Category: Readers Articles of Interest

Two Entrepreneurs Who Made Penarth Their Home (Part 2)

ARTICLES of GENERAL INTEREST

TWO ENTREPRENEURS WHO MADE PENARTH THEIR HOME (Part 2)

In Part 1, I presented a biography of John Kyte Collett (1836 – 1933). He was originally from Shepton Mallett and had established his first business at the age of 17 with his widowed mother as a grocer in Bute Town. He was to become a millionaire, philanthropist and general ideas man. Also in Part 1, his cousin (also from Shepton Mallet) was introduced. Under JKC’s patronage he developed a number of notable edifices in and around Penarth.

By the time JKC was in his late 70s, and having largely retired from business, he turned his energies to addressing issues of the day and bringing his views to the great and the good. Thankfully the Cathays Heritage Library has a treasure trove of his legacy which he had reproduced mostly octavo size pamphlets with tiny print, price one penny from all good booksellers, stationers, etc!

His writing style was flowery, obsequious when addressing his “betters”, cross referenced to the Scriptures on many occasions and never using one word when three would suffice. Here is selection of some of his missives and ideas.

“A Suggested Transfiguration of (Cardiff’s) Temperance Town and Another Site for the Town Hall” In late 1890 a hotly debated topic at that time was a suitable location for a new town hall. In March 1897 the “Western Mail” suggested reusing part of the area then occupied by Temperance Town. This was a densely packed urbanisation of 6 streets of 280 houses where the new BBC building now stands. Collett’s scheme was to clear all and as well as the town hall there would be public gardens, an art school and gallery.

“Solving the Land Problem by doing Justly to One and All thus that Whole Community will be Greatly Enriched” An Open Letter to Prime Minister David Lloyd George with a Christian and non-partisan solution. The “land problem” had been around since the Enclosures of the 1750s and in view of the housing crisis is still relevant today. When D Ll G was dismissive of his views he followed up with missives to Walter Long MP, who had long been at odds with D Ll G, and A Bonar Law MP the leader of the Opposition. (5,000 words + 3 pages of calculations).

When all of that failed to get him any credence, he then wrote an open letter to His Majesty the King on the subject of “An Empire without taxes but at the same time paying for the War and paying off the National Debt without expense to anyone” (9.200 words + 5 pages of calculations).

“Supplement to Solving the Land Problem etc and Abolish all Taxes etc thus wisely generating an Income of £137,493, 576” (18 pages of Calculations)

“Duke Street, Cardiff. How to Widen it at Little or no Cost” An Open Letter to the City Engineer and Aldermen. At that time there was a row of buildings on the north side of Duke Street abutting the castle walls. (2,500 Words 1-5-1914)

“An Unwritten Chapter of Cardiff’s History”

Addressed to The Lord Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors. The Unwritten History was about schemes being considered by the Great Western and Taff Vale Railway Companies to raise the level of their respective Permanent Ways by “several feet” to avoid the dips in the highways under their bridges. 21-04-1914 (6,400 Words)

“What Shall we Drink and Under What Conditions? An appeal to distillers, brewers, hotel proprietors, licensed victuallers, restaurant-keepers, etc and to moderate drinkers and teetotallers. With a view to the protection of the liberty of the individual to consume where, when, and what he chooses. Subject to the due regard being paid to the rights, happiness, and prosperity of the community as a whole”(4,000)

The foregoing words are the title of a pamphlet (price 1 penny) published in May 1915, but drawing on JKC’s observations over many decades railing against alcohol, he being a lifelong teetotaller. In the event strict controls on its consumption were introduced soon afterwards as a war time measure.

“An Appeal to Parliament, the Pulpit and the People: How housing and land problems can be solved coupled with replacement of deprecated currency notes by others of more value as money tokens than gold sovereigns”. In essence, his scheme involved borrowing money at 3.25% interest and then loaning it out at 4%, such that by the year 2000 the government would have accrued a profit of £137,493,576.

