By Cecilia Barton, Secretary of Hanes Llambed: "Professor David Austin from the University of Wales Lampeter was interested in starting a history society and in late 2002, he organised a public meeting in the town hall to gauge interest. Lots of people turned up and the society went from there.
The idea originally was to see if we could get a book together about the history of Lampeter. The project is on hold at the moment while we wait to hear if we're going to get a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
In the meantime, we've organised a series of conventional lectures including talks on holy wells in Celtic culture, Welsh quilts, war memorials and a Roman dig at Dynevor Park, Llandeilo. These lectures are open to anyone - whether they're a member of the society or not - and they have been well attended by townspeople. We also organise a couple of field trips every year.
The society has a room in the University of Wales Lampeter which we share with Menter Llambed. We hope to set up a local history database here which would be staffed by society members and which would be open to the public for so many hours a week.
We're keen to hear from people if they have any old photos or information about the area's past which we could add to our database.
The society now has more than 50 members and anyone can join for an annual membership fee of £5."
By Cecilia Barton, Secretary of Hanes Llambed.
Programme of Events: 2005-2006
17 January 2006: Gwilym Hughes - Recent archaeological work on the Roman fort in Dynevor Park, Llandeilo. Location: Old Hall, UWL. 21 January 2006: Quentin Drew - The Toilet Paper: Public toilets in Ceredigion. Lecture Room 4, Canterbury Buildings. 21 March 2006: Dr Beth Thomas - Reflecting the personality of Wales? Developing the Museum of Welsh Life. Location: Old Hall, UWL. 25 April 2006: Charles Arch - Living under the Arch. Location: Old Hall, UWL. 16 May 2006: Toby Driver - The archaeology of Lampeter and the Teifi Valley from the air. Location: Old Hall, UWL. 20 June 2006: Eifion Davies & Lyn Thomas - Highmead Dairy 1777, within living memory. Location: Old Hall, UWL. July 2006: Professor David Austin and team - Strata Florida: the bigger picture. Location: Old Hall, UWL.
your comments
Jackie Brownlee, Pangbourne, Berkshire
I have wonderful memories of visiting my grandparents, Sarah and 'BJ' Jones as a child. It was every child's dream to have grandparents like mine; whilst admittedly most grandchildren might think so about their own grandparents, 'Mama and Pop' were definitely doting and seemed to me to actually be quite exciting grandparents! As we didn't live locally - we lived in Shropshire, we'd visit them every couple of months or so. When we did we were always spoilt to bits, and able to chose at least one wonderful outfit! BJ Jones was evidently very much for the 'county set' then and I! 'm sure continued to be the case under the ownership of Bernard and Menna, my uncle and aunt.
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Wed Jul 29 09:38:39 2009
Jackie Brownlee, Pangbourne, Berkshire
My late Mum, Delia, was brought up in 'City House' which at the time was the wonderful, homely, family house that the two BJ Jones shops wrapped around. She lived their with her younger brother Bernard and sister Wendy - together with their little sister Susan, who sadly died whilst in her teens. My mother then married my late father, Cardwell James Fowden from Bank Hall in Lampeter and then they moved to Ludlow in Shropshire. I was really sad to accidentally come across BJ Jones website tonight to find that it has gone out of business. So sad to find that BJ Jones is no more; ! I'm sad for for Bernard and Menna who worked so hard to evolve the business and evidently did so very successfully for many years. And I am sad that Lampeter has lost a key asset and a piece of history
Wed Jul 29 09:38:29 2009
Jackie Brownlee, Pangbourne, Berkshire
Even back all those years - the 60's, it appeared to me to be so fashionable, so classy, just amazing. It just had that exclusive feel. I think my grandparents had great business acumen as well as a sense of what their customers wanted. They never seemed to treat people merely as customers, but as highly valued individuals if not friends. It seemed to be the place to go for a wedding outfit, a hat, a gorgeous gown as well as good old haberdashery items. They regularly visited fashion shows, fairs and wholesales in London, which again I thought was the epitomy of glamour! But it%2! 0was the staff who really defined BJ Jones. I remember in particular 'Maggie May' (I think it really was her name) who really used to spoil me and my brother Geoff; she always reminded me of some of those 50's film stars in black and while movies, too. They all appeared to love working for BJ Jones and just seemed to be so proud to be there. Maybe I am looking through 'rose tinted glasses' - but I don't think so.
Wed Jul 29 09:38:20 2009
Glenys Gates, Abergavenny
One of the brothers of my great grandfather Edward Davies Jones was a coach builder in Lampeter appearing in the 1881 1891 1901 census and we would like to research some information on the work they were engaged in. Could you suggest the best place to go to get information. We are hoping to book some time in Lampeter in a few weeks time.Regards Glenys.
Wed Mar 25 10:31:10 2009
Glenys Gates, Abergavenny
One of the brothers of my great grandfather Edward Davies Jones was a coach builder in Lampeter appearing in the 1881 1891 1901 census and we would like to research some information on the work they were engaged in. Could you suggest the best place to go to get information. We are hoping to book some time in Lampeter in a few weeks time.Regards Glenys.
Tue Mar 24 16:45:37 2009
Neil Jones from Atherstone, Leics.
I'm researching my great great grandparents, David & Dinah Davies of Llaingoch farm (near Llangybi) whose daughter Elizabeth married Morgan Richards, a well known furniture maker living in Bridge St. until his death in 1934. I would appreciate any information about the Llaingoch family (from 1901 onwards) and also the Richards family.
Mon Mar 23 14:58:23 2009
Omar
Thanks for your an article, good job thanks
Mon Jun 2 09:22:34 2008
Heather Ives from Sutton Surrey
Hi am looking into the family tree for the Fox family a lot of whom seem to have lived in Wempa Lodge Llanwenog Lampeter. Visited once with my Dad Ianto when I was about eight - would be grateful for any connections and history. Many thanksHeather
Tue Mar 4 10:10:37 2008
Dorothy Wills, Cyprus.
I note that you are a history society only covering the history of Lampeter.I am researching my Rees family roots of Llangybi, Lampeter and wonder if you have a Family history society who may have access to information and who would assist me in finding the bmd's of my ancestors who were obviously non-conformists and are proving impossible to find. Jenny Cairns has assisted in the past but I am looking for people in a group who may be willing to exchange or look up information for me as I live in Cyprus! My gt gt grandfather was William Rees, master blacksmith born 1828 died in 1870 at Silver Mines, Llanfair Clydogau but I cant find who he married or the births of his children William, Evan and Mary. Any suggestions?
Mon Jan 21 08:40:11 2008
Juliette Rignall from Llangeitho
Having lived in the area for 32 years I would be so pleased to see a reference to B.J. Jones fashion store. People came from far and wide to buy there and the sales were legendary.I s there someone out there who can give us a history of this unique and much loved shop?
Thu Aug 23 09:14:05 2007
Are you a member of Hanes Llambed? Do you have an interesting story to tell about the area's past? Add your comments here:
Find out more about Lampeter's History Society - Hanes Llambed - which organises a busy programme of talks and lectures in the town. The group also hope to publish a book based on the area's past. 
