Category: Readers Articles of Interest

The Role of a Funeral Celebrant – Sally Milliner

ARTICLES of GENERAL INTEREST

THE ROLE OF A FUNERAL CELEBRANT – SALLY MILLINER

When I say I am a funeral celebrant, there are still a few people who say, “what does that mean?”

When a person dies, a funeral ceremony is the final gift a family can offer their loved one. The type of ceremony, the venue, and the person who leads it all depend on what the family feels is right and having regard to whether the person who has died held particular religious beliefs or would have wanted certain rituals included.

Traditional funerals are usually led by religious figures -priests, ministers, vicars, imams, rabbis – who follow the customs and structure of their faith while offering spiritual guidance. For someone who was active in their faith community, this is often the most natural and comforting choice by the family, as it honours their loved one’s beliefs and the way they lived.

Alternatively, a humanist celebrant, whilst creating very personal and story-led ceremonies, will not incorporate religious language, hymns, prayers or rituals under any circumstances.

A funeral celebrant, on the other hand, is a trained professional who creates bespoke, warm ceremonies tailored to the family’s wishes, regardless of their beliefs. As such, the focus of a funeral celebrant is on the individual – their life, personality, values, and the legacy they leave behind which can be either non-religious or gently spiritual.

Families have complete freedom to shape the ceremony, and religious elements such as hymns or prayers can be included if they feel right. This makes a celebrant-led funeral ideal for someone who wasn’t religious, or for families who want a blend of personal storytelling with a gentle sense of spiritual belief. For many families, this can feel especially comforting when their loved one held spiritual beliefs, but their connection to formal religion had become quieter or more private over time.

The heart of a celebrant-led funeral, therefore, is creating a farewell that truly reflects the person who has died. It’s not just a formal goodbye, but a celebration of life.

A funeral celebrant will spend time with the family, listening to memories, discussing music, readings, and the tone they want to set, such as whether some gentle humour is welcome during the service. Families can discuss such things as a dress code or colour, a photographic tribute to be played, placing flowers on the coffin during reflection time – nothing is off limits to chat through.

No family wants a cookie cutter approach to the ceremony, so a skilled funeral celebrant will craft something unique – warm, dignified, and personal to the loved one. For example, at my mum’s funeral, everyone wore pearls or a touch of sparkle – a small detail that felt beautifully personal to her.

Some funeral celebrants have an additional talent to offer writing a bespoke poem to capture the essence of the person being honoured, if this is something the family may find a comfort.

A common misconception is that funeral celebrants only work in crematoriums, but they also lead graveside services, interments, and memorial ceremonies held at any location the family chooses to share memories of their loved one. These can take place after a direct cremation or on meaningful dates such as anniversaries.

It is also important to know that you are not obliged to use the celebrant recommended by your funeral director. If you have someone in mind – perhaps someone you already know or who led a funeral you have attended – you are free to choose them if you wish. Whoever you select will work closely with your funeral director to ensure everything runs smoothly, allowing you to focus on remembering your loved one.

A funeral is one of the most meaningful moments a family will ever plan, and the person who leads it plays a vital role. Whether you choose a religious leader, a humanist celebrant, or a funeral celebrant, what matters most is finding someone who will honour your loved one’s wishes and their story with sincerity, compassion, and respect, providing you with support at a difficult and emotional time.

A well-crafted funeral ceremony becomes a lasting memory – one that reflects not just a life that has ended but is a celebration of life for someone that was deeply loved.

 

 

The Wenvoe Transmitting Station As It Is Officially Called

ARTICLES of GENERAL INTEREST

THE WENVOE MAST – OR THE WENVOE TRANSMITTING STATION
AS IT IS OFFICIALLY CALLED

For generations of people living in South Wales, the Wenvoe Transmitting Station has been far more than a broadcasting mast. Rising high above the countryside west of Cardiff, it has become a familiar point of reference, a navigational aid, and even the subject of local folklore. Visible from much of the Vale of Glamorgan, Cardiff, Newport and, on a clear day, from across the Bristol Channel, the mast has quietly watched over the region since television first arrived in Welsh homes.