And now more about his nephew Fredrick Speed. He was also a native of Shepton Mallett; born in 1846. In Part 1 we read that he lived in Cardiff in the early 1870s but in the mid 1880s JKC enticed him back to exploit the potential for Penarth’s development after its connection to the Taff Vale Railway.

FS was to be the driving force behind the development of some of Penarth’s most notable buildings, his first ambitious project being Beach Cliff on the sea front. Those that survive include the “terrace” 2 to 10 Plymouth Road; The Royal Buildings corner of Stanwell Road and Victoria Road; former British Legion on Station Approach. And on a lesser scale he built many private houses around Penarth.

2 to 10, Plymouth Road, Penarth

The 1911 census records the 65 year old “builder and house agent” FS living at 10 Plymouth Road. The Western Mail, 2nd January 1920, announced his death at the age of 73.

Tony Hodge

The Last Train From Wenvoe

ARTICLES of GENERAL INTEREST

THE LAST TRAIN FROM WENVOE

I left my house in Wenvoe with my golden retriever, Blue, to walk towards the old train station. It was around 8.30pm on a warm autumn day. As I got to the bridge overlooking the old station, the sky began to turn dark, and a fog started to creep in from the hills which led to Dinas Powys.

I was feeling very good; I had reached sixty today and my daughters had brought me presents earlier on in the day. Blue had done his business near the bridge, and I got a bag out and placed the contents in the bin on the bridge. The fog seemed to roll past us both then cleared while it was travelling towards Wenvoe.

As I looked down towards the station, I could see people on the platform. It was then I heard the whistle and a green steam train pulled up at the station. I could hear the sound of somebody shouting “Last train to Cardiff. This is the last train leaving Wenvoe for Cardiff.”

I heard two cars pull up behind me. The first one looked like an old-fashioned Jag and the second one looked like an Austin 11. The Jag was a green colour and the Austin was white. A man got out of the Jag and started to walk towards me. He had a white gabardine mac on. He reached into his coat pocket and produced a packet of cigarettes, took one out and put it into his mouth. With his other hand, he hit a zippo lighter and lit his cigarette. Crushing the cigarette packet, he threw it into the bin near me.

I could see the cigarette packed was a packet of Woodbines with a green stripe going down and a red stripe going across. The man said to me “It’s the last train to Cardiff tonight. I’m going to have to get the bus back in the morning”. The Austin car opened and a young girl of twenty something got out. She appeared to be wearing a nurse’s uniform from an old Carry On movie. The man said to me “That’s Ms Thomas or should I say Nurse Thomas.” The man turned away and followed the young nurse down to the Station Terrace to get onto the platform. Five minutes later I saw the man and nurse heading along the platform to get on the train. The man looked up and waved to me.

I heard the platform conductor blow his whistle and the train started to move off. A billow of smoke came from the train and covered the area; you could smell the acrid stench from fuel being burned. I could hear a whistle as the train must have approached the Wenvoe Tunnel. When the smoke cleared, everything had turned to normal.

I walked back towards the village and decided to go for a pint in the Wenvoe Arms. One of the lads in the pub worked for the railways and said, “Happy Birthday, Frank.” I was going to tell him what happened but thought better of it. Tommy who bought me a pint looked at his phone and said, “Looking at the internet it says the last train from Wenvoe was today, the 10th of September 1962 and it’s your birthday – how strange.”

Out And About in the Vale This Summer

ARTICLES of GENERAL INTEREST

OUT AND ABOUT IN THE VALE THIS SUMMER

With Summer here at last and hopefully with weather to match, there is plenty going on in the Vale, just some of which feature below. As ever, there will be something musical, sporting, cultural or perhaps with an historical bent to tempt you from the garden.

If it’s culture you’re looking for check out the latest offering at Dyffryn Gardens. Our local National Trust property is hosting an exhibition based on the very popular BBC drama ‘The Other Bennet Sister’. The exhibition focuses on the costumes created by Sian Jenkins and worn by the cast of the show including Ella Bruccoleri, Ruth Jones and Indira Varma. The stunning display of elaborate period costumes brings the world of the Bennet sisters vividly to life. Alongside, you’ll find the accessories that complete each look – many worn in the scenes filmed in Dyffryn House. While there, you can also explore parts of Dyffryn House re-opened after a spell of conservation work. This includes the Morning Room, Red Drawing Room and Blue Drawing Room. Here you can learn more about Dyffryn’s history, behind-the-scenes photography and how filming supports the work of the National Trust. Normal admission charges apply but the event is free. The venue and the exhibition is open Fridays to Mondays, 12 – 3pm until 31 August.

