Cefn Mawr memories

Last updated: 15 June 2009

Stuart Fawcett shares memories of growing up in Cefn Mawr from the '50s - and you're welcome to add your own recollections.
Related: Cefn Chronicle

your comments

Kath Jones-Roux
Ian Diggory, Sad to hear of the loss of your father. Helen was a good friend of my sister Pam Jones. Your dear sister Anthea was a year younger than I. Last time I saw Helen was at my "Hen" night in 1980.
Mon Jun 15 08:10:46 2009

Ian Diggory, Durham
Senility has set in. My earlier comment regarding the marriage of Denise Parrish to Barry Drake was incorrect - it was her sister Jane who was married to Barry. Apologies. We were one of the first families to move to the Rhosycoed estate around 1951 when I was 4. At that time there was no green and neither were the shops built, they were a wood store for the rest of the site. I have strong memories of the rest of the estate being built, including the Scout Hut, where I spent many hours learning to light fires and cook amazing concoctions of flour and water with John & David Coull, Johhny (Hoss) Jones and a load of other slightly feral young lads. We played football and cricket on the green (a glorious 6 went straight through Mr Bluck's window). Other memories include cycling to Bryn Howel along the canal to see the breach in the canal bank, lighting fires in the woods, building rafts on the canal and lots of other activities that our current risk averse society would instantly ban. Youth club in Trevor School, first kiss under the aqueduct (where are you now Jeanette?). In those days there was an extensive Diggory family in the area. My grandparents lived in Trevor Cottage at the top of Station Road, my uncle and aunt (Florence and Ernie Wood) ran the post office in Trevor. Now there are none. My father (Cecil Diggory) died 2 years and my mother moved to be near my sister Helen in Clacton. I have read the comments with interest, recognising names from what is now a distant past. Thanks for the memories.
Wed Jun 10 07:43:05 2009

Chistine Madsen
My mum says Wil the brush pushed a hand cart.
Mon Jun 8 09:16:28 2009

Stuart Fawcett from Chirk
Len Salisbury, Acrefair - an elderly gentleman not very tall wearing a trilby hat used to sweep the roads in Cefn area. He also had a little cart - I am pretty sure it was pulled by a horse or am I totally confused? Hence the name Will the brush.
Thu May 28 08:04:44 2009

Len Salisbury, Acrefair
Who the dickens was "Will the Brush"? Never heard that one before.
Wed May 27 08:23:52 2009

Stuart Fawcett of Chirk
To Leonard Salisbury, you are correct. I also remember a horse and cart going through the gate but have no idea why - could it have been Will the Brush?
Tue May 26 08:32:06 2009

Don Jones (Delph), Acrefair
For Stuart Fawcett. The only "Big Stone" I remember was on Dick's Bank at the bottom of Cefn. When we played football on Dick's field, if the ball went down the bank the last one to touch it had to go and get it. It was way past the big stone to get to the bottom and one mighty climb back. The stone was still there when I went into the RAF but disappeared some time afterwards. One of my brothers told me that a gang of lads built a fire against it and kept it going until the stone expanded until it broke up. I can't remember the big gate though. Was this stone yours or the one mentioned by Len Salisbury? It would be interesting to know.
Tue May 26 08:31:55 2009

Margaret [Wright] Richards
To Peter Lawrence. Yes it was definitely 1963, at 16 I was very impressed with the new grate, especially as we had wallpaper for the first time on the chimney breast, [very posh]. My nain and taid had a triplex[?] grate put in, with an oven by the side, because they did all their cooking on the old range and had no other means of cooking. I'm not surprised that my taid, Tommy Sargent, shouted at you for climbing your own trees, even if we his grandchildren accidently kicked the ball in his garden - he wouldn't give it us back. He had quite a reputation in those days. Aunty Doris and Uncle Noel had three children Jill, Sheila and Clive, I think it would have been Sheila's wedding you went to, my sister Christine was her bridesmaid [I think about '66].
Tue May 19 13:05:34 2009

Christine Madsen
Hi Margaret, I used to work with Christine behind the bar in the Leisure Centre, Plas Madoc. I worked there for 9 years off and on so my reference, off them, tells me, 'Christine was great to work with, full of fun', just like your Tony, he always had a joke to tell me. Gwen worked in the Leisure Centre bar too when it first opened. I remember you working in "Phillips" the chemist in Cefn many years ago. Gwen's daughter is one of my Mum's carers. You are all lovely people.
Tue May 19 12:51:21 2009

Leonard Salisbury, Acrefair
To Stuart Fawcett, I recall a big stone and a gate opposite where Jack the Barber lived in High Street where you turned a sharp left off High Street to go to Brynffynnon and a gate led to Davies's the coalman's yard by the station. Am I correct?
Tue May 19 12:38:39 2009

Peter Lawrence, Colwyn Bay
To Margaret - wish I did have a good memory! Grate removed in '63 - you sure, I would have been 5! Someone worked hard with the cleaning anyway. I have very very fond memories of Doris and Noel, were my baby sitters for a number of years - lovely people. I went to one of their daughter's weddings, this is where my memory fails me. I remember Clive (good golfer), and Christine? and...? And Tommy Sargent used to shout at me for climbing my own trees at the side of the shop! What a small world - happy days.
Mon May 18 09:20:04 2009

Stuart Fawcett from Chirk
Aunty Menna's brings back memories - I remember Ron Snape telling my Nan that Fortes had bought it to convert into a Milk Bar - you could only get one person at a time into the shop! Secondly my mother learned to ride a bike on Yr Erw downwards onto King Street - I was lucky I learnt on the banks from the Big stone to the Big gate. See if anyone remembers where those are.
Mon May 18 09:05:08 2009

Margaret [Wright] Richards
To Peter Lawrence. You've got a good memory, the old black lead grate that you refer to was taken out and replaced with a tiled grate by the council when I was sixteen (in 1963). You may also recall my nain and taid living opposite the shop in Bro Gwilym, Tommy and Sally Sargent. That's where Tony got the nickname Sarge from. Yes aunty Doris was Noel Wright's wife.
Thu May 14 10:01:30 2009

Chistine Madsen
I was thinking of a different place! I know where you mean now. I remember Fred Bates's house, I used to stay overnight often in Russell St with my friend Pauline Newton Wright and Fred Bates lived near there. Perhaps the little lane did not have a name.
Thu May 14 09:51:15 2009

David Hart, Cefn/Acrefair
Reply for Wil, Wrexham. The answer to both of your questions is NO. Not guilty!
Thu May 14 09:45:58 2009

Wil, Wexham.
For David Hart, Cefn/Acrefair. Don't want to delve too deeply for reasons of sensitivity previously stated, but did your relative work for W.F.Humphreys? Just one more, were you at some time on the P.T.A. in the early years of Ruabon as a Comp. School when the head boasted about not ever meeting a lot of his pupils?
Wed May 13 08:28:12 2009

David Hart. Cefn/Acrefair
For Len Salisbury. The narrow lane you were asking about, runs alongside the house which belonged to Mr Fred Bate. It was always referred to as "Bates' Hill". I can't remember it being called anything else. The Red Lion Square that Christine mentions, is on the road leading from High Street past Bryn Ffynnon and up to Cae Glo. The road is about a 100 yds up the hill from the Laundry, on the left hand side. The square(?) is halfway along the road, and is the widest part on the stretch.
Tue May 12 08:14:16 2009

Len Salisbury, Acrefair
Chris Madsen, I don't think is the correct answer as I recall the Red Lion being pulled down before the war and was situated by Brynffynnon top of Cefn just off High Street. Ned Top (Roberts) and family lived close by as we did.
Tue May 12 08:12:43 2009

Chistine Madsen
Len, it used to be called Red Lion Square years ago as far as I know, maybe it still is called that.
Fri May 8 15:36:57 2009

Len Salisbury, Acrefair
Anyone got any ideas of the name (if any) of the lane that leads from Russell Street to High Street from the end of Russell Street?
Thu May 7 09:39:57 2009

David Hart Cefn/Acrefair
For Wil, Wrexham. The persons you refer to, living in the red brick house at the top of Minshalls Croft, were Mr & Mrs Whitehall and their son Colin. Also living there were Mr & Mrs Williams, who were relatives. Colin was a gifted pianist/organist, and quite often played the organ at Blackpool Tower. The hill opposite the Boxing Club is known locally as "Aunty Menna's Hill". It leads up to Russell Street. There was a small shop at the bottom of the hill which, so far as I can remember, has always been called "Aunty Mennas".
Wed May 6 10:24:45 2009

Wil, Wrexham.
Apologies to Susan Gordon Jones, S W France, I seem to remember having made the same mistake before when the name was mentioned occasionally in the house I used to visit in Minshall's Croft. Thanks David Hart, Acrefair/Cefn for the corrections. Colin was a young teenager in my time visiting that locality and I lost touch after joining the Army. You say Norman was a butcher. Do I recall correctly that he worked at one time for D. T. Roberts, pork butchers, with a shop on Town Hill, Wrexham, and the sausage/black pudding/brawn/tripe/pork pie factory at The Homestead on Bersham Road? Or is my memory letting me down again?
Wed May 6 10:17:50 2009

Burgess, Burton on Trent
Coming to Cefn to do some family history and on my grt grandfather's death certificate they were living at Eaton Cottage, Cefn Mawr. Is this house still standing? This is all I have to go on, many thanks.
Wed May 6 10:16:17 2009

Chistine Madsen
I thought Mr Whitehead lived in Greystones by the ABC steps, Mr Whitehead was an amateur artist too, he did a watercolour of me when I was 16, many moons ago now. I still have it.
Wed May 6 10:15:08 2009

Susan Gordon Jones (nee Whitehead) SW France
To Wil of Wrexham: Norman and son Colin were Whitehall - not Whitehead (I know for obvious reasons).
Tue May 5 08:56:53 2009

David Hart. Acrefair/Cefn
FOR WIL, WREXHAM. The family that lived in the red house you refer to were Mr & Mrs Whitehall and their son, Colin. Mr Whitehall was a butcher and, I think, had a shop in Ruabon but I am not sure. Colin was a wonderful pianist and organist and regularly played in the Tower Ballroom, Blackpool. The narrow lane opposite the Boxing Club is known locally as "Aunty Mennas Hill". It leads up to Russell Street. Another narrow lane leads from there up to High Street. "Aunty Menna" owned a small shop at the bottom of the hill, hence the name.
Thu Apr 30 08:30:19 2009

Wil, Wrexham.
Stopped off in Cefn yesterday and walked up "Yr Erw", yes "The Acre". First, it's Minshall's Croft, with an "a" not a "u", my mistake, second, it is opposite the former King's Head pub, if you know that it used to be a pub. Not many houses left there, certainly the one I used to visit has gone, will say no more, could be sensitive to another "featured" contributor. Was it Norman, and son (drummer?) Colin, Whitehead(?) living in the big red-brick house at the top on the right? Opposite the boxing club is a narrow footway which made my suggested location of "Yr Erw" somewhat misleading, sorry folks!
Wed Apr 29 08:30:58 2009

Peter Lawrence, Colwyn Bay
To Wil, David and Margaret: thanks very much for the info on the Rareo/Yr Erw (The Acre??), very interesting - I guess many houses have long since been pulled down from that area. To Margaret, thank you for your kind words. I'm sorry to hear about Tony (I remember the delivery bike). I do remember your family at the top of the road. I recall someone cleaning the old iron fireplace, before they were replaced! And would your Aunty Doris have been Noel's wife?
Tue Apr 28 09:57:01 2009

Wil, Wrexham
For Peter Lawrence, Colwyn Bay. I think the place you are asking about, the Rareo, is, or was, "Yr Erw". I understood its correct name to be Minshull's Croft. It is a short street, un-named on the street maps, going steeply up from opposite the former Salvation Army Citadel, now Maelor(?) Boxing Club, to High Street, Cefn, (not to be confused with High Street, Rhosymedre). Spent many, many happy times at one of the houses there in my long past teenage years. Won't say more as I know there are contributors, and one in particular, who could give you more up-to-date info.
Mon Apr 27 09:28:39 2009

David Hart. Acrefair/Cefn
For Peter Lawrence, Colwyn Bay. The area you are asking about is actually called "Minshalls Croft". How it got the name Raero or Yr Erw (perhaps), I don't know, but I can tell you that it is the hill leading from High Street down to Crane Street. It is approx. 50 yards from "Smiths Hill". The top of the hill is just up from the Chronicle Office, on the left hand side. The bottom is across the road from the old Kings Head pub on Crane Street. Hope this will clear things up for you.
Mon Apr 27 09:02:25 2009

Margaret [Wright] Richards
Hi Peter Lawrence, I doubt whether you will remember me but when your mum and dad had Jones' shop in Bro Gwilym we lived at the top of "the avenue" [Heol Graigfab]. I think you would remember my two younger brothers Tony and Derek and my sister Christine. Tony was the order boy for your mum and dad, sadly he is no longer with us, he died in 2000 after a long and brave battle with cancer. Any way, in reply to your question about the rareo, it is at the top of Minshalls Croft between King Street and High Street. By the way, would just like to say what nice people your mum and dad were. I can remember taking my threepence pocket money to the shop and taking about half an hour to decide what to spend it on while I listened to all the local gossip. My aunty Doris worked there part time along with quite a few others, so even though it was only a small shop your mum and dad employed quite a few people. Very happy days.
Mon Apr 27 09:01:40 2009

Peter Lawrence, Colwyn Bay
Being a relative youngster to my relatives (!) I don't remember an area of Cefn they keep talking about - The Rareo (spl?). Can someone give me a geographical description of where this mythical place is (was)?
Fri Apr 24 08:31:16 2009

Don Jones (Delph) Acrefair
For Julie, Wrexham. I'm so glad that you found all the information on Ned and family. He really was a larger than life character and is still talked about today. In fact, only last Sunday I was talking to two gentlemen of my generation and all the Graig family were included in our conversation. As for your grandfather, Stan, my late wife was always thrilled to hear him sing "Broken Hearted Clown". I guess that's a song a little before your time. Best wishes.
Fri Apr 24 08:28:30 2009

Julie, Wrexham
Wow, there certainly is some fantastic information about Ned and the family on here. Don Delph in Acrefair, I am Stan's grand-daughter, and I didn't realise he could sing - how sad that I only found this out 8 years after he has passed away.
Wed Apr 22 07:45:49 2009

Wil, Wrexham.
For Julie, Wrexham. Have a look on Cefn Mawr/ Cefn Chronicle site. Ned-y-Graig has a very recent mention there, although I think the contributor also uses this site, so you may have a very prompt reply. Good Luck, Wil.
Tue Apr 21 11:44:01 2009

Don Delph, Acrefair
For Julie, Wrexham. If you go back to the beginning of this website and scroll upwards you will find many references to Ned the graig (Morris). Items have been submitted by Dilys Gardener, David Hart, Alan Edwards' Melvin Salisbury, myself and others. If I am correct your grandfather was Stan Hopwood who had a very fine tenor voice. In fact my brothers and I were only talking about him and his singing a couple of weeks ago. I am sure you will glean quite a lot from this site. Good luck!
Tue Apr 21 11:41:15 2009

Bob G.
Anyone know of Elsie Garrett\Evans or her hubby Doc (Frank)Garrett and their children? Used to live in Rhosymedre\Garth, the children uesd to go to Garth school and Acrefair.
Mon Apr 20 10:37:40 2009

Julie, Wrexham
I am looking for some information about "Ned y graig" and the Morris family. I am the late Eleanor Morris' (Hopwood) grand-daughter, and am hoping to get some information for my dad. If anyone can help, can you please let me know how I can get in touch! Many thanks.
Mon Apr 20 10:31:25 2009

Peter Lloyd, Trevor
Sonja Betton. In 2005 I asked a question about photographs of Bowers Rd, Acrefair. This seems to have started a fantastic site about Acrefair. Then this one started about Cefn Mawr. You ask about the blue ducks. Well as you live in Worksop and my father, who is 90 years old, lives in Creswell and is a relation of Ned's and lived with him for a while and was present at the "duck" time. You mention a lot of people they are also relatives of ours apparently(small world isn't it)? Not been on for quite a while and am in the process of reading all the entries. Dad is away in Scotland at the moment, but would be pleased to see you if you would like to talk to him. He has a fantastic memory. I keep saying I will record it all for posterity. Anyway two fingers getting numb, so if you would like to see him I will see what we can arrange.
Tue Apr 14 11:46:56 2009

Carol Young from Mansfield
To Alan from NZ. I remember Jack very well. I lived in Creswell until I was 10 and then moved to Warsop. Jack was a lay preacher and I remember him coming on my street which was Railway Avenue on a Sunday morning and preaching for at least an hour. I used to go out and watch him. We also had another relation living in Creswell, I think it was Jack's son but I just can't remember his name. We also lived across the road from my uncle John, dad's brother. Regards, Carol Young, nee Morris.
Tue Apr 14 10:49:37 2009

Jean Frickel from Chester
Thank you Don for telling me of the photograph. I wonder if the soldiers, speaking to the landlord, could be reminiscing with my grandpa, Henry Jones, another 'old' soldier. Although the name on the bottom of the pub sign looks like Schofield, this may be the brewery not the landlord. In the '20s young men representing Wrexham Clothing warehouses used to come on the train and by pushbike to visit houses in the area. They would take orders for clothes and the following week deliver them. Then collect the money at one shilling or the relative amount a week, similar to a modern mail order house. My father was one of these 'knocker men' and used to eat his lunchtime sandwiches with his pint at the Tally Ho Inn, New Bridge. This is where he met my mother. The young men who were all on their rounds were Jim Stobo, Bert Stewart and my father, Neville Rogers, all later had warehouses in Wrexham. Between his 'knocker' days and marriage, my father took a 'gap' year. He went on the Moss Empires Theatre circuit as a dresser to Samson the Strong man. He loved the theatre and had fond memoirs and scrapbooks of his year. Lovely to read the contributions. Strange how as we grow older we forget the bad bits and remember the fun. Perhaps that is how it should be!
Mon Mar 9 09:21:52 2009

Don Jones (Delph) Acrefair
For Jean Frickel, Chester. If you click on Cefn Mawr in bold lettering at the top of this page you will bring up several options. In the bottom right hand corner you will see a section on old postcards. Click on this and a number of old postcard photographs will come up. Picture number 05051059 is an old one of the Tally Ho. Best wishes.
Fri Mar 6 08:14:38 2009

