Ffynnonwen Royal Wedding Celebrations - July 1986

1986: Prince Andrew weds Sarah Ferguson - and there are celebrations at Ffynnonwen.
(These pictures were kindly lent to me by Carole of Login Post Office - If anyone is able to name those in the pictures - please let me know.)

Very pretty table arrangements.

Picture taken before the end window was blocked up and the toilets added.

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Cilymaenllwyd Church History - St Philip and St James

Cilymaenllwyd Church - St Philip & St James
Information and pictures can also be found at -http://ffynnonwenlogin.blogspot.com/2009/04/cilymaenllwyd-genuki-information.html

Dedicated to the apostles Philip and James, the feast day was held on May 1st (Nos Glanai a Chalan Mai), but some traditions associate it with Brynach.
Some kind of church was here from 12th century but it does not appear in tax records.
At the beginning of the 18th century local residents were beginning to drift away from the parish church. In 1705 a churchwarden wrote - 'none comes to be catechised ...no schoolmaster'.
In 1710 'no house, no Glebe, no Minister resident. Prayers every Sunday once, generally in Welsh but sometimes half in English half in Welsh'.
Communicates then numbered 60, with about fifty families in the parish.
In 1907 J.T.Jones described the chalice and paten cover as 'in a beautiful state of preservation' - though it had no hallmark or inscribed date.
It is understood that in 1574 the church received an Elizabethan chalice inscribed:-

'Poculum Eclesie de Kilyiemaynloyd'.

After 1764 a parish library flourished.
By 1786 the church was given the name Killmaenllwyd alias Culymaenllwyd.
The church was rebuilt in 1843 in the gothic style of the 19th century. It was further restored in 1898 with 270 seatings. During this later restoration (which cost £500) a new entrance with porch was made in the S.W. end of the nave. The turret was also rebuilt and the vestry enlarged. When the church reopened scores failed to to gain entry for the ceremony. Yet in 1972 it was dismantled (not strictly true - I'm not sure when it closed, I would have said before 1972 - but although converted into a dwelling - it is still standing).
There was a tablet inside the church to the Philipps family of Coedllys - from the 18th century (not sure what has happened to that?).
Some clergy:
John Blaune - about 1334
Lewis ap Howell
John de Wadingham
William de Spindlington 1385
Lewis de Howell ?
Griffith ap David 1502
David Jones 1576
John Owen 1599
Roger Phillips 1640
William Jones 1655
John Collins 1660
Griffin Beddoe - 1671
? Collins - 1710
John Garnon 1740
Roger Thomas - 1745
Morgan Gwynne - 1746
Beynon Howell
Evan Davies - 1763
Tudor Bristog - 1807
R.Bowen Jones - 1840s
B.Harries Jones - 1890s
W.Noel Evans - 1930 (with Llanglydwen)
T.B.Jones - 1940 (later combined with Llandysilio)
T.Thomas
T.L.Bowen

Taken from Efailwen to Whitland Vol1

Cwmmiles Chapel History

Cwmmiles Chapel History
Information and pictures can also be found at -
http://ffynnonwenlogin.blogspot.com/2009/04/cilymaenllwyd-genuki-information.html

Cwmmiles chapel was a branch of Henlla and Nebo.
The chapel was built in 1858 with 200 seatings, but it was not until 1931 that it developed its full status.
31 members transferred from Henlland and 30 from Nebo. The membership for 1938 was 96. Of these 96:-
22 were Davies
15 were Evans
11 were James
11 were Thomas
The Treasurer was Owen James of Coedllys and the Secretary W.Rhydderch Evans.
'In the days before the motor car had fully won the countryside by its charm of speed, the stalwarts were obeserved walking leisurely to the services. Among them wereMr & Mrs Rowland John, Ardwyn, Mrs M.Evans, W.Rhydderch Evans and Albert Davies, Plascrwn, Miss Martha Jones, Mr David Thomas, Mr Henry Thomas,Mrs Pheobe Davies and Miss Catherine John, Frondeg.'