Providing an altogether different experience the annual GlastonBARRY live music tribute festival returns to Romilly Park, Barry this July! This year features 22 tribute acts covering the likes of Coldplay, Pink, the Foo Fighters, Queen and Tina Turner. There will be two stages used over two days, on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th July, between 11am and 9pm.

If food is your thing, you may be tempted by this year’s Fantastic Fete at St Donat’s Castle. The fete will be held in the grounds over two consecutive summer-holiday weekends (July 31st/August 9th). The grounds will be filled with family fun, including silly games, curious competitions and roaming entertainment. Alongside will be an array of the best street food from across the globe. Street Food Circus traders include the return of Hang Fire BBQ and SFC debutants Mama Lala Sichuan street food, along with regulars such as Two Lads Afghan Street Food, The Dough Thrower, The Bone Cartel, Mar y Fuego, The Queen Pepiada, Pasta a Mano and Burger Bros with sweet options from Paletas Mexican-style ice lollies and Drizzle desserts.

If you’re feeling energetic why not join one of the Glamorgan History Walks delivered by local historian and broadcaster Graham Loveluck-Edwards? The walks aim to bring history to life as you travel through the places where significant events happened. Examples are a walk around Cowbridge on Thursday 9th July (8pm) and Dunraven, St Brides and Ogmore on Saturday 18th July (10am). Walks cost £10 per person. You can find out more by visiting the website: https://grahamloveluckedwards.com/

Finally, The Vale of Glamorgan Agricultural Show returns on Wednesday 12 August. Now the biggest one-day event in the Vale of Glamorgan, the show attracts more than 20,000 visitors to The Showground, Penllyn, Cowbridge – every year. As usual there will be over 200 trade stands, livestock displays, crafts, local food, and thrilling competitions. With gates open from 8am to 7pm there will be plenty of time to explore. Free on-site parking will be available as is forward parking for Blue Badge Holders. Dogs are allowed on a short lead, but predictably not permitted in the livestock areas or marquees.

Two Entrepreneurs Who Made Penarth Their Home (Part 1)

ARTICLES of GENERAL INTEREST

TWO ENTREPRENEURS WHO MADE PENARTH THEIR HOME (Part 1)

As part of my work in Barry library to process historical artifacts for the “Peoples Collection Wales” I came across an engineering drawing of a sewerage scheme for Penarth and west Cardiff proposed by a Mr John Kyte Collett. Unfortunately it is undated but appears from the context to be from the late 1800s. Text on the drawing says that JKC’s scheme is far superior to that being promoted by the Cardiff City Engineer.

The document intrigued me so I set out to find more about its author. From Internet and Ancestry searches using his unique name together with helpful staff at Cardiff’s Heritage Library in Cathays I was able to reveal a wealth of interesting information about him and his many and varied interests in matters of his time. The second entrepreneur is his nephew Fredrick Speed, about whom, more later.

JKC was born in Kilvert Street, Shepton Mallet in 1836. The 1841 census records that his mother Julia is the Head of Household as Robert his father had died in June 1838. Also mentioned in this record is his sister Ann Mary Collett born in 1831. What an impoverished start to life he must have had.

JKC won a place to Shepton Mallet Grammar School but he left at the age of 15 to work for a linen draper in Bristol. He then moved with his mother and sister to the Bute Town area of Cardiff in 1853 where together they established a grocery shop, and also had stalls in the Cardiff Market.