Jean Frickel from Chester
My grandparents kept the Tally Ho Inn, Newbridge, during the '20s. Henry Jones was a retired Royal Marine, originally from Wrexham. My mother, Blodwyn, her two sisters Gwen and Nancy, lived there until their mother, Kate, died in the late '20s. The beer was still carried from the cellar in jugs, backbreaking work. My mother hated pub work and left as soon as possible to go nursing in London. Recently I returned to photograph the Tally Ho to find it has now become private housing. Has anyone an idea where I could find an old photograph?
Thu Mar 5 07:58:32 2009

Sue Cole Roberts, Wrexham
To all the people asking about Den's chippy - my best friend is Denise Parrish and has been for 43 yrs. She is the daughter of the late Den and Evelyn Parrish. I had some great times with the family at London House Well St and remember fondly Den and Uncle Bill from the chippy although you had to get to know Den to understand his sense of humour! When I was an age to vote Den and I had long HEATED discussions about politics as I voted Conservative and Den was an enthusiastic Labour supporter - when Den died the collection was for the Cefn Mawr Labour Society, so after all those years he had me 'cos I couldn't bring myself to walk past the collection plate and not put any money in! So there were 2 Labour links, as yes, he was closely related to John Prescott. I really loved Den, Bill and Ev and if I can put you in touch with Denise for some info I will.
Mon Mar 2 10:21:39 2009

Glenys Mates nee Jones, Preston
Hi Peter, I remember uncle Brady, not his family, but Jane Ann was third from the eldest of 10. The eldest was Rose then Thomas, Jane Ann, Polly, Jonathon, Elizabeth, Pryce, Maggie, Morris, and Menna, Thomas lived to be a 100 and 5 months.
Thu Feb 26 08:04:57 2009

Betty Jones, Cefn Mawr
I am so pleased to read so many letters from Cefn Mawr. Left there over 20 years.
Mon Feb 23 08:28:34 2009

Sonja Betton
To Carole Young (nee Morris) and Alan Edwards. I am one of Phoebe's grand daughters. I have done a little work on the family, and at the moment I have been speeking to Huw Morris - your cousin. He has lent me some family papers - in particular on "Preacher Jack" - Alan - I believe you are in contact with him? He gave me your address to write but not an email address. Carol - your brother Glyn (?) has my home phone number and email etc. I believe I live about 10 minutes from you!
Fri Feb 20 09:47:19 2009

Peter Lawrence, Colwyn Bay
To Glenys, hi - nice to hear from you. Well I never knew that, nice story! I've been trying to do my family history on Brady's side (well on and off - got back to Thomas Lawrence b 1794). Just wondering if you have any info on Jane Ann's side of the family? Being the youngest grandchild, I guess I missed out on the family myths and legends! You should be able to get hold of my email address through the site team. Best wishes, Peter.
Thu Feb 12 09:51:44 2009

Glenys Mates nee Jones, Preston ,
To Peter Laurence. Hello peter, I am Glenys, cousin to your Father, Pryce, who was named after my father, Pryce Jones, brother of your grandmother, aunty Jane Anne, who was wonderful and very much loved. It was like a breath of fresh air seeing a letter on the site from a family member.
Mon Jan 26 08:18:45 2009

Edward Howell
My forefathers (and mothers) lived in Cefn Mawr in the early 1800s, but due to numerous changes in the county administration for this area, lost records and lack of record keeping prior to 1837, researching family history in Cefn Mawr seems nearly impossible. It would be great if there was a "blog" style page for those of us wishing to make contact with potential family members in the area to facilitate sharing of information about our roots.
Mon Jan 19 09:07:34 2009

Glenys Mates [nee Jones], Preston, Lancashire.
Thanks all subscribers to this site I feel that I am part of the Cefn community again. A happy new year to you all.
Mon Jan 5 09:43:50 2009

Marlene Jones, New Zealand
Anyone knows anything about my grandma? Mary? Elizabeth (Humphreys) Jones. Married John Jones. 18 Tower Hill Trefynant. Had four girls and one boy (who died age 6 or 7 yrs old). John Jones colliery boiler stoker and colliery fireman as two of his jobs. The last child they had Georgina Lloyd Jones was my dear mother. Any news would be greatly appreciated.
Wed Dec 31 10:55:28 2008

Chistine Madsen
For Don Jones Delph from Chistine Jones, Hard Hat/Ireland, where would we be without our nicknames! We know who we are and we can stand proud! Thank you for your message, hope someone will answer me. I did not know either of my taids, Will Hard Hat or Tom Ireland, but I believe they were hard working men and enjoyed a drink, my respective nains would not have enjoyed this though!
Mon Dec 29 09:36:33 2008

Don Jones (Delph), Acrefair
For Chris Madsen. I do remember quite a lot about Cefn Mawr in the old days but, unfortunately, since 1951 I have spent most of my life outside the area. In fact, I have just returned after fourteen years in Gainsborough. I certainly remember Will Hard Hat but did not know him very well. A better source of information than me is my old friend David Hart. I will contact one of my brothers who also has a lot of information but it will have to wait for a week or so as we unfortunately suffered a bereavement in the family this morning. As soon as I get settled I intend rejoining the Clwyd Family History Society so maybe I can glean something from there. Sorry I can't help more at the moment. Best wishes and Merry Christmas.
Tue Dec 23 07:10:54 2008

Christine Madsen
For Don Delph. You seem to have a wealth of information. I am Steve Jones' (Ireland) daughter from Rhosymedre and Will head hat's grand daughter, Cefn. I am doing my family tree. Do you know anything about my dad's mother's family? She was Annie Morris and her family seem to have lived in Rhosymedre and Well St, Cefn. Arthur Morris the cashier in Monsanto is my 2nd cousin. I am interested in John Morris who played the organ in the old tabernacle. I am unsure if he was my grandmother's brother or cousin. Can you help please?
Mon Dec 22 09:01:28 2008

Christine Madsen
My great, great grandparents were Moses Morris, an engineer and Mary Blower. They lived in Well St, Cefn, born around 1820. Are there any Blowers in Cefn now? Has anyone got a Moses in the family? They are the parents of Richard Morris who was my great grandfather, born 1851 who lived on Rock Rd, Edward Morris and I think Jane Morris were his siblings.
Wed Dec 17 08:00:53 2008

Stuart Fawcett of Chirk
For David Hart. Thanks for that. I take it the wooden buldings were locally known as The Huts?
Mon Dec 15 08:13:26 2008

David Hart. Acrefair/Cefn
For Stuart Fawcett. Your mother was still working at the station in Acrefair when I was there. We knew each other very well, and I also knew your father. Regarding ALICE (Cabin). She lived in a wooden house, just down below the station, and used to sit by the front door chatting to passers by, so no doubt she would have heard your mother shouting! The site where the wooden houses stood is now called The Haven, and the bungalows are for pensioners / disabled people.
Fri Dec 12 12:01:38 2008

Wil, Wrexham.
Christine Madsen. Thanks for info on the Labour Hut in Cefn, many happy memories. During my Llangollen days/nights the Dorothy was still a cinema with a cafe in the front. Memories of the daughter from the Dorothy, a lovely young lady with a promising classical singing career in prospect before being involved in a very serious traffic accident. I was a member of Rhos M.V.C. who supported her on her first concert appearance after the accident, at Llangollen Town Hall, still a beauty, still a good singer, but confidence a little dented. Where is Annette now? I worked with her brother Vic, the union man at at D.H.Jones, Penybont, but, sadly, he's long gone now. By the way, Christine, according to info on another site you weren't even born when I was dancing, and drinking, in Llan, but your secret is safe with me, Bill.
Thu Dec 11 08:37:03 2008

Stuart Fawcett from Chirk
For Wil, My late mother Betty (Roberts Cae Glo) often recalled the dances and Alice (was she a Bathers?) Mum worked in Acrefair station during the war and was told by Alice to shout her if she was needed for any trouble - did she live near St Pauls? Regards to everyone.
Tue Dec 9 08:54:58 2008

Christine Madsen
For Wil, the Labour Hut in Cefn did have live bands. My uncle Winstan Bithell played there. He married my dad's sister Nellie. I too went dancing in Llan but in the old Dorothy picture house. Theo the Bus used to run a bus to the dance in Llan and also Malpas town hall. Good innocent fun. No drink involved in those days.
Wed Dec 3 08:34:45 2008

Wil, Wrexham.
Mid-1940s. From Drefechan and Penycae down Plas Isa, cross the road opposite Bethania Road to the Hughes and Lanc's houses. On to the end of that road then across a wooden (?) bridge, to go to the Labour Hut(?) dance where Alice Cabin took your entrance fee (6d?) and kept order. If Alice got up off her chair by the door someone was sure to go out through it by the scruff of the neck. Did they have a proper band or was it records? Sometimes the long walk home, although I recall half a dozen of us Penycae lads singing carols, on the way to Cefn and on the way home, on a couple of Xmas's for an elderly lady living in a cottage backing on to the Delph works railway line. Eventually "graduated" to Llangollen Town Hall, but that's another story! Happy days when we created our own fun.
Tue Dec 2 07:26:07 2008

Christine Madsen
As a young girl in the war years, my mum, then Susannah Evans, now Jones, worked in the package dept in Monsanto with Iris Roberts (she had husband Fred and daughter Glenys). Iris lived at that time by the Tally Ho Newbridge. Mum also remembers Marian Morris, her foreman, who she knew as Little Hughie, Margaret Roberts who drove the scammel lorry, Eddie Langford from Llangollen who was also a lorry driver, Betty from the "rock" who stood for her at my mum and dad's wedding. My dad, Steve Jones (Ireland), my aunt Vera Jones nee Griffiths who was a teacher but being the war years I suppose this was a job she had to do. Also, they were rather naughty and spent time drinking tea in the home of Alice "cabin".
Mon Dec 1 08:25:27 2008

Marilyn Jansen (nee Jones), Dukinfield, Cheshire
To Judith White - I am another cousin, sister to Chris Madsen. I remember your gran Aunty Elsie very well. She was a very plain speaking lady. Called a spade a spade. She also had a very dry wit. My uncle Alf (her brother) saw me a few years back and remarked on how much like her I looked. I was very fond of her. Her hair was always jet black. Nice to read about you.
Tue Nov 25 11:16:03 2008

Alan Edwards, Katikati, NZ
To Carol Young. I had to enlist the help of my sister Margaret Evans of Rhuddlan who is now the matriarch of our family. She knows of the people you mentioned. If you were related to Jack Morris, then yes, we are related. Uncle Jack Creswell, as he was known to us, was my Taid's brother. Jack's son Jack came to live in NZ and he had 2 sons - one also called Jack (John).
Tue Nov 18 08:42:53 2008

Chistine Madsen
Hi Judith White. My father was your grandmother's (my Aunty Elsie) brother, Steve Jones, known as Steve Ireland. I remember going to your gran's with my mum and dad when I was a child. Your gran used to live in Waterloo Terrace, Newbridge. In her front room she had lots of bottles of homemade ginger ale, dandelion and burdock pop and elderberry wine. Now and then they would pop and scare me. Does anyone still make these things I wonder or is it a lost art? Aunty's home always smelled of polish, she was spotlessly clean. Do ask the web team for my email address. I can then send you a photo of your great grandparents. They were known in Rhosymedre (by all neighbours as well as family) as Daddy and Mammy Jones. Mammy Jones had 13 living children. Big families were the norm then, of course.
Fri Nov 14 13:46:55 2008

Carol Young nee Morris
I have been reading a message from Alan Edwards and Sonja Betton. They mentioned a Phoebe and John. They were called Morris. My dad was called David Morris and he had a brother, John, sisters Margaret, Phoebe and Lizzie, who died at 22, Eleanor and Mary who still lives in Cefn. We also lived in Creswell and Jack used to come on Sunday morning and preach. I have relatives still living in Cefn: there's Stanley Hopwood, Ann Hopwood, Mary Phoenix and her son Alan. If you think you are related it would be nice to hear from you. Just reply to this please, I will send you my e mail address.
Mon Nov 10 15:03:18 2008

Alan Edwards, Katikati, New Zealand
Hi Julie Austin, saw a UK TV Parkinson programme last week (shows how far we are behind the times)it had Katherine Jenkins accompanied by the Fron choir (or should I say Cor Meibion Froncysyllte) didn't recognise cousin Gren. His mam and my dad were brother and sister. Give my love to Aunty Olive.
Wed Oct 29 08:26:03 2008

Sonja Betton
Alan Edwards, thanks for that Alan! - John Morris had so many children it's hard to put all the names and places in order. It made me smile when you mentioned Phoebe - I am her grand daughter! I love this web site and view it very often and the past few months have been very valuable.
Mon Oct 27 08:54:03 2008

Julie Austin, Cefn
Hi Judith, I know you wrote to Chris but I thought I would say hello to you. It's Julie, auntie Olive's daughter. How are you all? I haven't seen you in a long time. I saw our Alan in the Telford, Trevor, a couple of weeks ago. Auntie Olive said hello to you and said to tell you that she is 88 years old. She hasn't changed much Judith, you would stll have a problem in getting a word in. I can always remember our nana having a go at her for talking too much. I can see our nana now shouting at her because she was holding her up shopping up the Cefn. Don't know if you know but Paula is about to be come a grandmother in 3 weeks. Tom's girlfriend is expecting. Well hope you write back, take care Judith.
Thu Oct 23 09:55:25 2008

Alan Edwards, New Zealand
For Sonja Betton. The Edwards, Pennington and Austin are made up this way. My dad was John Edwards, his eldest sister was Winnie Pennington whose daughter is Olive Austin A. Technically Olive is my cousin but because of age difference (my dad was the youngest in his family) she has always been Aunty Olive and I love her to bits.On the Graig (Morris) side of the family there was my Taid Fred, Ned, Jack Harry, Margaret & Katherine (Kit).Jack was a lay preacher and lived in Cresswell, Margaret was a Davidson who lived in Manchester, her son Ernest who lived in Melbourne recently passed away aged 77. Ned's wife was Mary Anne and they had a daughter, Phoebe.
Thu Oct 23 09:52:43 2008

Judith White
For Chris Madsen. Hi, I am Jack Wilson's daughter. In a previous message you asked about Jack and Joyce Pennington's children. I am married to Keith and our son, Adrian is 24. My brother Michael is married to Elizabeth and they have a boy called Robert (21) and a girl Kathryn (20). My other brother Alan is sensible and unmarried. Can you please tell me who your father was? Thanks.
Tue Oct 21 10:17:17 2008

Sonja Betton of Worksop
I have just started looking into my family history and nearly every other day I look at this website because it is starting to look like one big "happy family"! - so I have decided to pluck up some courage and ask for some help. I am the great-grandaughter of Ned the Graig (as you have gathered) - I have used this site to try and piece some info together regarding who was related to who. Can a few of you take pity on me and explain how the Penningtons, Austins and Edwards tied into each other? Also, does any of you out there know anything about Ned the Graig's wife Mary Ann's family? She was a Lloyd.
Mon Oct 20 08:06:31 2008

Chris Madsen
For Alan Edwards, New Zealand. My cousin was married to a Pennington from Cefn. You would have known him better than I. I hardly knew my Dad's family. He was one of 13 living children. As you can imagine the age range amongst us cousins was huge. My very dear and close cousins are Kenneth and Melvyn Mathews, Alan Phillips, Derek, Terry and Leslie Bithell, Terry Wilson from Newbridge and his brother Tom from Rhosycoed Trefor. I also have lots of wonderful cousins from my Mum's side. I am so very lucky to come from a "big" family. Families are so small now and very split up with people moving away. I still live in the area I was born in and count myself very lucky to be here not only from my family point of view but because people in the villages of Rhosymedre and Cefn know me and my family, a luxury in this day and age.
Sat Sep 27 09:46:34 2008

Don Jones (Delph) Gainsborough
To Alan Edwards. I remember you well as a small boy but I reckon you were just about eight years old when I went into the RAF in which I served for more than 24 years. I am not sure when Ned moved from next door to us but I continued to deliver a Sunday newspaper to him after he went to live in Newbridge. Fred also lived in Newbridge at some time and I also took papers to him. He definitely had no ears as I remember very well. I think there were so many tales told of both Fred and Ned that some of them got mixed up. Some of those I told about Ned were told to me by men much older than me when I left the RAF. One thing for sure is that they were both real characters and are still talked about today and, as I have said a couple of times, nobody had a bad word to say about them. Best wishes.
Tue Sep 23 08:04:08 2008

Alan Edwards, Katikati, New Zealand
To Selwyn Wright, Oslow, Norway. Hi Selwyn. Do you still have blond curly hair? The last I heard of you, you had joined the police force. I have let Rob Harrison know you would like to catch up.
To Don Jones (Delph). All the stories of Ned the Graig sound more like my Taid Fred, Ned's brother, whom I believe was more notorious. Ned was my Mam's uncle. My Taid, Fred, lived in Heol Abon with Lil and Osie Davis. Apparently, as the story goes, Taid Fred had no ears. He lost one when he was fixing the wash house roof and his cigarette fell into the room where the gunpower for blowing up the river was stored - and up it went. The other ear was lost when he put his ear to a rabbit hole and his ferret bit it off. Don't know how true this was but it was a family story.
TO Chris Marsden. Jack Wilson I believe was married to a sister of my aunty Olive Austin. He was a baker and confectioner and when I was a very young boy he made me a decorated easter egg.
To Julie Austin. Hi Julie. I hope Aunty Olive is keeping well. My Dad was your Grandmother's (Aunty Winnie Pennington) youngest brother. Your Dad, Uncle Horace, was, I believe, a fantastic footballer, and I was told that he was capped for Wales Schoolboys. Do you have the cap?
Mon Sep 22 08:37:17 2008

Don Jones (Delph) Gainsborough
For Sonja Betton. I am sure that the Lord provided but I am also sure that Ned lent him a hand from time to time.
Mon Sep 22 08:12:37 2008

Allan James
To Chris Madsen, I worked with both of them for around 4 year in the bakery in Cefn, Jack worked on making bread and Allan was on cakes. I worked getting the delivery ready in early 1980.
Fri Sep 19 15:36:12 2008

Sonja Betton Worksop
Don (Delph), My mum always used to say that one of Ned's favourite sayings was "The Lord Will Provide"!
Thu Sep 18 08:08:12 2008

Chris Madsen
For Allan James, Deeside. Jack Wilson and his son Alan are related to me. Jack's Mum and my Dad were brother and sister but I do not know much about them. I would be delighted to know more.
Fri Sep 12 08:33:49 2008