Taken from Efailwen to Whitland Vol1

Calfaria Chapel History

Present Secretary - Eurfyl Lewis

Baptist Choir with Rev W.S.Thomas and John Davies

(Pictures taken from Efailwen to Whitland Vol 1)

Calfaria Chapel
Information and pictures on this chapel is also available at http://ffynnonwenlogin.blogspot.com/2009/04/cilymaenllwyd-genuki-information.html

Within a radius of two miles of the present building men and women had met at various homesteads during a period of about 50 years before a building was contemplated. Of these Lan and Ralltfach seem to have been the most prominent.
To form a new church at Login members from Rhydwilym, Cwmfelin Mynach and Ffynnon combined, but the person mainly responsible was Rev'd D.Woolcock of Cwmfelin.
The first meeting house was built in 1828, almost at the junction of several roads and overlooking the Taf valley. The church was not fully formed until 1834 and it then had 50 members.
Four years later it was host to the Cymanfa of the Carmarthenshire & Cardiganshire Baptist Association and the deacons were:- John Thomas, Benjamin Thomas, Walter Rogers and John Rogers.
The original building was far from large and after a short time bigger premises were needed. The new larger building was opened on 23/24th August 1877 under the ministry of D.S.Davies.
In 1887 almost every family within miles around accepted guests when a large meeting took place of the Carms & Cardiganshire Baptist Assoc. Two months later many adults and children travelled to Cardigan to attend Temperance Meetings - travelling on an excursion train.
Two able men of the cause after 1890 are described as Simon Lewis Maesyffynnon and J.G.Lewis of Login Shop.

Taken from Efailwen to Whitland -Vol1

From a Welsh book published in 2008 on the History of Calfaria - celebrating form 1828-2008:-

'Eglwys y Bedyddwyr Calfaria, Login, 1828-2008'

I have extracted the following (more being added):-

Sketch of first Chapel

Calfaria Chapel - Then and Now

The Coloured Window

The Pulpit and Gallery

Aerial view of Calfaria Chapel and Chapel House

(the small building on the very left the other side of the road was a stable)

Chapel House - with Baptism Pool in front (with a wooden cover)

The Baptism Pool - it can be seen in front of Chapel House above

The Cardi Bach train at Login Station

Ministers

D Woolcock 1828-35

Thomas Jones 1828-33

John Llewellyn 1828-33

David Evans 1833-38

James Walters 1840-59

David Davies 1861-67

D.S.Davies 1871-1917

William Samuel Thomas 1921-34

O.Wilfred Evans 1935-42

T.Jones Evans 1943-57

Vincent Evans 1958-1970

T.Elwyn Williams 1972-79

Tecwyn Rhys Ifan 1988-2001 (son of minister Vincent Evans, above)

Eirian Wyn Lewis 2003-present

A celebration concert was held on May 24th at Calfaria to commemorate its 175 year history with:

Corlan, Tecwyn Ifan, Perlau Taf, Daffydd Jones Evans and Beti a Sian.

(Eurfyl Lewis kindly gave me the Calfaria book. If I have inadvertently breached anyone's copyright with the photographs featured above please let me know and they will be removed, or additional credit given as necessary.)

The following picture of Rev'd Davies from 1885 comes from the Peoples Collection Wales

Creator John Thomas, 1838-1905, Owner NLW, Date1885.  (Don't think I have infringed copyright by putting this here but will remove if I have.)

Died in 1st World War

Gwilym Morris Thomas, Private, 47892, Yorkshire Regiment.

Gwilym was born at Cilmaenllwyd, and was the Husband of Mary Jane Thomas, of Plasybarlo, Login. He enlisted at Carmarthen nto the Royal Engineers, but later transferred into the 12th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment, the Pioneer Battalion to the 40th (Bantam) Division. The Division moved to France in June 1916, and saw action at Loos, before moving to the Somme, and fighting at the Ancre. They followed the German withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line in early 1917, and then fought at the Battle of Cambrai, attacking Bourlon Wood. Gwilym was Killed in Action at Cambrai on the 28th November, 1917 aged 31. He is remembered on the Cambrai Memorial, Louverval.

Taken from http://www.laugharnewarmemorial.co.uk/page23.htm

Compiled by Steve John

Idris John Williams, Private, 13924, Royal Welsh Fusiliers.

