THE famous Llanwnda Bible is to go on public display for the first time in over two years.

The Bible dates from 1620 and belongs to St Gwyndaf's Church in the Pembrokeshire hamlet of Llanwnda, near Fishguard.

Its fame derives from the fact that it was – allegedly – rescued from French soldiers who had plundered the church – and tried to burn the Bible – during the abortive invasion of 1797. Signs of charring can still be seen around its edges.

It was removed from the Church in 2015 because of its poor – and deteriorating – condition. The parish arranged for it to be taken to the Roderic Bowen Library at the University of Wales Trinity St David in Lampeter, where conservation work is taking place under carefully controlled conditions of temperature and humidity.

And now it is to go on public display there throughout the month of January to show people the progress that has been made prior to further restoration by experts at the National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth.

It will form part of an exhibition about the invasion to coincide with the Visit Wales tourism theme for 2018: The Year of the Sea.

Opening hours:

2-5 January 09.00 – 17.00

8-31 January : Monday to Friday 08.30 – 23.59; Saturday and Sunday 12.00 – 17.00

Eventually, the Bible will be returned to its home in St Gwndaf's, hopefully within the next six months.