81030

 

II  

Designated  

08/04/2003  

08/04/2003  

Grave of Guto Nyth Bran  

 

Rhondda Cynon Taff  

Ynysybwl and Coed-y-Cwm  

 

Llanwonno  

303018  

195603  

 

On the E side of the S porch of Llanwonno church.  

 

 

Gruffydd Morgan - known as Guto Nyth Bran - died in 1737, aged 37. He is reputed to have been a remarkable runner with a number of stories and legends attached to his name: catching a fleeing hare, keeping up with hounds, competing against horses and, as commemorated on his tombstone, winning a race against the famous runner from Bedwas, Prince, covering 12 miles in 7 minutes under the hour. He reputedly died when clapped on the back after finishing the race. In 1866 a large tombstone was erected by public subscription by the grave providing a descriptive gloss to the original bare inscription. He is further commemorated in an internationally known race run on New Year's Eve, Nos Galan, from Llanwonno to Mountain Ash; a tradition instigated in mid C20 and which has attracted many top-class athletes. Nyth Bran is the name of a house now on the E outskirts of Porth to W.  

Monument of stone consisting of a horizontal slab with simple inscription - name, year, age - and heart motif, together with a vertical tombstone with longer description in Welsh of Guto Nyth Bran's exploits.  

 

Listed for its substantial historic interest and for group value with the church to which it is adjacent.