Llandeilo - Concise History pt.8

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Concise History of Llandeilo - Part 8

from Llandeilo

by Eirwen Jones, 1984

The stone bridge

The fine one-arched bridge over the River Towy was built in 1848. It was regarded as one of the Wonders of Wales. Planned by a local stone-mason-architect, it was built of local stone by local craftsmen.

A bridge had existed near the site before. This was a wooden one standing lower down towards the Moreb. One record states that the Towy Bridge had four narrow stone arches. These were swept away in 1750 by tree trunks brought down river by floods and by ice.

Before 1797 a ferry boat plied across the river at a charge of 1/2d per crossing. A dispute concerning the charges for workmen living in Ffairfach hastened forward plans for building the stone bridge.

- Pont o drigain troedfedd o uchelder, a chant a phump a deugain o led, a phob carreg ynddi wedi ei chymwys gydgysyiltu.

- A Bridge of sixty feet high and a hundred and forty five feet wide and every stone intricately interwoven with each other.

The bridge built in 1848 was 365 feet in length with a central span over the river of 145 feet. It cost £22,000 to build. The work was carried out by Morgan Morgan of Cwmamman to the design of William Williams of Llandeilo who established a stone-mason's business in the town. He is described as "a man modest and unassuming, yet possessing a mind of enormous calibre." The bridge in its stateliness and grandeur is a lasting monument to his genius.

There are sad stories concerning the old bridge and some amusing stories concerning the new one. One Sunday morning, in early summer, a daring young lady, returning from church, decided to walk the parapet of the bridge. With the aid of her parasol, she balanced herself with marked agility. When she reached the middle of the bridge however, she lost her nerve and fell into the river. Fortunately, her full Victorian cotton skirt opened out and served as a parachute. She fell gently into the river and was rescued.

There was an old saying that the gold came into Llandeilo from over the bridge. People came from the prosperous industrial valleys, such as the nearby Amman Valley, to buy in the provision market. They came over the stone bridge and also by rail for there was an important railway junction in the town. The King's Bridge, a smaller bridge, a suspension bridge, spans the river near the town railway station.

Llandeilo "down under"

A township, Llandeilo, exists in New South Wales, Australia. A document in the N.S.W. Department of Lands states that "this parcel of land is about 30 miles from Sydney. It was originally granted to Samuel Terry (950 acres) and John Hutchinson (300 acres). This was in January 1818. The area was subdivided under the name of Llandilo between 1884 and 1887.

The Llandilo sub-division consisted of 2,000 acres, the remainder of the area being taken up from adjoining properties owned by Butchers, Guest, Duckett, Crawley, Cuddy, Freebody and - a Celtic man - J. B. Williams. There is nothing in the Australian records to show whether any of the men had a Welsh connection.

There is a small well-documented account of Sam Terry. Transported at the very beginning of the last century, he completed his sentence, elected to stay there, and was given a grant of land.

His modest holding, within a very few years and apparently with a little sleight of hand, grew to many thousands of well-stocked acres. His Botany Bay Convict to Cattle King saga ended in 1837 when he died "leaving a princely fortune of nearly one million sterling."

Llandeilo in Dinefwr, Dyfed

In 1974, in the general reorganisation of local government, the old county of Carmarthen ceased to exist. Time-honoured Carmarthenshire, Cardiganshire and Pembrokeshire were merged. There was much controversy for it meant the uniting of a Welsh and an Anglo-Welsh area. Cardiganshire was joined and the region was given the ancient name of Dyfed. It is administered by Dyfed County Council. Llandeilo is in the administrative Borough of Dinefwr. By our democratic system, the councillors are elected by the people. From time to time members are co-opted on to committees; a careful watch is kept at all times on procedure in the interest of democracy.

Full and detailed reports of discussions, policies and decisions made by Dyfed County Council and its many sub-divisions are published. The public has ready access to these reports, again in accordance with our democratic system.

Dates of importance in the 19th Century

1779-1851

There were three chapels in the town.

Calvinistic Methodist on the east side of Rhosmaen Street (near the Old Library and Institute). It was built about 1779 and re-built in 1851.
Wesleyan Chapel on the west side of Rhosmaen Street. Later a store-room. Built about 1809; re-built 1849.
Baptist Chapel built in 1829.

1802

The Shire Hall was built. Legislative affairs were conducted on the upper floor. A corn and cheese market was held on the ground floor.

1838

The provision market was built by Joseph Gulston of Derwydd. A fair was held there on the first Tuesday of each month.

1838

Oddfellows. A lodge was opened on the 1st October 1838 at the Castle Inn. There were 80 members.

1839

A Mechanics' Institution was first held in the town. In 1858 there were thirty students. They met in the Long Room of the George Inn (the Old Vicarage).

