We arrived in Dolgellau by train sometime in 1940.
I can still remember the journey from Crewe in the "Coffee Pot" train, rather reminiscent of the trains of the old Wild West, as well as our arrival at Dolgellau railway station.
Puffing its way importantly up the valleys, the engine billowed steam and black soot which trailed back along the short line of carriages, clinging to everything it touched.
The good old days of steam they say. Yes, it's all very exhilarating, especially when, on opening a window, you get a lungful of smoke, and eyes full of soot.
The train would stop every now and then for no other apparent reason than to allow the driver to tend to his vegetables growing in an allotment beside the line.
On our arrival at Dolgelley, as it was known then, it was raining and the railway station and town, and even the surrounding mountains, all appeared grey. However, the background trees and grass were of the most beautiful green colour that one could ever see.
I am not at all sure if anyone met us at the station, or how we journeyed the four miles to Dol-y-clochydd Farm.
Having always lived in a village, the grey slate roofed stone farmhouse and outbuildings appeared foreboding, lonely, and very isolated.
The two-storey farmhouse itself was located some 50 yards from the bank of the Mawddach River on a slight bend, while a large barn and a smaller outbuilding stood between the farmhouse and the river.
The walls of the building were of local granite and very thick, while the ground floor was of thick slabs of local grey slate.
The roof was also clad in grey slate.
A few milking cows grazed alongside the farmhouse and there were sheep grazing on the adjacent very steep and rocky mountainside.
Scattered around the farmhouse, chickens scratched and a huge cockerel strutted among his harem.
The water in the river was very clear, with the apparent depth being very deceptive due to this clarity.
Close to the farmhouse there was a large pool where the water moved quite slowly, however leading into this pool there was a faster section where a large rock protruded from the river.
My brother and I had named this rock Gibraltar due to its shape and location; however the present owners now refer to it as Depth-gauge Rock.
It was at this location that, at the age of ten, I saw my very first salmon caught on a Jock Scott salmon fly.
From that time on I was hooked on fly fishing, a pastime that has given to me a lifetime of wonderful hours fishing rivers, streams and lakes in North Wales, Australia and New Zealand."
Heating up the farm ...
your comments
Hilda Jewell nee Brown from NZ
I was evacuated to Llanuwchllyn with my mother. I lived on a farm owned by the Edwards family. Their daughter was called Cassie. Close by lived another family of evacuees with three girls surname of Meehan. I can remember kneeling in a window seat and watching a tank drive up the road. This would have been 1944-45. Does anyone else remember this village?
Web team: Llanuwchllyn is near Bala. More on our Bala minisite.
Tue Jan 6 09:28:29 2009
Margaret Hainge-Lloyd, Bodelwyddan
It is really lovely reading the stories of the people of Dolgellau. I was the very last baby to be born in the family home Llwyn Hall, Dolgellau, on the 5th March 1942. My father was born there in 1910 and his sister Elsie in 1908. My dad Willam Hugh Edwards and my Taid Huw Edwards farmed the Llwyn up to the time we moved to Ruthin when I was three. Even so I came back to live with my nain and taid when they retired. Dad told me many wonderful stories of when he grew up in the Llwyn. Mam and dad came back to live in Dogellau in the 60s and had the Arran stores. Dolgellau town centre has not changed from my childhood, except maybe the shopkeepers.
Mon Dec 29 10:36:13 2008
Stefan in London
Young Merfyn Jones will be pleased to know that the other week the excavator was still working under the bridge at Dolgellau. He obviously retired too early!
Mon Nov 5 16:34:53 2007
Bob Hughes living in Newcastle upon Tyne
My mum's from Llanuwchllyn and a few years ago told me about the day the evacuees arrived. The whole of the old Llanuwchllyn school, including her and her sister, had to line up on the platform of the station and greet the children. My mum's sister Myra (Davies) ended up marrying an evacuee. George Mitchell really took to life in Wales and decided to stay after the war was over.
Fri Oct 5 13:09:49 2007
Merfyn Jones
In 1943 I worked in Dolgellau, driving a Priestman excavator, digging out the river just under the bridge,Locals used to spend hours watching and photographing the work going on. Wonder if any one has any snaps left. I am now 80 years old.
Fri Jan 5 09:37:33 2007
Mike A Bowyer, Kingston Tasmania Australia
I wish to thank all the people who have taken the trouble to send in comments on my two stories.
It is very gratifying to know that the stories were enjoyed.
Thank you all, and the BBC again for the opportunity to tell all about wonderful North Wales.
Fri Jun 23 09:48:17 2006
Blanche Farley Liverpool
Hello Mike,
My great grandmother and auntie were evacuated to Dolgellau in the 1940s and last year I found her old cottage, just as it was getting demolished. I was thrilled as I remember going there a few times as a child.For many years me and my husband looked for it to no avail, I just could not remeber the spot. Till last year a very kind lady saw us by 'Pennybank,' were they last lived and we asked her if she knew Mrs Scott and Mrs Herring and she did! Also she very kindly gave me a necklace which my great grandmother had given her. I was thrilled to bits at her kindness a! nd having something belonging to my family. We were able to drive right up to the cottage.
I have enjoyed reading every word of your experience and life in Wales. We we enjoy the place so much amnd try to visit there when we go yo Wales.
How hard it was in those years I remember my great grandmother taking me to the well for water.Is it any wonder they stayed and lived there all their life.It is such a beautiful place.I am sure there was not many Scousers in Dolgellau, maybe you remembered them?
Thu Jun 8 11:35:43 2006
Gareth Roberts - Rhoslefain, Tywyn
Hi Mike,
Just a quick add on to say that my Grandmother used to live at Dol-y-clochydd as a child. Would have been about 90 yrs ago. She used to walk to school in Llanfachreth over the hill! She was called Sarah Lewis.
Tue Jun 6 09:35:57 2006
Diane Ferraro (Riches) Toronto Canada
This is a beautiful description of how beautiful the simple things can be in Wales. From the colours that surround you to the slate roofs of the old farmhouses which are still standing to this day. When I was growing up in Dolgellau I used to spend many a Sunday pm exploring the countryside and fishing. You said it perfectly Mike.
Fri Mar 10 13:45:44 2006
