It may be hard to believe now, but around 200 years ago, Bagillt was a bustling place, according to the book The Old Villages of Denbighshire and Flintshire, published by Gwasg Carreg Gwalch, Gwynedd. It was a successful industrial centre, with a thriving port. Not only was it important for the economy of NE Wales, but English industrialists also appreciated its nearness to the River Dee, and to the North West (especially Chester and Liverpool).
In fact, the village is steeped in industrial history. At one time Bagillt was well known for lead production. By the 18th and 19th centuries, a quarter of the lead produced in Britain came to the village to be smelted. The most famous company involved with lead production in the village was the Gadlys Works.
But it wasn't all about lead. Bagillt also became involved in coal production, brewing, and even rope making. In the 19th century, the rope walk in the village was considered to be the longest in Britain. And around the same time, the village had at least 11 known coal pits. The most famous was the Bettisfield colliery. Did you know Bagillt even had a company making straw hats there?!
Today all the heavy industry has gone, but the local industrial estate still houses smaller businesses. Villagers these days tend to work in nearby towns, like Flint, Holywell or Mostyn, and some commute over the border to Chester and beyond.
Did you know?
Did you know that it's thought the name 'Bagillt' probably derives from an early Mercian settlement- 'Bacca's Lea'?
Websites
The Bagillt Heritage Society: www.bagillt.org.uk
The Bagillt History Club: www.bagillt-history.org.uk
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites
your comments
Len Parker, Barnsley
I am not from Bagillt. For about 10 years I worked for Flint taxis. What a decade the 1980s was. All the characters that lived in or came into the village. I will always remember the happy times spent in the pubs. Joe and Nancy Rush Upper Ship. Charlie and Beryl Kings Head. Lorna Stag. Another reason I like Bagillt - I married a Bagillt girl. Her maiden name is Jennifer Davies. Her father ran Bagillt Hotspurs football club in the 60s.
Tue Oct 14 11:27:31 2008
Glyn Davies Bagillt
I wish to remind everyone that on November 9th 2008, will be Rememberance Sunday. Please let us show we haven't forgotten those who lost their lives in both World Wars.The Church Service at St Mary's will start at 11am and followed at the Cenotaph Bagillt Noon
Mon Oct 13 15:31:03 2008
Fay, Rhyl
I lived in Bagillt til 1989. I was wondering if anyone remembers "Dee Royals" Morris Dancing group? We wore black and yellow dresses. I was only 6 at the time, but would love it if anyone has any pictures. Thanks.
Mon Sep 15 08:44:25 2008
Lee Marvin Williams
Duane. Get on Facebook. I've been trying to get hold of you for ages. Get in touch.
Fri Sep 5 08:49:10 2008
Sophie
I think Bagillt is a nice place to live but needs more entertainment for for teenagers and kids there! :-)
Fri Sep 5 08:30:05 2008
Duane Jones
Hi Lee Marvin Williams and Vaughan.
Mon Sep 1 16:34:03 2008
William Russell Jones, Cefn Mawr
For Sheila Bennion, there is a marriage of a Frederick W. Moore and a Mary Lloyd in the Wirral Registration District in 1859.
Mon Sep 1 09:02:32 2008
Sheila Beynon nee Pugh
I am researching my family history I know my grt grandmother was born in Bagillt about 1837 her name was Mary but I do not have a surname, she married a Frederick W. Moore from Runcorn and they had a daughter Mary Emma born 1871 whose cousin was Mary Poynton married name, her son was Mayor of Flint at one time. My grandmother married an Alfred Owen Pugh from Chester and they lived in Birkenhead. They had 5 children: Lily, Dorothy, Alf, John and Fred. Mary Poynton had several children named Lily, Nancy I know Albert married a French lady named Gaveen I think they had at Post Office in Bagillt.
Fri Aug 1 09:48:50 2008
Kath Jones (formally Glynn), Flint
Hi, does anyone have any photos or know anything about Cai Drain cottages, Coleshill, Bagillt, knocked down in the sixties to make way for dual carrageway? I was born there in 1943 and moved to Flint a few years later.
Tue May 27 09:09:22 2008
Molly (used to be Davies), Nant y Glyn
I have very happy memories of Bagillt. Born here in 1942 and left for Rhyl when I married in 1963. Lived in Nant y Glyn with my parents (Vic and Edie Davies) and my brother Jack. It was good to read about many names I remember. Laura and Enid Williams - I was in school with Iris, Edie and Clive. Jean Blackwell - we lived back to back, her brother Jon was in my class at Merllyn School. The names of Jim the Pawn and the Jones (Trixie) family bring back memories. Bagillt was a very close-knit friendly village and I missed it very much when I moved away.