Don Jones (Delph) Gainsborough
For Sonja Betton. I was most intrigued by your question about the blue ducks. I had never heard of it but it seemed so typically Ned. I felt that if anyone knew it would be my brother, Colin, who has lived all his life in that area. I spoke to him on the phone this morning and, sure enough, he knew about it. It seems that many years ago Ned 'acquired' some ducks in the same way that he acquired other living edibles (salmon, chickens, rabbits and the odd sheep). Knowing that the law would come looking for him pretty soon he apparently dyed the ducks blue in order to disguise them but the police just poured water on them and Ned was once again caught out. Believe me he was a real character and I have never heard anybody say a bad word about him. To many he was seen as a modern day Robin Hood. Best wishes.
Mon Sep 8 09:32:41 2008

Peter Lawrence, Colwyn Bay
To Len re the well. I was told that during refurbishment, a well was found in the basement of the building opposite the Holly Bush - I think it has been a chemist and off licence in the past. I think there's a reference to the well in the Cefn Mawr in Old Picture Postcards book (page 32) also on this site.
Mon Sep 8 09:06:08 2008

Chris Madsen
For Len Salisbury. My Aunt Freda (Mathews), Rhosymedre, told me that the well in Well St was where the Breeze family lived (more or less) going to Somerfield from Cefn on the right hand side. Maurice Breeze married Cynthia Holt and they lived in Plas Isaf where I grew up.
Mon Sep 8 08:58:48 2008

Rachel, Cefn
Thank you Caroline... I know that my great gran was Rachel Parish and she married David O Roberts. They are both buried in Chirk cemetery. I had heard along the line about the John Prescott link...
Fri Sep 5 08:37:38 2008

Len Salisbury, Acrefair
Has any one got any ideas as to why Well Street, Cefn Mawr, is named. I have been informed that there is a well in the area and the exact location of it.
Fri Sep 5 08:31:45 2008

Allan James, Deeside
Hi Julie Austin, Cefn Mawr. Yes I do remember my uncle, Jasck Wilson? He worked in Williams the bakers for many years. He with his son Alan. You will know me, we worked at K Plastic.
Wed Sep 3 08:18:00 2008

Sonja Betton, Worksop
Ages ago I read about someone knowing a story about Ned the Graig and some 'blue ducks' - there are a few of us now who would love to know this story. Can anyone out there accommodate? We wait with bated breath...
Tue Sep 2 08:49:14 2008

Margaret McGlashan, Hull
Re Peter Bloore and the Brellisfords. Hope it's not too late to pick up this thread! One of my ancestors was a John Brellisford from Llangollen and he married Amelia Brown from Glamorgan. He was a butcher and in the 1861 census is living next door to the Grapes Hotel, Cefn Mawr. Actually in the hotel is a Selina Jones married to Robert Jones, the boat builder. Selina was a Brellisford before marriage. Whether my John Brellisford is her father or just a relative I do not know. Her marriage certificate shows a John Griffith, also a butcher, entered as the father.
Mon Sep 1 09:10:25 2008

Maria Mairs, Acrefair
Still learning... set Facebook up next day or so
Fri Aug 22 07:59:27 2008

Melvin (Mansfield)
Well I've not put much on the site for a while but would like to let Don (Delph), Alun, Len and the rest of you people know I keep a eye on the site and what you are saying. Sonja, Barb, Allan I see you have all put your bit on the site. Felt left out so here is my bit.
Thu Aug 21 09:14:43 2008

Sonja Betton
Don Jones (Gainsbro'). My mum, Linda, used to live with Ned and Mary Ann in Wales. And she assures me that they never divorced! If memory serves right, Ned died in 1959 - when mum, Linda, was 14 and Mary Ann came to live with "Aunty Margaret" (her daughter) in Warsop until she died in 1973.Mum lived in Ruabon and was brought up by her grandparents until Ned's death in '59. Melvin is my uncle! and I believe Dilys a cousin. The stories were brilliant - I would love to hear more.
Tue Aug 19 08:20:23 2008

Alun Salisbury, Cardiff, formerly Cefn Mawr
Sonja Betton – Your friend Barbara forwarded me your email address. I have sent information on my Salisbury family tree, which may be of help.
Tue Aug 19 08:16:10 2008

Anna from Exeter
Hi Maria, of course I remember you, you didn't have to say all that. How are you, are you on Facebook? Type in my name. It will be lovely to talk to you.
Mon Aug 18 08:32:28 2008

Susan Gordon Jones (Whitehead)
To Gill Strong (Evans). How lovely to hear from you. Thanks for the birthday greetings and happy birthday to you for the 17th. Good to know the old memory cells are still working. How strange you mentioned that photo as last Christmas Lynette sent me an enlarged copy which her husband had made, by the way it was Anne Daniels not Hilary. I believe your husband's brother has been working in the same school as my son Angus. Small world!
Sat Aug 16 15:08:16 2008

Gill Strong (Evans) Kinmel Bay
Hi Susan Gordon Jones. I just thought I would wish you a happy birthday for 15th August (I won't say which one but it is over 40). I came across an old photo taken in your back garden many years ago at one of your birthday parties. On it was Harold from Newbridge and Hilary Daniels, Sylvia Richards, Jenny the milk, Lynette and you and me, how it brought back memories of young teenage years. I remember the smell of rubber when I walked into your father's shop as he used to repair bikes didn't he. The Cefn has altered a lot since those days and I am not sure it is for the better. Anyway have a good day and have a glass of wine for me.
Thu Aug 14 16:28:21 2008

Renee Hughes nee Francis, FRON
Len Salisbury, I remember your mother if she used to go to bingo in Monsanto and she did a lot with the Red Cross. Den's father, Ted Hughes, used to take her home from bingo. She was a friend of Den's mother too.
Wed Aug 13 07:53:09 2008

Don Jones (Delph), Gainsborough
For Sonja Betton. If you look back on this web page you will find correspondence between myself, Dilys Gardener and Melvin Salisbury about Ned Morris, better known in Cefn as Ned y Graig - Ned the rock. He and Mary Ann were married for many years but while I was away in the RAF I heard that they had divorced but do not know if this is true. As a matter of interest the Alan Edwards from New Zealand, who has put items on this page recently, was a nephew of Ned - his mother being Ned's sister, Elsie. Best wishes and good luck with your enquiries.
Wed Aug 13 07:47:42 2008

Selwyn Wright, Oslo, Norway
I would just like to say hello to Alan Edwards from New Zealand. I remember Alan very well, what a great lad. My sister, Margaret, still living in the Cefn, told me about the site and that Alan had been writing. So many memories when you read through. I am ashamed to say that I was working in Aukland in 1987 but only for two days so I did not have time to get in touch with you Alan, I regret that. I can remember Alan finding a young Thrush, he took it home and built it a nest in his front room, we spent all the spare time we had looking for worms for it. I think it ended up being the heaviest thrush on the planet. I too worked at Ifton from 1960 til 1965. It's hard to believe it's been closed 40 years. Next time I drive through St Martins I am going to stop at the miner's institute for a pint! I visit the Cefn 2 or 3 times a year as most of my brothers and sisters still live there. I hope we can meet up again one day Alan. If you do go to the Cefn again let me know an! d I will make sure I am there at the same time, I would love to see Rob again too. One quick true story for Stuart about Ifton, I was working nights at the switchboard because had an injury, no sick leave there, there were problems at 18's - all the management were working late. The manager, Mr Luker, (Ex RAF officer) came to me at the exchange and told me if there was any problems at 18's I was too ring him at home straight away. As he was walking away Brown, the undermanager, came and said to me, any problems you ring me. About 3am the fireman rang up from 18's saying they had hit a major fault, and what should they do. I thought about it for half a second and rang Brown. His wife took the phone and in a very soft voice said, 'He's only just got off to sleep, I am not waking him now, just send the men to 19's' So the entire night shift went to 19's on the say so of the undermanager's wife. I never did tell the manager.
Tue Aug 12 08:12:47 2008

Sonja Betton, Worksop
Hoping someone out there can help me out, I have been trying to gather information on the Salisbury family originating from the Pentre Broughton area.My grandparents were Joseph Salisbury and Phoebe Morris. Also Edward Ishmael Morris and Mary Ann Lloyd - Edward was also I believe known as Ned the Rock? Has anyone got any info for me?
Mon Aug 11 14:24:59 2008

Maria Jones nee Mairs, Acrefair
Anna from Exeter, hi I'm your cousin Maria. I was brought up by our grandmother. I called her mum. I am David's/Barry's cousin also I'm in Acrefair.
Mon Aug 11 14:24:11 2008

William Russell Jones, Cefn Mawr
Caroline it was Dorothy Parrish who married George Stanley Butterton. George S being a relative of mine. Who did Sheila marry?
Mon Aug 11 14:12:40 2008

Maria Jones nee Mairs, Acrefair
David Barry Mairs I'm your cousin, Maria. I'm Elsie's granddaughter.
Mon Aug 11 11:10:18 2008

Caroline Williams, Weston Rhyn
To Rachel Cefn re Den the chippy. Den was a Parrish, one of his sisters married Stan Butterton and they had a daughter, Sheila, who I think lives in the Fron. Another of his sisters is the mother of the one time deputy prime minister John Prescott. He had another brother, Jack, who lived in Whitehurst, Chirk. It was a big family, I think 4 sisters and 3 brothers?
Thu Aug 7 17:00:56 2008

Paula Smith, nee Austin
To Alan Edwards, Katakati, New Zealand. Hi Alan. I am Paula, Julie Austin's sister. I read your letter to Julie and thought it would be nice to reply to you also. I remember you when you lived in Cefn Mawr, I especially remember you wearing wellies and always with a big grin on your face! We were quite sad when you left for New Zealand, which in those days seemed like another planet! I remember a visit from your mam and stepfather, we had a special slide show, which showed us what a beautiful country you had moved to. I went to Cardiff University and married a South Walian but have returned to Mid Wales where we have converted an old Chapel. Strangely enough it is Congregational, which is where I was christened in Cefn Mawr. I now teach Yoga full time and my husband teaches at athe local Further Education College. I'm glad you are happy and are still enjoying a good life. Bye for now, Paula.
Wed Aug 6 11:15:31 2008

Julie Austin, Cefn Mawr
Hello Alan Edwards. I have told my mam Olive that you have written to me. She is giong to attempt to write to you through my niece, Jessie, who is my sister Paula's daughter. I know that you saw my mam Olive when you last came to the UK or that you wrote to you. My mam is 87 years old now and stll going strong. I remember my auntie Elsie and uncle Les coming over as a child and I always wanted to listen to what she had to say. She would bring me large sea shells from New Zealand and always asked me to listen to the sea which I loved. There aren't many of my nana's family left now and I think my mam is the eldest. Nana's nephew Gren is still in the Fron choir and I think he is the longest serving member. Me and my mam saw uncle Des only last week and we also saw Marjorie who was walking along the canal Fron side. Do you remember them? Gren and Des were Amalia's sons and Marjorie was auntie Mary Ann's daughter. I also know that your sister Renne passed away last year. I often see Alan and Jolly in Cefn and always have a chat. My mam liked what you wrote and is thinking of what to say to you, I know she will write. Keep in touch Alan it was nice hearing from you. Best wishes to you and your family.
Wed Aug 6 10:00:58 2008

Alan Edwards, Katikati, New Zealand
Hello Julie. I am Alan, son of Elsie Morris, your cousin from New Zealand. I was born in Cefn in 1945 and yes, I emigrated when I was 18 and have been here ever since and am now 63. I did return and visited Aunty Olive after 30 years away. I still visit Cefn Mawr if I am in the UK as my best friends Rob and Joan Harrison live opposite Ty Mawr Farm which is now a council owned farm park. Rob's parents owned Ty Mawr when I was a young boy and I spent many hours working there. I now have my own company which I have named Ty Mawr Investments Ltd and our avocado orchard is called Ty Mawr Orchard. When I lived in Cefn my address was 21 Heol Berwyn which was the second to last house to Dick Richard's shop and next to the Delphs. On my first trip home after 30 years I met up with Colin Jones (Delph) MBE and was very proud to catch up with him at his home in Churk. I love reading this site as so many of the people mentioned I knew personally. It all seems a long time ago as I am now a grandfather with 2 grandchildren. I married Amy 38 years ago who had emigrated from South Africa. She has a doctorate in business management and is a CEO of a private Christian university. My daughter Kara Bronwyn is a nurse in intensive care in Auckland Hospital and has a daughter Sian aged 4, and a son Rhys aged 2. My eldest sister Margaret Evans who lives in Rhuddlan could help with any questions about our family. My other sister Rena Jolly passed away last year.
Mon Aug 4 14:48:43 2008

Stuart Fawcett from Chirk
In the Autumn of this year it will be 40 years since the closure of Ifton Colliery. Chirk Community Newsletter will be commemorating this event in the Autumn issue and are seeking views and stories of those who remember not only the closure of the pit but also any memories of people may have of their working life there - many from Cefn and Rhosymedre. I hope the team could forward information to my email address - the closing date is August 24th.
Mon Aug 4 09:50:31 2008

Renee Hughes, nee Frances
Hi, I made a mistake on my other letter - I have lived in Fron for 50 years not 43. I have a son, Nigel, and daughter Mandy, 5 grand children and a gorgeous great grandson of 4 months and I am married to Denzil Hughes and thank you Russell for that little note you emailed me.
Fri Aug 1 09:34:44 2008

William Russell Jones, Cefn Mawr
Another relative on this site is always welcome Renee!
Thu Jul 31 10:25:39 2008

Barrie Davies, Hull, East Yorkshire
My grandparents on my father's side lived on the main road to Llangollen in Cefn Mawr, there were thirteen children and my father was the youngest, William Arthur Davies. His father was named Watkin William Davies and I am afraid I cannot remember my grandmother's name. They both died before I was born and they both are buried in the cemetery near to Monsantos. One of my aunts lived above the Monsanto entrance and ran the local shop near to the entrance and her son Watkin took over the running of the shop after her. Does anyone remember them? My father died in 1981, sadly aged 77 yrs and my mother died, sadly aged 100 yrs, in January, 2006 and if I had found your website before I am sure a lot of your queries could have been answered. My grandfather played for the Druids, obviously when they were a team to be reckoned with, because they won the Welsh cup at that time. I remember seeing his winning medal and would love to know where it now is. I started work at Monsantos in 1958 as an apprentice and played for the Druids at the same time. I only stayed there for six months and totally hated being there. I would get off the bus from Wrexham at 7.30am and walk into the factory and be burned by spots of acid landing on any exposed area of your body and burning like "pin pricks". Can anyone remember that? My enquiry is:- 1. Does anyone remember the Davies family in Cefn Mawr? 2. Does anyone remember when you played for the Druids that in mid winter you changed into your kit in the ice cold changing rooms and had a cold bath? 3. Does anyone remember the allegedly deposit of chemicals in the air within the village, which burnt within the atmosphere?
Tue Jul 29 10:14:43 2008

Renee Hughes nee Francis, Fron
Sister of flanny the binman, Doris, Vera, Denis and Basil does anybody remember me? My mam was called auntie Jinny married to Frank Francis from the Cefn. I have lived in the Fron 43 years. I'm a learner on the internet and computer and enjoying it.
Mon Jul 28 10:20:23 2008

Mike Coates, Birmingham
To Susan Goodwin thanks, went to the Royal Welsh Fusiliers museum at Caernarfon castle yesterday. I now have a wealth of information. It seems the medaille militaire was awarded to those proposed by the UK Military and might not be for a specific action but a series of actions that benefited France, the French people or military - or a combination of all three. But I can now place his DCM bar action to within 1 hour and 300 metres, and his DCM action to 3 hours and about 1/2 a mile! Not bad considering some 90 years have elapsed since they took place. But have no more enlightenment on his mention in despatches or his action in the Boer War 1899-1902 (he joined the Kings own imperial yeomanry and lied about his age). The search contiues...
Thu Jul 24 08:38:59 2008

Susan Gordon Jones (Whitehead) ex Cefn, SW France
To Mike Coates: regarding the Medaille Militaire. Try typing Medaille Militaire into Google and look at the Wikipedia site. There is a detailed explanation and also a picture so you can compare. Good luck. I remember the name Ned Sheffield but cannot put a face to the name. Good luck.
Tue Jul 22 14:30:44 2008

Mike Coates, Birmingham
Wow, some excellent memories here. I remember "Monsanto", snow and tears on the crane. I wonder if anyone can help. My great grandfather Edward Thomas Jones, who was born around 1883, won many medals in WWI. We know what the DCM bar and DCO were for, however he won the Medaille Militaire, an important French medal during WWI, we cannot though, find out what for. He was, I believe, a founder or founding member of the Cefn Royal British Legion, and was a local councillor (Labour) and a deacon of Bethel Church (at the entrance to the school gates). He was known locally as Ned Sheffield or Sheff. He may have been on the school board as well. He lived before the war in Crane Street and moved to Temple Vale (Dolydd Rd) around 1920.
Mon Jul 21 10:02:37 2008

Chris Madsen
Hi Angela, I knew you and Patricia as little girls. You lived by the police station in Rhosymedre then and I lived in number 43. Your Grandfather was my Dad's Uncle Aaron.
Wed Jul 9 11:18:21 2008

William Russell Jones, Cefn Mawr
Angela, remember me to your sister, Patricia, next time you see her. Tell her it's Russell. She'll know!
Wed Jul 2 08:50:20 2008

Don Jones(Delph) Gainsborough
To David Hart. Helo Dai. Nice to see you in print again. Of course I remember Eric Brimfield (Abby) and all his family very well. I can remember Dick having his chip shop built but have no idea who the builder was. My brother, Ned, and his mates were employed by Dick himself to shift all the bricks and were not very impressed with their reward of two cigarettes. As you so rightly say there are only a few of us old timers left but I am always glad if I can pass some information on for the younger generations. I wil be up there all next week and, who knows, we may bump into eac!h other and how nice that would be. Best wishes, Don.
Wed Jul 2 08:38:42 2008

David Hart, Acrefair/Cefn
For Don Jones (Delph) Gainsborough. Hi Don. Further to the query about Dick's Chip shop, and the replies that have been posted, it seems that other people are interested in learning more. I was stopped this morning, in Cefn, by Eric Brimfield (remember him?), who asked if I knew who built the chip shop. There appears to be some discussion taking place down "the bottom of Cefn", and various builders' names have been put forward. You mentioned that your uncle Jim was involved at some time, and I wonder if you have any idea who the builder was that he worked for. Good to see your comments. Keep them going as there's not many of us left now. Regards, Dai.
Tue Jul 1 08:11:21 2008