The site was chosen in the late 1940’s because the ridge above Wenvoe provided one of the best natural locations for broadcasting. Construction began in the early 1950s, with teams of engineers assembling hundreds of tonnes of steel into a lattice mast held upright by massive guy wires. When it entered service in August 1952, the transmitter brought BBC television to thousands of homes that had previously received weak or no television signal. Families often gathered around newly purchased television sets, amazed that live pictures could travel through the air from London and Cardiff.

As commercial television expanded, Wenvoe also carried ITV services, later followed by BBC Two, S4C, FM radio and eventually digital television. The original mast served faithfully for more than thirty years before being replaced by the present structure in 1986. The changeover was carried out with remarkable precision so that viewers experienced little interruption to their television service. It is owned and operated by Arqiva. The site serves an estimated 1.3m listeners across Wales and 1.5m listeners in the Southwest of England.

Beyond its engineering importance, the mast has generated countless local stories. One of the most familiar sayings among residents is, “If you can’t see the mast, it’s raining; if you can see it clearly, it’s going to rain soon.”

The mast has also become a favourite landmark for walkers crossing the Vale of Glamorgan. Whether exploring the Valeways footpaths near Wenvoe, walking from St Lythans to the Tinkinswood burial chamber, or following routes towards the Ely Valley, the slender structure provides a constant point of orientation.

The transmitter has also played a part in aviation. Because it stands more than 260 metres high on elevated ground, flashing warning lights guide aircraft at night and during poor weather. Pilots approaching Cardiff Airport have long recognised the mast as a prominent visual landmark, while residents often notice its red lights glowing steadily after sunset.

During severe winter storms, many people have wondered how the mast survives such fierce winds. In fact, the structure is designed to move slightly. On particularly windy days, the top of the mast can sway by a surprising distance without causing damage. This controlled flexibility is an important part of its engineering and allows it to withstand the worst Atlantic weather.

As this article was being written in August 2026, it was reported that as more viewers use digital sources, such as SKY, to watch TV, the need for masts is declining. So, the Wenvoe Transmitter, which serves around 500,000 households across South Wales, could be switched off in 2034 under proposals to shut down aerial TV, effectively ending Freeview services. However, a new report by the National Preparedness Commission warns that such a move could leave the UK exposed during major cyber-attacks, power outages, or other national emergencies. We look forward to hearing more about the future of the iconic Wenvoe mast.

The Italian Cafes of South Wales

ARTICLES of GENERAL INTEREST

THE ITALIAN CAFES OF SOUTH WALES

In my last article I discussed how the local Silure tribe attempted to hold out against Imperial Rome’s invasion of south Wales. This month’s article is about another Italian “invasion”. The Italian cafés of south Wales represent one of the most remarkable examples of cultural integration in British social history. Established by Italian immigrants from the late nineteenth century onwards, these cafés became an essential feature of life in the mining valleys. They provided food, refreshment, warmth and companionship to mining communities while introducing elements of Italian culture that would become firmly embedded in Welsh society.

The story begins during the coal boom of the late Victorian era which attracted workers from across Britain and Europe including the future café owners who mostly came from the town of Bardi in northern Italy.

Among the earliest and most influential pioneers was Giacomo Bracchi. Arriving in Wales circa 1880s, he established one of the first successful Italian cafés in the Rhondda Valley. His business prospered so greatly that his surname entered local vocabulary. Welsh people began referring to any Italian café simply as a “Bracchi,” regardless of who owned it. Of course, other names were available, amongst which were – Sidoli, Ferrari, Servini, Carpanini, Luporini, Pino, Conti, Orsi, Gambarini and not forgetting the Zeraschi family whose descendant is the Marco on Barry Island of Gavin and Stacey fame!

The Bracchi cafés, let’s call them all that, were much more than coffee shops. They sold tea, coffee, hot chocolate, ice cream, confectionery, sandwiches, fish and chips, pies and light meals. Before espresso machines became common, many cafés served simple hot drinks alongside homemade cakes and sweets. They also became famous for their ice cream, introducing many Welsh children to an entirely new treat. During summer months, Italian families often sold ice cream from bicycles and handcarts, making frozen desserts a familiar part of everyday life in the valleys.

