(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.)
Compiled by Ruth Roberts (nee Phillips) who lived at Gwenlais, Login, from 1963-73 and attended Ffynnonwen from 1963-7. I have therefore not been in the area for many years and do not profess to have expert knowledge. There follows some snippets of information about Ffynnonwen School and the village of Login. Please feel free to correct me or add information (ruthroberts123@aol.co.uk).
Thursday 30 April 2009
Ffynnonwen Royal Wedding Celebrations - July 1986
(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.)
Monday 27 April 2009
Ffynnonwen Community Centre, Login - Users
Tuesday evening - Welsh Lessons
Thursday evenings - Adran and Aelwyd youth groups .
Friday mornings - mother a toddler group Cylch Ti A Fi, children play and do crafts while the parents enjoy a cup of tea and a chat.
Saturday 25 April 2009
Thursday 16 April 2009
Cilymaenllwyd Church History - St Philip and 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:-
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
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.'
Calfaria Chapel History
Present Secretary - Eurfyl Lewis
(Pictures taken from Efailwen to Whitland Vol 1)
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.
Died in 1st World War
Friday 10 April 2009
Login Rivers
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.
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 past the river up to the old church at Cilymaenllwyd was also lovely - with high sided banks and a profusion of moss and vegetation.
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.
Thursday 9 April 2009
Perlau Taf 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
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
Monday 6 April 2009
Memories of Ffynnonwen in the 1960s
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!
Friday 3 April 2009
Cilymaenllwyd Archaeology
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
Church History (now long closed)
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
Nebo (Independent, 1836), Efailwen
Login Station and Railway
Login Station in August 1967 (Photo by Nick Catford)
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.
From Wikipedia:-
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.
For each half mile a ganger was in charge of 10 men.
Thursday 2 April 2009
Ffynnonwen School
Ffynnonwen - meaning White Well.
A well appears on the 1908 map opposite Ffynnonwen Farm - is this what the school was named after?
Some wooden desks still remain
This is now the doorway into the kitchen area - but would at one time have been an external door
Houses at Ffynnonwen (with old school and schoolhouse on left)
© Copyright Dylan Moore and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence