Bwrdd Neges Archefol - Archived Messageboard

From: Kevin and Cindy
Date: 2nd September 2008
Title: The Red Lion Lunch

Hi All,
Many thanks to all of you that came to the lunch at The Red Lion on 2nd September, it was great to see such a positive turnout. We look forward to seeing you all again next month the 7th October.

Regards,
Kevin & Cindy

From: Jean Gwynfryn-Evans
Date: 12th August 2008
Title: The Red Lion

I had the pleasure of having a wonderful Sunday lunch at The Red Lion,along with my family at the end of April this year. I would like to take this opportunity of congratulating all involved with their recent award and well deserved too, in a wonderful and friendly environment. Look forward to returning again in the not too distant future.

With Very Kind Regards,
Jean Gwynfryn-Evans, Malta. Formerly Davies of Wern-las, Talley.

From: Kevin and Cindy
Date: 9th August 2008
Title: Red Lion Llangadog

Hi,
A quick note to let you know that The Red Lion has just been awarded the 'Best Freehouse' (Wales Region) in the National Pub Awards to be held on the 18th September in London , we will be informed of the National Champion on the evening.

Should you wish for further information then it can be found on http://www.greatbritishpubawards.co.uk/page/2008_finalists.html

As you can imagine we are extremely proud of the teams' achivement and look forward to a promising outcome against some very tough competition.

Kind Regards,
Kevin and Cindy

From: J D R THOMAS
Date: 27th July 2008
Title: Family History of Llinos Smith

Hi, I believe that I'm a Second Cousin to Mererid (Llinos's mother), descended from the maternal side of Gwennie Davies (Bronallt, Llangadog). As I have an extensive record of the family history of this wing of the family (but with some queries on Gwennie's parentage and siblings), I would be grateful if Llinos can contact me by e-mail at JDRTHOMAS@AOL.COM, with details of Gwennie's mother, who I believe was Elizabeth (known in the family as Aunty LIsa, and lived at Bethlehem), born 1855 at Waunhen (Gwynfe) and died ~1930. Gwennie had a sister named Megan.

Regards,
JDR

From: Peter Berry
Date: 22nd July 2008
Title: Family History

I was interested to read Llinos Smith's recent message. If Llinos, her Mam and/or her uncle Lloyd could help in identifying any more of the people shown in some of the historical photographs on our website I would be be very pleased to hear from them again.

I am the site's Facilitator, and can be contacted on 01550-777980, or by email at message@llangadog.com, or you can call in for a chat at Llangadog PO (Tuesdays 10.30am to 12 noon).

I would also be delighted to hear from anyone else with their memories of Llangadog, its inhabitants, its buildings and its events and activities, in the relatively recent past (say since the beginning of the 20th century).

Peter Berry

From: Llinos Smith
Date: 19th July 2008
Title: Family History

Hello my name is Llinos and I am the daughter of Mererid and grand daughter of Jack and Gwennie Davies formerly of Bronallt farm. I am researching my family history and need a little help. My great or may be great great grandmother was Rachel Jones who used to work in Ty Escob. My Mother is unaware of any house in the area with that name. Can anyone help?

We had a great time looking through the pictures with Mam identifying a lot of people, although she says my uncle Lloyd who worked for AI would know a lot more than her.

Regards
Llinos

From: Peter Miller
Date: 15th July 2008
Title: Former residents of Llangadog

Hi
I thought you may be interested in a former family of Llangadog.
George Miller is my great grandfather.
I would be interested to here from anyone who knows this family or has an interest in any family members.
I can be contacted on pmiller13@btopenworld.com

Thank you
Peter Miller 15/7/2008

George Miller was born between 1868 and 1873 in London and died 30th November 1941 in Llangadog.
He married Margaret Williams on 31 October 1893 in Gosen Chapel, Llangadog. Margaret was born 26 December 1863 in Davybonvill, St Dogmaels and died June 1944.
Both are buried in Llangadog Cemetery
George was originally in service on a farm and later worked on the railway.
Census: March 31, 1891, General Servant - spoke English
Residence: March 31, 1891, 20 Penwaun, Llansadwrn
Married: October 31, 1893 in Gosen Chapel, Llangadog.
Census: March 31, 1901, 6 Ashfield Row, Llansadwrn
Occupation: March 16, 1919, Farmer

Children of GEORGE MILLER and MARGARET WILLIAMS:

1) ELIZABETH JANE MILLER, b. May 5, 1894, Lime Tree Cottage, Llangadog, Carmarthen; d. January 2, 1979, Glanmarlais,Llandybis,Ammanford; m. HOWELL HAYDN POWELL; b. 1880, Abersychan, Monmouthshire; d. October 12, 1962.

