Henllan

Henllan is a village in Denbighshire, Wales with a population of approximately 750 (OfNS/2004) and lies in the countryside, approximately 2.25 miles north-west of the walled-town of Denbigh. Known for its famous bread and sheep shaggers.

Church and tower

Henllan is well known locally for its unusual parish church with the tower built separated from the main building, on a rocky mound in a far corner of the churchyard. It has been suggested that this was to increase area in which the bells could be heard, as the parish was quite large.

Saint Sadwrn's church forms part of the Benefice of Henllan, which includes the parishes of Henllan, Bylchau and Gwytherin.

The Ghost of Llindir

The village's only pub is believed to be one of the oldest in Wales. The Llindir Inn is a 13th century partially thatched building, and is well known for its ghost. Dewi Roberts, in his book The Old Villages of Denbighshire and Flintshire, writes how pub-goers have seen 'an attractive woman in white' (described elsewhere as a woman in blue). She's believed to have been married to a sailor, and while he was away at sea, she found herself a lover. One winter night her husband took unexpected shore leave, and caught them both in flagrante delicto. He murdered his wife, and from that moment on, a number of people claim to have seen her. The story attracted so much attention, that it was even part of a television programme back in the sixties. Like all ghost stories, however, there are inaccuracies, and local legend has it that only females are able to see the ghost, known as Sylvia. She also appears only in the upstairs part of the pub and on cold frosty nights.

The 'ghost' legend was not known in the village prior to World War II, and probably originated as a means to encourage more trade, particularly from US troops stationed in near-by Denbigh.

In recent times another tenant, whose partner was coincidentally named Sylvia, tried un-successfully to embellish the story. Fortunately this Sylvia met a better fate - she just upped and left. The Llindir had the unenviable reputation in that the later day Sylvia's partner was known as "Wales' most miserable landlord", and was referred to by his customers as 'Happy Al' because of his miserable demeanour.

External links

• www.geograph.co.uk : photos of Henllan and surrounding area
• www.henllan.com/: Henllan Village Website maintained by the Henllan Community Council
• www.henllanfootballclub.com/: Henllan Football Club website which is maintained by club members