Wiston, Pembrokeshire

Human settlement in Wales

Wiston

Location within Pembrokeshire

Population1,097 (2011)^[1]OS grid referenceSN0215018049Principal area

Pembrokeshire

Preserved county

Dyfed

CountryWalesSovereign stateUnited KingdomPost townHaverfordwestPostcode districtSA62Dialling code01437Police Dyfed-Powys Fire Mid and West Wales AmbulanceWelsh UK Parliament

Preseli Pembrokeshire

Senedd Cymru – Welsh Parliament

Preseli Pembrokeshire

List of places: UK; Wales; Pembrokeshire

51°49′34″N 4°52′23″W / 51.826°N 4.873°W / 51.826; -4.873

Wiston (Welsh: Cas-Wis) is a village, parish and community in Pembrokeshire, Wales, in the United Kingdom. It was once a marcher borough. George Owen, in 1603, described it as one of nine Pembrokeshire "boroughs in decay".^[2] It continued as a constituent parliamentary borough (voting as part of the borough seat of Pembroke) until the end of the 19th century.

It is overlooked by Wiston Castle.

The community of Wiston includes the village plus Clarbeston, Clarbeston Road and Walton East.

History

Roman presence

In 2003 a Roman road was reported to pass just north of village. The road originates from the major Roman town of Carmarthen, known as Moridunum during the Roman period. The destination of the road is uncertain and has only been traced beyond Wiston for a mile or two.^[3]

In 2013 it was confirmed that about 500m north-east of Wiston near Churchill Farm, is located the first ever Roman fort discovered in Pembrokeshire.^[4]

The site is shown on the Ordnance survey county series as a U-shaped quarry approximately 170m in length. This is a significant discovery that shows the Romans did indeed travel into Pembrokeshire. Dating appears to indicate that the fort is 1st century with possible 2nd century occupation. It remains to be seen whether there are further forts to the west, possibly at St Davids.

Medieval presence

The medieval presence at Wiston includes Wiston Castle^[5] and the church, St Mary Magdalene. There has been a church on this site at least since c1147. The current structure was founded by Wizo the Flemming (also responsible for the castle). The church is a typical Norman church with a square tower.

Governance

An electoral ward exists. This ward stretches beyond the confines of Wiston community. The total population of the ward at the 2011 election was 1,973.^[6]

References

^ "Community population 2011". Retrieved 10 May 2015.
^ Owen, George, The Description of Penbrokeshire by George Owen of Henllys Lord of Kemes, Henry Owen (Ed), London, 1892
^ "Coflein". Archived from the original on 14 October 2013. Retrieved 13 October 2013.
^ "Archaeology in Wales - Ymddiriedolaeth Archaeolegol Dyfed - Dyfed Archaeological Trust". Archived from the original on 14 October 2013. Retrieved 13 October 2013.
^ "Wiston Castle". www.castlewales.com.
^ "Ward population 2011". Retrieved 10 May 2015.