St Donats Arts Centre

Elizabeth & Andrew Wedding - Helen Joseph Photography

Wedding of Elizabeth & Andrew, St Donats Castle, Llantwit Major.

Cardiff Morris dance Upton Hanky at The Coach, Bridgend. 25th June 2013.

Overlooking Bridgend town centre is Newcastle Castle. The initial construction was a ringwork built by Sir William de Londres in 1106 at the behest of his lord Baron Robert Fitzhamon.

Fitzhamon seems to have taken control of Glamorgan around 1090. According to legend (or Sir Edward Stradling (d. 1609) at least) he was supported by the Twelve Knights of Glamorgan, one of whom was Sir William de Londres. The others were:
Sir Richard Grenville
Sir Payn de Turberville
Sir Robert StQuintin
Sir Richard Siward
Sir Gilbert Umfraville
Sir Roger Berkerolles
Sir Reginald Sully
Sir Peter le Sore
Sir John Fleming
Sir Oliver StJohn
and Sir William Stradling.

According to Sir Edward Stradling's story each Knight was given control of a different area of Glamorgan. There is evidence for the existence of most of the Knights on the list, but not for Sir William Stradling. The Stradlings appear to have come over later from Switzerland.

The shared surname is possibly not a coincidence. According to Sir Edward Stradling (antiquarian at St. Donat's Castle) the area of Glamorgan that his 'ancestor' Sir William Stradling had been given control over was in fact... St. Donat's(!)

South Wales wedding photographer favourite moments 2018

South Wales wedding photographer best bits 2018
My favourite wedding moments from 2018. A collection of shots from South Wales weddings from rustic to boutique venues in Swansea, Cardiff, Brecon, Llanelli, West Wales, Bristol, Gower.
King Arthur Hotel, Oldwalls Gower, Oxwich Bay Hotel, Lanelay Hall, Perriswood Gower, Stradey Castle, Rosedew Farm, Oceanview windmill Gower, Morgans Hotel.