The social importance of these cafés cannot be overstated. Coal mining was dangerous, physically exhausting work. Miners sought places where they could relax after long shifts underground. The Bracchis offered warm, clean, welcoming environments where families, friends and workmates could meet. Importantly, they provided a respectable, non-alcoholic alternative to public houses. This became especially significant because Welsh Sunday closing laws restricted pub opening, while Italian cafés often remained popular gathering places. They became centres of conversation, community life and local identity.

Many cafés developed into successful family businesses that lasted for generations. New arrivals from Italy frequently joined relatives already established in Wales, creating close-knit family enterprises that combined Italian traditions with Welsh community life. Children of these families often regarded themselves as proudly both Welsh and Italian, contributing significantly to the cultural diversity of the region.

 

By the outbreak of the Second World War, there were hundreds of Italian cafés operating across south Wales. Nearly every mining town possessed at least one Bracchi, and larger towns often supported several. These cafés became landmarks within communities, remembered not only for their food but also for their distinctive marble tables, polished counters, mirrors and elegant coffee machines. They represented a touch of continental Europe in the heart of Britain’s industrial landscape.

But in talking of that war, there is a darker side to the story. To the British authorities, the men were considered to be enemy aliens and as such many were interned for the duration in camps on the Isle of Man and further afield. We must remember the SS Arandora Star that was sunk by U Boat action on July 2nd 1940 with a loss of 805 lives including 440 Italians who were being deported to Canada.

The post-war decline of coal mining and changing social habits inevitably affected the Bracchis. What had once been numbered in the hundreds gradually declined to only a small fraction of their former presence, examples of which are Viazzani’s Station Café, Merthyr Tydfil; The Princes, Pontypridd and Cosy Café, Treorchy. And not forgetting the delightful re-creation of a bygone Bracchi in the Rhondda Heritage Park established as a tribute to the Italian families who shaped the valleys’ café culture.

Above: A traditional coffee machine, one like this is still in use in Prince’s Café, Pontypridd giving the venue a touch of authenticity.

Tony Hodge

The White House

ARTICLES of GENERAL INTEREST

THE WHITE HOUSE

I was born in Wenvoe back in 1958 and went to the local school. I had a bunch of friends in the village who I used to hang around with. We used to run around the village and thought we knew every building and house around.

At the end of Walston Road going west towards the woods, there was a road that led to the Quarry and was big enough for vehicles to go through. I think I was about seven when my friends and I found a house that we had never noticed before. It was about two hundred yards into the lane and was situated on the left going towards the quarry.

It was a big White House with grass on both sides of the house. It had two windows at the bottom and top of the house, so I presumed it was the same at the back. The house looked spotless from top to bottom, like somebody had just placed it there. We never saw anybody go into the house or come out.

In September, when the school year started again, we went to our new seats in the village school classroom. Mrs Pritchard, the new schoolteacher, greeted us as we came into the class.

Then Mrs Pritchard brought a small girl into the classroom. “Class” she said “this is Gwenllian, she has moved down to Wenvoe from a place called Corwen in North Wales and doesn’t speak much English. Her Dad works for the BBC and has come down to work at the Llandaff studios for a while.”

A little girl appeared in the classroom, she had long black hair and wore a black dress with white stockings, she looked very ethereal with what looked like translucent skin. “Say hello to the class Gwenllian”, said Mrs Pitchard. “Hello” said Gwenllian in a very guttural Welsh voice.

Over the next few months Gwenllian made friends with our little gang as we toured the lanes and fields of Wenvoe village.

We found out that Gwenllian had moved into the White House, but we never got an invite to look around. As Gwenllian got better at speaking English, she told us about how her mother had passed away when she was little and that her dad had bought her up.

She told us that she was an ancestor of Owain Glyndwr a famous Welsh leader and military commander of Wales in the thirteenth to fourteenth centuries. He was the last self-proclaimed Welsh Prince of Wales. One day Gwenllian came to our group to say she would be leaving soon. She said her Dad who was a Druid, had been called back to Corwen and they would have to leave soon as his business with the BBC had come to an end.