2) CHARLOTTE MAY MILLER, b. July 17, 1897, Waunysradfiris, Llangadog; d. June 28, 1994, Cilgwyn Manor, Llangadog.Was a District Nurse. Married to Frederick PAYNE and then George Herbert JARRATT

3) WILLIAM DAVID MILLER, b. September 19, 1895, Llandovery, Llangadock; d. July 31, 1963, Gateforth Hospital Nr Selby.Married Gladys Bridgett.Military service: Bet. March 4, 1915 - March 31, 1920, Welsh Regiment

4) THOMAS JAMES MILLER, b. March 14, 1900, 6 Ashfield Row, Llansadwrn; d. April 29, 1987, West Wales General Hospital, Carmarthen.

5) JOHN ALFRED MILLER, aka Jack b. March 13, 1905, 6 Ashfield Row, Llansadwryn; d. July 19, 1974, 121 Queen Alexandra Road, Salisbury, Wiltshire; m. EVELYN BERYL LATHAM, April 7, 1932, Amesbury Parish Church, Wiltshire; b. Abt. 1913, Folkestone.

From: John Passmore
Date: 27th May 2008
Title: Morgan Family Llangadock

Hello there,
I am researching the antecedents of David Joseph Morgan born c 1881. In that year he lived with his parents, Morgan and Elizabeth (Nee Evans) at Dyfadfa Isaf together with siblings Samuel, Ruth Ann, Sarah A., Elizabeth M., and Margery. Morgan is described as a Farmer of 132 acres. The family lived here in 1891 and 1901 and a further son, John Ifan was born. By 1901 David had left home and I cannot trace him.

I have been unable to trace Morgan on the 1861 census.
In 1851 there is a Morgan Morgan living with his parents, David and Elizabeth and four siblings but I don't know if he is one and the same. They were living in 'Tynewydd', Llangadock and David was described as a Farmer.

In 1911 the above-mentioned David married a Ruth Davies from Llanwrda. They in turn had a son David Watcyn Morgan who was later ordained. He was born in Llanon in 1914 and I believe he became Vicar of that Parish.

If you have any information regarding this family I would be most pleased if you could let me have it,

Many thanks,

John Passmore
Tel: 01792 851272

From: Ann Jordan
Date: 10th May 2008
Title: Llandeusant

Ann Jordan
MA Fine Art student Swansea Metropolitan Uni.

I am currently involved in creating a body of work which includes storytelling and performance relating to the village of Llandeusant and the coffin route. Just recently I have started to walk the route, creating site specific work from found objects, mainly sheeps wool and making images from different coloured muds and peat.

Please could you help me expand my research by adding a more personal dimension.I am very interested to hear of any family stories, photographs etc relating to the village community from the 19th C.
I can be contacted by email.

b.jordan4@ntlworld.com

Thanks,
Ann Jordan

From: Rosemarie Foligno
Date: 9th May 2008
Title: Family Tree

Helo i drigolion Llangadog a’r cylch,
Hello residents of Llangadog and the surrounding area,

I wonder if anyone can help me? I have been doing some research into my family tree and am interested in locating my great, great grandparents' grave. They were Thomas Hall and Anne Hall. Thomas was a gamekeeper and had worked on the Danyrallt and Cilgwyn Estates. They had both worked at Plas Glansevin. I have located all these places as well as Brane Villa where Anne had lived and also Penrhiw, Trap where she died aged 98.

From her obituary I have found out quite a lot about where my grt grt grandmother was buried and when, but have failed to locate her grave. The obituary states that she was buried at the New Churchyard at Llangadog on 15th March (1949? I believe, since the date was not on the newspaper cutting). She was a faithful member of Gwynfe Church. Having searched around St Catwg’s church and also Gwynfe church (just in case it was an error on the paper), also the cemetery located past the rugby club.I have drawn a blank. Although, I did find some relations graves at the cemetery - her son and grandson.

They seemed to have spent quite a lot of time at Llangadog and probably have surviving relatives still living there who might be able to help me. There were tributes written for Anne’s 90th (When she lived at Mount Cottage, Gwynfe) and 95th birthday (when she lived with her daughter Mrs Light at Brane Villa, Llangadog) in the local newspaper.

My father was David Glyn Hall , son of Melville and CeinwenHall, son of Frederick William Shirley Hall and Sarah Elizabeth, son of Anne and Thomas Hall.

Perhaps someone out there has more information and stories about my ancestors.

I would be really grateful if you could contact me by e-mail at my place of work.
YGG.Gellionnen@swansea-edunet.gov.uk

Diolch yn fawr / Many thanks,
Rosemarie Foligno (nee Hall)

From: Kevin and Cindy
Date: 8th May 2008
Title: Red Lion Inn

The Red Lion Inn has just been voted "CAMRA Carmarthenshire Pub of the Year". Why not come down on the 17th May for our official presentation?

