamic. These include:
- Environmental Society
- Women’s Institute (WI)
- Hayscastle Show Committee
- Over 55 Club
- Young Farmers’ Club (YFC)
- Community Benefit Society (Cross Inn Project)
Conclusion:
A tiny graveyard wedged on the edge of some fields hosting the tallest dried-up haystacks stands there silently in the wind, observing Hayscastle yell along the old upper class. It speaks with a throatful echo of triumphant stridulating; indeed, just beyond the village lies a twin-barrier set against a damp tropical forest, transforming sleeping Hayscastle into a fog-laden divinely serene water-beaming entity from afar every early dawn.
In every way possible, Hayscastle glorifies social support in preservation of its historical identity, manifests cultural pride in supporting indigenous organizations, and pursues the collective aim of attaining critical elements of community services like the pub. In each of these instances, the people’s display of their spirit to step over a boundary of modesty shows how great things can be accomplished. Their spirit of working together, of inclusivity, and of working towards the common good deepens the community, thereby making Hayscastle a place where the old has respect, the newcomer finds acceptance, and, together, a new tomorrow is forged.
