Holywell Memories: Ancient relic from St Winefride's Well could go on display in Gwytherin, Conwy

By Flintshire Chronicle on Jan 8, 10 11:21 AM in Before 1500

AN ANCIENT relic of St Winefride could go out on display from its resting place in Holywell to Gwytherin, Conwy, where the venerated abbess was originally buried.

The piece of finger bone is kept in a shrine at St Winefride's Well, which pilgrims from across the world visit to pray and take to the water in the belief it can cure their ills.

The holy spring is said to have risen where Winefride's uncle St Beuno restored the 7th century Welsh noblewoman to life after her head was cut off by Caradoc, an unwanted suitor.

After her death (c 660) Winefride was interred at her abbey.

In 1138 relics were carried to Shrewsbury, but her shrine was destroyed by Henry VIII in 1540.

The well became an important centre of medieval pilgrimage and was first mentioned in 1115 and became part of nearby Basingwerk Abbey in 1240 until the dissolution of the monasteries.

The present well building dates from the late 15th century and still attracts about 30,000 visitors a year.

Now Roman Catholic bishop Edwin Regan is considering allowing the relic to go on display at Gwytherin at some time during the year when St Winefride's connection with the area could be celebrated.

The idea came from Clwyd West AM Darren Millar, who said: "Gwytherin is where she established her abbey and I felt perhaps the relic could be displayed there at least once a year."

The body of St Winefride had been taken from Gwytherin to Shrewsbury by monks during the dissolution but only small pieces of bone now remain, one kept in Shrewsbury and another at Holywell.

"I believe that Gwytherin deserves an opportunity to celebrate this local saint," he said.
Bishop Regan, who has overall responsibility for the well and relic, said it was an idea he was prepared to consider.

The Catholic church was busy this year commemorating the 400th anniversary of St John Roberts who was a Benedictine monk and priest from Trawsfynydd who was martyred at Tyburn in December 1610, he said.

"I have never been to Gwytherin and it is somewhere perhaps I should visit. I shall be very keen to take this forward when the time is right.

"It is a great idea which we can easily work on."

The shrine and relic at Holywell is now cared for by Italian vocationist priest Father Salvatore Musella.

He said prayers services were held to celebrate the saint with pilgrims seeking a blessing, often to find cures for themselves or loved ones.

"The relic has a strong power of influence and some people say that they feel a heat from it in their bodies. It is very well venerated and people come from all over the UK, Europe and around the world."