Location: Near Trimsaran

SPUDDER’S is the name of a stone bridge that spans the River Gwendraeth near Trimsaran and which, accordingly to local folklore, was the scene of a tragic love story.

The name is an anglicised version of the Welsh ‘Pant yr Ysbryd Gwyn’ ‘The Bridge of the White Ghost’. The ghost or spirit is connected with a former castellan (governor or captain) of Kidwelly. It is strange that the anglicised version of the Welsh title is used because, in the surrounding district, in general Welsh is usually spoken.

An Inventory of Crown Lands of 1641 refers to Spowder’s Bridge and shows that any connection with the Welsh word ‘Ysbryd’ must have been anglicised at a very early date.

According to folklore, the story began at the time of the Crusades and Sir Elidir Ddu of Kidwelly Castle. The knight had a daughter Nest, two sons, Gruffydd and Rhys and was guardian to a foster child named Gwladus. It was common practice at that time for children of noble birth to be fostered and entrusted to relatives.

Sir Elidir’s daughter Nest was said to be in love with Sir Walter Mansel of Trimsaran, and just as in the story of Romeo and Juliet, her father did not approve of the relationship. Gwladus was envious of the lovers ‘who were forced to meet in secret’ and she plotted to destroy their relationship. One evening, Gwladus arranged for them to meet at the bridge, but unbeknown to them, she had employed someone to carry out a dreadful deed.

When Sir Walter arrived at the bridge he walked to the centre ready to take Nest in his arms. Suddenly from out of the evening shadows, a man leaped towards Sir Walter and stabbed him. Sir Walter, fatally wounded, was then thrown over the side of the bridge. Nest was stunned and horrified by what she had seen and jumped into the depths of the murky waters of the Gwendraeth to join her lover.

The murderer, paid by Gwladus, disappeared into the twilight and Sir Walter and Nest were carried along the river and out to sea. Their bodies were found a few days later on Cefn Sidan sands, still entwined in each other’s arms. The White Ghost, who haunts the bridge late at night, is said to be that of Nest, who waits for her love so that they can be together forever.

Source: Transactions of Carmarthenshire Antiquarian Society & Field Club 1930 Vol. XXII Parts LIII-LIV Page 27 and local folklore.

This story is courtesy of Llanelli, Birth of a Town, By William & Benita Rees.  http://llanelli-history.co.uk/index.htm