Regards,
Kevin and Cindy

From: Meirion Thomas
Date: 20th April 2008
Title: Llangadog Races

Bore Da Peter,

I am the chair person of Llangadog Races and we are celebrating 125 years next April (2009). We are looking to gather as much information as we can to write a short history book about the 125 years of racing in and around Llangadog because from what I can gather they have been held in a number of areas around Llangadog.
We have minutes going back as far as the early fifties but nothing before that, I hope that you can put a short piece on your web site asking for any info that anyone has on the races of Llangadog.
My e mail address is Meirion.Thomas@burdens.co.uk and my Mobile number is 07711-771611.

Diolch,
Meirion Thomas MBE

From: Mark D Atkinson
Date: 20 April 2008
Subject: Railway Hotel

If Melanie Jackson could contact me at mark@atkinsonm.demon.co.uk I might be able to give her some information about the Railway Hotel.

From: Lloyd Evans
Date: 18 April 2008
Subject: Llangadog History

[Many apologies for the delay in including this message and the accompanying photos. These photos have now been added to the Historical Photographs section.]

Please find enclosed some old photographs I have managed to obtain over the years. Some of the photos are old post cards and others are photos I got from the collection held at the National Library at Aberystwyth. I don’t know if you are aware, but I believe that Bernard Jenkins who I think is now living in Bryn lago, has a collection of old photos of Llangadog.

As regards some historical facts on Llangadog

Castell Meurig
Also known as Castell Pridd. From extensive research I have made it is by no means certain when or by whom the castle was built of her than it was an original Welsh castle built by a Welsh prince. However, it was fought over by local chieftains between 1204 and 1208. In 1204 the castle was strongly fortified by Rhys ap Grufy’dd but it was soon taken from him by his uncle Maelgwyn assisted by Gwenwynwyn, Prince of Powys. It was later reclaimed by Rhys and he held it for some time. In 1208, Rhys Fychan also known as Rhys Gryg the brother of Maelgwyn having quarelled with his nephews Rhys and Owain, dispossessed them of the castle. There then followed a bitter fight for the castle between the farces of the two Rhys’ with Rhys Fychar- eventually regaining the castle and demolishing it to prevent any further disputes. Nothing more is known about the castle after 1208. It is believed that the local farmhouses of Glansawdde and Caerhyn are built with stone from the ruins of the castle.

Cwrt-y-Plas
This property was at one time a nunnery and afterwards a college for the education of candidates for the priesthood up until the Reformation at which time it was closed, taken from the church and granted to the Abermarlais estate.

Great House
This is one of the oldest properties in Llangadog and was at one time an inn. It was built in 1766 by William Powell and there is a plaque in the wall above the front door stating this. William Powell was the victim of the infamous murder at Glanaraeth on the 8th January 1770. I have a wealth of material regarding the murder which is a fascinating story. If you think the story would be of interest let me know and I will send a full account to you.

Battle of Glanrhyd
In 1254, an argument between two Welsh princely brothers called Rhys and Meredydd the sons of Rhys Fychan over territory’, resulted in a battle that raged along the Tywi valley. Rhys’ forces were reinforced by English troops supplied by King Henry 111, and Meredydd was supported by Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, Prince of North Wales. The battle raged for days and the forces of Rhys had to cross the Tywi at a point known as Glanrhyd -y- Saeson where it is said the river ran red with the blood of the combatants. Nearby is a farm known today as Ynys-y-Moch which originally was called Ynys-yr-Och (the isle of groaning) after the screams of the battle. After the battle, Meredydd and his victorious troops crossed back over the Tywi at a spot called Glan-y-Britaniaid which over the years has become known as Glan-Brydan.

I hope the above is of use to you for the web site.

Cofion Cynnes,
Lloyd Evans

From: Lloyd Evans
Date: 18 April 2008
Subject: History of Llangadog

Regarding the last entry by Mr. JDR Thomas, he is quite correct in that a sum of money was left by Thomas Thomas for the bells of Llangadog church to be rung on New Years Eve. For a number of years in the late 1950's and early 1960,s together with Peter (Toby) Price, I was paid the princely sum of ten shillings (50p) by the then vicar the Rev Thomas, to ring the bells at midnight to 'ring in the new and ring out the old' every New Years Eve. On one memorable occassion I left the Black Lion at a few minutes to midnight to go and ring the bells having imbibed a little too much of Mrs Fox's best Felinfoel bitter. The bells that particular New Years Eve certainly sounded different! However, I don't recall anybody in the village the following day remarking on the wondrous tones of the church bells. I'd be interested to know whether the bells are still rung on New Years Eve in accordance with the wishes of the late Thomas Thomas.

