In 1882, the medieval church in Llandawke “resembled a barn more than a House of God”. It needed funds urgently, but how?
Enter Mrs Abra Hughes Wienholt ...
A thread for #WomensHistoryMonth
Enter Mrs Abra Hughes Wienholt ...
A thread for #WomensHistoryMonth
Born Mary Abra Hughes Skyrme (only child of the Portreeve of Laugharne & High Sheriff of Cardiganshire) she inherited her father's estate at a young age, becoming one of Laugharne's wealthiest residents. All of these properties and parcels of land were hers. (tithe map @NLWales)
Abra's accounts show that she once paid for a sedan chair to take her 100 yards down the road from her home, Island House, to the Globe Inn!
An independent woman of means, she stayed single until the age of 45, when she married local gentleman farmer and JP Frederick Wienholt.
An independent woman of means, she stayed single until the age of 45, when she married local gentleman farmer and JP Frederick Wienholt.
Mrs Wienholt must have been a social lynchpin in Laugharne.
Assembling a task force of the town's most eminent women, she organised a grand garden party that would rescue Llandawke's ailing church ...
Assembling a task force of the town's most eminent women, she organised a grand garden party that would rescue Llandawke's ailing church ...
**Welcome to the Bazaar!** exclaimed the banner that greeted visitors to the Corse House & Gardens in Laugharne on 3rd May, 1882.
The day started ominously with showers, but then the azure sky appeared, and the sun shone out in warmth and glory.
As two brass bands played, some adventurous spirits danced on the wet ground. Around them, a goodly display of bunting lent a most charming effect to the scene.
As two brass bands played, some adventurous spirits danced on the wet ground. Around them, a goodly display of bunting lent a most charming effect to the scene.
Laugharne's ladies presided over highly competitive stalls.
Stall 1 by Mrs Norton of Laugharne Castle boasted medallions of stuffed birds, rare vases and a beautiful model of a ship fully-rigged.
Newspapers also praised her for stall for 'a piece of exquisite work on plush'.
Stall 1 by Mrs Norton of Laugharne Castle boasted medallions of stuffed birds, rare vases and a beautiful model of a ship fully-rigged.
Newspapers also praised her for stall for 'a piece of exquisite work on plush'.
Mrs Wienholt herself ran Stalls 2, 3 and 4 – which had the most rich and handsome display of every description … including richly attired dolls – dolls in cradles, dolls in chairs, dolls everywhere!
Other stalls offered yet more handsome displays featuring a 3-foot tall doll (more dolls!), books on the history of Grecian sculpture, and of course, some much-needed refreshments ('cups of cheer').
The fête was a great success, and by September, work at the church was complete.
It reopened to reveal a robustly carved oak altar, crafted by local stone mason Owen Williams.
It reopened to reveal a robustly carved oak altar, crafted by local stone mason Owen Williams.
From his imagination and skilled hands sprang vine-wrapped tracery, two sheep with a shepherd's crook, doves with olive branches, angels, and an assortment of flowers – lily of the valley, passionflower and rose of Sharon.
The altar and all of the work in the chancel was paid for by Mrs Wienholt.
Without the funds raised by the enterprising Ladies of Laugharne at their grand bazaar, Llandawke church and its splendid altar might not be with us today.
Without the funds raised by the enterprising Ladies of Laugharne at their grand bazaar, Llandawke church and its splendid altar might not be with us today.
Read about more of the women who helped found and fund our organisation and our churches:
#WomenOfFriendlessChurches
bit.ly/3Kt9jDo
#WomenOfFriendlessChurches
bit.ly/3Kt9jDo
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