Llanbedr (Welsh pronunciationⓘ) is a village and community 2.8 miles (4.5 km) south of Harlech. Administratively, it lies in the Ardudwy area, formerly Meirionnydd, of the county of Gwynedd, Wales. In 2011 the community had a population of 645.
During the First World War, Marian Antonia Gamwell, a widow, created a British Red Cross auxiliary hospital at her new home, the country house called Aber Artro, at Llanbedr.[2]
The church of St Peter, after whom the village is named (Pedr being the Welsh for Peter), is a Grade II* listed building.[4]
In 2019 approval was given to convert Capel Moriah in Llanbedr, which had gone out of use, into a Mosque.[5]
About 1 mile (1.6 km) east of the village centre is the hamlet of Pentre Gwynfryn whose chapel, Capel Salem, was the subject of a painting by the artist Sydney Curnow Vosper. The painting, entitled Salem, showed a member of the congregation, Siân Owen, in traditional Welsh costume and became famous throughout Britain in the mid-20th century.[6]
Airport
The village is home to Llanbedr Airport, a general aviation aerodrome. Until 2004, the site was operated as a military airfield by the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) and QinetiQ as a launch site for remotely piloted drone 'aircraft' for use as aerial targets by the RAF and other UK forces.[7] The airfield was included in the Snowdonia Enterprise Zone by the Welsh Government in January 2013.
In 2018, the airport became home to a flying school offering pleasure flights and flying lessons.
After the UK passed 2021 enabling legislation, in 2022, the Welsh Government announced plans to develop space launch capability at the site, to be named Spaceport Snowdonia.[8]
To the north of the village is the smaller village of Pensarn, situated at the estuary of the River Artro. This is the location of Llanbedr & Pensarn Yacht Club and the Christian Mountain Centre, a residential adventure activity centre.
An electoral ward in the same name exists. This ward also covers the Community of Llanfair. The total ward population at the 2011 Census was 1,098.[9]
Twinning
In 2008 Llanbedr was twinned with Huchenfeld, Germany, following many years of exchanges between schools, churches, musicians and community leaders, in remembrance of the occurrences at Pforzheim and Huchenfeld during the Second World War.[citation needed]
Notable people
Henry Lloyd (ca.1718 – 1783), a Welsh army officer and military writer.
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