Gwenllian said “Our Draig would take care of our house.” We never saw Gwenllian at our school again and as the days went on towards winter, our parents told us of a fire up by the quarry. Our little gang went up to where the fire was. It was Gwenllian’s house; the White House had gone up in flames. The Fire Chief shook his head and said to one of his Firemen

“I don’t get it. It’s like someone has sprayed fire onto the house from above, the way it’s burned.”

When the flames had died down and people had gone away, the gang and I looked around the remains of the White House. We went around the back of the house towards the garden. There seemed to be a big indent on the grass like a very large animal had been lying there.

Up in the sky I could hear a flapping sound like large wings flying off. As we grew older, we forgot about Gwenllian; the White House fell into ruins and eventually the trees and bushes covered whatever traces were left of it.

 

 

The Grange And The Part It Played In Wenvoe’s Past

ARTICLES of GENERAL INTEREST

TELLING THE STORY OF THE GRANGEAND THE PART IT PLAYED IN WENVOE’S PAST

I’d like to give an update on progress for an information panel in Wenvoe. Last month I wrote to the Vale of Glamorgan Council on behalf of Gwenfo Gynt, the Wenvoe History Group, regarding permission to install a heritage information panel at the Grange Park and Playing Fields in Wenvoe. I explained that the purpose of the panel would be to interpret and celebrate the history of the site and its significance within the wider history of Wenvoe. In particular, it would tell the story of The Grange, the house that once stood on the land now occupied by the playing fields and neighbouring residential development.

The panel would outline the history of The Grange and its owner, William Nell, a prominent local brewer and businessman, his family and their connection to Wenvoe. The subsequent uses of the house before its eventual demolition and the redevelopment of the site to create the Grange Park and the surrounding homes that exist today being part of that story.

I’m pleased to say also that the project has been supported by the local community, in particular, Nicola Starke, Head of Wenvoe Primary School (situated opposite the Grange) who is fully supportive of the proposal and sees it as a valuable educational opportunity. The school is keen for pupils to become actively involved in the project, contributing artwork, illustrations and elements of the written content for the panel. This involvement would help foster a greater understanding of local heritage and encourage children to take pride in the history of their community.

I also talked this through with Councillor Russell Godfrey (Ward Gwenfo) who recognises the value of preserving and sharing the history of this important local site to a wider audience and fully supports this initiative.

So just waiting on the Vale to take this forward!

Stephen K. Jones

Gwenfo Gynt, the Wenvoe History Group

 

 

The Blackened Oak Tree

ARTICLES of GENERAL INTEREST

THE BLACKENED OAK TREE

1882
The sky went dark over the area. In the small village of Wenvoe near Cardiff, people took to their homes as a great storm was coming in from the west. At the east end of the village, towards Cardiff, was a field in which stood a large oak tree reaching one hundred and thirty feet high. The tree was around four hundred years old and stood dead centre of the field. Thunder and lightning began to hit the area. A bolt of lightning hit the oak tree, splitting it and setting fire to the tree.
The rain came down hard on the oak, putting out the fire. It was covered in soot and had been reduced to twenty feet high. As the storm moved away, something moved in a crack at the bottom of the tree and disappeared into it. A small plume of smoke came out of the top of the Blackened Oak Tree.

1943
The Wenvoe Women’s WRVS Choir Committee meeting was underway in the school hall. Doris Davies was the chairwoman, leader of the choir of fifteen women and my Mam. I was watching from the corner of the hall. I was seven years old. My name is Doreen. I would take over the choir in the early sixties when it would change its name to the Wenvoe Women’s Choir.
“Right” said Doris, “we will have a space at the Wenvoe Summer Fete in one weeks’ time to sing one song – any suggestions?”
Mrs Howarth, who was the doctor’s wife, suggested a song. “How about Greensleeves? That’s always a popular song and the choir already know it.”
Everybody in the choir nodded their heads including Doris, who thought it was a good choice.
“Right” said Doris, “we will meet in two days’ time to practice the song before preforming at the fete.”
It’s up to the WRVS to arrange the seats and food and drinks at the field of the burned-out oak. The oak tree had been burned out since the end of the nineteenth century. The field had always been nutritious and a great grower of crops. The owner of the field had been told never to take out the old, burned oak tree as it contained magical qualities. Little children from the village had always played there for years since the incident of the thunderstorm, saying there was a fairy living in the tree. This used to make their parents laugh.
Nearly all the men from the village had joined the war effort and the men who were left, worked on the land. A couple of days before the fete, I was playing with my friends in the burned-out field. Billy a lad from the village, about six years old and from a poor family in the village, had rickets in his legs and had come to the field to see the other children play. He sat with his back to the tree and laughed at the other children playing. Suddenly the sky went very dark and a blinding light came from the bottom of the tree.
A beam of light touched Billy’s legs and he cried out. The light disappeared and the sky was bright again. Billy slowly stood up and shouted, “I feel better.” Billy then began running around the tree shouting “I feel better” several times. Then he ran out of the field and down to his house in the village. The rest of the children in the field didn’t seem to notice what had happened. I felt I was the only one who saw it. Billy’s rickets never returned, and he went on to live a long and happy life.
The fete went off without a hitch with the choir singing ‘Greensleeves’ at the end of the show.