From such humble beginnings, JKC expanded his business interests and reputedly became a millionaire “provision factor and commission agent” and importer of foodstuffs from USA and Canada in partnership with a Mr Whitefield. This was at a time when Cardiff was growing exponentially and the business in the wholesale supply of foodstuffs thrived and made them wealthy. In 1872, and before fridges, he took out a patent “for an improved means of preserving and transporting butter”. Historical records show how the firm of Collett, Whitefield & Co (Cardiff) Ltd continued to grow in the second half of the 1800s.

In 1866 JKC married Sarah Ann Orledge Reeves (1840 – 1922) in Pilton Somerset and they had a daughter Florence Edith Jeffries Collett, born in 1875. Judging from the census records as to where the family were living, the business was obviously thriving: from Bute Town, to Canton, to (in the early 1900s) a 12 room mansion at 5 Beach Road, Penarth (Rose Mount) in the 1901 census.

His nephew Fredrick Speed was born in Shepton Mallet in 1846. The 1871 census records him living in Romilly Crescent, Cardiff, a lodger with a Julia Collett, i.e. JKC’s mother. He is a single man working as a carpenter. FS moved away from south Wales for a number of years, but in the mid 1880s his uncle enticed him back to exploit the potential for Penarth’s development after its connection to the Taff Vale Railway. More about FS in Part 2.

Amongst his many acts of philanthropy, JKC founded, substantially contributed funds and ran “The Children’s League of Peace and Goodwill”. As an adjunct to this, provided a sanctuary for adolescent girls who had migrated from the Valleys seeking work as domestic servants locally. There is some evidence that the League was eventually subsumed into The League of Nations which was being promoted contemporaneously by David Davies, 1st Baron Davies (1880 – 1944).

The firm of Collett, Whitefield & Co (Cardiff) Ltd is recorded in several trade directories of the era, viz;

  • 1866 City and County Directory – Grocer and Commission Agent – Hope Street
  • 1876 Mercer and Crocket’s Directory – Provision Merchant – Gladstone Street
  • 1880 / 81 Butcher’s Cardiff Directory – Provision Merchant – stalls 161,164,165 in The Central Market and 235 Bute Street.

 

An article in a June 1919 edition of “Commercial Motor” gives an indication of the scope of the business which reads in part:

They use a 13 year old 3 ton Lacre chain driven lorry. The vehicle is sometimes seen fully laden with Caerphilly cheese. The lorry covers up to 400 miles per week. It frequently travels to Barry up to 3 times a day. Also the company uses a Garner 30 cwt lorry for deliveries within Cardiff covering about 300 miles a week

He never forgot his west country roots. In the early 1900s JKC donated land in Shepton Mallett to create a park because he had not been allowed to play there as a child. That area is still known as “Collett Park” Closer to home on Penarth Beach he provided for a children’s Paddling Pool which remained in use until the late 1950s.

From this photograph provided by Penarth Library, it is apparent that he was well regarded locally. It shows JKC being presented with a picture and a testimonial which (in part) reads:

To John Kyte Collett on his 91st Birthday. Penarth UDC desire to offer you, a highly esteemed and distinguished resident of the Town. We are proud to have you as a fellow citizen

In the 1921 census the 85 year old JKC is living at 2 Plymouth Road, Penarth (Sun Rise). JKC died on 16th October 1933 and in his will he left effects to the value of £1,211 (about £150,000 today – the balance from the “millionaire status” surely having been used for funding his philanthropic ventures and in financing his nephew’s enterprise): indeed a life well lived!

Tony Hodge

Ol’ Man River

ARTICLES of GENERAL INTEREST

OL’ MAN RIVER

This story is set in 1938, just before the onset of war with Germany. Paul Robeson, a famous black singer and actor from America, visited Mountain Ash in the valleys and sang for the people who died in the Spanish Civil War. Rick was Mr. Robeson’s driver who brought him back from Mountain Ash.

“How long till we get to Cardiff Station?” asked Paul.

“We should be in Cardiff in about one hour, but your train won’t be arriving till five, so you have about a four hour wait.”

“That’s great” said Paul, “I can go and visit my friend for lunch in a village called Wenvoe.”

