St Llwchaearn: Llwchaearn is the patron saint of Llanllwchaearn Church at New Quay. He was a member of the royal house in 7th century Powys and is linked to the Caereinion area. He was the son of Caranfael ap Cyndrwyn, prince of Powys, and had two brothers, Aelhaearn and Cynhaearn. Caranfael was brother to Cynddylan whose persistent battling against the Saxons at the Battle of Tren is central to the early 9th century Welsh poetry collections known as Canu Llywarch Hen and Canu Heledd – both gems of European literature. After losing his royal birth-right in the Saxon wars Llwchaearn turned to the life religious, establishing two churches in Powys and two in Ceredigion – one in Cwm Ystwyth and one in New Quay. He was appointed an Abbott and was a follower of St Beuno.
Siôn Cwilt: Life was a struggle in 18th century rural Wales. It was at that time that Siôn Cwilt became something of a local hero, keeping hard times at bay. How? Well, through some smuggling solutions! The local secret coves – Cwmtudu, Cwm Silio and Coybal – were ideal landing places for contraband. The booty was then moved via pony-train up the river valleys and over the high ground in the direction of Dyffryn Cletwr. Some say that the notorious squire of Alltrodyn had some fingers in this smuggling pie! Siôn Cwilt was a very elusive gentleman. He came to the area unannounced and disappeared without trace. What we do know that he lived in a cottage on the high ground that still bears his name, Banc Siôn Cwilt. The new local area school, opened in 2010 – Ysgol Bro Siôn Cwilt – testifies to his adventurous escapades.
Siani Bob Man: one of the area’s most eccentric and fondly remembered characters was Siani Bob Man (Jane Leonard, 1834-1917). Siani was one of the area’s first tourist attractions, famed for living a simple life with her ‘family’ of hens in a seaside cottage at Cei Bach. She was born and raised in a lowly cottage on Banc Siôn Cwilt but when a young girl she apparently ran away with the ‘gypsies’, before being disappointed in love and returning home. Her unique lifestyle and sharp wit brought countless tourists to visit her humble abode from New Quay’s Victorian hostelries, whose owners profited greatly from her eccentricities.
Gronw and King Ina: According to legend, many years ago, a simple fisherman named Gronw lived near the mouth of the Afon Llethi with his wife, Malen, and daughter Madlen. One stormy night Gronw noticed a ship in peril at sea and decided that he should attempt to rescue the stricken sailors. Defying Malen’s pleas he took Madlen with him and with her help succeeded in saving the lives of seven noblemen. One of the men looked very noble and very authoritative indeed. No such men had ever before dried their clothes on the banks of the Llethi! There was a problem – the noblemen did not speak Welsh. The monk from Henfynyw was sent for and it became apparent that the men were in fact Saxons. It came to light that the regal looking nobleman fished from the waves was none other than Ina, King of Wessex (688-726). To show his appreciation Ina bequeathed the Henfynyw monk funds to build a new church at the mouth of the Llethi – Llanina – and gave Gronw and his family sufficient reward to keep them in a comfortable manner for the rest of their days.