IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Little Newcastle, HAVERFORDWEST, SA62 5TE

Off Beulah Hill, south of Casnewydd Bach/Little Newcastle.

A member of the bamboo family that grows up to 4 metres high. It is increasingly being promoted as biofuel since each tonne of Miscanthus burnt, in replacement of coal, will prevent up to two tonnes of carbon dioxide being emitted. In addition, the growing of the crop is likely to also become a means of saving carbon, as the crop actively sequesters amounts below ground.

No doubt a few elephants could easily disappear in here but the name of this giant grass seems to derive from its height rather than its connection with the beast since it comes originally from the remote highlands of China, Taiwan and Japan where it has been used to make paper. It has long been grown in Europe as an ornamental grass but in recent years is increasing being promoted as a biofuel crop.

Good to see cats recognised for their contribution to the farming scene! Awel Deg means fair wind.

The biofuel crop Image] that was growing in this field a year ago has been harvested. The gate has an unusual fastening. Colston farm on the right, Mynydd Castlebythe beyond.

This appeared to be a cashcrop or plantation of bamboo, an unexpected sight in West Wales but its foliage waving above the hedge caught the eye. The village of Casnewydd Bach lies to the north. Update: I have been informed (thank you Sarah Smith) that this is in fact Miscanthus or Elephant Grass, a relatively new biofuel crop that originates in the Far East.

Along the western boundary of this field bushes and briars conceal a small chambered tomb, half buried in the hedge bank. It is marked on the OS map but is nevertheless difficult to locate from above. Other images can be found here http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=4403

The thicket of bushes and briars concealing The Altar. The tomb is right up against, and partly buried in, the hedgebank on the far side of which runs the road between the village of Casnewydd Bach/Little Newcastle and the hamlet of Colston.

The burial chamber known as The Altar lies behind the bank here, and partially embedded within it. This protruding stone, seen from the road, is likely to be one of the stones involved the construction of the collapsed tomb.

A semi-collapsed and very overgrown tomb of which part lies within the hedgebank on the right. It consists of a capstone supported by about three uprights. Earlier photographs show damage caused by cattle (the site is not protected in any way) but the recent use of the field for a bio-crop has probably allowed the surrounding thicket to take hold. It is a shame that this burial chamber has not been better preserved especially as its proximity to the road would make access fairly easy.