2010
Bernice Watkins was the choir’s new leader since 1988. Her mother was one of the Windrush generation and had come to Cardiff from Jamaica in the 1950s. She was a nurse at Llandough hospital and married Ronnie Watkins, a young copper from Grangetown. They moved to Wenvoe in the seventies.
The choir met in the new community centre for their weekly meeting. “I’ve chosen a song for the annual Wenvoe fete in the burned oak field. It’s going to be Home in the Meadow from the movie, How the West Was Won.”
“We have two weeks to learn the song”, said Bernice.”
The choir consisted of around twenty women from the village. Doreen would co-ordinate the seating from the hall to the field. I was now seventy-five years old and still a member of the choir. I had handed the reins over to Bernice back in the early nineties. I was still fit and was able to do the small tasks that were given me.
The day of the fete came quickly; it was a beautiful sunny summer’s day in the village. All the seats and food stalls where prepared in the field. The small stage was set-up next to the old oak tree in the middle of the field. All the people who did their acts came on and did well.
The choir was the last act to go on. They started their song. In the corner of her eye Doreen could see a light come up from the bottom of the tree and a glimmer around the choir. Then, the old choir from the 1940s appeared at the back of the new choir. One choir sang the new song, and the old choir sang Greensleeves. It’s what the people called a mash-up of voices. I was sitting in the front row of the crowd and a bright light shot out of the tree and landed next to me. A voice said to me from the light “It’s time to go now Doreen.” I closed my eyes and fell into a beautiful sleep. The song finished and everybody was clapping. Everyone got up to walk back down to the village. Bernice came over to the seats, “Come on Doreen wake up, it’s all finished now. Doreen! Doreen! Oh no – someone call an ambulance.”

 

 

How The Silurian Tribe Of South Wales Took On The Romans

ARTICLES of GENERAL INTEREST

HOW THE SILURIAN TRIBE OF SOUTH WALES TOOK ON THE ROMANS

A Struggle for Dominance The Roman invasion of Britain in 43 AD marked the beginning of a series of campaigns that would extend Roman control over the island. Among the fiercest opponents the Romans encountered were the Silurians, a tribe inhabiting what is now South Wales. Their resistance was marked by a series of battles that epitomised the struggle between the Roman Empire and the native tribes of Britain.

The Silures: A Brief Introduction The Silures were a Celtic tribe known for their warrior culture and staunch independence. They occupied the region that includes modern-day Glamorgan and Monmouthshire. The tribe was characterised by its fierce resistance to any form of domination, and their territory was known for its rugged terrain, which provided natural fortifications against invaders.

Early Encounters and Initial Resistance The initial encounters between the Romans and the Silures were marked by hostility and violent skirmishes. The Silures, under the leadership of their chieftains, adopted guerrilla tactics, utilising their knowledge of the local terrain to launch surprise attacks on Roman forces. The dense forests and mountainous regions provided ideal conditions for these hit-and-run tactics, frustrating the Roman legions and impeding their progress.

The Campaigns of Ostorius Scapula By 47 AD, the Roman governor of Britain, Ostorius Scapula, recognised the need to subdue the Silures to secure the western frontier of the Roman province. Ostorius launched a series of campaigns aimed at breaking the resistance of the Silures. He initiated the construction of forts and defensive structures to protect Roman territories from Silurian raids. Despite these measures, the Silures continued their resistance with relentless ferocity. Historical accounts suggest that Ostorius faced significant challenges in his efforts to defeat the Silures, who remained defiant and unyielding. The death of Ostorius around 52 AD marked a temporary respite for the Silures, who continued to resist subsequent Roman governors with equal determination.

The Role of Caratacus A pivotal figure in the resistance against the Romans was Caratacus, a chieftain of the Catuvellauni tribe from south east Britain, who had fled to the Silures after his defeat by the Romans. Caratacus became a symbol of resistance and united various tribes in their struggle against the Roman invaders. His presence among the Silures bolstered their resolve and provided them with a strategic leader capable of coordinating their efforts. Caratacus’s large-scale organizing leadership was instrumental in attacks on Roman fortifications and supply lines. His ability to inspire and unite the tribes made him a formidable opponent for the Romans. However, his eventual capture in 51 AD and subsequent display in Rome as a prisoner of war marked a turning point in the resistance, although it did not signify the end of Silurian defiance.

The Continued Resistance and Final Subjugation The Silures continued their resistance even after the capture of Caratacus. The Roman governor Publius Ostorius Scapula’s successors faced persistent challenges in their efforts to pacify the region. The construction of additional forts and the deployment of more legions were necessary to maintain a semblance of control. It was during the governorship of Sextus Julius Frontinus in the late 70s AD that significant strides were made in subduing the Silurians. Frontinus employed a combination of military force and strategic diplomacy to weaken the Silurian resistance. He established a network of roads and forts to facilitate the movement of Roman troops and supplies, effectively cutting off the Silures from their sources of support. The decisive battle that led to the final subjugation of the Silures occurred around 78 AD. The details of this battle remain unclear, but it is believed that the superior organisation and discipline of the Roman legions ultimately overwhelmed the Silurians. The defeat marked the end of organised resistance in the region, paving the way for the establishment of Roman rule.

Legacy and Impact The Roman conquest of the Silures had a profound impact on the region. The establishment of Roman forts and settlements brought about significant changes in the social and economic structures of South Wales. The Romanisation of the area included the introduction of new agricultural practices, trade networks, and infrastructure development. However, the legacy of the Silurian resistance endured. The stories of their defiance became part of the cultural memory of the region, symbolising the struggle for freedom against a powerful empire. The rugged landscape that once served as a battleground for the Silure is now dotted with remnants of Roman forts and roads, serving as a testament to the tumultuous history of Roman-Silurian conflicts.

Conclusion The battles between the Romans and the Silures in South Wales represent a significant chapter in the history of Roman Britain. The fierce resistance of the Silures, despite the might of the Roman Empire, exemplifies the enduring spirit of the native tribes. While the Roman conquest ultimately succeeded, the legacy of the Silurian resistance continues to be remembered as a symbol of courage and determination in the face of overwhelming odds.

Main references “Searching for the Silures” by Ray Howell & Wikipedi

 

Tony Hodge

People’s Emergency Briefing

ARTICLES of GENERAL INTEREST

PEOPLE’S EMERGENCY BRIEFING

I recently attended a showing of this UK documentary film on climate change put on by Climate Cymru. Hosted by the naturalist Chris Packham, it features leading UK scientists and experts discussing how the environmental crisis impacts everyday life. It emphasises that the position is shifting fast and the threats that it brings have wide ranging implications. For this reason, they say that action on the subject is vital at this time, but many people are unclear on what actions to take. They are calling for a government emergency TV briefing.

The areas they covered in the main were:

Weather events: these events are changing faster than climate models have predicted and contributed to flooding, extreme heat, fires, loss of usable land mass and negative impacts on food and water security.

Public Health: issues such as increasing air pollution, changes in food availability and cost, changes in disposable income and increases in illness rates, both physical and mental, are affecting the health of the nation and can strain the resources of the NHS.

National Security: global instability and migration of people, potential food shortages, conflict over resources and ecosystem damage threatens UK stability. Also, extreme events that may require help from the Armed Forces such as flood prevention all stress the system.

