Visitors to St Mellons will discover that some street names, school names, notice-boards, church and chapel records refer to an older Welsh name for the parish - Llanlleirwg or Llaneirwg.
Many explanations have been put forward. Whilst the English name indicates that the Church was dedicated to St Melo or St Melanius, the Welsh name has earlier connections with Lleirwg, one of the mythical Kings of Gwent.
The late Father Cormack of St Peter's Roman Catholic Church in Cardiff conducted some historical research on St Mellon. Clergy at Rouen Cathedral opened their archives and produced the 'Acts of St Mellons'.
Mellon, surnamed Probus, was born in Cardiola (Cardiff) in Glamorgan circa 229AD. Sent to Rome by his noble parents, he was converted to Christianity by Pope Stephen, ordained a priest and later consecrated bishop.
In 261AD, Mellon was appointed Bishop of Rouen where he accomplished many good works. He died in 314AD.
Professor Freeman, the famous historian who once lived at Llanrumney Hall, observed that the name, now spelt St Mellons, until 1801 was St Mellans, and in Latin the saint occurs as St Melanus or St Melanius. He also stated 'the parish is called Llaneirog in Welsh.'
Archdeacon Coxe, in his Historical Tour of Monmouthshire, noted that in Welsh, 'the church is called Llaneirog or the Church of Eirwg, which signifies 'golden', derived from his complexion.
The late Bishop Hedley of Llanishen was a strong supporter of his Catholic Church, but also a friend of A H Williams, local historian of St Mellons. From discoveries made in Rome amongst ancient manuscripts, he noted that in 180 AD, the local chief was Eurwg/Eirwg, great-great-grandson of Bran, King of Gwent and grandson of the famous Caradoc.
Eurwg lived on the hill at St Mellons where the church now stands. At that time Roman soldiers were constructing the Via Julia from Bath to Caerwent and on through St Mellons to West Wales. They had their camp on what was known as Quarry Hill.
From the Roman soldiers, Eurwg learnt a little about the new religion, Christianity, and he yearned to know more. A message was sent to Eleutherius, Pope of Rome, requesting teachers. Dyfan, Ffagen, Medwy and Elphan arrived and converted Eurwg and his people, baptising them in the River Elerch (Rhymney).
Eurwg's church was erected on or near the site of the present church of 1360 and henceforth the district was called Llaneurwg/Llaneirwg, meaning parish or church of Eurwg/Eirwg.
© Sylvia M.R.Atherton - 2005
Old St Mellons Village Association
Rumney & District Local History Society
your comments
Ian Nicoll from Brittany,France
I lived in Cardiff until I was 23 then moved away to work and now live in retirement in France, My mother was born at the Grove, Rhymney in 1914 and still lives in Cardiff. My father was born in Kent but by the time of the 1911 census he was living with his parents Walter & Lilian Nicoll at the address Groes Llech Faen Road, St Mellons, My grandfather Walter Nicoll was a domestic coachman for the owner of Ty To Maen House, at that time. Does this address still exist?
Barbara Martin nee Jones, Ontario, Canada
I was born in 1939 in Dros y Morfa, younger sister of Audrey and Valerie. I lived in Rumney until I was 10 years old. I love the book on the history of Rumney and remember some of the names. The people living next door were Grace and John Bush. Whatever happened to them? I would love to know if Dros y Morfa still exists. I remember the Lambies opposite our house and a little girl drowning in the river. I was also in school with a Giles boy from the pottery. Once more, loved the book, thank you for the memories.
Val Stephen, Bristol
Omitted to reply to Pam Clatworthy earlier today when I submitted a comment. My late father in law told me that he and his large family lived in one of those cottages in St Augustine's Church yard. He would be past 120 years now. I remember them derelict as a little girl but have no way of confirming this. He was a Stephen and I know some of them are buried there.
Stephen formerly Jones
I have written a review on this wonderful book reliving joyful memories. We were Audrey, Valerie and Barbara and grew up in Dros-y-Morfa near Brachdy Road. I like other comments agree that The Lambies was our leisure centre. Remember the warmth of the delicious slimy mud. No Madonalds, a packet of sandwiches and a bottle of water. We musn't forget some tragedies there and the brave Joe Sims. So excited to read all your memories! Val.
Sam Parker
I am co-founder of the Rumney & District History Society. It started up as a small group in 1990 and has grown from there. My sons Philip, Kevin and Neil spent many happy hours in the Lambys and my son Kevin was a good frend of Brian Trott and Kelvin Patterson.
Martin Ellis Jones, London
Vaindre Hall was owned in the mid 19th century, before the Cory family, by Henry Brain the brewer. He came to Cardiff from Bristol.
David Teear
Can anyone highlight where Hill Cottage would have been in St. Mellons on the 1841 census. Housing a John Rees and possibly Anne.
Martin Ellis Jones, Cheltenham/London
I grew up close to both Melrose (Ivor Pugh, solicitor) and Vaendre Hall (Gwyn Davies, solicitor). Melrose, based on Melrose Abbey in Scotland, was rendered and painted grey in those days. At one stage both Melrose and Vaendre Hall were owned by Members of the Cory family and later by West Wales ship owner Sir Richard Mathias 2nd Baronet. His grandfather John Mathias founded shipping company J Mathias And Co, his father Sir Richard lst Baronet sat as Liberal M P for Cheltenham Dec 1910 till March 1911 so would no doubt have been close to Lloyd George. He was made a Baronet six years later in 1917. John Mathias was born in Aberystwyth, Sir Richard 2nd Baronet, born in 1905, had two daughters born 1938 and 1942, so with no male heirs, the Baronetcy became extinct. There is much to know about this little area. Most of this local history was given to me by my grandfather. I have tons and tons of it if anybody is interested - I really have, real trivial stuff.