Idris was born at Ffynonwen, Login, the Son of David and Mary Ann Williams. The family moved to Rock House, Tumble, Llanelly. He enlisted at Tumble into the 11th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, part of 67 Brigade, 22nd Division. The Division landed in France in September, 1915, but were sent to Salonika almost immediately, landing there by 5 November. It was in Salonika that Idris contracted typhus. He Died on 29 March, 1916 and is buried in Salonika (Lembet Road) Military Cemetery. He was only 19 years old. Idris is not commemorated on either Memorial.

Taken from http://www.laugharnewarmemorial.co.uk/page59.htm

Compiled by Steve John

Login Rivers

(Weir just north of Login bridge)

The weir north of Login bridge is mentioned - as is a 'Mill Race' - which cuts away here and went down the valley and probably once fed water to the old woollen factory at Coedlys.
A school project in 1973 by Meryl James at Whitland Grammar School on the river Taf at Login recorded that the depth at its highest was 3.46' and at its lowest 2.74'. The discharge in millions of gallons per day was 50,807 (max) and 7,203 (min).
Apparently there was large flood in the Taf valley on 4th October 1821.
Taken from Efailwen to Whitland Vol 1.

(Tablet on bridge in Login showing it was built in 1891)

Inscription reads:

1891

FIRST BRIDGE BUILT UNDER THE

CARMARTHENSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

LOCAL CONTRIBUTIONS £240

GRANT BY COUNTY COUNCIL £800

CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEE Mr J LLEWELYN

TREASURER R ? PROTHEROE Esq JP

SECRETARY Mr T JOHN

DESIGNER Mr D ? COUNTY SURVEYOR

CONTRACTOR Mr D EVANS. CLERKS OF THE

WORKS MESSERS J B LEWIS & T LEWIS

(I am unsure of the red sections - will have to revisit to double check.)

From Efailwen to Whitland - Vol 1

Origins of Taf name - the oldest form of the name was 'Tam', probably pre-Celtic in origin and it may bear a relation to the Sanscrit word 'tamara' (water).

Tributaries of Afon Taf in and around Login-

Wenallt (Nant Merydd)

Pedol (source Fronwen)

Nant Cilowen

Rhydfach (source at Hiraeth)

Nant Hilin (Tudur)

Dwylan (Cwmmiles)

Nant Cwrt

A note contributed by the author of Fenton's book informs us about a Pontnewydd upon Tav, was built of wood at his own expense by Mr James Philipps of Coedllys. Previous to that a stone structure existed called Pont Tre Griffith Moel. The present bridge dates from 1891.

At Cwmmiles is a more recent, firmer structure.

Cwmmiles Bridge - which had two circular holes either side


Bridge over Afon Taf at Cwmmiles,with chapel in background
© Copyright Roger W Haworth and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

The above shows the little bridge over the river Wenallt, taken a few yrs ago. The river Wenallt rises near to Rhos Fach and joins the river Taf at Login.

The lane up to this river was one of our favourite walks in the 60s from Gwenlais (also good for bike rides as it was about the only flat piece of ground around!).

Then the river was crossed here by three old railway sleepers - and was a much more secluded and overgrown spot. Our cat would walk up with us - and we'd rest here and look for the little fish that darted around. There was also the ruined cottage the other side of the river - great for exploring! We did try going up the river once - but the brambles stopped us going very far!

The lane past the river up to the old church at Cilymaenllwyd was also lovely - with high sided banks and a profusion of moss and vegetation.

From Wikipedia:-

The River Tâf rises in the Preseli Hills near the village of Crymych and is around 50 km (30 mi) long.
Water drains from high ground above the village, and at one time flowed at ground level across the main Cardigan–Tenby road (A478) before falling to the level of the defunct Whitland and Cardigan Branch Line railway station "Crymmych Arms" where, on the UK Ordnance Survey map of 1866 it is shown as the source of the Taf.
At this point the stream fulfils its description "Crymych" (in Welsh "crooked stream") by turning through almost a right angle along the floor of the valley. The stream is mentioned—with various spellings—in records since 1468 and provided both the village and its hostelry with an identity.

From there the Taf, augmented by numerous minor tributaries, flows ESE to Llanfyrnach then SW through Glandwr, Llanglydwen and Login to Whitland. It then flows east to St Clears, south of which its broad estuary meets Carmarthen Bay near Laugharne. Its length is about 56 km (35 mi) from Crymych to Ginst Point, of which about 14 km (9 mi) is tidal.

