TREGARON – A small market town that nestles at the foot of the Cambrian Mountains, between the mountains and the sea of Cardigan bay, it can easily be called the last wilderness of Wales, with its rolling landscapes and dark skies proving a popular attraction to today’s visitor.
The town derives its name from the Patron Saint of the local Church, St. Caron, who died in 219AD. Tregaron is the only town in Ceredigion whch was not established as part of a castle or military settlement. It’s Market was granted a Royal Charter in 1292, and is still thriving today drawing farmers from a far. The Town gained a name for its famous markets and the Abergwesyn Pass was a natural route for the drovers to take livestock to the London markets. Tregaron established one of the first banks in the county, Banc y Ddafad Ddu (The Black Sheep Bank). The town was also the birthplace of Thomas Jones otherwise known as Twm Sion Cati (referred to as the Welsh Robin Hood). Another famous son stands proudly behind you – Henry Richard, who became MP for Merthyr Tudfil. He was the driving force for the foundation of the League of Nations, which today is better known as the United Nations.
1017-19 – Approx. date of the first Parish Church
1188 – Archbishop Baldwin and Giraldus Cambrensis passed through Tregaron on their way to Strata Florida
1292 – Edward I grants Tregaron a charter to hold weekly market.
1536-8 – John Leland visited
1609 – Will of Thomas Jones (Twm Sion Cati) Fountain Gate published.
1653 – Vellum register of the parish church is begun, known as the White Book of Caron
1744 – William Williams, preached under the Oak Tree at Tanrallt
1774 – Bwlchgwynt Chapel built
1805 – St Caron’s Church under restoration
1812 – Henry Richard, born in Ty Gwyn.
1812 – New parish stocks placed on the square
1841 – Tollgate demolished during the Rebecca Riots
1848 – Elephant from the Batty’s Touring Menagery is buried behind the Talbot Hotel
1855 – Post Office opened
1859 – British School established
1866 – Manchester and Milford Railway opened
1864 – Inaguration of the Bee Hive Society (friendly society)
1873 – National School opened
1876 – First recorded Eisteddfod held
1879 – Church nave rebuilt in the Gothic style
1888 – Death of Henry Richard, M.P.
1890 – Town brass band formed
1893 – Unveiling of Henry Richards’ Monument
1897 – Opening of the County School
1913 – New Primary School opens
1918 – Sale of the Sunnyhill Estate in a 3 day auction
1920’s – Exploration by German scientist on Tregaron bog in the search for Gas
1949 – Formation of Tregaron Young Farmers Club
1960’s – Tregaron becomes a popular holiday destination for people who spent the week Trekking on horseback around the countryside
1966 – The last train goes through Tregaron as the line is axed by Dr Beeching.
1966 – Gwyl Cerdd Dant held.
1976 – Tregaron makes headline news with Operation Julie and the LSD factory
1999 – Tregaron twins with Plouvien in Brittany
2000 – Tregaron Heritage Centre (Kite Centre and Museum) opened
2022 – Tregaron hosts the Welsh National Eisteddfod of Wales