Martin Ellis Jones, formerly St Mellons now London
We called it the Lamby, everybody else seemed to call it the Lambies. Whichever way you say it belonged to my grandmother Olive Irene Jones, who was the daughter of David Jones of both Vaindre Vawr (fach, big) and Vaindre Vach (fech, small) St Mellons, where I grew up. There is no V in Welsh and Faen Dre meant long town or long place. I attended St Mellons Primary School, when the teachers that I can recall were Mr Richards, Miss Davy, Miss Dummett.
LAMBY - All places ending with 'by' were Danegeld settlements viz: Tenby, Denbigh(by), Formby, Whitby, and a raft of Yorkshire Tyneside villages ending with 'by'.
C Fishwick, Chippenham
Does anyone know anything about Vaendre Hall in St Mellons? It used to be owned by a Mr Gwyn Davies and my mother used to work in the house. Can anyone tell me its history please?
Malcolm Chugg, W wentloog road
Great to read all these comments about the lambys, takes me back, cor I had some hidings off me mam when I arrived home filthy dirty, worth it though.
Neil Atherton
My mother wrote this article and I would like to direct readers' attention to a new website - www.rumneyhistory.org.uk - where you will be able to find further information about the villages of Rumney and St Mellons. The site will in time include photos, video, audio and literature purchase/downloads
Brenda Ridler (nee Wakeling) , Swansea
I moved to Northlands, Rumney in 1937 and married a Rumney boy in 1955. Rumney was a wonderful place to grow up in. I remember the Council houses being built where once there were beautiful fields along Cae Glas Road. Every year it always seemed to pour with rain when the Bank Holiday Horse Show was held in Ball Road. Happy days!
nicole eddy-evans, newport
I've lived in the old Blaenavon Bakery all of my life. My mum and dad ran a cafe when i was little and before that my dad ran the Blaenavon Bakery which they bought from Mr. G Jones when it was The Blaenavon Restaurant. We'd love to know what was here before 1889 when the freehold was ownwed by we think either Prudential or Lord Tredegar. We've recently been given a fantastic old lighter with quotes "The Peoples" restaurant, and "A Home From Home". Amazingly though there is a photograph of Mr. Jones on the back! Would love any information or memories anyone may have.
Frances from Llanrumney
I'm glad I'm not the only one who remembers all the wonderful times we had in our childhood. Shame, the children of today cannot experience a little of what we had.
Antony Chant from Rumney
Who could forget playing on the Lambies as kids(and coming home stinking dirty)?
Reen jumping, building dens, playing on the old 'pillbox' near New Road and fishing for eels in the round (bomb )pool...before swimming in it...all sadly lost to 'progress'.
Marjorie Neal, Rumney
Following the success of the Local History Exhibition in St. Mellons last week, the Rumney and District Local History Society are planning another exhibition in Rumney, probably at the end of October. For further information e.mail. rumney05@yahoo.co.uk
Andrew Ball, Newport
Knowing Sylvia Atherton well I would like to thank her for the wonderful Rumney/St Mellons Local History exhibition with others that I saw today 16/08/05 at St Mellons Village Hall. It was very informative as is the website. I have learnt so much about the History and Archaeology of the area that I lived in for the first 28 years of my life. From the first Paleolithic handaxe found in Penylan to the fantastic 1360 St Mellons Parish church there is amazing research beieng done on these areas. Finally I strongly suggest the general public buy the new book on Rumney and St Mellons called "Rumney and St Mellons" A History of two Villages priced £10 available from Rumney Local History Society. See you soon Sylvia.
Gaynor Evans
I grew up in Brachdy Lane. The Lambies was a beautiful desolate place. We kids would play there un-harmed. Does anyone remember the little island we could walk to on the Rhymney river when the tide was out? By the way, I remember Mark Stephens (see comment below) - your sister Jackie was my friend.
michelle clarke rumney
I came to live in rumney in the seventies my dad used to take us camping in the holiday over the lambies we had great fun what a shame its all gone
mags exton
trying to find a place called hilltops or treetops,rogerstone st mellons area
Mark Stephens
I lived in Rumney in the sixties and early seventies. The Lambies was a place where all people of all ages would use at different times. When you were out on the Lambies time would stand still - the peace and quiet was something that had to be experienced. Brian from the Phillipines will understand what I'm talking about. He, myself, Kelvin, Phillip and Gary spent hours over there. Something that won't be experienced by the youngsters of modern Rumney.
Robert Heming, Houston, Texas
I grew up on Brachdy Lane in Rumney and the track to the Lambys went from the corner of New Road and Brachdy Lane over the railway bridge. I noticed that one of the residents of Heol Eirwg said that they needed a leisure center. The children from Brachdy Lane and New Road used the Lambys as their leisure centre. We spent hours building dens, falling in the rheens and even walking out over the flats at low tide to an old wrecked airplane that had crashed there when either landing or taking off from Pengam.
I was in Cardiff at Easter(2005) and the Lambys is now completely cut off from Rumney by a road with small industrial buildings and a huge rubbish dump. What a shame. Cardiff has done a few good things but also some really horrible developments.
Pam Clatworthy, Cumbria
I grew up in Rumney during the forties. We used to spend hours over the Lambies (Langby .. long town) trying to negotiate the 'reens' or water channels. I believe this term is used in Somerset as well. Can you throw any light on Bailey Bach, the little group of cottages near the church in Rumney? Greenway Lane now sadly built over was narrow and had high banks. Is this an original green road? The village was a wonderful place to live in those days.
Brian Trott from Cebu, Philippines
An informative article. I grew up in Rumney in the fifties and sixties and, whilst familiar with the Welsh name Tredelerch, was unaware that Elerch refered to the Rhymney River. You learn something every day.