Perlau Taf Group

The Group
Formed in March 1968 with Whitland Grammar School pupils and John Arfon Jones (Masth's Master).
First called themsleves Y Perlau, but changed to Perlau Taf as another group had the same name.
In December 1968 they consisted of:-
Tecwyn Evans, guitar (aged 16)
Betty Williams, guitar and vocals (14)
Carol Llewellyn, melody (16)
Mary Rees, alto (16)
Euros Evans, descant (12)
With John Arfon Jones accompanying on the electric organ

Information taken from a letter held at the National Library of Wales

http://digidol.llgc.org.uk/METS/XCD00001/arddeitem?locale=en&ID=XCDdmd14%20XCDdmd14a&eitem=30

In 1972 they were number five in the Welsh charts (ahead of Max Boyce!)
Deg Uchaf Y Cymro:Rhagfyr 21 1972
1. Deg o ganeuon - Hogia'r Wyddfa
2. Yma mae Nghân - Dafydd Iwan
3. Tecel - Hogia'r Wyddfa
4. Gorau Cymro Cymro Oddi Cartref - Dafydd Iwan
5. O Iesu Mawr - Perlau Taf.
6. Mae Pawb yn Chwarae Gitar - Hogia'r Wyddfa
7. O na le - Max Boyce
8. Cadwaladr - Galwad y Mynydd
9. Gwymon - Meic Stevens
10. Lliwiau - Sidan

If you wish to read about some of Euros's achievements go to:-http://www.s4c.co.uk/codicanu/2/cgi-bin/codicanu.pl?rm=choir_masters;choir=2;l=e

Perlau Taf By TREVOR JONES, B.SC., PH.D. (The Taf Pearls)
Mention of Perlau Tâf nowadays conjures up thoughts of the Welsh Pop Group, who hail from Whitland, but the phrase has a deeper connotation, as well as historical significance, for within living memory the Tâf river has been fished for pearls. These have been found, and supposedly are still to be found, in the freshwater mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera).
To date, no historical reference to the presence of pearl-mussels in the Tâf has been discovered but such mussels have been, and still are being caught by fishermen using worm as bait for salmon, sewin and trout. In fact, the pearl-mussel must cohabit with fish in the same water in order to complete the parasitic phase in its life cycle.
Full story at:-http://carmarthenshirehistorian.org/cgi-bin/twiki/view/Historian/PerlauTaf

Memories of Ffynnonwen in the 1960s

Some personal memories.

I only had four years there, but did start in the little Infants side room. The main memory is of sewing- doing crossstitch items and also making a crinoline lady out of felt (still up in my attic!) - also of trying to sew with a sprained wrist (gained while playing rounders outside).

All the other classes were taught in the other large main room. Mr Griffiths, the headmaster, had a large old fashioned desk in the corner, while we all had the little china inkwells in our desks and the 'dipping' nib pens.

The small extension was for the kitchen and a line of small sinks. Lunches were eaten in the main room also - remembered as being mostly very nice - especially the puddings. The only items I didn't like for dinner were parsnips (yuck) and corned beef (especially after hearing of the food poisoning problems from the Argentinian stuff in 1963).

If we finished our work early we would occasionally be allowed to pick a book off the large bookcase near the central firestove. This was lined with what I thought of as very old books - I always picked an animal one (I think there was only one!) but there were no colourful illustrations as in my books at home - so I reckon these had been there for many years.

(Boy's back playground - now put to grass)
The playgound was divided - the one to the back of the school was for the boys (with their toilets at the far end). The one in front of the school for the girls - and you never crossed the imaginary dividing line!
(Girls front playground)
The girls would play rounders, hopscotch (two kinds- one as shown below and the other a box of six numbers - in two rows), lots of skipping - both individually and with a long rope held by two girls. We also played 'clackers'- a craze at the time - but now banned for health & safety!

I had bright two-colour tennis balls at the time - but if they went over the tiny wall which separated the playground from Mr Griffiths' front garden you were NOT allowed to get them back!

If it rained at playtime we would all have to crowd into the little porch - and try and stand there quietly!