1839

The Workhouse was erected. Master - Mr. Morgan Pendry. Clerk - Mr. George Williams.

1840

Ivorites established. The Welsh language and Welsh literature were fostered. Meetings were in the Red Cow in Bridge Street.

1842

There were two banks in the town:

David Jones & Co. opened a bank on 15th April 1842. The Manager was John Prytherch.
A Savings Bank was established about 1818. President; Lord Dynevor; Treasurer J. Jones, Blaen-Nos, Llandovery. Actuary, Thomas Parry.

1848

The stone bridge over the River Towy was built at a cost of £22,000. It was designed by Mr. Wm. Williams, Llandeilo and built by Mr. Morgan Morgan, Cwm Amman.

1856

The Railway came to Carmarthen.

1857

Freemasons. The St. Teilo Lodge No. 996. Meetings were held at the Cawdor Arms.

1857

The railway opened with great ceremony. Llandeilo and Llanelli were proclaimed as united in "railway matrimony".

1858

Post Office. This was in George Street.

1859

The town and village of Llandeilo adopted the Local Government Act 1858 under the Local Board. The first meeting of the Board was held on July 15, 1859.

1862

The town was supplied with water through pumps from a number of springs. Negotiations began for the construction of a reservoir at Maesevan. The work of construction and laying of mains to the town was commenced.

1874-8

Practically the whole of the town owned by Alan Stepney Gulston was sold during this period. The remainder of the then ownership is perpetuated in the names of streets. Alan Road and Stepney Road and adjoining areas were developed consequent on the sale of land.

1894

The Urban District Council was created under the Local Government Act of 1894. The first meeting of the Council was held on the 8th January, 1895.

1897

The Urban District Council obtained an additional water supply from the Baptistry at Llandyfan.

1902

The Urban District Council set up its own electric Power Station, undertaking to supply the town.

1907-8

The Urban District Council purchased the site of the Cattle Market, The first sales were held in 1908.

Tref Ysgoleigion

The earliest reference is contained in a document of 1316 in which the inhabitants of the town object to the Constable of Dynevor Castle (at this time in the hands of the King of England) demanding beer from the townspeople at a rate of 8 gallons for 6 pence. This document refers to a part of the town as "trefsoleygon" the township of scholars. It is natural to associate this with the parish church, the vicar of the time being the headmaster. All education in the Middle Ages was linked with the Church.

Newton

There was a school at Newton, somewhere in the neighbourhood of the present mansion, kept by Jeremy Taylor and the Vicar of the town William Nicholson and one Thomas Wyett. They prepared young men for the universities. Jeremy Taylor became Vicar of Golden Grove and William Nicholson, Bishop of Gloucester.

Some Documents

Report of the Commissioners of Enquiry into the State of Education in Wales, 1886

Evidence of the Rev. J. Pugh, Vicar of Llandeilo Fawr

The state of morals among the labouring classes is bad; habitual lying and low cunning are very commonly met with and unchastity is so prevalent that great numbers of young women are in the family way previous to marriage; and their sin, I fear is very lightly regarded. There is also a great deal of drunkenness where poverty does not prevent it. In this respect nothing can be more pernicious than the number of beer businesses with which this rough neighbour hood is infested. Many of these houses are kept by the worst characters. The facility of obtaining licences is an evil for which some remedy is imperatively demanded.

In their habits the labouring classes are particularly dirty. This arises in great measure, no doubt from their poverty and the low rate of wages, which until lately they have been in the habit of receiving so that it was quite impossible for them to have convenient houses. Pigs and poultry are frequently allowed to come inside. The flooring is generally bare earth, not even prepared with lime. There are rarely any privies. There are not usually more than two rooms. Cupboard beds are those most commonly used which are shut up as soon as the occupants quit them and never opened again until night. The use of lime until lately either by day or night was not known. It is now, however, coming more into fashion with the young people.

Llandilo Lead, Zinc and Copper Mining and Smelting Co. Limited

Sir

Llandilo April 15 1858

In pursuance of a resolution passed at a Meeting of the Directors of the above named Company on the 7th day of April 1858, I beg to give you notice that an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Share holders of the said Company will be held on Tuesday, the 11th day of May next, at the Company's Office, at 2 o'clock p.m. for the purpose of taking into consideration the propriety of confirming a special resolution passed at an adjournment meeting of the Shareholders of the said Company, duly held on the 7th day of April 1858, of which special resolution the following is a copy

"That the Llandilo, Lead, Zinc and Copper Mining Company Limited be wound up Voluntarily" and for confirming the said resolution if approved by the Meeting. I am, sir,

Your obedient Servant, William Davies, Secretary.

Llandeilo Past and Present