THE international links forged hundreds of years ago between the people of Flanders and the village of Llangwm have been highlighted at a special ceremony to unveil a tapestry celebrating its history.

After thousands of hours of work by volunteers, the tapestry was officially inaugurated in a chapel of St Jerome’s church by the UK representative of the Flemish government, Nic van der Marliere.

“Congratulations to all; what a wonderful effort,” he said.

“And I’m so happy that you follow in the Flemish tradition.”

Mr van der Marliere singled out Llangwm resident Norman Roach, who’s been shown by DNA testing to be a direct descendant of the Flemish de la Roche family who shaped Llangwm from the 12th century onwards.

He joked to Norman, to laughter from the audience of VIPs and local residents: “Next time I see Her Majesty the Queen at Buckingham Palace I will ask her to reinstate your former status.”

Mr van der Marliere also promised to send a Flemish flag to Llangwm – a daffodil yellow background with a black lion – and having visited nearby Port Lion, said how pleased he was to see the Flemish lion symbol flying high in Pembrokeshire.

The tapestry, The Talking Tapestry of Langum, using one the village’s historical names, will be open to groups until Easter and then to all visitors.

It tells the story of the arrival of Flemish invaders, sent by King Henry I in the 12th century to pacify the local Welsh, followed by Flemish settlers, who brought skills such as weaving to Pembrokeshire.

It’s accompanied by an app telling the story of the Flemish incomers in detail, which is narrated in Flemish as well as Welsh and English.

The tapestry was part of the Heritage Llangwm project, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Tours can be booked via info@heritagellangwm.org.uk