In September 2002, I received an e-mail from a client in North Carolina, USA, asking me to photograph the parish church at Llanafan and the graves of some of his ancestors. I visited Llanafan early in October 2002 in overcast but dry conditions. Unfortunately, I was unable to gain access to the interior of the church.
The images featured on this webpage are selected from the portfolio of 48 photographs sent to my client.

Right: Noticeboard in the lych-gate entrance,
identifying the church and Y Parchedig (the
vicar), the Reverend A. C. Sully.

Above: Church viewed from the west, showing the lych-gate entrance to the churchyard. A lych-gate is a roofed gateway to a churchyard, originally used prior to a burial for sheltering the coffin until the arrival of the clergyman. The stone wall surrounding the older part of the churchyard defines its circular shape, possibly betraying pre-Christian origins.

Above: The bell tower (left) and south porch (right).

Above: Steps leading to the entrance to the vestry on the south side of the church. The south porch is beyond the wooden bench.

Above: Parish church, viewed from south-west entrance to the churchyard.

Above: The Bonsall graves. The graves I photographed are situated in this large rectangular burial plot to the south-east of the church. The plot is surrounded by a low concrete kerb. There are 12 graves, most of which belong to the Bonsall family (see the two examples below).

Above: Two of the Bonsall graves (see inscriptions below).
In Memory of SIR THOMAS BONSALL, Knight late of Fronfraith in this County who died on the 24th day of May 1808 aged 67 years. The benevolence of his mind displayed itself in all its actions. In his religion He was exemplary His integrity and uprightness as a Magistrate procured him the esteem and Veneration of all men and in the social and domestic virtues which constitute the Friend husband and parent He was seldom equalled.		In Memory of WILLIAM BONSALL Esqr. M.D. Son of Sir THOMAS and Lady BONSALL Who died July 1st 1824 Aged 43 Years. His humour and charitable disposition, Manifestly exemplified In the gratuitous exercise of his talents As a Physician Will long endear his memory To the afflicted and desolate. His suavity of manners and unassuming conduct His unsullied integrity and warm affection Will remain indelibly recorded In the bosom of his friends and relatives.