Angela Hughes (nee Morris), Johnstown
Tom Jones was my grandfather. My mother, Margaret Morris, who married Arthur Morris was his eldest daughter. Mum who is 78 and dad 81 live in Trevor. The article in the Wrexham Leader and Daily Post was written by my daughter Emma Hughes when she was in Ysgol y Grango, Rhos. We are all very proud of grandad's achievements. Emma is researching our family tree at the moment and would welcome any input.
Mon Jun 30 08:33:55 2008

Susan Gordon Jones (Whitehead) ex Cefn, SW France
To Chris Marsden: I do not remember Tom Delph but I do remember his wife. I am sure her name was Annie. When I was over in Cefn last year I met her daughter, Margaret Morris, and we had quite a chat. I had not seen her for years. It would seem then that she still lives in the area. She is, no doubt your best source of information.
While I was over I bought myself a present - a DVD called "Voices of the Valley Encore" (thought the encore was most appropriate) so now there is a corner of Gascony which resounds to the voices of Froncysyllte Male Voice choir and oh how those local accents bring a lump to my throat especially in Guide me oh Thou Great Redeemer but when they get to We'll keep a Welcome I am packing my suit case. Keep it up, lads!
Mon Jun 30 08:12:24 2008

Mark Jones
Thanks Ian, yes that's the one I meant. Going back a few years now. Gawd now I feel old, lol. I can also remember Monsanto having an open day years ago. All us kids were given jelly and ice cream in the little rooms where the snooker tables are now. Also, there there was a mini fair on the bowling green.
Mon Jun 30 08:09:58 2008

Ian Davies, Cefn
To Mark Jones: the video shop I think you mean was next to the Royal Oak. I think it was run by Alan "Turkey" Griffiths.
Fri Jun 27 07:58:41 2008

Don Jones (Delph) Gainsborough
To Chris Marsden, yes I certainly remember Tom Delph who was a cousin of my dad. In the 1920s he played for Druids, Manchester United and, finally Scunthorpe and Lindsey. He was capped for Wales three times. Obviouisly footballers of those days were not paid as they are nowadays and after the Second World War, he was living in a council house at the bottom of Cefn and worked in Monsanto. I didn't know his daughter but I do remember her marrying Arthur Morris who also worked in Monsanto and, I'm pretty sure, played cricket for them. My daughter, who lives at Plas Madoc, had a large item from the Wrexham Leader a few years ago which outlined Tom's football career.
On another subject you asked about Dick's chippy. Only a couple of weeks ago I posted a reply on the site about this and it was right at the side of his other shop so you will certainly have seen it.
Wed Jun 25 08:46:27 2008

Kath Jones/Roux
"Totty" Taylor was, as I remember, the most hated among any child that dared to step on the school grounds after school. I'm sure he was a dedicated employee, but the quickest way to the Doctors and the "Rec" was through the infants school.
Tue Jun 24 09:10:22 2008

Chris Madsen
I feel like I am a pest! I was born in 1949, my Nain lived in Heol Abon. I think I remember Dick's Chippy. Could I?
Mon Jun 23 09:15:06 2008

Mark Jones
Can anyone remember the old video shop that was attached to the pub in Newbridge? I can remember going there with my dad on the way to my gran's house and getting jaws and watching it when we got back to his flat. We also called to Den's chippy on the way back. Used to be lovely chips.
Mon Jun 23 08:45:19 2008

Chris Madsen
For Don Jones (Delph), do you know anything about Thomas Jones(Delph) born around 1900 married a Wood, I think, a sister to Miss Wood the one time headmistress of Ruabon girls school. Thomas features on my family tree, his daughter Margaret married my cousin Arthur Morris but we have lost touch and I am stuck for details. Hope you can help.
Mon Jun 23 08:30:07 2008

Don Jones (Delph) Gainsborough
For David Hart, Helo Dai. I was pleased to see your comment on Dick's chipy in the Cefn as I had forgotten to include it in my submision. Of course, I remember it well and the comment shouted through the door. It was not all we shouted in those days, was it? I heard a story about Dick's Cefn chippy many years later. After I left the RAF I worked for a while at Denis Ruabon and one of the supervisors there had, a long time before, driven for Crowe's the fruit and veg firm. One of his jobs was to deliver potatoes to the shop and, if he had as many as 20 sacks, he had to tip them all out onto the floor and if Dick found just two bad ones they had to be replaced by good ones! There were no flies on Dick. What great memories we have. Hope you and yours are all well. Best wishes, Don.
Mon Jun 16 08:22:05 2008

Leonard Salisbury
To Dai Hart, I too remember Dick's chip shop in Well Street and also recall a metal advertising about "Bonio/Spratts" dog biscuits and the biscuits were laid out in the shape of a dog.
Mon Jun 16 08:14:57 2008

David Hart, Acrefair/Cefn
For KATH JONES/ROUX.
I have been waiting for my old pal Don Jones to leave his comments about Dick's Chip Shop, as he lived very close to the shop. I can't remember it being built, but do remember that Dick Richards had an earlier Chip Shop in Cefn. It was to the left of the George Edwards Hall (Old Hall), and can just remember that some of the glazed tiles around the range were a small swastika design. It must have been in the early years of the war, as we would shout "Hitler" through the door, as passing. I wonder if Don remembers it. Regards. David
Fri Jun 13 08:52:29 2008

Don Jones (Delph) Gainsborough
To Kath Jones/Roux. Dick Richards had a chip shop built next to his grocery shop, to the right of it as you approach from Heol Berwyn. I well remember it being built and would put the time as early in the Second World War. My brother, Ned, worked at Ifton Colliery at the time and, after work, he and some of his mates carried all the bricks for it for which Dick rewarded them with two cigarettes each. It was still going strong when I left Cefn in 1951 and for some years afterwards. I don't know when it closed. Best wishes
Thu Jun 12 08:20:54 2008

Kath Jones/Roux
Does anyone remember when Dick Richards had a chippy? It must have been before my time. I was born in 1953, and only remember the shop.
Tue Jun 10 08:37:28 2008

Don Jones (Delph) Gainsborough
To Melvin Mansfield. When I was a young lad (many years ago) the river down below Dick's used to flood every year and my brothers and I had to go down to collect branches of washed down trees to be sawn up for firewood. The fields on both sides of the river would be completely covered and it was quite a sight. I went into the RAF in 1951 and one of my brothers informs me that some time later much of the river below Bala lake was diverted for use by the water board and so the large floods no longer occur.
Tue Jun 10 08:26:31 2008

Gillian Hughes (Nee Morris) Rhosymedre
To Julie Austin: I remember Mrs Lewis the cook at Cefn school. Do you remember Dilys Hope who also worked in the school canteen? Do you remember the caretakers Mr Vaughn and Mr Taylor? Mr Vaughn was always munching on sweets and I used to gaze longingly at the bag of sweets hoping he would offer me one - he never did! :)
Mon Jun 9 07:38:09 2008

MELVIN MANSFIELD
Jackie and Don, thank you for that and yes, as soon as I read that it was Dick's shop, I knew you were right and it came back to me. I remember my cousin walked me there to buy sweets. (some say spice or whatever but they were nice in any language). Has the land along that part of the river ever flooded can any one tell me?
Fri Jun 6 08:00:12 2008

Jackie Snape (nee Duckett) Johnstown
Not 100% sure, but I think I remember when we used to go down the Dolydd when visiting my Aunty who lived on Cae Gwilym Lane, a shop called "Dick's". (This was many years ago, so my memory could be playing tricks on me.)
Thu Jun 5 08:09:04 2008

Don Jones (Delph), Gainsborough
To Melvin Mansfield. The shop you refer to is almost certainly the one always known as Dick's and, over the years, has become a local landmark. It was built before the Second World War by a man named Dick Richards and he later added a chip shop next door to it. It remained in his family for many years but, unfortunately, when it was finally sold I am told that the new owner was unable to make a go of it and it closed. I lived in the last house on the left going towards the shop and it is in the field opposite that house that the new houses are being built. From our front window we could see Telford's Aqueduct and right across to Crow Castle. Whoever lives in that house in the future will miss a magnificent view. Best wishes.
Thu Jun 5 08:07:47 2008

Melvin Mansfield
I notice that the site is not getting as many people on as when I first found it. So I thought I'd ask if anyone can tell me the name of the shop at the bottom of the Cefn on the way to the river. I'm told that they have started to build along that part of the river blocking the view to the valley from the estate. What a shame that was allowed to happen. Wonder if they may regret that at the time of floods which we all know is happening more and more.
Wed Jun 4 09:24:09 2008

Chris Madsen
Any Davies out there who had relations Randle Davies, a stone quarry crane driver (maybe at Chathams quarry Rhosymedre)? Randles' wife was Mary Ann Morris known as Polly, their children were Lucy born 1901 and William C1903. I need help to fill in my family tree and Mary Ann was my gran's sister. Lucy lived in Acrefair somewhere. Hope this jogs someone's memory.
Wed May 28 08:36:28 2008

Julie Austin, Cefn
To Gillian Morris. I passed your message on to my mam. Does anyone remember Mrs Lewis the cook at Cefn school? Her butterscotch was the best. I have tried to make some but it didn't turn out like hers. Mine resembled something you would find on a construction site!
Wed May 28 08:32:21 2008

Rachel, Cefn Mawr
Someone mentioned being the niece of Den the chippy...he was my grandpa's cousin I believe as Rachel Roberts (nee Parish) was his mother and Den I think was Parish. If I'm wrong can someone let me know but I have been told by my dad years ago about this...if I'm right any more relatives local?
Tue May 27 09:22:52 2008

Julie Jackson, Essex
Does anyone remember Ruby Roberts born 1928, worked seed factory and then "Gracies" in Cefn. Married 1947. Sister Joan, mum Daisy. Went to Acrefair Council School. Please let me know. Thank you.
Fri May 23 07:57:25 2008

Anna Powell, Derby
Thanks to Leonard Salisbury, Alwyn Price and David Hart for your replies. Sadly, my uncle Greg passed away a year ago. My dad is fit and healthy thank you and I have passed on your regards. To Leonard, yes, you were correct both brothers went to teach at the royal school for the deaf at Derby. My dad married a Lincolnshire girl who was doing her nurse training at Derby and they are still happily married having 5 children. He remembers once being on the bus and he said 'hello saucy' and you replied 'hello iddy' and his mum told you off saying 'his name is Idris'.
Wed May 21 08:33:31 2008

Gillian Hughes (Nee Morris) Rhosymedre
To Julie Austin: I remember your mum well, please tell her that she was a great dinner lady :) I have fond memories of my childhood at the infants school - the dinners were great too, I almost always had seconds!
Wed May 21 08:30:37 2008

Julie Austin
To Chris Madsen, my auntie Joyce and uncle Jack's children's names are Alan, Judith and Mike. I can only remember Judith's boy's name which is Adrian.
To Gillian Hughes. Yes, my mother was the dinner lady at Cefn Infants School for 23 years. She still tells me the stories of her time there.
Tue May 20 07:32:17 2008

Gillian Hughes (Nee Morris) Rhosymedre
To Julie Austin: did your mum used to work in Cefn school as a supervisor at dinner times? I'm pretty sure I have the right lady.
Mon May 19 09:03:43 2008

Chris Madsen
For Julie Austin, please can you let me know the names of Joyce Pennington and my cousin Jacky Wilson's children, grandchildren and dates of birth or approx ages. I am filling in my family tree and although I knew some of my Wilson family, I did not know much about them.
Mon May 19 08:08:28 2008

Trevor Jones, Colchester
Julie Austin. I remember those games of football on the square. While I could never be regarded as even slightly competent with a football, the stark reality that that I'd never get to play for Man Utd hit me full on when it became obvious that the other lads preferred to have you in their team instead of me... On the other subject, going to Sunday School meant you got to go on the outing to Rhyl and it was always disappointing if the coach didn't go via the Horseshoe Pass.
Fri May 16 10:06:26 2008

Julie Austin, Cefn
I was reading about chapels that some of you were speaking about on another site. That brought back memories to me. My mother Olive insisted that I went to Sunday school which I wasn't too keen on so I tried them all. Salvation Army, Ebenezer, Tabanacle, Bethal and Hill Street. I think there was another but I can't remember. Then I found football. I was much more interested in kicking a ball around the square in Heol Cefnydd, playing with Delwyn, Trevor, Paul (Turpin), Steve and Phil Rodgers. We even had had our own FA cup which was my taid's for shooting. Needless to say, my mam gave in to me all the time, bless her.
Thu May 15 08:15:10 2008

Anna from Exeter
Hi Barry, good to hear from you. I have left messages to David but I haven't had a reply to say he has received them, so hopefully you will hear from him. I don't know how Tracey is going to give me your number as I haven't seen them in years which is a shame. My mum has said to ask how your mum is and to give her her love.
Wed May 14 11:31:12 2008

Julie Austin, Cefn
Hi Kath, yes, I do remember you and your sister's brother Trevor and Cliff and Edna. I know too that you were in Cefn for the reunion and that your mother was ill at the time and I was sorry to hear that she passed away. I told Paula that you were asking for her and she sends her regards to you and I told my mother too who is now 87 years of age.
Wed May 14 08:43:58 2008

Barry, Wrexham
Hi Anna thanks for the reply. I don't remember much, we moved from Plas Madoc when I was 3 along with my 2 brothers, to Wrexham. I only keep in touch with Tracy (Christine's daughter) when I get time. I asked Tracy to get my number to you. Again thanks for the reply hope you're OK, speak to you soon.
Tue May 13 08:35:17 2008

Anna from Exeter
Hello Barry, I will let David know that you have got in touch, and to go on this site, as I am not sure how you get in touch from here. Do you remember us? My sister and brother are called Debbie and Billy and my mum is called Mary. I have got some photos of us all when we were kids. Glad you got in touch and will let David know. Hope to hear from you again, Anna x
Mon May 12 08:39:59 2008

Chris Madsen
For Alun Salisbury, I know Malcolm Bartley, Gwen, Andrew and Jennie very well. We used to go to the same church. We went on church camps together to Dyffryn Ardudwy, God's little bit of heaven on earth. I knew they were related but did not know how. Gwen worked with me in Rhosymedre school. I was the school secretary and she was a teaching assistant.
For Julie Austin, I am a cousin of Jack Wilson who married your Aunt Joyce. I an trying to do our family tree. Please get in touch.
Mon May 12 08:13:18 2008

Kath Jones/Roux
To Julie Austin. I have fond memories of your mother, you and especially Paula. I missed Paula at the reunion. I was in the Vaults for the first week, but family was foremost on my mind for the second week as my Mam died. I remember your family well. Please tell your Mother I said hello. (Used to live at #50)
Mon May 12 07:49:02 2008

Barry Mairs, Wrexham
To Anna Mairs from Exeter. Hi, my name is Barry I think I'm the one David mentioned. Did he give you an email address?
Fri May 9 08:57:55 2008

Melv Salisbury
Alun Salisbury, thank you for posting that for me.
Thu May 8 08:35:19 2008

Nick, Web Team
Calling our [older] faithful contributors! We're involved in a local history project and looking for you, our regulars to share memories of local life during WWII. Find out more about the project which coincides with a play being staged here and based on memories of locals and Liverpool evacuees who came to live in North Wales. And please share stories and recollections via Memoryshare. Bye for now [Hwyl am y tro].
Thu May 8 08:21:31 2008

Julie Austin
Does anyone remember my uncle Jasck Wilson? He worked in Williams the bakers for many years. He was married to my mother's sister Joyce nee Pennington. When we visited them we always had to be quiet because uncle Jack was in bed as he had been up so early baking bread for the people of Cefn. His skill was carried on as his son, Alan, is a baker today and I too worked with him in the bakery for a while. He was a master at his trade. He knew what to put in and when and rarely used a scales. He baked for Cefn for years and only the other day I was up by the bakery and could still smell the yeast, honestly. My uncle is a relation to Barry Wood who is married to Mary Wood nee Hughes, granddaughter to Dai Billin Tabinacle - now he was a character, so my mother tells me. Labour man through and through...
Thu May 8 08:13:32 2008

Alun Salisbury, Cardiff formerly Cefn Mawr
Melvin Salisbury. You'll be surprised to know that the John Hughes, who was married to Irene (nee Morris) is the son of John Hughes known as DCM. Now DCM was my uncle for he married Catherine (Kate) Bartley, my Taid (Grandfather) Bartley’s sister. So although I’m a Salisbury my mother was a Bartley. Confused! Read on. One of John Hughes DCM’s children was also named John Hughes and is the person that Yvonne Pryce is referring to, but he also had a son named John Hughes. The last John was my age and as luck would have it I have a photograph of him. Whilst on the Cefn Mawr page if you click on the icon Cefn Chronicle the initial photograph shows me on the right with my cousin John Hughes on the left. Between us is Jean Egan and to the rear is Thelma Roberts. Just out of shot, but on the original photo I have, is Ceridwen Lloyd. The photograph was taken by J P Humphries, our school teacher in about 1950/51. PS. In the article Cefn Chronicle I refer to John Hughes DCM.
Wed May 7 08:56:04 2008

Yvonne Pryce, Acrefair
To Melvyn Salisbury. Re Ned Morris & Family. Ned's siblings as entered by Melvyn are not his brothers and sisters but in fact are the children of his brother Fred, Ceriog did go to New Zealand as did Elsie and yes she visted Cefn well into her 80s. She was a lovely lady. She also had a sister called Irene who was married to John Hughes known as John DCM because his father (also John Hughes) won the DCM in the first world war. I know this because John and Irene Hughes (nee Morris) were my husband's grandparents. Hope this has solved some of your queries about the family.
Tue May 6 07:56:19 2008

Julie Austin, Cefn Mawr
To Melvin Salisbury. I read your question on Ned Morris. One of his sisters was my mother's auntie Elsie. Auntie Elsie passed away a couple of years ago but I remember her coming to Cefn and she would always vist me and my mother Olive. My mother had a letter off her son Alun not so long ago. He left Cefn when he was about 18, I think, to live in New Zealand. She was a lovely lady and always had a tale to tell about her life in New Zealand.
Thu May 1 08:48:05 2008