Mon Mar 31 10:45:28 2008
T.C. off Flint
Does anyone remember a "Cruise ship" running aground in the Dee estuary in the early 50s? I can remember people going on the Cob for a look. Apparently it missed the Mersey.
Tue Feb 19 12:50:11 2008
Danielle from Bagillt
Wow, Bagillt is a good place. It's a bit boring sometimes but we make up for it - the youth club is ace with John, Harv and Sian.
Mon Jan 28 08:57:56 2008
Amy Parker
This is to Mike, Bagillt. Can I just say yes you are entitled to you opinion, but you don't know anything about me, my family and my reasons for leaving Bagillt. Yes, Bagillt has changed over the past few years with many, many new faces and lots of new houses popping up everywhere as I found out in my recent visit but we are not in the 1950s now so people need to get over it!
Mon Dec 31 09:18:44 2007
Karen McGlade (Humphreys), Bryntirion, Bagillt
Born and bred in Bagillt and now live on the Manor in between Bagillt and Flint. Have a large family in Bagillt and went to the Merllyn school and loved every minute of it. Enjoy living in Bagillt. Great place to bring my children up. Would like to say Hello to anyone that went to the Merllyn between 1978 - 1983
Mon Dec 31 08:34:12 2007
Glyn Davies (Bagillt)
The committee of the Royal British Legion,(Bagillt Branch)wish to thank everyone from the village, for again supporting the 2007 Poppy Appeal to the tune of £1,026.15. There was also a great turnout for the Rememberence Service (even though it poured with rain) to the Police, lifeboatmen and especially our organist Jean. Once again it was great to see so many youngsters there this year, may it continue.
Mon Dec 24 09:46:10 2007
Karen mc, Southport
Hi. I am researching the Beattie family from Bagillt.Henry Beattie born 1834 and his wife Mary born 1830 lived at Pentre, Bagillt. 1871 Census, Henry is listed as Grocer & Provision Merchant. Then at Gadlys Lane, Oaklands, 1881 Census when Henry was listed as a grocer. 1891 Census Henry & Mary are living at 4 Bryn Gadlys, Bagillt.Henry's niece Louisa F. Beattie was a post office assistant 1891 Census living at the Post Office, High Street, Holywell. By the 1901 Census Louisa F Beattie was married to Joseph Llewelyn Williams and living at Bryntirion, Holywell.At the time of his death Henry Beattie lived at Dee Bank Cottage, Bagillt. His will is dated 1901. Witnesses of the will were named as John Dennis & Thomas Heggie.I would like to find either a map or photograph of the areas mentioned, especially Dee Bank Cottage as I can find no details on this building. I think it was possibly where Dee Bank Industrial Estate now stands.I would be grateful for any information regarding the above.Thanks from Karen.
Wed Nov 28 09:57:07 2007
Sue Summers
Can you help to locate "Tattum Row" in Bagillt for me please? I have relatives who said they lived at Tattum Row on Certs but cannot find reference to this anywhere! I am researching Hulley, Jones, Tattum of Bagillt and have 650 names in my tree so far. Tattum is the latest addition.Any helpful suggestions will be welcome. We have wondered whether the name "Tattum Row" came from more than one of the Tattum family living in the same row of houses!
Mon Nov 5 11:34:22 2007
William G. Williams
My father was born in at the Harp Inn in Bagillt, Flintshire. Is there a possibility that I could obtain a photo and information about/of this place, either past or present day.
Wed Oct 17 15:08:51 2007
Glyn, Bagillt
I would just like to remind the people of Bagillt that November 11th 2007 is Remembrance Sunday. Please make every effort to attend for all the Servicemen who lost their lives fighting for freedom. A service will be held at St Mary's Church at 11-00, followed at 12-00 at the Cenotaph.
Tue Oct 16 15:11:26 2007
Mike, Bagillt
Obviously some do not fit in with the local way of life in Bagillt, hence the decision to flee to far off lands. I think the village is fantastic, the people are genuine down to earth folk, a lot is happening here now with the building of houses, but I agree we should be having more services.
Mon Sep 3 09:50:50 2007
Amy Parker
Hi to anyone who lives in Bagillt. I was just wondering if anyone knows the whereabouts of Rebecca Davies? I'm an old school friend and just wanted to say hi. We lost touch when I moved to Greece.
Mon Jul 16 10:32:36 2007
Lee Marvin from Christchurch NZ.