“Wilf Goodbody had lived in Wenvoe for around twenty years and had asked Paul if he had time to come to lunch in the local pub. Wilf was a director of the theatre in Cardiff and had met Paul on numerous occasions. When the car pulled up outside the pub, Wilf directed Paul to a room upstairs as the culture of the area and the time dictated, most people in Wenvoe had never seen or talked to a black person.

The two men had a great time in a snug upstairs of the Wenvoe Arms. Both men had a
lovely ploughman’s lunch and two pints of Scrumpy/Cider. They could hear the hustle and bustle of voices below them; it sounded like the pub was filling up. Paul looked out of the window onto the fields. It was a beautiful winter’s day in December, but it looked like a spring day over the village.

As Paul turned around to speak to Wilf, he heard singing rising from downstairs in the pub. Paul looked at Wilf as he heard “Men of Harlech” resonating through the floorboards. “I am sorry about that” said Wilf, “it’s the Barry Male Voice choir. They heard you might call in and would like to sing for you.”

The men went down the stairs towards the courtyard next to the First World War Memorial. There stood around thirty men, all dressed up in black tie suits finishing their song. There was a standup piano in the corner, and a big crowd gathered around the pub to listen to the choir. When the song was finished everybody clapped and the man on the piano came up to Paul. “Mr. Robeson, it would be our great pleasure to sing with you, if it’s possible?”

“Wilf” said Paul, “you are a scoundrel.”

“Ok” said Paul to the piano player, “do you know Ol’ Man River in C Major?”

“Yes” said the piano player “we were hoping you would say that.”

The next five minutes of music was fantastic, as Paul’s voice rode out into the village. At the end of the song everyone in the village seemed to be watching the free show. Paul shook each of the choir’s hands, gave Wilf a big hug, jumped into the car and headed towards Cardiff. As the crowd dissipated, Mrs. Jones said to Mrs. Thomas, “There’s lovely. You don’t see that in Wenvoe every day.”

What’s In A Name?

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WHAT’S IN A NAME?

A short time ago Rhun ap Iorwerth was elected as our new First Minister here in Wales. Since then, I have been surprised by the number of people who have contacted me asking me to translate and explain his name! As for explaining the meaning of a name, this is not always possible! How would you explain the meaning of ‘William Henry’ for example? Suffice to say that Rhun is an ancient name of Celtic origin – which predates the 5th Century and is known to have been the name of some of the Kings of Gwynedd. It also appears in ancient Welsh tales. It has no translatable meaning as such but is associated with such words as ‘mighty’, ‘ruler’, ‘great’ – entirely appropriate for someone in the position of First Minister!

It has surprised me that so many people have been perplexed by the full name! Surely people are aware of the Patronymic system of names – used before fixed surnames were introduced – where ‘son of’ is the means of identification. It is a system used in a great many countries. Here in Wales it had been used for centuries until a change to fixed surnames was forced on the population following, to a large extent, the Acts of Union in the 16th Century. The Welsh system used the connecting word ‘ap/ab’, derived from ‘mab’ (son). In time this pattern produced surnames such as Pritchard (ap Rhisiart), Puw / Pugh (ap Huw), Benion, Beynon (ap Einion), Bevan (ab Ifan / Efan), Bowen (ab Owain), Probert (ap Robert), Preece, Price (ap Rhys).

Our Celtic cousins in Ireland and Scotland use ‘Mac / Mc’ of course. And in England, the word ‘son’ itself was added to the father’s name – a system which has given us today surnames such as Johnson, Robertson, Davidson, Thom(p)son and so on.

To return to the name Rhun ap Iorwerth! Rhun’s father’s name is Edward, the Welsh equivalent of which is Iorwerth. Apparently when he and his wife came to register the baby, Rhun, the powers that be refused their request to register him as Rhun ap Iorwerth. They insisted on a surname – so the family surname, Jones, was added. But he doesn’t use it. I have known a number of people over the years who have chosen to keep the traditional Patronymic system – Myrddin ap Dafydd, Pwyll ap Siôn, Gwyn ap Gwilym, Gwilym ap Robert, and so on. And one of the greatest European poets of the 14th Century – and who happened to be Welsh – was named Dafydd ap Gwilym.

Pronunciation is no real problem. Rhun – ‘Reen’ is perfectly acceptable. But in order to sound authentically Welsh, it might be interesting to know that in Welsh the letter ‘Rh’ sounds slightly different from ‘R’. ‘R’ is well rolled and voiced, whereas ‘Rh’ is unvoiced, uttered with a release of breath. Iorwerth consists of two syllables ‘Ior – werth’. Take a tip from the Irish and Scots and roll your ‘Rs’.

So there we are – the name Rhun ap Iorwerth analysed, dissected and explained. All that remains is to welcome the new First Minister and to wish him well – ‘Croeso Rhun ap Iorwerth. Pob lwc!’

Ann M. Jones

 

How Savvy Are You When It Comes To Airport Security?

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HOW SAVVY ARE YOU WHEN IT COMES TO AIRPORT SECURITY?

With Summer on the way, many of us will be joyfully heading to the airport and jetting off for some much-needed R & R. That sunny beach or exciting travel destination will rightly be uppermost in our minds. Well, it would be, if we didn’t have to worry about the new European Entry/Exit system and whether there will be enough fuel for the plane! On top of all that travel experts are advising us to pay more attention to airport security. While most people travel without issues, it is a sobering thought that about £7 billion worth of luggage is lost every year! But don’t worry, there is a lot of excellent travel security advice out there these days and it includes sound tips related to the usual combination locks, padlocks and straps most of us purchase for our suitcases. Did you know for example, that thieves, dishonest airport staff or even fellow travellers can open and re-close your suitcase or bag in mere seconds using the simple biro trick? All you need do to open a zipped bag or case is to firmly press a biro into the zip, and you are in. What’s more you can easily zip it back up and everything looks the same as before. Now this is not to say that simple devices like locks are not useful…far from it. Most theft is opportunist, so the idea is to deter casual thieves.

Perhaps the most common lock these days is a TSA lock, either built into the baggage or purchased separately. You can tell a genuine TSA lock by its distinctive logo showing a red diamond. TSA locks began in the US and stands for ‘Transport Security Administration’. These locks have an override or special key used by customs officials to open a case if they need to check it. At the end of the day if customs want to open your case they will, even if they have to simply break the lock. Oh, and another downside, thieves can buy the override keys online!

A simple trick to increase the security of your luggage is to purchase inexpensive covers. There are hundreds to be found on Amazon, some displaying stylish designs. Perhaps though you might fancy one sporting a brightly coloured giraffe. At least a similar Gaudi inspired cover or colourful zip tie is easy to spot on the carousel and deters thieves who do not wish to be noticed.

Of course, when we reach our destination, we tend to fret about our suitcases appearing on the airport carousel. It is a fact that sometimes luggage is mishandled and appears lost, often leading to several days before it can be returned. Sadly, of course, baggage is also stolen. Most major airlines now offer airline baggage tracking tools through their smartphone apps. This feature allows you to know when your bag has been loaded onto the plane, transferred, or has arrived at your destination. For greater peace of mind, you can buy inexpensive tracking tags, which combined with an app on your phone tell you and airport staff exactly where your suitcase is. Finally, it can be a good idea to photograph the airline tag and maybe the contents inside your case.

Clearly anything valuable should be carried in your hand luggage. A useful tip is to add heavy items that fit into your hand luggage because airlines don’t weigh these bags, being more concerned with their size. If the worse happens and you lose your bag, follow up with airport staff immediately and be as detailed as possible when completing the airline’s lost baggage report. You can bet it’s going to be as much fun as a tax return! ‘

 

Airport security asked me if I’ve seen anything unusual…I just paid £18 for a coke and a ham sandwich…Let’s start with that.’

Hiking And Biking With Richard Trevithick Part 2

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HIKING AND BIKING WITH RICHARD TREVITHICK Part 2

Merthyr Tydfil, being naturally blessed with iron ore, limestone and trees to make charcoal (later to be replaced with actual coal) was one of the cradles of the Industrial Revolution in the mid 1700s. It was not, however, blessed with suitable transport links, in its early days, to export its products. In last month’s article I discussed the building of the canal and the “plateway” that eased that problem.

Today the track bed constructed for the plateway provides the route for the National Cycle Route 477 – the Trevithick Trail – as it runs independently from the Taff Trail (NCR 8) for some 6 miles from a point near Pont y Gwaith to Merthyr Tydfil. And for the sake of completeness I would briefly reiterate (long story short) that Richard Trevithick was a Cornish mechanical engineer, who in 1804, successfully converted an otherwise static high pressure steam engine into a locomotive capable of hauling a 10 tonne load along the otherwise horse powered tramway from Penydarren to Abercynon, and thereby winning a 500 guinea wager for its promoter (namely Samuel Homfray).

The image above shows two adjacent stone sleepers with the chiselled recesses to accommodate the fixings that constrained the L shaped “plates” for the 4 foot 2 inches gauge “plateway”

In passing I would introduce you to the Grade II Listed Pont y Gwaith (Bridge of the Works). This hump back bridge spans the River Taff near to the works in question. These were the very first iron smelting works in the area and date from the 1580s.

Pont-y-Gwaith

Near that bridge the Trevithick Trail parts company with the Taff Trail and runs along the east bank of the River Taff. It passes through the settlements of Merthyr Vale, Troedyrhiw and Pentrebach before terminating near the Merthyr Tydfil railway station.

At Merthyr Vale an information board reveals that in the now green valley below was situated the Merthyr Vale colliery which began producing coal in 1875, after the six years it took to sink the two mine shafts. In the 1890s over 2000 people were employed with those underground working at a depth of some 550 feet. As with other mines in the vicinity, it was seriously affected by the miners’ strikes of the 1980s after which it never fully recovered and the pit was closed in 1989.

Troedyrhiw can best be described as a typical valleys town that in its heyday housed the families of hundreds of locally employed miners. It was notable in that there were three soccer teams – no fewer than seven of its players achieved fame in their day by going on to play for league teams in England and in two cases for Wales.

The Trail then passes to the north east side of Pentrebach and looks down on the village and much industrial, business and leisure development. It then crosses the A4060 dual carriageway on a spectacular cable stayed footbridge cum cycle way. This bridge carries two large panels which depict a stylisation of Trevithick’s locomotive.

Footbridge-cum-cycleway at Pentrebach which carries the Trevithick Trail over the A4060 on its final leg into Merthyr Tydfil.

From this point, most of the actual line of the original “plateway” to the Pen y Darren ironworks is lost to subsequent developments. But what is now described as the Trevithick Trail continues for a further mile and a half to finish at Merthyr Tydfil train station.

 

Tony Hodge

Typical British Weather – A Myth Or Reality?

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TYPICAL BRITISH WEATHER
– A MYTH OR REALITY?

This piece for Wenvoe What’s On is being written on a glorious sunny day in April, but we wonder how long it will last. The phrase “typical British weather” is so familiar that it has become almost meaningless. It usually brings to mind grey skies, light drizzle, and a general sense of dampness that never quite goes away. But in spring, this label becomes far more complicated. One moment, the sun is shining brightly, and the next, you are caught in a sudden downpour without an umbrella. This raises an interesting question: is British weather truly predictable in its unpredictability, or is the stereotype exaggerated?

Spring, which lasts until June in the UK, is perhaps the best example of weather inconsistency. Unlike winter, which is reliably cold, or summer, which at least aims for warmth, spring seems unable to make up its mind. A single day in May can contain sunshine, rain, wind, and even the occasional hailstorm. This constant changeability is why many people joke about experiencing “four seasons in one day.” You can be sure, however, that on any sunny day in May Pugh’s Garden Centre will be under siege.

Part of this unpredictability comes from the UK’s geographical position. Sitting between the Atlantic Ocean and mainland Europe, the country is influenced by multiple weather systems. Warm air can drift up from the south, while cooler, wetter air arrives from the west. When these systems collide, the result is rapid and often unexpected changes in weather conditions. This helps explain why forecasts can sometimes feel unreliable, even with modern technology.

However, the phrase “typical British weather” is not entirely false. Rain plays a significant role in the UK’s climate, particularly in the west, where cities like Cardiff are known for frequent rainfall, especially during spring, as the Atlantic brings wet weather in from the West. Yet, what people often overlook is the variety within this pattern. British rain is rarely extreme; it is more often light, steady, and short-lived. It is not the dramatic storms seen in other parts of the world, but rather a persistent drizzle that can come and go throughout the day.

Interestingly, spring also brings some of the most pleasant weather of the year. As temperatures rise and daylight hours lengthen, there are moments of genuine warmth and brightness. Parks fill with people, Wenvoe orchid field flourishes, and there is a noticeable lift in mood. These sunny intervals, however, are often brief, which makes them feel more valuable. The contrast between rain and sunshine is what gives spring in Wales its unique character.

Humour plays a big role in how people perceive the weather. Complaining about it is almost a national pastime, and it often serves as a form of small talk. People often greet each other with a phrase like “lovely day today”, and the unpredictability becomes something to laugh about rather than just endure.

In conclusion, “typical British weather” is both a myth and a reality. While the constant rain and gloom are somewhat exaggerated, the unpredictability is very real, especially in spring. It is this ever-changing nature that defines the British climate more than anything else. Rather than being dull or monotonous, the weather is dynamic and, at times, surprisingly enjoyable. Perhaps the stereotype endures because, in its own chaotic way, it captures something true: in Britain, you should always be prepared for anything.

 

Come Home to Rest

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COME HOME TO REST

I was a young boy about ten years old, and I had come from my home in Wenvoe to meet my parents at St Mary’s Church. They had gone to the ten o’ clock service. I wasn’t feeling too good that day, so had stayed home.

I arrived at the small park between the Wenvoe Arms and the church and saw a man sitting by the monument. The man was dressed in a brownish green uniform with a coat to match. It was full of mud; the man’s face and hands were covered in dark smears too. He had a peaked hat and a long rifle lying next to him on the ground. His boots, which were also dirty, seemed to be like hobnail boots that workmen wear. Across the man’s face there was a bandage that went around the top of his head covering his left ear. This was also dirty.

“Hello” I said, “are you waiting for someone?” “Yes”, said the man, “I am waiting for my Mam and Dad to come out of church. They always go to the ten o’clock service.” “Who are you?” asked the man. “My name is Julian” I said, “but my friends call me Jules.” The man turned round to me and said, “My name is Terrence Gormley, but my friends call me Terry.” He looked about twenty years old and when he shook my hand it felt cold and wet.

“Do you live in the village” I asked. Terry looked at me and said, “My Dad works on the estate in the village, and we live in one of their cottages. I have just come back from fighting at the Front in a place called the Somme.” “Where’s that?” I asked. “It’s in France” he said. “What’s your gun called?” I asked. “It’s a Lee Enfield rifle” he said.

“How come you went to war” I asked. Terry said “A few of us from the village joined the Welsh Regiment in 1915. I got hit and was sent home to rest. I got the boat to Dover, caught a train to Cardiff, then a milkman gave me a lift to Wenvoe on his cart.” “Where did you get hit?” I asked. Terry pointed to his ear which was covered by the bandage. “I guess I was just lucky” he said. “Oh, by the way” said Terry, “what’s the date today?” I looked at my watch. “It’s 11th November.”

“Well, I guess I might walk up to the church to meet my parents” I said. “I’ll just wait here to meet mine” said Terry, “and I might catch a glimpse of my girlfriend Nelly, if she has gone to church.” As I walked up to the church, the bells began to chime, and I saw my parents coming out. I ran to meet them, and they asked if I was feeling ok now.

I told my parents what had happened to me in the last half hour. They looked concerned and asked me if I could take them to where I met Terry. When we arrived, my dad said “This is the First World War memorial to the fallen servicemen from Wenvoe.” There was no-one at the memorial, but my dad asked me to repeat the name again of the person I had talked to. “Terrance Gormley,” I said. My Dad looked at the fallen names from the village and found a T. Gormley on one of the stones.

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