Don Jones (Delph) Gainsborough
To Melvin Salisbury, Mansfield. Hi Melvin. Ned certainly had brothers and sisters. The ones who immediately come to mind re brothers: Douglas, Fred and Ceiriog and sisters Elsie and Mary. Both Elsie and Ceiriog emigrated to New Zealand. I believe that Ceiriog died quite young but Elsie, a lovely lady, lived to quite a ripe old age and visited Cefn Mawr when she was in her eighties. One of my brothers met her and they had quite a long chat. There may be others but it's such a long time ago that they don't spring to mind. I still have family in Cefn and Chirk who remember Ned and his family so I will ask them next time I speak to them and if any other names are forthcoming I will contact you again. I hope this is of some help to you. Best wishes.
Wed Apr 30 09:05:56 2008

Melvin Salibury, Mansfield
Don Jones (Delph) in your note to Dilys Gardener you said that you lived next door to Ned Morris and knew the whole family. With that then you would have known my mother, Pheobe Morris. But what I would like to know is if you knew if Ned had any brothers or sisters and do you know their names please? It would be nice if you could help with this and thanks again.
Tue Apr 29 09:09:29 2008

Leonard Salisbury
To Anna Powell, what a name that you have pulled out of the hat. Did he used to live on the top of Cefn and had a brother Grug? If he is I think he went from here to teach disabled children, deaf or dumb, if my memory is correct. His dad used to have 3 wheeler car that my brother Alun has referred to on this website. Is Grug still around and if so where is he?
Tue Apr 29 08:53:21 2008

David Hart. Acrefair/Cefn
For Anna Powell-Derby.
Is your father's full name Idris Patrick Maelor Reece Evans? If so he may remember me when I was friendly with his brother, Grug (hope the spelling is correct), and spent a lot of time with Grug and Jess Machin when we were young. Your dad was in Ruabon Grammar school as a senior boy when I was a "tiddler" there. I can remember your grandfather driving a yellow three wheel car, and spent many a time watching him attempting to reach the top of Browns Lane, without the passenger having to get out and push. It was a long haul from the Laundry, up Kings Lane and then Browns Lane! If you look at the Cefn and Acrefair photo section, number 16 shows the houses where the Pritchard family lived, and to the right a new house stands where your dad lived. If I have the right Idris, please give him my regards.
Tue Apr 29 08:52:31 2008

Alwyn Price
Anna Powell, Even though I left the area over 50 years ago, I also get great pleasure from this site. Could you tell me if your dad lived in a stone house on the top of the rock, overlooking the old quarry and did he have a brother called Grug (pardon the spelling)?
Tue Apr 29 08:50:57 2008

Melvin Salisbury, Mansfield
Ross Salisbury: Well Ross, I don't think that I would be of any help to you with the Salisbury clann. I think Alun has looked into this more than myself. But I too am surprised to hear of more Salisburys than I have heard of before. More of a family bush than a tree, I think. I don't even know how the name came about. In times gone by you were named after your job.
Mon Apr 28 10:09:26 2008

Anna Powell, Derby
My dad, 85 years, has had an enjoyable time reading these pages. He was born and raised in Cefn Mawr - Idris Reece-Evans.
Mon Apr 28 08:34:20 2008

Ross Salisbury, Bristol
Melvin and Alun Salisbury, I too have recently started looking into my family history and was suprised to learn how many brothers and sisters my grandparents had and how few Salisburys I know! I recently got my dad thinking back and he thought his grandfather's name was Walter Salisbury. They all hail from the Tanyfron area so your emails caught my eye. My grandfather was Glyn Salisbury and as far as I know he lived in Tanyfron all his life. He was born in 1910 and had brothers Jim, Harold and Percy (and possibly Oswald) as well as a sister. I do not yet know who was the eldest etc. I am currently waiting on Glyn's birth certificate to confirm his parent's names. If any of this rings any bells with you please feel free to contact me. Thanks
Fri Apr 25 09:36:20 2008

Melvin Salisbury, Mansfield
Alun Salisbury: got the photos, thank you and now I'm doing my best to get a email back to you (what with this darn fandandle contraption) think I've sent one, sure you will let me know if you get it, thanks cousin Alun.
Thu Apr 24 08:50:55 2008

Alun Salisbury Cardiff formerly Cefn Mawr
Melvin Salisbury - I've sent photos and a further message to Barb via email.
Tue Apr 22 07:25:20 2008

Gillian Hughes (Nee Morris) Rhosymedre
To Kath Jones/Roux: My dad always spoke highly of your dad and your mum too. I remember my dad mentioning drinking in the Mill with Clifton, 'the good old days' as my dad says.
Tue Apr 22 07:19:03 2008

Allen
Hi my grandad was Ned the Griag and I would love to hear your stories. I live in Cefn so would love to hear from you. Another cousin on the site is Melvin Salisbury.
Mon Apr 21 08:26:47 2008

John, Cefn
Looking at all of these old memories about the Cefn really shows me how much the place has gone downhill! Being a Cefner myself, I've always heard my Dad, Taid, Aunties and Uncles going on about what a great place it was to grow up in and I think it's a shame I can't say the same, and a lot of people my age agree with me!
Mon Apr 21 08:23:19 2008

Melvin Salisbury, Mansfield
Alun Salisbury I put all the dates and places I think you would wanted to know but there as been no update on the site for a while. My old man didn't have a middle name but the rest where right. The dates where out a bit but thank you so much for your time.
Fri Apr 18 07:52:32 2008

Marilyn Jansen (nee Jones) Dukinfield
Hello Mark of Penycae - Yes, I knew Phyllis Garret and her sister Elaine and brother Bobby mother May and father Frank. I did not know her half brothers though, but I vaguely remember some of them. She had a lovely step-mother who looked after all of them very well as I remember. I am more your Aunty Elaine's age and she would know me if you mentioned me. Nice to hear from you.
Mon Apr 14 09:15:42 2008

Kath Jones/Roux
Gillian Hughes (Morris) Rhosymedre. Yes, Lynne is my sister. I remember your father from many years ago, he used to drink in the Mill with my Dad Clifton. Lynne mentioned that you had commented when I saw her a few weeks ago.
Thu Apr 10 08:47:37 2008

Angela Davies (nee Price)
Does anyone remember my grandad Albert Edward Price - he lived in Heol Abon with my gran Lilian Price - they also lived in Lancaster Terrace. I am looking for anyone who has good memories and possibly pics. I am doing some history for a surprise for my dad William (Billy, Will Price).
Thu Apr 10 08:24:59 2008

Peter Lloyd, Trevor
To Dilys Gardener. Sorry I haven't answered your plea for information about your grandfather Ned the Graig. But haven't been on the site for a long while. My father was a nephew of Ned and lived with him for a while. He thinks he knows you and your sister Bronwen. Does she live in Creswell? If so she is two streets away from him. My dad certainly knows your dad Johnnie Morris, they used to live in the same street in Creswell. If you do manage to read this my dad says he would be willing to meet and relay the stories. Especially the blowing apart of the river Dee, the drawers full of fish, chickens, mutton etc. Also, there is the story about the chickens that were painted blue. If you can't meet I will try to put them on this site. I have them written as he told it to me. Look forward to hearing from you. Oh and a P.S. my dad was involved in the "escapades" - but don't tell anyone.
Thu Apr 10 08:20:12 2008

Susan, Wrexham
Yes, uncle Eddie lived in London. He came up now and then to his house in Llangollen.
Mon Apr 7 09:08:38 2008

Mark, Penycae
Yes Susan I know you lol. I know Gus and aunty Cerid, remember going to her flat in Plas Madoc years ago always used to give me fig rolls, where's uncle Gus living now still in the same place? Last time I saw them all was in my dad's funeral. I also remember uncle Eddie as well from London wasn't he? Used to visit now and then.
Fri Apr 4 09:40:37 2008

Don Jones (Delph)
Melvin Salisbury. If you look back on this web page you will find items from Dilys Gardener, myself and David Hart. They are about Ned Morris (Ned y Graig) who I am sure was the father of your Uncle John as all the other names fit and I remember John moving to Cresswell. Hope you will find the information there of some interest. Best wishes.
Fri Apr 4 09:17:54 2008

Alun Salisbury, Cardiff formerly Cefn Mawr
Melvin Salisbury - It's early days to say whether my brother Leonard and I are on your grandfather's side, but it is a possibility. We also have female cousins one of whom lives in Coedpoeth. Also, back in September last year I was a WW1 battlefield guide to the Prince of Wales Company, Welsh Guards. During the trip Guardsman James Salisbury introduced himself to me. When on leave James lives with his grandfather, Walter Salisbury from Brymbo. Walter's great, great grandfather was born at Poolmouth in 1875 and similarly, my great, great grandfather John and wife Hannah were married at Poolmouth in the same year. You may know that Poolmouth is a short distance from Pentre Broughton.
Fri Apr 4 09:12:03 2008

Susan from Wrexham
Hi Mark, I know of your family as I am related. My nana is Jayne Meyers who is uncle Em's sister. My mam is Susan Meyers. I also remember auntie Elsie, god bless her, do you know aunty Cerid and uncle Gus?
Thu Apr 3 09:55:19 2008

Melvin Salisbury
Alun Salisbury: hi there thanks for that information on my dad's family. I think we can be sure you have the right family Alun as the names and dates tie into what little I know. Willam moved to Liverpool and can remember going through the Mersey tunnel to see him and his wife. Dilys is a cousin of mine as well. Her father was my uncle John. Pheobe, Mary Margaret, Elenor, John, David all being brothers and sisters (Morris). I'm not that used to going on the computer and was told about this site from another cousin, Alan and Barb, who, if you don't mind Alun, will help me out with this. Keep an eye on this site and she will get in touch with you. So have I got it right that you are on the grandad's brother's side of the family? Is Len one of us as well?
Thu Apr 3 09:29:51 2008

Alun Salisbury, Cardiff formerly Cefn Mawr
Hello cousin Melvin! My father, Edward Salisbury, resided in Cefn Mawr but hailed from Pentre Broughton, like his father Alfred, and his father John, before him. Tanyfron is only a short distance from Pentre Broughton so it seems likely that our parents may have shared a common ancestor. I have only recently taken an interest in family history but would be happy to share what information I have on the Salisbury family, including a photograph of my great, great taid, John and wife Hannah taken in 1875. You gave no dates of your family, but I have done a little research and find that a Joseph H. Salisbury was born in 1924, a Herbert Salisbury in 1925, a William O. in 1926 and an Iris in 1931. Whether these individuals are one family remains to be seen. It would be better if you were to email me. I am happy for the web team to forward my email address to you, or for your address to be sent to me.
Wed Apr 2 14:03:46 2008

Mark, Penycae
Hi I'm doing a family tree and looking for info on my grandparents. 1st. My nanna Elsie Jones who unfortunately died earlier last year, just looking for people who may have stories of when they were younger. 2nd. my nan's first husband was Emlyn Jones. Do you know more about this family - his parents Alfred and Katie Jones lived at 97 High Street, Cefn. Does this house still stand or not? Last but by no means least my nan's second husband who I knew as granddad. His name was Gwynne Jones born in Cefn. Love to know more about his family, also stories on all these people would help me a lot 'cause I love to hear what they got up to when they were younger. Don, I've not had an email off your daughter in a while, she still around? Stories of any of my family members would be great, anyone know my mum Phyllis Jones formerly Garret? Her dad Frank used to live in Rhosymedre, she had a large family.
Mon Mar 31 10:57:42 2008

Anna from Exeter
Hi Diane Powell, great to hear from you. I have just phoned Debs to say that you remembered us from the brownies, what lovely memories we have of it. We have still got our placemats that we made on a a camping holiday that we went on and we went on a walk by a river and collected some stones to paint when we got back, and I have still got that stone that I still use as a doorstop. You have brought up some lovely memories. I will mention you to mum when she comes back from Australia, she's visiting our brother Billy who lives out there now. Thanks for getting in touch, I can't believe you still remember us, it feels like another lifetime ago. I hope you have a happy retirement and thank you for making some happy memories.
Mon Mar 31 10:37:10 2008

Melvin Salisbury
Can anyone out there give me any information about my dad who lived in Tanyfron near Wrexham? His name was Joe Salisbury. As far as I know he had two brothers and a sister: Herbert, Bill, Iris. He used to bike it to Cefn Mawr to see my mother and hope someone might know of the family. I don't know much about my dad's side of the family as they moved to Cresswell to work in the mine there.They moved again to Worsop when I was one so didn't get to find much out from my Welsh side but would like to find out now.
Mon Mar 31 09:42:26 2008

Melvin Salisbury, Mansfield
To Dilys Gardener; nice to see you are getting information on our grandad Ned the Rock. I remember him as a boy on a visit with mum. I used to slide down the old pit tip which was at the end of the row of houses where he lived. He showed me how to land a punch, bloodied my nose. I was dragged home just after.
Fri Mar 28 09:33:53 2008

Gillian Hughes (nee Morris), Rhosymedre
To: Terry Sharpe - Re Cllr. Des Evans: Des Evans will be missed very much, he was a real gentleman and always had time to say hello. At his funeral the vicar said how Des and his brother called each other Rat One and Rat Two while they corresponded with each other during the war...it made me smile. Des's popularity was proven by the many people who attended the funeral service. Another local character gone...not many left now.
Tue Mar 25 11:15:44 2008

Diane Powell, Acrefair
To Anna Mairs, Exeter. I haven't visited this site for ages, and have meant to write to you before. You're probably wondering who I am, you knew me as "Brown Owl" as both you and Debra were Brownies in my Brownie Pack. I still take Brownies, although am retiring this summer. I remember you well also your mum, you left the area when you were Brownies. Just wondered if you realised the building where we met was the old Drill Hall. I was also in Acrefair Primary School with your dad and remember all his siblings and your grandmother, but not your grandfather. Hope that you're still visiting this site and pick this up.
Tue Mar 25 09:48:21 2008

Terry Sharpe, Rhosymedre
Cllr. Des Evans-RIP. The villages of Rhosymedre and Cefn-Mawr have recently lost a respected member of the community in Des Evans. Des's loss was a sad shock to all of us who had the pleasure of knowing, working, and associating with him. Those who came into contact with him through his work as a Community Councillor knew him as a forthright, upstanding man who did not suffer fools gladly...he will be sorely missed.
Tue Mar 18 08:10:08 2008

Kath Jones/Roux
Leonard Salisbury, Gus that Sian mentioned is probably not the same Gus you met recently.
Mon Mar 17 09:44:53 2008

Julie Austin
Hi Sian I was wondering where you were living. Obviously I remember your father, Gus, and your mother too. I remember your aunties coming over from Ireland. I saw your sister Kath in Wrexham just after xmas. I don't see much of our old friends Catherine or Moira even though we all live closer than you. Hope you're OK.
Tue Mar 11 09:35:22 2008

Gillian Hughes (nee Morris), Rhosymedre
To Sian Garrigan: I remember your dad Harold Gus, didn't he have a dog which if my memory serves me right was called Patch? My parents knew your dad well, they are Fred & Elaine Morris from Rhosymedre...do you remember them?I remember you too, I used to see you in the 'Top House' pub now and then, many years ago.
Mon Mar 10 16:27:19 2008

Leonard Salisbury
To Sian Garrigan I met your dad GUS in the chemists shop a little while ago and recognised him straight away and called him GUS. He turned around and said to me not many people know me by that name. He has known me for years.
Mon Mar 10 12:03:08 2008

Sian Garrigan (Evans), Llandudno
I lived in Cefn till I was 20 - Heol Graig - fab. Lovely to read all these memories. Lots of you will have known my dad, Harold GUS. I would love to hear from anyone who remembers the family. I was born 1959.
Mon Mar 10 09:30:46 2008

Gillian Hughes (Nee Morris) Rhosymedre
To Kath Jones/Roux: Are you a sister to Lynne Thomas (Nee Jones)? I am sure you are...you mention Clifton in your last message on here which I am sure you must mean was your dad. I was in school with Lynne and met up with her and some other old school friends last year, we went for a meal and a good old chat :) I am certain my dad worked with your dad at Monsanto...my dad's name is Fred Morris.
Fri Feb 29 07:38:39 2008

Chris M
Does anyone know if Jolly bank, Newbridge; and Chapel St, Newbridge; are the same place please?
Thu Feb 21 08:17:36 2008

Kath Jones/Roux
David Hart. Will be in the area on the day of our patron saint. Would you be interested to see my Uncle Melvern (Clifton's brother) and me for chit chat of old times?
Mon Feb 18 10:30:57 2008

Stuart Fawcett from Chirk
Re Lin Moorman; 407 Cefn Mawr is probably the census number not an actual house. If you can give me more details I will see if I can locate the address/area. The work at that time was varied but could have included coal mining, brick works, stone quarries, iron foundries.
Fri Feb 15 08:30:49 2008

Chris
I am from the Jones family nicknamed "Ireland". My grandfather had 6 brothers and I expect some sisters too. I have only found one branch of them and they are cousins of my grandfather not siblings. I am sure there must be other branches locally.
Thu Feb 14 08:25:50 2008

Lin Moorman from Plymouth
This is rather a long time ago, but I have discovered that my ancestors lived at 407 Cefn Mawr in 1851 (1851 census). They later left for South Wales. Their names are Robert (aka William) and Elizabeth Jones. Robert was from Llangollen and Elizabeth from Bala. They had three children living with them, William, Hannah and Ann. Where was Robert likely to have worked at the time and are the houses still standing from this time?
Tue Feb 12 12:29:07 2008

Stuart Fawcett Chirk
May have been mentioned before but how did the Plump on High Street get its name?
Mon Jan 28 09:06:15 2008

Robert Frost, Denbigh
There has been some correspondence about German aircraft flying overhead on their way to or from bombing Liverpool and Birkenhead. One aircraft crashed on the Denbigh moors very near Llyn Bran, quite near the Sportsman's Arms. The lake then belonged to the North Wales Mental Hospital. My father Sidney Frost was then the Clerk and Steward at the hospital and had to visit the site with Mr Pritchard the hospital's chief engineer. He brought back a few bits of the aircraft which the family still has somewhere.
Mon Jan 14 11:52:39 2008