Hi Vaughan, Good to hear you and Lorrain are still together. I've given you a mention on one of the other sites. So how's life? How's your Mam and Dad and Diane, Darren, Sharon and Amanda? My eldest is near 15 years old now. The other two little ones are 11 and 13. Where do all the years go Vaughan? It was great to hear from you the other week via this system. I've been a prison officer for the past two and a half years and we are now thinking of going to Australia to do the same thing. Whoever would have said I was going to be a prison officer eh? Maybe on the other side of the bars maybe LOL. You take good care of yourself. Lee Marvin Williams.
Mon Jul 9 08:44:57 2007
A different Gemma Gittins, Bagillt
This is to Neal Bainbridge in S Wales. I know your family up here. My stepdad is your cousin, Vaughan, so you have probably met my mum, Lorrain. everyone is fine as I write this. We are all plodding along nicely!
Fri Jun 15 13:52:42 2007
Vaughan Williams
Hi Lee. I married Lorrain Gittins now Williams and still live in this place called Bagillt. Things have changed a bit around here now. The village as we knew it aint what it used to be. It's growing bigger rapidly with new housing estates being put up all along the front from Blossoms all the way to the the Feathers pub. Talk every day in passing to your parents and are looking very well. It won't be long before they start thinking of development on our back fields next. I still love this place, but a lot of homes now being occupied by foreigners.
Mon Apr 30 07:53:10 2007
Tracy Tattum, Portsmouth
My Dad is from Bagillt and we occasionally go up there to visit family. I've only ever had good times when I've been there and I think it's a great place. Natalie and her family have obviously not been out much in other parts of Britain if they think Bagillt is dreadful!
Tue Apr 3 10:31:25 2007
Danielle Louise Pritchard Greenough
The children round Bagillt need more things to do like a new park, the old one is rotting away and needs new stuff. Also we need funding for the morris dancing troup BAGILLT ROYAL STARS. Shezzer, our trainer, does her very best for us gals. Get more stuff, new park and more things to do please.
Mon Mar 26 10:43:51 2007
Danielle
I live in Bagillt with my family. I have lived in Bagillt for all my life. It is great. I attended Glan Aber School until I went to Holywell High in September 06. Glan Aber is mint. It is the best school ever and I want to go back there!
Mon Mar 26 08:43:10 2007
Gemma Gittins
I love Bagillt...my mum lives there. I love going down there. I have a gorgeous boyfriend and I love him very much, David Rush, anyone know him? It's such a great place!
Wed Mar 21 16:56:51 2007
Lisa Ryland, Bagillt
Luke, I can speak Welsh - used to go to Maes Garmon - it really isn't a bad place to live, much quieter than the surrounding villages and towns like Holywell and Flint.
Thu Mar 1 08:52:43 2007
Alex
Bagillt's a great place a bit boring at times but it's good. Don't know how Natalie can say it's a dreadful village coz it's not!
Fri Feb 23 10:28:01 2007
Ann, Fflint
Does anyone one know the name of a man from Bagillt in the early 1900s who was a great singer and dancer, and used to tell jokes? He used to go on the stage in Rhyl in the summer, sometimes Blackpool I think. I would really like to know more about him.
Tue Feb 20 11:11:02 2007
Marie Baker, West Sussex.
My grandfather John Griffiths was born at 55 Lead Gate Cottages Bagillt in c1875. His parents were Thomas and Mary Ellen Griffiths. Can anyone give me any information, photos etc? Thanks.
Tue Feb 6 08:27:36 2007
Michael Davies from Gloucester
My Gr Gr Grandparents were born in Gadlas (Lane), Bagillt. Ishmael Davies (1833) and Jane Bellis (2 Jun 1839). Moving to Auckland, Co Durham, where they married (14 Mar 1857). They returned to live in Tryddyn around 1859. All their children were born here. Daniel, Edward, John, Hugh, Catherine Jane, Richard, Mary and Harriet. Can anyone supply more information? PS. Is Gadlas (lane) still there?
Thu Feb 1 08:17:58 2007
Glyn Davies, Secretary, Bagillt Branch
The Royal British Legion Bagillt Branch wish to thank everyone who supported the 2006 Poppy appeal,which raised £1056.58p. This appeal has been getting better each year, and it is great to see the young people who attend the Rememberance Service at the Cenotaph.
Thu Jan 11 11:14:47 2007
aled bagillt
bagillt is great but there is not much to do stop building the houses and build summit we need but bagillt rules
Fri Oct 21 10:36:36 2005
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