Lloyd Evans

From: Professor J D R Thomas
Date: 16 April 2008
Subject: History of Llangadog

You have a fascinating history on the Web Pages. But there is a further interesting story that you may care to add re the connection of the LIMES with the Soap Making Business (Puritan Soap) of Christopher Thomas Bros, Bristol. The details (1745-1954) are in the book "Christopher Thomas: Soapmaker of Bristol" by John Somerville, first published in 1991 by White Tree Books (ISBN (0 948265 74 4) and copies may be obtained from 'PLYMBRIDGE Distributors Ltd., Estover Road, Plymouth PL6 7PY' at around £8.

It will be possible to deduce background of travel in those days by Coach and Horses between Llangadog and Cardiff and also Bristol via Gloucester, etc. The history of the family going back to their busines at the LIMES is well given, as well as the memorial tablet of Charles Thomas at St Cadog Church and the set of 4 bells donated (doh, ray, me, fah) by Christopher James Thomas (1807-1894 and Mayor of Bristol in 1874-75), and these were known to Dennis Edwards. Fascinatingly the bells still chime on Sundays - certainly around 5 years ago.

Indeed the Langadog roots of the Thomas family are interesting [no relation to me - I have entries in The International Who's WHo', and Debrett's 'People of Today', and my paternal side roots are in Llanddeusant (Pant Tyrnor (Llanddeusant), Cefn Telych (Llandingat), Blaenllynant (Gwynfe), Llys Brychan (Bethlehem, etc).]

Thomas Thomas 1814-1872 who was an early member of the Chemical Society (London) is described in his obituary of the Journal of the Chemical Society as "one of the senior partners of the firm Christopher Thomas and Brothers, Broad Plain Soap and Candle Works, Bristol. Born and brought up in Llangadock, Carmarthenshire, he had few opportunities of mental cultivation beyond those of the ordinary private schools. At 17 he remoived to Bristol, where his father and eldes brother had preceded him....". Oh yes, re the bells - their donation had the stipulation "that the bells be pealed each New Years Eve".

There we are. That is all I have time for.

Regards and Best Wishes in your activities,
JDR

From: Kevin and Cindy
Date: 16 April 2008
Subject: Red Lion

Hi,
Just to let everyone know that all the rooms have now been completely re-furbished at our delightfull coaching inn. Why not pop in and have a look? Also our new website is on-line and working well. Try - www.redlioncoachinginn.co.uk

Regards,
Kevin & Cindy

From: Lloyd Evans
Date: 10 April 2008
Subject: The Railway Hotel

Regarding the query from Melanie Jackson re the Railway Hotel in Llangadog, if she could contact me via e-mail at daniel@daniellloyd25.freeserve.co.uk I may be able to assist her with her quest.

Lloyd Evans

From: Melanie Jackson
Date: 8 April 2008
Subject: Family history connected with 'The Railway Hotel'

Dear Peter,
I have recently visited the Llangadog website and was interested to find a photograph of the Railway Hotel. I have been doing a little bit of research into my family history and I know that the Railway Hotel was once run by my great, great grandfather, Joseph Godfrey Jackson and his wife Mary. They had nine children the youngest of which was Albert Frederick Jackson, my great grandfather, and who I believe is the A. Jackson in the photograph of the 1955 Llangadog Horse Racing Committee. His son, my grandfather, John Kenneth ‘Ken’ Jackson grew up at the Railway Hotel and throughout his lifetime made regular visits back to his childhood home.

I would be interested if you could provide me with any further details either of the Jackson family or the Railway Hotel.

I look forward to hearing from you.

With best wishes,
Melanie

From: Daniel Holmes
Date: 7 April 2008
Subject: Family Search

Hi, I am looking for some information about my fathers family. My father was born in Llangadog in 1943 to Catherine Holmes, nee Williams.

From my fathers birth certificate we believe he was born in the small house opposite the church called Gerllan. We believe this was where Catherine's sister, Elizabeth (Betty) , may have lived with her husband Eric Williams. We know that Elizabeth and Catherine's father was called David Williams, and he may have been a coal merchant. Catherine died in 1944 in Llangadog ,when my father was only a baby, and he went to live with his fathers family in Altrincham near Manchester. My father can last remember seeing his maternal family when he was around 6 or 8
years old, when he can remember visiting his grandmother, possibly at the Ivorite Cottages on the Common.

If anyone has any information about this family, or in particular where Catherine may have been buried, I would appreciate it greatly if you could mail me.

Thank you,
Daniel Holmes
katanaboy1@tiscali.co.uk