Alun Salisbury, Cardiff formerly Cefn Mawr
Kath Jones/Roux – German bombs did modify the landscape, but it was Tower Hill, Tref-y-Nant that bore the brunt of one 'attack'. It is believed that Monsanto was the target. I referred to this attack in my Rhosymedre article (http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/northeast/sites/
wrexham/pages/rhosymedre.shtml). This raid took place in the early hours of the 28th of August 1940. On this night it is believed that German aircraft targeted Monsanto Chemicals and other local industries, with bombs falling in the surrounding area, principally, Tower Hill, Tref-y-Nant, Acrefair with one unexploded bomb falling in Parry's field close to the railway line, whilst another exploded near the reservoir with a third falling on the stable block of Dodd's farm, which was destroyed during the explosion. Fortunately, no horses were injured for they were out in the fields. We have a well known family story regarding this raid which involved my Taid, John Bartley. Following the air raid siren, Taid, who lived in the cottage on the left hand side as you ascend Tower Hill (now a new house), went outside to view the spectacle. Having survived four years of WW1 trenches Taid would have viewed, with disdain the danger. Suddenly a bomb fell in Parry's field, close to the rear of his house, which failed to explode. He set off in pursuit and located the entry hole close to the railway line. Returning home for pick and shovel, he extricated the bomb and manhandled it across the field where it was stored, overnight, in the outside toilet. The following morning he placed the bomb on a handcart and took it to Acrefair Police station, just up the road from the Duke of Wellington. Foolish! No question, but having survived four years of trench warfare with the R.W.F. he probably felt invincible to German ordnance. This is probably the same air raid that caused damage to Cefn Mawr Gas Works (http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/northeast/sites/
wrexham/pages/gaslight.shtml#three).
Fri Jan 11 10:17:57 2008

Don Jones (Delph) Gainsborough
For Kath Jones/Roux. Once again my old friend David Hart has come up with the answer you needed. The house I lived in was facing directly towards Garth mountains and we children would stand by the front bedroom windows and watch the bombs exploding there. I am quite sure that none of them landed in the Fron area. As children we thoroughly enjoyed it but I'm sure that our parents would have been worried stiff. Best wishes.
Fri Jan 11 09:52:29 2008

David Hart. Acrefair/Cefn
Kath Jones/Roux. In reply to your query re WW2 bombs. I don't ever remember any bombs being dropped on the fields that you mention. My relatives lived in Fron and have never spoken about it, so I think it is safe to say that none landed there. I do remember seeing them exploding on top of the mountains near Garth, and the fires that were burning for days afterwards. A few stray bombs dropped around the area, and a farm was badly damaged near Rhos/Penycae. I believe that one also dropped near "Jacksons Farm" just below Pen-y bryn. The stories that we were told at the time, were that the bombs were jettisoned by bombers returning from their mission over Liverpool. As young boys, we would listen out for the planes, and could recognise the sound of the German aircraft due to the propellors being un-synchronised. One vivid memory is of a low flying plane passing over, with flames trailing from it. I don't know what became of it, but it was more obvious because it was during the blackout. A dangerous but very exciting time for young boys!
Thu Jan 10 08:32:54 2008

Kath Jones/Roux
David Hart. I don't know if it's a true story, but I was told that German bombs modified the landscape during WW2. Story is the bombs were meant for Monsanto, but missed their target. The photograph in question is one you took from Cefn Bank. It shows a view of the field above the Dee, and below the canal in Fron. Any truth to the story?
Tue Jan 8 09:27:25 2008

Shane Williams from Cefn
Does anyone remember my grandparents Muriel and Richard Williams who lived at 100 Cae Gwilym Lane? I'd be pleased if anyone could share memories.
Thu Jan 3 15:39:16 2008

Chris Madsen Jones, Plas Isaf
My mam, Susannah Jones nee Evans, remembers Ned the Graig too. Her dad, Will "hard hat" Evans, also had a following of chickens, pheasants and huge salmon that threatened to take over the bath, happy days. No harm in these people, they were trying to feed their families in hard times.
Thu Jan 3 09:31:14 2008

R Woodhouse, Aberaeron
To Len Salisbury, Acrefair, regarding the board in Cefn junior school. I don't know if it was called Cefn Mawr council school as my dad had his name entered on the board, he sat for his scholarship in 1931/32 or 1932/33. His name was Ellis Price and lived in Kings Street, Cefn Mawr. I think a girl called Mair Vaughen was the top in the girls and her dad was the insurance man. If anyone knows if this board still exists could they let me know. Many thanks.
Wed Jan 2 11:11:52 2008

Don Jones (Delph), Gainsborough
For Dilys Gardener. Hello again. I'm glad to see that my old mate David Hart also sent you a reply about your grandfather. Fortunately David and I are of a generation who can remember Ned and so many other real Cefn characters. It was not Ned who got injured in the manufacture of the home made 'bombs' but his brother Fred who bore the scars on his face for the rest of his life. Have a Merry Christmas.
Thu Dec 20 08:45:34 2007

Don Jones (Delph) Gainsborough
For Dilys Gardener. I certainly remember John and Ned as I used to live next door to them at the bottom of Cefn and delivered Sunday newspapers to them when they moved to Newbridge. Ned's nickname was Ned-y-Graig, which means Ned the rock. If I remember rightly John moved away to Creswell many years ago. Ned is practically a legend in the Cefn with stories too numerous to tell. His specialty was blowing salmon out of the River Dee in large quantities. I can remember going downstairs in our house some mornings to find four or five large salmon in our bath as Ned's was full. Some people call him a latter day Robin Hood because he would share some of the salmon around his neighbours and, also, the odd sheep now and again. He also used to have the odd chicken or two to spare which had somehow found their way from nearby farms. During the depression Ned, my Dad and a few other men from Cefn went to Cresswell and found work in a coal mine there. Ned was a larger than life character and I, personally, never heard anyone say a bad word about him. Obviously I knew the whole family and they were wonderful neighbours. Best wishes.
Wed Dec 19 08:57:33 2007

David Hart. Acrefair/Cefn
Reply to Dilys Gardener. I don't know a lot about your grandfather, but can tell you that he was known as NED THE GRAIG. He was a well known character around the district, especially in the Newbridge area. I think this was because of the proximity of the river Dee, and the succulent trout that were in it. Your grandfather was one of a crowd of local characters who enjoyed the thrill of "catching" them. One of the methods was to use a container, or bottle, containing Calcium Carbide and water, and then sealed. (DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME) It was quickly thrown into the river where it would explode and stun the fish, these would then float to the top ready for the bag. The story was that your grandfather was experimenting with this and got injured. I don't know if that was true. Calcium Carbide was used to light bicycle lamps many years ago, as it gave off a gas when mixed with water, so was readily available.
Wed Dec 19 08:54:41 2007

Dilys Gardener
I really enjoy reading the stories and comments. My father and his family lived there when he was a boy. My father was John Edward Morris and his father was Ned the Greig (not sure about that spelling). Does anyone have any stories for me?
Tue Dec 18 08:14:34 2007

Dave Williams - Brunei
Does anyone still in the Cefn/Acrefair area know of or speak to Barry/Ken/Paul Mairs? Thank you.
Tue Dec 4 09:42:14 2007

Chris Madsen (Jones), Plas Isaf
We used to play around the tower as children in the 50s and early 60s, there used to be a dog tied up outside which we were terrified of. My Aunt Elsie used to live in Waterloo Terrace just over the park wall from there before she moved to Ger y Nant, Rhosymedre. We used to go through the park from Plas Isaf to the river to try to catch little fish in a net we had bought from Albistons. We kept our catch in a jam jar until it was time for the long haul back then we returned them to the river of course, innocent fun that did not cost an arm and a leg!
Fri Nov 30 16:18:12 2007

Terry Sharpe, Rhosymedre
My gran has several but I don't know how to post them up.The fact is our family used to live there in the 60s.My great grandfather was Stanley Edwards, known affectionately as "Taid in the Tower". We used to play there as kids. Also, my brother-in-law lived there in the 80s for a few years. Fantastic inside, especially the big "Oak Room". I tried for it myself years ago but as a Grade II listed building the upkeep was too much.
Thu Nov 29 16:11:23 2007

Len Salisbury, Acrefair
To Peter Lawrence, I have spoken to a few people who are older than myself and they too have come up with the same as mine, Waterloo Tower. It is suprising the secrecy about this local landmark and the lack of pictures of it.
Wed Nov 28 09:42:21 2007

Peter Lawrence, Colwyn Bay
The Waterloo Tower - no photo, but this was always referred to as the Bears Tower when I was small - anyone else told this? Also, can anyone give the history please?
Wed Nov 21 09:47:17 2007

Len Salisbury, Acrefair
Has anybody got a photograph of the Waterloo Tower in the Wynnstay Park at Newbridge?
Fri Nov 16 08:31:30 2007

Dave - Brunei
Brunei is where I am working at the moment. I am in the UK this weekend if you would like to chat. I was told (rumour only) that I had three brothers.
Wed Nov 7 08:31:31 2007

Anna Mairs fom Exeter
Hi Dave Mairs-Brunei: I spoke to dad last night and he doesn't know of anyone that was adopted in his family. He has asked, is Brunei a surname or a place, or have you any other information to go on? Hope to hear from you soon.
Tue Nov 6 08:44:41 2007

Dave - Brunei
I think Christine Ann Mairs is a starting point. Thanks Anna.
Tue Nov 6 08:31:27 2007

Anna Mairs from Exeter
Hi Dave Mairs-Brunei, my name is Anna Mairs and my dad is Bill Mairs. I have just read what you have written and I am intrigued. It is too late to ring dad up now but I will ring him tomorrow, and ask if he knows anything. Dad's family are brother Ken, twin sisters Pat and Pam and Christine. I lived in Ash Grove in Plas Madoc in 1973 and that was the year my brother was born, but in March. I will write again when I speak to dad.
Mon Nov 5 08:34:20 2007

Dave Mairs
I'm not really sure Don, I was taken into care at 1 week old (Sep 73). Just putting the feelers out really. Hoping a few old ones will pick this up and help out.
Fri Nov 2 10:26:06 2007

Don Jones (Delph) Gainsborough
For David Mairs - Brunei. Hello Dave. I remember a David Mairs who lived on Gwynant at Plas Madoc in the 1970s. I had just left the RAF and lived nearby. If you are the same one, your parents were Ken and Linda and a sister Debbie. If you scroll back through this page you will find quite a few items on the Mairs Family mostly to pr from Anna Mairs in Exeter. Hope this is of some help. Best wishes.
Wed Oct 31 10:21:44 2007

Dave Mairs - Brunei
Hi, do I still have Mairs relatives out there? I think I used to live in Glaslyn, Plas Madoc.
Fri Oct 26 09:19:42 2007

Chris Madsen
A church is the name of any public building used for worship(usually Christian) a chapel is is a nonconformist place of worship or a private place of worship in a big church or cathedral so therefore any chapel as we know it in Cefn is also a church.
Mon Oct 15 09:07:26 2007

Salisbury, Acrefair, Wrexham
Hi. Does it matter if a church is called a chapel or not as God abides in them all?
Thu Oct 11 15:12:58 2007

Len Salisbury, Acrefair
I was reading a 1949 Cefn Chronicle today (back page) about the places of worship and all the places referred to these places as churches and not chapels.
Thu Oct 11 08:55:52 2007

Chris Madsen
To Mark Jones, Penycae, Gwynne used to work in the warehouse at the back of the central branch of the Co-op in Rhosymedre,he was a nice chap. Emlyn's family moved to Heol Abon near the entry to Dicks shop. I walk my dog, Iolo, up the High St now and again so I look if their old house still stands though I very much doubt it, there are hardly any houses towards the top now though if one looks carefully one can see where windows and doors would have been. Did you know that the oldest lived-in house in Cefn is up there?
Tue Oct 9 10:11:41 2007

Chris Madsen (Jones), Plas Isaf
Seeing Sue Panton's comments reminded me of my nain and taid William and Elizabeth Evans (hard hat). They used to have a car sent for them by the Labour candidate to take them to the polling station and they always voted Conservative!
Tue Oct 9 10:09:50 2007

Alun Salisbury Cardiff formerly Cefn Mawr
Sam Harris from Sussex – You could try searching the Commonwealth War Graves Commission web page www.cwgc.org. During the search for M J O'Neill, the only male I could find was: Able Seaman MICHAEL JOSEPH O'NEILL. S.S. Edwy R. Brown (London), Merchant Navy who died age 25 on 18 February 1941. Remembered with honour TOWER HILL MEMORIAL.I also tried M O'Neill and J O'Neill but I'm afraid that there is no one registered under any of these combinations of first names who served in the Royal Welch Fusiliers.
Tue Oct 9 08:24:14 2007

Sam Harris from Sussex
Hi I'm searching for any info on my great grandfather - name is Michael J. O'Neill, he served with the Royal Welch Fusiliers. We think he died in Germany saving a small child from a mine, this could be anywhere between 1944-1947, if anyone has any info that would be great.
Mon Oct 8 11:11:15 2007

Susan Panton (Jones of Cefn)
I was just smiling about the stories of Den Parrish and Labour elections. Of course everyone was Labour! My mother always led my dad (Jackie) to believe that she voted Labour when in fact she had voted Liberal as did her parents - she kept this secret for over 60 years! Only after his death she told us!
Mon Oct 8 10:12:44 2007

Chris Madsen
Does anyone out there have any stories of my taid William Evans known as will Hard Hat? He died in 1952 and used to live up Rock Hill and later Heol Abon.
Tue Sep 11 08:27:47 2007

Gareth Davies, ex-Acrefair
To Heather. Alan is listed on Friends Reunited under Ruabon Grammar School 1965.
Wed Sep 5 16:48:30 2007

Gareth Davies
Hi Kathleen many thanks for the corrections. My mistake regarding Eileen's name; I should know better as I met her at the Wynnstay, Ruabon. Happy memories of our childhood playing together when you lived at Orpington House. I used to love to wear your Dad's Crosville hat!
Wed Sep 5 12:53:37 2007

Julie Austin, Cefn Mawr
To William Russell Jones. I think I remember the incident that you were on about with Den the chippy outside the school. If anything was going to get Den going it was politics. He was a Labour man through and through.
Mon Sep 3 09:44:36 2007

Kathleen Hatchett (Rowlands), Southampton
I wanted to get in touch with Gareth Davies who posted a letter to Anna of Exeter asking her to ask her dad if he remembered the Rowlands girls. I am the oldest of them and wanted to put him right on a couple of things, our house was called Orpington House not cottage and my youngest sister is called Eileen not Irene. Noreen lives in Wrexham and sadly Christine died in 1988. I have only just found out about this site and it is nice to be able to see what people you used to know are now doing.
Tue Aug 21 14:57:02 2007

Heather Ashman from Kinver, West Midlands
I an trying to trace Alan Hughes who lived in Dolydd, Cefn Mawr in the 1960s. He went to Aber to study French and several of us are organising a reunion for September. Any help in tracing him would be gratefully received.
Mon Aug 20 16:05:32 2007

Tommy G, Ruabon
I have just heard through the Cefn grapevine that the Holly Bush is to be demolished to improve the corner, can anybody confirm this?
Mon Aug 13 10:05:56 2007

Len Salisbury, Acrefair
Eddie Jones, Colwyn Bay, the name of the cinema that you refer to was the Palace but the steps led down to the entrance/booking office from the top of Hill Street. It was owned by Mr Jones from Rhosymedre. It was back in 1948 and I had started to work for Sam Mitchell as a joiner and was tasked, along with another man, to alter the main doors of the cinema so that they opened outwards just in case there was an incident such as fire - new regulations had come into force. The cinema burnt down 60/70s. I was out of the district during this time but I am sure there are other people who can give you a precise date.
Thu Aug 9 15:50:10 2007

Eddie Jones, Colwyn Bay
I lived in Chirk during late WW2, but used to go to a cinema in Cefn Mawr with some friends by bus. I've forgotten its name, but it had steps leading up to it. They seemed very large in my mind's eye, but when I went there recently I found they were quite small and the cinema had gone. They used to have a great show on Sat mornings. Abbot and Costello seemed to be on a lot. What was it called? When did it begin and end? I'd like to know if any of you remember it. We had mainly British stars like George Formby at the Chirk town hall and he was great, of course; however, we really loved going to Cefn to see some yankee comedy. Hope to hear from you - Eddie Ewart.
Thu Aug 9 10:07:27 2007

Kevin from Rustington, West Sussex
My childhood memories were of visiting Cefn Mawr to see my grandad, Llewelyn Valentine, who lived in Kenfig Place. He had three sons, Victor (my dad), Harold and Arthur. It would be nice to hear from anybody who remembers my family. My nan(Helena King) ran the Railway pub in Cefn Mawr.
Mon Aug 6 13:08:28 2007

Rob Holt from Cardiff
Does anybody know the Isaac family living in Cefn?
Mon Jul 30 15:59:49 2007

William Russell Jones, Cefn Mawr
Yes Tommy, John Prescott is indeed a nephew of Den Parrish. He is the son of Den's sister Phyllis, who married a John Prescott of Cheshire, and went to live in Yorkshire.
Thu Jul 26 08:53:23 2007

Tommy G, Ruabon
As regards to Den (the chippy) Parrish, can anyone confirm that John Prescott, the former deputy prime minister, is Den's nephew?
Mon Jul 23 11:37:02 2007

William Russell Jones, Cefn Mawr
Yes Julie, Den Parish never forgot where he came from. I well remember myself that on the occasion of voting in a General Election at Cefn School, he was going to fight another local businessman, who I won't name!
Wed Jul 18 08:45:49 2007

Julie Austin, Cefn Mawr
To Janet Smart. My name is Julie Austin. I worked for Den the chippy for about 3 years. I used to have good fun with him especially when the pubs closed. He was also very involved in politics and gave a lot to the miners during the strike. He was very kind to me and often gave me some good advice. I knew his wife Evlyn and daughthers Jayne and Denise who I only saw in Feb this year in town.
Mon Jul 16 10:40:03 2007

Susan (Meyers ) Gidley
Hi Tracy Gough, I read your message if anyone knew a Susan Meyers. I think may have mistaken by me. I used to live in Plas Madoc about 23 years ago and have a sister Jean & Ann also brothers Peter and Craig. I am from Cefn Mawr originally and my taid was Alfie Delph. If anyone would like to catch up on old times please reply.
Mon Jul 16 10:38:42 2007

Anna from Exeter
Gareth Davies. I am just letting you know that my dad doesn't live in Exeter, he now lives in Colwyn Bay. I will pass on a message.
Mon Jun 25 09:18:20 2007

Len Salisbury Acrefair
Anybody got a date as to when the two chimney stacks were demolished at the old colliery in Rhosymedre where Saunder's garage/filling station is. I seem to recall mid fifties!
Thu Jun 21 08:34:46 2007

Len Salisbury Acrefair
What ever happened to the big board that was on display in one of the big classrooms in Cefn Junior school which had the names of those who had passed their scholarship for entry to Ruabon Grammar? It also had the headmaster's name on it, David Williams.
Thu Jun 21 08:34:41 2007

Helen Lloyd, Powys
I'm wondering if anyone knows of the Williams family that lived in the School House? The father was the head teacher. His name was David. He had twin daughters, Enid and Gwyneth both born in 1909. There were 2 other daughters and possibly sons. Gwyneth was my grandmother. I would like to hear from anyone that knew of them.
Thu Jun 14 08:32:45 2007

ANDY FROM WREXHAM
Does anybody know my father? His name was Doug Hughes and he work as a signal man at Rhostyllen signal box until he died in 1971. If any pictures at all please make contact.
Thu May 24 08:08:25 2007

David Rogers, Cheltenham
Hi Lisa (Griffiths), In case you have missed my last posting thought I'd try again to get your attention! Sorry it took so long for me to come back after you had replied before but we were away for six weeks in Chicago staying with our daughter Linda, so we had such a good surprise to find you had answered our call on our return home.
Mon May 21 11:08:12 2007

Anna from Exeter
Hi Tracey Gough, I am Billy Mair's daughter not sister, his sisters are Pam, Pat and Christine, who I don't keep in touch with any more which is a shame. I used to be close to my aunty Pat, and it wasn't the Buttertons I asked if you were related to, it was Martin and Sharon Gough as I used to go to school with Sharon. Nice to hear from you, Anna.
Fri May 18 10:05:13 2007

Amanda Pearce, Suffolk
During World War 2 my grandmother, Sally Thorne, then known as Sally Gerrard, was stationed at Wrexham as a driver, she served as a driver for 2 years. My grandmother often recalls good memories of her time there. She made a good close friend called Alice Williams who was serving as an orderly, unfortunately after many years of serching and my grandmother's bad health she has had to stop the search.
Thu May 17 15:07:53 2007

Anna in Exeter
Don Jones (Delph) Gainsborough, Hi Don, thanks for replying and telling me stories of my grandad. I have written them down in my family album and hope to hear more. Lovely story about the coat. Best wishes, Anna.
Thu May 17 08:22:39 2007

Tracey Gough Wrexham ex cefn mawr
Hi Anna, sorry it's been a while since I last visited, I think I know who your family is now. Billy and Ken are your brothers, is that right? No, I'm not related to the Buttertons but know of them well! I used to hang around with Viv, I'm 42 by the way! Just read your comments to David on Mike Hart, I used to be best friends with Alison and lived in Coronation Street up until the age of ten in 1975. Mike used to take us up to the old wreck in Cefn and we used to make camp fires in the bushes there. Mike helped us make dinner from blackberries and grass etc in old pans on a fire. Oh, the memories! I never knew my dad growing up so it was nice having that fatherly figure in my life. I was a regular at Mike and Audreys house and Alison and I used to have a shop in Mike's greenhouse, where we used to post letters through people's doors to tell them we were open! Ah the memories. Saw Alison last week in Asda. We always have a good chinwag! Sorry I got you mixed up with the wrong family, and just for the record my taid Joe Roberts was the first person to have a TV in the bottom of Cefn (Heol Abon). Bye for now, Anna.
Thu May 17 08:21:44 2007

Don Jones (Delph) Gainsborough
Anna from Exeter. Hello again Anna. I am very pleased to see that you are getting so much information. Like you, being away from Cefn, I find this web page a boon. Unfortunately I left there in 1951 to go into the RAF and was gone, except for leaves, for nearly 25 years. So I missed much of what went on there and cannot tell you much more but I'm sure that people like David Hart and Gareth Davies can tell you much more. I know that your Grandad used to be a drinking companion of my brother Ned and my Uncle Jim but I expect they are all knocking them back in the great bar in the sky now. I do remember your Grandad giving my Uncle Jim, one of Cefn's many characters, an old Army greatcoat. It had no buttons at all on it, not even on the shoulder epaulettes, but Jim wore it in all weathers until it just about dropped off him. Best wishes to you and I hope you get many more replies.
Mon May 14 08:54:42 2007

Gareth Davies exAcrefair
Hi Anna. Delighted that you've now got a much more accurate picture of your grandfather from David and Don. I can add that after he left the army your grandfather worked as a Monsanto Security Officer. I was only a little boy at the time and a soldier was a soldier, although I did know about the MM in the recesses of my mind. Ask your Dad if he remembers the Rowlands girls who lived just across the road from the Drill Hall in a little house 'Orpinton Cottage' above British House? Their names were Kathleen, Christine, Noreen and Irene. Their father's name was Arnold and he was a lovely man who worked as a bus conductor on the Crosville buses. I think Mrs Rowlands's first name was Maggie. They moved to Plas Madoc and Mrs Rowlands used to deliver the post for the top of Acrefair. I do remember your Dad's family having a television in the early fifties; it must have been one of the first in Acrefair. Did they have it for the Coronation? The last time I spoke to your Dad we were outside Gale's shop (now the Chinese takeway and fish and chip shop). He was involved with a boxing promoter from South Wales. If you go to Acrefair and Cefn Mawr photographs I'm in the front row of the St Paul's Church Choir. I do get to Exeter occasionally and I'll get in touch with you so that me and your Dad can meet up. Ask the BBC to forward you my email address.
Fri May 11 08:13:43 2007

Gareth Davies ex-Acrefair
Anna the book David mentioned could be Welsh Guards at War 1939-1946 by L F Ellis or History of Welsh Guards by C H Dudley-Ward. Try your local library for inter-library loans.
Fri May 11 08:09:55 2007

Anna from Exeter
Hello Don Jones, it's lovely to hear the stories of my grandad. We weren't that close growing up so I didn't get to hear these stories, but it makes me feel proud to hear he has medals for bravery. My brother has his medals in Australia (Sydney). Please tell me if you know more. So glad I found this site and best wishes to you.
Thu May 10 08:40:09 2007

Anna from Exeter
Hello David, thankyou for replying, great to hear the stories about my grandad. Like I said to Don, didn't know these stories. I have just spoken to dad on the phone, and he sends his regards. He also has grandad's discharge book from the guards, and paper cuttings which he is going to send down. You have got my interest going in this, so thanks. Dad also said that he joined the Merchant Navy with Mike when they were young, and he mentioned your sister Rosemary and your other brother, Peter. I think he is enjoying this site as much as me. Also, mum says that you couldn't mistake who you are as you look just like your brother Mike. She also sends her regards. Best wishes from me.
Thu May 10 08:38:53 2007

William Russell Jones, Cefn Mawr.
Yes Janet Smart, I well remember Den and Evelyn who used to have the Chippy. They were the very salt of the earth.
Wed May 9 11:48:47 2007

Don Jones (Delph) Gainsborough
To Anna in Exeter. Further to what my old Mate David Hart wrote I remember reading your Grandad's obituaty in the Wrexhan Evening Leader and he was indeed awarded the Military Medal. At one time he was a drinking partner of one of my brothers and one of my uncles in the Grosvenors in High Street, Cefn. In fact my brother told me that your grandad beat all the coal miners one night in a drinking competition. I remember your dad very well from when I lived on Plas Madoc before moving here. He will probably remember me. I lived on Bran. I was ex RAF and your dad was ex Army so we swapped a few yarns from time to time. I also knew your Uncle Ken very well. Best wishes.
Wed May 9 08:23:46 2007

David Hart Acrefair/Cefn
Hello Anna in Exeter. I have been reading your comments and the replies that have been posted, but haven't given any comments of my own, yet! We lived opposite your Nan in Cae Coch, and she was very friendly with my mother. Your Dad should remember me, and your Mum. I remember when you lived in Plas Madoc, not far from my late brother, Mike. Regarding your grandfather. Gareth was correct saying about the drill hall. Your grandfather was a sgt. in the Welsh Guards, and was at the battle for Monte Casino, during the war. I am not sure if he was decorated for bravery (Military Medal), but read about his heroic leadership during the battle. The account is in a history of the Welsh Guards, but I can't remember what the title is. Give my regards to your parents. David
Tue May 8 10:13:21 2007

Janet Smart, Cefn Mawr
I lived in Cefn for about 18 yrs. I was the niece of Eve and Den (chip shop). My grandparents owned the chip shop before that. Can anyone remember weekends after the pubs closed and the crowds of people outside the chipshop? My uncle Den was very funny and we had lots of laughs. Does anyone remember him? I would also like to know what happened to a friend of mine Tony Woodall. I think he went to South Africa but has a brother living in Rhos. it would be nice to hear from him as I have some news.
Tue May 8 10:08:13 2007

David Rogers, Cheltenham
Hello Lisa (Griffiths), so pleased to get your reply to my request on the search for Trevona. It's been a long time since our childhood in Garth and I'd very much like to get in touch. It was good to hear she is very well, as we are here in Cheltenham. We are currently working on our family tree which may be of interest to her or yourself. Have you any brothers or sisters Lisa?
Tue May 8 09:42:53 2007

Anna from Exeter
Hi Tracey and Karen, mum has just given me all the gossip on what's happening in your lives, she had a lovely time up there with you all at the weekend. I love this site, it's great to hear about the places where we were all brought up, it brings back some good memories, catch up soon x
Fri May 4 10:39:27 2007

Anna from Exeter
Gareth Davies, I have just read the message from you to my dad and he can't remember who you are, he says it's such a long time ago, and can you give him some more clues who you are (I think age has got to him)! Everything you have said about the family are right, I didn't know about the drill hall, I thought he was brought up at Cae Coch, have you any more secrets, ha ha, hear from you soon.
Fri May 4 10:36:23 2007

Gareth Davies ex-Acrefair
Hi Anna. Please remember me to your Dad who I must have last seen thirty years or more ago. I can remember him, your Uncle Ken and Auntie Christine when they lived in the Drill Hall House, Acrefair. Your grandfather was a sergeant in the Royal Welch Fusiliers and I presume looked after the Drill Hall and the "Terriers" who trained there. As a little boy I remember the band practising in the Drill Hall and seeing them march down Llangollen Road, along King Street to the Cenotaph in Cefn on Armistice (Remembrance) Sunday resplendant with the unmistakable "flash" and white hackle.
Thu May 3 10:03:08 2007

Tracy, Cefn
Anna, Exeter, hi Anna, hope you are keeping well, nice to see your name on here. From Tracy and Karen Butterton.
Wed May 2 11:44:47 2007

Anna Mairs from Exeter
To Carol Vickers (Hart), Melb, Australia
Hello, I have just read some names to my dad Billy Mairs who used to live opposite you in Cae Coch. He said he was only thinking of you the other week, and has asked me to say hi to you as he hasn't got a computer, and he told me your uncle was called Mike Hart. I have memories of him when I was a child. He used to have a puppet and he used to entertain us for hours with it. He used to live at Coronation Street. I said I would let dad know if you replied.
Tue May 1 07:50:26 2007

Anna from Exeter
Hi Tracey Gough, no I am not the Anna you think I am. My sister is called Debs and I have a brother called Billy. I did know a Sharon and Martin Gough. Are you related? I used to live at Ash Grove in Plas Madoc. I think that part is still there, and MERVYN BUTTERTON, are you Phil Butterton's brother with Sue and their daughters Tracey and Karen? My mum is Mary Mairs or was Mairs not anymore... she's now remarried. Nice to catch up on everyone's gossip.
Mon Apr 30 07:48:52 2007

Alwyn Price, Tarvin
Hi David & Len, Thanks to this great web site I am looking forward to the opening of Ebenezer and meeting you and many others for the first time in over 60 years. I just hope all are able to make it. Have spoken to Rev. Geoffrey Jell and he is certainly hoping to be there. Regards to all.
Tue Apr 24 08:35:14 2007

David Hart
To Alwyn Price. Further to my previous reply, my wife has just reminded me of two other members of the Cefntucky Concert Party. These were Henry Parry (The Pawnshop) and Estelle Wright who sang and played an accordion. My wife, Hazel, would attend with her mother, and sit at the side of the piano during the performances.
Mon Apr 23 08:11:08 2007

David Hart. Acrefair/Cefn
Reply to Alwyn Price. Yes Alwyn, I well remember the Cefntucky Concert Party, and some of the members. The ones I can recall are Austin Brown, Grif. Evans (with a deadpan face), Eli. Davies and my late Mother in Law, Edith Gabriel-Edwards, who played the piano. Those of us who were lucky enough to see them, thought the Crazy Gang weren't a patch on them. Regarding your age, I think I am a LITTLE older than you, but not by much! Regards, David.
Mon Apr 23 08:10:44 2007

Len Salisbury Acrefair
To Alwyn Price, I seem to recall the Cefntuckey Party which I think might have consisted of Elias Davies, Henry Parry, Austin Brown (Fron) etc but on the other hand I might be miles away from the truth. I haven't seen you for well over 50 years or so when we used to go to Ebenezer Chapel.
Fri Apr 20 15:42:45 2007

Liz Smith, Cardiff
I am tracing my family tree. My father's mother was Mary Gwendoline Roberts, b 1898 Llangollen. Her parents were David W & Catharine Roberts. In the 1891 census the family are in the 'Bazaar' in Crane St. In 1901 they are in Holly Cottage in Trevor Isa, Llangollen. In the 1891 census David's occupation is Draper. David & Catherine also had daughters Catherine, Eveline & Jane and a son Evan T H. Does anyone have any information about the family? Thanks.
Fri Apr 20 09:23:23 2007

Alwyn Price, Tarvin
Reading the various comments in the Cefn, Acrefair and Rhosymedre pages suggests that most of the contributors are a lot younger than me. If would you to like cast your minds back a little further, does any one remember the Cefntucky Concert Party who did a lot of charity work during the war years?
Fri Apr 20 07:53:59 2007

Lisa Griffiths
To David Rogers. I am Trevona's daughter and she is very well thanks and would like to know how you and your family are.
Tue Apr 17 09:21:35 2007

Tracey Gough, Wrexham
Anna Mairs Exeter,
Hi Anna just wondered if you had a sister called Susan? Did you live in Plas Madoc years ago? I am Dean Challoner's sister, Tracey. Do you remember me? If it is you please get in touch - it would be nice to catch up!
Thu Apr 12 08:27:39 2007

Anna Mairs from Exeter
I found this site by accident, but it's lovely to read people's memories of Cae Coch. My nan lived there but can't remember the number, she was called Elsie Mairs, and my dad is Bill Mairs. I have great memories of Coed Richards,(hope I have spelled that right). I remember the old bridge that took you there. We used to build dens in the woods there, next to the back of Monsanto. This site has took me back in time. I haven't been back for at least 12 years.
Thu Apr 5 08:33:09 2007

Carol Vickers (Hart) Melb.Australia
Tony Vaughan, Oswestry: Hello Tony, I used to live in 13 Cae Coch and had many happy years there until we emigrated to Australia. My (now) husband had left Penycae and went with his family to Sydney, we followed 11 months later and now we live in Melbourne. I remember your parents and all your family especially your great gran "Aunty Vaughan" who was our next door neighbour. My father would have been so pleased to see your comment about living in "a palace" as he did a lot of work in the house including a fitted kitchen which was a big thing in those days! I see my sister Teresa has also reponded to you. I saw her a few weeks ago and she will be visiting us in May. Stuart and I have 2 very grown up children and a third grandchild due this month. Regards to your Uncle Ricky.
Wed Mar 28 08:45:47 2007

Barry - Lee Davies
Is there anybody out there who can remember my Taid (Barry Bounce) or Barry Williams as his real name was. I would love to know what he was like and what he got up to.
Fri Mar 23 08:55:58 2007

Barry - Lee Davies
Does anybody know when the Ebenezer Chapel community centre opens, I would love to know!
Wed Mar 21 17:10:00 2007

Anna, Ruabon
Tracey Gough, Wrexham: Hi Tracey, I would love to see the photo. Can you let me have your nain and mum's name and I will ask my mum if she remembers them. Thanks Tracey and can you pass on my thanks to your Mum.
Wed Mar 21 08:31:52 2007

Pam Lloyd-Jones, Buckley
For Tony Vaughan, Trefonen
I think your Taid's brother Sam is the one who married my dad's sister Annie. Sam was born in the late late 1890s if it's the right one. He and Annie lived in Fron until the 1950s, then moved to Rhostyllen for a while, before moving to live in Newquay, Cornwall. Sam's daughter, now lives in St. Austell near her daughter and granddaughters.
Wed Mar 21 08:09:58 2007

Tracy Jones (Johnstown)
Hi Tony, Mum didn't go back to nursing until 1982. She used to wear a blue worktop though when she worked in the playgroup by the school. I had a nose at Cae Coch a couple of weeks back. My brother-in-law lives in Browns Lane, just below it. Ah, the memories :0) Tracy
Mon Mar 19 14:16:31 2007

Mervyn Butterton, Cefn Mawr
To Kath Jones, ex of Heol Cefnydd, Cefn Mawr. I hope you are well I was sorry I missed getting you a drink when you were over last year. I hope I catch up with you next time you are over here. Will have to meet up in the Vaults.
Mon Mar 12 08:59:14 2007

Tony Vaughan, Trefonen
To Tracy Jones: please accept my apologies it's me who's got the dates wrong and yes I do vaguely remember your family living at No 23. Was your mum a nurse at the time? I seem to remember her with a blue uniform. I think that the bad winter you mention was in 1975 as I had just gone to Ruabon school and remember that the snow was half way up the hedges down the avenue and everyone had to leave their cars down by the "laundry".
Thu Mar 8 08:27:27 2007

Tracey Gough, Wrexham
Anna Ruabon, Hi Anna. I had my mum round my home the other day and was reading her bits from this great site I found and she said she has a photograph of your nanna Olwen. Apparently she used to be a best friend of my nain's sisters Thelma, who sadly died at a very young age (I think around 21), from tuberculosis. My mum says she was a very kind friend to Thelma and the photo she has is a really good one of the two of them together. Please contact me if you would like to see this and I will get it from my mum's house.
Thu Mar 8 08:25:37 2007

Kellie-Sue Williams, Cefn Mawr
Does anyone remember my taid Phill Butterton or Butsy as I think his nickname was? I would like to hear some stories of what he got up to in his younger days.
Thu Mar 8 08:24:34 2007

Tracey
Hi Bev, I remember you and your family having the frozen food shop in the Cefn! I remember you living on the hill by the Queen's public house. It was a long time ago now but I always went into your mum and dads shop with my mum June Challoner (Roberts was how she was known in the Cefn). We lived there with my nain, Violet Valentine, and my brother Dean. My family all came from Heol Abon next to Anita and Joe Jarvis, who were like my second nan and grandad. Then we moved to Coronation Street, no 46. We left Cefn in 1975 when I was 10 years old. I now, like you, live in Wrexham and only found this site by chance. Hope you are well Bev and thanks for the memories everyone. By the way I think my family were known as the Pigeons! Love Tracey Challoner that was now Gough!
Mon Mar 5 08:49:35 2007

Tracy Jones, Johnstown
Tony, I've just checked with my mum. We moved in in 1975, at the back end of the year. We moved out in 1979, and Heather and John moved in with their children the same day. Mum wasn't working when we lived in Cae Coch, as my brother was quite ill with asthma. Dad worked in Monsanto.
Fri Mar 2 14:26:29 2007

Tracy Jones, Johnstown
Hi Tony, Heather & John Jones moved into the house after we moved out. I used to have a big swing in the front garden that kept tipping over. I know we lived there in 1973/74 as my brother was born in 73, and it was either the winter of 73 or 74 that was really bad, as he had an asthma attack and the ambulance couldn't get to him and they had to carry him down to it and he was only a baby.
Fri Mar 2 13:50:49 2007

Tony Vaughan, Trefonen
To Tracy Jones: Have you got your dates or address wrong? I ask because Den and Olwen Winters and their family lived at No 23 from about 1971 to 1975 and then Heather and John Jones moved in and still live there today. I lived at No 13 from 1967 to 1984 and can't seem to remember your family.
Fri Mar 2 08:55:45 2007

Tracy Jones, Johnstown
What a great page. I lived on Cae Coch (no 23) from I think it was 1972 to 1979. I remember Catherine Brookes, Janice Heyward Mr & Mrs Thomas, Mair, the Vaughans at the bottom of the street, and the Bathers at the bottom of the hill. I also remember there was a shop at the bottom of the hill too. I moved to Ruabon, and caught up with a lot of my old school mates in Ysgol Rhiwabon a couple of years later. My mum Heather is a District Nurse around the Ruabon & Cefn Area. Dad, Jimmy Jones worked in Monsanto for years in the DPG area, as did my mum's brothers Trev & Arfon Hughes, my Taid Tom Hughes and my Great-Uncle Maldwyn Williams from Fron. Great to hear the old stories. Tracy Jones
Thu Mar 1 08:22:12 2007

Len Salisbury
To Patricia Brookes, don't forget that your father's name was Fred Butterton shotened to Butts as we all knew him by his abbreviated name. Do you have any war momentoes that he brought home after the campaign as I recall your cousin Derek Oldfield was given quite a few and showed them around Cefn School.
Wed Feb 28 16:18:15 2007

Tony Vaughan, Trefonen
To Sonia, South Africa, in reply to your query about our family. My taid (grandfather) Bert Vaughan, as Mr Hart and my big cousin Ricky have said, was born in Gobowen one of five brothers - Jack, Bill, Sam and one whose name I don't know. There are still members of the family living in Gobowen and also Whittington (about 2 miles apart). My dad was John (the fourth son) and my uncle Phil was known as Phil Watt or Wattie by everyone who knew him.
Wed Feb 28 14:51:35 2007

Gillian Hughes (Nee Morris) Rhosymedre)
To Patricia Brookes: Yes, I remember your Dad Freddie Butts, he used to own a fruit and veg shop in Cefn. I was very young when my Mum used to shop there but I remember him well. Am I correct in thinking that he also used to go selling his wares from his van around the houses many years ago? I seem to recall that, or maybe it was someone else.
Tue Feb 27 13:07:34 2007

Sonia, South Africa
To Mr Hart, thank you so much for your information I've told my great grandma and it was if a light was coming on in her eyes. She can remember visiting the Vaughans just once many, many years ago when they had just moved to Cae Coch. Thanks again for taking the time and trouble to reply.
To Mr Vaughan, yes it seems we are related although many times removed. Anymore info on your family would be gratefully recieved so I can jog my great grandma's memory.
Mon Feb 26 09:26:22 2007

Joan Roberts (nee Haynes) Wrexham
Looking for anyone who knew Kathleen May Cave ATS 1940's stationed in Wrexham
Mon Feb 26 09:16:50 2007

David Hart. Acrefair/Cefn
Don Jones (delph). Hello Don. Glad to hear from you again. You were right about me knowing the Vaughans. We lived by each other for many years, and were very friendly. As I mentioned in a reply to Tony Vaughan, on the Acrefair Bridge page, I was bestman at his father's wedding. It pleases me to be able to help people with their various queries and, if I don't know the answers, I will try to find out! It keeps the old brain working, and me out of mischief. Hope you and the family are all well. Best wishes, Dai.
Fri Feb 23 10:22:08 2007

Dave Rogers, Cheltenham
Just found this site whilst searching for my relatives to bring together our family tree. I found it very interesting indeed and brings back loads of memories from my days in Garth (1937-49) especially Crad the Garth - I remember him well. I lived at Meirionfa, Garth, just below the school. At that time Crad lived about 200 yards up the lane next to Blake's farmland and was renowned to be seen riding on the outside of the cars taking visitors up to the Panarama walk, which took you over to Llangollen. Ken Blake used to drive a horse and milk cart with churns of milk down Garth every day. I was brought up by my grandparents Mr and Mrs Griffiths who used to keep a shop in Crane Street, Cefn in the 1930s backing on to the bank where the fairs were held before moving to Garth. I would be very pleased to hear from anyone that may remember me and whilst I'm here, does any one know the whereabouts of my cousin Trevona Griffiths born about 1941 that also lived in Garth? I would really love to get in touch with her. Thank you for listening to me, Dave Rogers
Thu Feb 22 13:54:34 2007

David Hart, Acrefair / Cefn
Sonia of South Africa - No doubt you were pleased to have an answer to your query. Not only from Don Jones and myself, but from Ricky Vaughan, a member of the family. I have just one observation to make about Ricky's comments. There were actually five brothers, and not four. He unfortunately missed out Bill, who was the second oldest son. Thought this might avoid any confusion about the numbers. Regards.
Tue Feb 20 11:18:11 2007

Ricky Vaughan acrefair
To Sonia in South Africa. With reference to your recent message, my grandfather's name was Bert Vaughan and lived in Cefn and had four sons Ken, John, Graham and Phil. He was originally from Gobowen and worked on the railway. Sadly they have all passed away. Only two of their wives are still alive. My mother and John's wife. They lived in Cae Coch for many years. Most of the family grandchildren etc. still live in Cefn. I don't know if we are the same family but I will try to find out more if you can give me more information. P.S. Ken Vaughan was a Bevan Boy and worked down the pit at Ifton Colliery.
Mon Feb 19 13:26:09 2007

Don Jones (Delph) Gainsborough
David Hart. Hello Dai. Glad you popped up to try to help Sonia from South Africa. Somehow I had a feeling that you would. I think you will be more able than me to answer her on the Vaughans. Obviously, having spent so much time away from Cefn, I am out of touch with a lot of things. I think it's great to see people from all different parts of the world pop up with Cefn Connections. Who would have thought such things possible when we were kids? I am sure that they appreciate any help we can give them. My own youngest son lives in America and, although he only visited Cefn when I was on leave, he still feels that it is his spiritual home. It's not surprising really as all my chidren were weaned on stories of Cefn and the wonderful characters from there. Very best wishes. Don
Mon Feb 19 11:57:54 2007

Dai Hart
For Sonia, South Africa. I think your query has borne fruit! The brother of Jack Vaughan from Gobowen, named Bert, married Ruth Evans (WATT!). They had FIVE sons, the eldest of whom was a Bevan Boy during the war. His name was Ken. Another son, Graeham, died in the early 60's. Sadly all of them are now deceased. The sons names were Ken, Bill, Graeham, John and Phil. I knew them all very well, as I lived next door but one to them in Cae Coch, at the top of Cefn. If you look at the ACREFAIR BRIDGE story (search for Acrefair Bridge), you will see that a Grandson of Bert & Ruth has been enquiring about his Grandfather. He is the son of John and his name is Tony. There are other younger members of the Evans family still in the area. I hope this is of some help for you. Regards. David Hart
Mon Feb 19 11:56:27 2007

Sonia, South Africa
To Mr Jones and Mr Hart, thank you so much for your replies. My great grandpa's wife (93 years young), Jane, seems to think that the name Vaughan seems familiar (I apologise for my spelling). As you can appreciate her memory is not what it was, but here goes.. My great granpa's uncle was called Jack Vaughan? and originated from a village called Gobowen?, Salop. He had a brother called Bob, Bert, Bill? who lived, as I have said in Cefn Mawr, and had 4 or 5 sons, the eldest son she seems to think was a Bevan Boy during the war and that one of the sons died during the early sixties. That's all I have at the moment. Thanks again for taking the trouble to reply.
Fri Feb 16 10:05:18 2007

patricia brookes cefn mawr
Do you remember Freddie Butts? He was my dad. Always had a joke for the ladies.
Thu Feb 15 18:17:36 2007

David Hart. Acrefair/Cefn
Sonia, South Africa. Further to the comments from my old friend Don Jones (Delph), I agree that some Christian names would be helpful, and perhaps would "ring a bell" in our memories. There was a large family with the nickname "Watt", and were well spread out around the district. I think the surname of the family could have been EVANS.. There was a Mrs. Evans who ran the Kings Head pub in Cefn, and was known as Maggie Watt. Another family in Cefn, called Evans, were known as "the Watts". One of the daughters married a man called VAUGHAN, so this may be where the VORN you refer to came from. Hope this is of some help. If I can get any more info. I will keep you posted. Regards
Wed Feb 14 17:46:20 2007

Don Jones (Delph) Gainsborough
For Sonia, South Africa. Do you know the christian names of any of your ancestors you refer to as the Watties? My step Grandfather was Jack Evans, known as Jack Watt. He once lived near to the Queens but left there long before the time you state. However there was a large family of them so if you could provide christian names maybe I, or someone else, could help you. As to the Vorn, again there is a large family named Vaughan which is pronounced the same way. Unfortunately I left Cefn Mawr some years ago so am out of touch with most of the people there. However, I'm sure that if you could provide a few more details someone out there will be only too willing to help you. Best wishes.
Tue Feb 13 09:37:56 2007

Brenda Davies (nee Roberts) Cefn Mawr
Anybody out there who was in Aston Hall 1948 - 49? Couple of names that i know: Margaret Taylor (Coventry), Audrey Green (Chirk), Muriel Parish (Connahs Quay), Alfie Williams (Wrexham), Carol ? (Llangollen). Would love to hear from you.
Tue Feb 13 09:29:01 2007

Sonia, South Africa
I'm looking for any info on distant relations of my late great grandpa. they were known as the "watties". they lived by the queens? pub before moving to the "top of cefn" maybe 50 or 60 years ago. I think there may have been 4 or 5 brothers? any help gratefully recieved. PS does the name bourne or vorn ring any bells?
Mon Feb 12 11:09:14 2007

Peter Bloore, Hagley, Worcestershire
Stuart, Thanks for your response. Yes, I think that I have the marriage record for John Brellisford and Sarah. A John Brellisford & Sarah Williams were married by Licence at Llangollen on the October 10 1809. My ancestral line is a John Brellisford who married an Emmelia Willington at Llangollen on the 8th June 1807. There are three possible baptisms at Llangollen, namely:
1) 25 Dec 1774 John s of Charles & Ann Brellisford of Llangollen Abbot.
2) 17 Mar 1782 John s of William (a slater) & Mary Brellisford of Llangollen Fawr.
c) 24 Sep 1784 John th! e illegitimate son of Ruth Brellisford, schoolmistress of Llangollen Fawr, and John Edwards of Bache.
The problem is - which was which. Any further comments on the Brellisfords would be most welcome.
Thu Feb 8 07:15:37 2007

Stuart Fawcett of Chirk
Re Peter Bloore - a John Brellisford was born in Cefn Mawr in either 1812 or 1814 - parents John Brellisford and mother Sarah. Sorry cannot find where they are from at present - any found with wife Sarah?
Tue Feb 6 08:18:00 2007

Peter Bloore - Hagley, Worcestershire
One of my ancestral lines goes back to a John Brellisford, a slater, who married Emmelia Willington in Llangollen in June 1807. Unfortunately, there are four John Brellisford's born in Llangollen in the period 1774 to 1782, although one died in infancy. The problem I have is to identify which is the correct John for my ancestral line. I noted an entry of Stuart Fawcett's on this site in July last year referring to a John Brellisford who kept the Grapes beer house in Cefn Mawr in 1818. Could I ask if he knows the parents of this John and if he was born in Llangollen?!
Fri Feb 2 08:51:23 2007

Jayne Quince, Derby
Well, I have checked again (was not at home when I posted the previous message). In 1901 my great grandfather Thomas Hughes lived with his family at 35 Rock Rd, Rhosymedre. They had previously lived at Fron (two eldest sons born there), next Coedpoeth, then Pentre Broughton where grandad and his twin were born. My grandparents actually lived at 50 New Hall Street, Brynfields, Ruabon, at the time of their marriage in 1913. My Great granfather was born Llangollen area, his wife Elizabeth was from Fron. Anything would be helpful!
Wed Jan 31 08:30:44 2007

Len Salisbury, Acrefair
To Jayne Quince, nothing springs to mind other than the address. Did you mean Rock Hill rather than Road in the Cefn?
Tue Jan 30 10:02:17 2007

Jayne Quince - Derby
This may be a bit of a long shot! I am researching my family history and my grandfather was born in Pentre Broughton in 1890. His name was Robert (Bob) Hughes and was from a mining family. He had a twin brother Enoch, older brothers Owen (Thomas), Maurice, Edward, sisters Hannah and Ellen and younger brother Hugh. He married Rose (also Hughes) from Oswestry in 1913 and they lived at Rock Rd Cefn. Any family members out there? I was born in Oswestry.
Mon Jan 29 10:07:22 2007

Tony Vaughan
For Gareth Buffey: Hello Gaj, nice to hear off you. Yes, I do still see most of the old crew, not so much through the year as I've lived in Oswestry for 15 years but we always meet up without fail every Xmas Eve (since we left school every year). Stew, Bacon, Edrich, usually see Jose in Air Products Club. Seen loads of old faces at the reunion back in 2002. Do you ever see any of the lads from up there who were with us in school? John Evs, Sam, Mavis, Blyddin are names that come to mind. Doesn't Phil Morris live up there? Anyway, take care of yourself and hear from you soon.
Wed Jan 17 07:29:30 2007

Gareth Buffey
To Tiny, Good to see your still around. Do you get to see Stewy and Bacon and the rest of the lads from our year in school? Saw Elaine Heart in Scotts over Xmas not seen her for a while. Do you go for a pint, if so where?
Tue Jan 16 08:53:34 2007

Tony Vaughan (Tiny)
To John Kay, didn't you used to live by the Tally Ho with your brother Peter? Are you thinking about Sue Davies (Singie), Sharon Bithell, Mandy York, Stew, Bacon, Edrich, Mark Szabo, and myself who all used to hang around the old bus shelter half way down Coronation Street.
Mon Jan 15 09:15:40 2007

Ian Davies:Cefn Mawr
To John Kay: Did you have a younger bro called Pete, who supported Man City?
Fri Jan 12 11:02:51 2007

John Kay, Newbridge, now Scotland
Saw the comments remember Gareth Buffy, anyone remember Susan Hughes, Sharon Bithell, and that general crowd?
Wed Jan 10 11:33:02 2007

Ken Williams formerly of Trevor
This site is becoming a national treasure! I'll bet there are many memories of the local policemen. Remember the days when there was a police house in Cefn, Acrefair, Trevor and Fron? You certainly didn't argue with Mr Hughes off the Trevor Estate. The lads from Trevor found mischief down by the river, on the canal before it was taken over by holiday craft, in the woods by the J. C. Edwards brick works and up on the mountains. Parents today wouldn't let their children roam as we used to. Someone mentioned Lydia Jones at J.C. Edwards, she lives with her sister, Barbara in Llangollen.
Wed Jan 10 09:36:56 2007

Tony Vaughan, Oswestry
Although I was born in Australia in 1962 I was one year old when I came to Cefn. For the first few months we lived at my nan's house at 14 Cae Coch before moving to No 10 Russell street. In between Uncle Phil and Aunty Isabel at No 9 and John and Irene? Valentine at No11. We lived there for nearly 5 years. A small 2 up, 2 down, with no bathroom and one outside toilet between 3 families. At the top of our road stood Evans chip shop at that time run by dad's brother, Uncle Bill, and Mam's sister Aunty Eileen. I think I lived on those chips for the first 5 years of my life! In late 1967 we moved to No 13 Cae Coch right next door to my nan and taid complete with inside toilet and bathroom, I thought we'd moved into a palace! At this time the railway had shut and Acrefair station became our playground. We spent many hours in the old signal box trying to move the then rusted levers. Also through the railway cutting was another playground, the old quarry, being used as scrapyard for old cars, the place was a warren of hidden paths through the undergrowth that always seemed to lead to hidden corners of the quarry. Up the road at No 3 lived my Uncle Ken and Aunty Do and my big cousins Ricky and Phil. I used to tag along as they and their mates, Ojo, Dai Edwards(martian) Miles Evans, Tony the barber and his brothers Graham and Colin would always have some sort of motorbike (usually a BSA Bantam) riding around the tracks on the ashbank, something that I would do in my own teens. I lived in the top of Cefn until 1984 when mam and dad moved to Rhosymedre but I couldn't settle there and after working around Europe I settled in Trefonen, Oswestry, in an avenue very much like Cae Coch, but the top of Cefn is still where I call home.
Mon Jan 8 11:42:56 2007

Tony Vaughan, Oswestry
For Teresa Russell, Brisbane ,Australia. I doubt very much if you remember me, but my family moved into your house at No 13 Cae Coch when you all emigrated to Australia. My Nan and Taid lived at No 14, Ruth and Bert Vaughan. Even though I was only 6 years old at the time I can remember you as the girl who used to talk to us over Nan's back fence. I can also remember your dad who used to have a Ford Consul like my dad's and he used to tease me that his was better because his was yellow and my dad's was grey. I am the one who was born in Melbourne, Australia, in 1962.
Mon Jan 8 09:48:42 2007

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