LLANELLI GUARD STONES
During the pandemic of COVID-19 Llanelli Community Heritage conducted several town heritage walks when restrictions allowed. Members who took these walks spotted some forms of architecture not normally noticed from the window of a car. One such piece of street furniture that has raised quite a few queries is the Guard Stone or Jostle Stone.
What little remains of Old Llanelly is fast disappearing and is being replaced by new short-term buildings of little architectural beauty or merit. Along with these old buildings will go their associated street furniture - street furniture from a bygone age of horse drawn transport and cobble-stoned roads.
Take the former public house, The Dynefor Castle, which stands at the corner of Market Street and Park Lane. On their travels about the town members have noticed an unusual stone that stands out awkwardly, but proudly, from the bottom corner of the old hostelry and have enquired as to what its purpose was.
These stones were placed there to prevent damage to the building corners or gate piers from the metal-hooped hubs or tyres of waggon and cartwheels, particularly when making a tight turn. Many years ago the writer heard such stones referred to locally as “Turn Stones”.
Other Guard Stones can be seen at 1 Luton Terrace, Edgar Street (formerly Oxen Street), the rear of John Street, Princess Street and at the gate piers of the Old Post Office or “Stamps”. See them now before they disappear!
Perhaps members and readers can inform us of more Guard Stones or Jostle Stones in Llanelli.
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