The natural world: the systems that support our climate are breaking down and the resulting effects of pollution, levels of carbon capture and release and the impacts on soils and water quantity and quality are serious.

Economics: the economics of continuing with fossil fuels and non-green energy systems do not stack up. The cost savings of going green are clear in the immediate term and in the long term.

The overall message that we took away from the evening was that as things stand, we cannot afford to do nothing. It may be that everything we need to make the necessary changes, the research, the expertise, the technological solutions and the finances are all available. The question is, why are they not being actioned?

If anyone is interested, the www.nebriefing.org/peb website can provide more information.

 

Sue Hoddell

She Threw Herself Off The Hollywood Sign

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McCONKEY’S CHIMES AND THE ACTRESS WHO THREW HERSELF OFF THE HOLLYWOOD SIGN

Ring the bell at the McConkey residence in Greave Close and you’ll hear the familiar refrain of ‘Davy, Davy Crockett’ from Bill Hayes’s 1956 hit ‘The Ballad of Davy Crockett’. Brian McConkey, an accomplished local musician himself, has always loved the song which featured in the Disneyland miniseries released in 1954. Walt Disney Productions launched a massive marketing campaign in the UK in 1955 to publicise the film Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier and to make British youth “Crockett conscious”. Brian and thousands of other baby boomers were hooked.

Brian’s interest in links with America stretches to his Scottish family history, which includes a significant story of McConkey emigration there. One of the earliest documented arrivals was Samuel McConkey (originally Machanochie in Scotland). He emigrated from Dumfries, Scotland in 1750 with his three sons. Samuel McConkey gained historical prominence by owning McConkey’s Ferry Inn in Upper Makefield Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. This site is historically famous as the place General George Washington crossed the Delaware River on Christmas night in 1776, paving the way for ultimate American victory in the Revolutionary War.

Welsh influence across the pond has been significant. While Davy Crockett was one of the defenders killed at the Alamo in 1836, according to Bill Groneman’s 1990 book, Alamo Defenders, one of the others who perished there was the Welshman Lewis Johnson. Interestingly there is a small hamlet in Navarro County Texas called Barry, one of four in the USA, while ten different states have a place called Cardiff. Welsh influence stretches back to folklore tales that Prince Madoc discovered America when he sailed across the Atlantic in 1170, well before Columbus did so in 1492. At least 16 of the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence were of Welsh descent, including William Floyd and Francis Lewis. Eight of America’s Presidents are also known to have had Welsh roots, including Abraham Lincoln whose great-great-grandfather, John Morris, was a farmer near Conwy.

Wales of course, has had its fair share of cultural influences across the Atlantic. Dylan Thomas, who died in New York on 9th November 1953, is still celebrated by literary societies there today. Actress Bette Davis had Welsh family, and hosting a press conference in Cardiff in 1975, she talked about her roots there and said goodbye to her guests with a glowing ‘nos da’. Interestingly she always claimed that her inspiration was a young Welsh actress originally born in Port Talbot, called Peg Entwhistle. Perhaps her story inspired Anthony Hopkins and Michael Sheen, both with a high profile in the US and also from the town.

Peg Entwhistle was born Millicent Lilian Entwistle in February 1908. Peg’s parents emigrated to America when she was young. Peg’s acting talent led her to success on stage, eventually on Broadway, performing in ten plays, one of which ran for 232 performances. She followed that with a stint in Los Angeles, during which she starred with Humphrey Bogarde in ‘Mad House’. Her time in Los Angeles led to her one film role as a supporting actress in ‘13 Women’. Sadly, this was not released until a month after her death on 18th September 1932. It’s not clear exactly why she famously threw herself off the ‘H’ on the Hollywood sign. She was not forgotten though. Half a dozen songs including Lana Del Rey’s song ‘Lust for Life’ and even a musical Goodnight September, have referenced her life and tragic end.

One imagines Welsh influences in the United States will remain significant. Perhaps some Americans have even matched the McConkeys and have a doorbell chime based on tunes by Tom Jones, Shirley Bassey, Bonnie Tyler or the Manic Street Preachers.

Two Entrepreneurs Who Made Penarth Their Home (Part 2)

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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

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