Cilymaenllwyd Archaeology

Taken from Efailwen to Whitland - Vol 1
In the Carmarthenshire County History Volume 1 (page 49) the following standing stones are listed for Cilymaenllwyd:-
Maenhir - 2
Pantyrodin - 1
Rhosmaenhir

Edward Lhuyd, around 1700, had heard of a peculiar stone at Felin Cwrt. He also mentioned St Maugan's Church near Fronrhodyn, in Cilymaenllwyd parish. W.J.Thomas, Penrallt, in his diaries of 1870s, mentioned a field called 'Parc yr Eglwys' - which might had been on or near where an early church stood.

A tumulus is mentioned as being at Rhos Coynant - but it was levelled in 1812.

Finds
Maesgwyn, Parc y gerddi bach - Stone Axe, hammer head, perforated dolerite - appeared frst in Early Bronze Age. Now in Carmarthen Museum.

At hamlet of Maenor y Merydd (in a field south of Rhydymerydd) - an earthen vessel with considerable quantity of Roman coins.

Cilymaenllwyd - Genuki Information - Church and chapels

Written information taken from GENUKI, compiled by Gareth Hicks.

"KILLYMAENLLWYD (CÎL-Y-MAEN-LLWYD), a parish, in the union of NARBERTH, lower division of the hundred of DERLLYS, county of CARMARTHEN, SOUTH WALES, 7 miles (N. by E.) from Narberth; containing 582 inhabitants. This parish is situated on the banks of the river Tâf, which here separates the counties of Carmarthen and Pembroke; and, with a very small exception, is inclosed and in a good state of cultivation. The surrounding scenery, though not characterized by any peculiarity of feature, is generally pleasing, and is agreeably diversified with wood and water: Coed-llys, the seat of the family of Philipps, is beautifully situated in a richly-wooded vale on the banks of the river Taf, of which simplicity and retirement are the leading features. That part of the parish which is in Pembrokeshire, maintains its own poor separately from that within the county of Carmarthen. . . the church is dedicated to St. Philip and St. James. At Castell-Dauyran is a chapel of ease . . . Here are two day schools, in which forty children of both sexes are instructed at the expense of their parents. . ." [From A Topographical Dictionary of Wales (S. Lewis, 1844).]

Church History (now long closed)

Cilymaenllwyd Old Parish Church
Cilymaenllwyd Parish Church "A school near the Church has been recently opened during the hours of Divine Service the novelty of which is not yet worn off, by the Anabaptists and has greatly interfered with the usual attendance" R. Bowen Jones, Rector, Narberth
Church Records
PR earliest reputedly used to stoke parsonage fire c 1765
Parish registers: Christenings (1742-1956), Marriages (1742-1836) and Burials (1742-1812) are at the National Library of Wales.
Parish registers: Marriages (1837-1947) and Burials (1813-1977), and facsimile copies of Christenings (1742-1956), Marriages (1742-1947) and Burials (1742-1972) are at the Carmarthenshire Record Office.
Bishops' Transcripts, covering the period (1671-2, 1675, 1677-9, 1681-7, 1690-1, 1693-9, 1711, 1713, 1715-18, 1720-2, 1724-92, 1794-1800, 1802-3, 1805-41) are at the National Library of Wales, and have been microfilmed by the LDS.
Marriage index for this parish - see Dyfed Marriages, 1813-1837, Vol. 14 - Derllys Hundred (Dyfed Family History Society, c1989)

Nonconformist Chapels:

Calfaria (Baptist, 1828), Login

Records with those of Rhydwilym (Llandisilio) and Ramoth (Llanwinio) SN16512339

Built 1827/8 & the church formed in 1833. Rebuilt/modified 1877. 1998 still in use.

Nebo (Independent, 1836), Efailwen

List of members at Hebron (Llanglydwen) and Nebo Chapels (1850-85) NLW 11691E, LDS 104311/6; other records with those of Hebron (Llanglydwen) and Glandwr (Llanfyrnach) SN13942569

Built 1836 (or 1830?) rebuilt 1861.

Ind Chapel, Cwmmiles is shown as still open on the Union of Welsh Independents site (Dec 2006).

GENUKI information compiled by Gareth Hicks - for more infornation go to:-

http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/wal/CMN/Cilymaenllwyd/index.html

Login Station and Railway

Login Station in August 1967 (Photo by Nick Catford)
Login Station in August 1967 (Photo by Nick Catford)

Anyone able to name the children?

Login Station in July 2006, taken from a similar viewpoint as the picture above

(Photo by Adrian Black)

Date opened: 12.7.1875
Location: South of a junction of two unnamed minor roads
Company on opening: Whitland & Taf Vale Railway
Date closed to passengers: 10.9.1962
Date closed completely: 10.9.1962
Company on closing: British Railways (Western Region)
Present state: The station building/house and a short length of platform remains as a private dwelling. The remainder of the trackbed has been infilled up to platform level to form the garden.
OS Grid Ref: SN167234
Date of visit: August 1967
Notes: Intermediate station on the Whitland - Cardigan Railway. The Whitland & Taf Vale Railway was incorporated on 1 July 1869 to extend its line to Crymmych Arms. The Engineer was James Weekes Szlumper of Aberystwyth.
The line opened, under the first light railways Act to Glogue on 24 March 1873 and to Crymmych Arms in October 1874; in both cases for freight. Passenger services had to wait until 12 July 1875.
The line possessed its own locomotives, which were based at Llanfalteg. An Act was obtained in 1877 to extend the line to Cardigan, but serious financial difficulties inhibited progress until the GWR became involved and a further Act obtained in 1881 to allow for deviations between Boncath and Kilgerran. It opened to passengers on 31 August 1886 and handed over to GWR for regular service the following day.

The above photographs and information was taken from Nick Catford at:-

http://www.subbrit.org.uk/sb-sites/stations/l/login/index.shtml

From Wikipedia:-

Whitland & Cardigan Railway
Originally called the Whitland & Taf Vale Railway, it opened in stages from a junction 2 miles west of Whitland to Llanfyrnach on 24th March 1873 and onto Crymmych Arms in October 1874. In 1877 the name was changed to the Whitland & Cardigan Railway and the extension to Cardigan opened on 1st September 1886.

The Great Western Railway took over the working as of that date and the three locomotives were added to stock although the complete undertaking was not purchased until 1890.

From Ewan Crawford

www.railbrit.co.uk/Whitland_and_Cardigan_Railway

As regards Login, the station was opened on the 12th of July 1875 by the Whitland and Taf Vale and was closed on the 10th of September 1962 by the British Transport Commission.

The line itself was slightly different, opening in 1873 and closing in 1963 - the difference probably being due to being open to goods only both before and after the station was open.

In 1956 the station is listed as being open for goods and passengers although there does not seem to have been a crane for heavy goods (most small stations did not have one). The dates above do not hold for all of the line and stations, just Login.

.

Extracted from Efailwen to Whitland - Vol 1

The author recalls transporting churns of milk to the station to put on the trains - 'along nearly two miles of road with twenty bends by pony and small gambo'.

In 1892 the Chief Inspector of Schools was a passenger and commented that there were rush thatched cottages in sheltered places.

When the line was being built, trees were first cleared, the land ploughed - then stones, timbers and rails were hauled as near as possible.
For each half mile a ganger was in charge of 10 men.

Ffynnonwen School

Ffynnonwen - meaning White Well.
A well appears on the 1908 map opposite Ffynnonwen Farm - is this what the school was named after?

Wooden ceiling

Wooden cupboard - I think this is the old bookcase?

Some wooden desks still remain

Coathooks in the small porch

The porch

Wooden panelling and old school desk and chair

What are these?

Original floorboards in the small infants room. They have been replaced by new flooring in the main large room

Old original desks

This is now the doorway into the kitchen area - but would at one time have been an external door

High windows in the infant's room

Doorway from kitchen area

Rough wall - which was once external

Original firplace in the little infant's room

The school opened on 8th May 1881 with 50 pupils, but by the end of the month the number had risen to 83.

The peak attendance was in 1899 with 91 on books.

There were 76 pupils in 1901 and 46 in 1905.

In 1881 the summer holidays were from August 20th to assist with the corn harvest.

Up to 1899 there would be no school on January 6th - Old Christmas Day.

Taken from Efailwen to Whitland 1976 - Vol 11

Houses at Ffynnonwen (with old school and schoolhouse on left)
© Copyright Dylan Moore and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence