your comments
Cheryl Fox, London
I was born in Gilfach Cottages, St Fagans - next door to Jenny Sutton. I went to the village school, about 30 years after my father. Dad lived in quite a few different cottages in the village before he moved to Fairwater. He was buried in the village churchyard alongside my mother. Unlike Jenny and Philip, I was not in the Church choir. I attended the Presbyterian Chapel (now converted into a house) and remember being one of only four children amid a congregation of about ten at services. I loved living in the village and still visit as often as I can. The place holds very special memories for me and for my husband as we were married at St Mary's (the Chapel had closed by then) and our reception was held in the Plymouth Arms. Reading some of the posts on this site made me smile. As a child I loved to hear visitors to the museum commenting on the quaint cottages in the museum - when they were actually talking about the cottages in which we lived! I have so many memories of the village - my maternal grandfather was the village postman for some years and my paternal grandfather worked for the Plymouth Estates. I always think of St Fagans, and Gilfach Cottages in particular as being truly magical.
Jenny Sutton from Canberra, Australia
I was born in St Fagans village in 1957 in Gilfach Cottages next to Pen-Hefyd Farm, (the riding school) and the cricket field. Even though I have lived in Australia for 32 years my heart is still there in St Fagans - you never lose the Hiraeth of Wales. Like Phillip I too was in the church choir which was part of the village life.I am going home in September 2009 to visit my family who still live there. Cymru am Byth as I am learning Welsh here in Australia.
Bryan Divall in Singapore
I was born in Cardiff and lived in Pantbach Road until 1955. As teenagers my brother and I used to cycle everywhere around Cardiff including St Fagans. We visited the castle on many occasions and even measured the speed of the water race going into the mill. But the real treat was to sit on the wall next to the level crossing and watch the express steam trains heading to Cardiff from Swansea. About 100 yards up the track there were some points for rails going into a siding on the right (facing west). Here you could see these steaming monsters rocking from side to side as they negotiated the points before they roared past less than a couple of feet away. We knew when the trains were due because you could here the ;ting ting ting; of the telegraph in the nearby signalbox. Then we would watch for the man in the signal box go over to a big handwheel and slowly close the level crossing gates by hand.Just up the road from the crossing, in the lee of the castle there was a blacksmith's where we watched him shoeing horses when there were no trains to see. Happy days!
John Ferguson, Lancaster
What a range of memories brought back by this page. I grew up in Llandaff but spent a great deal of time in and around St Fagans. I first visited the castle in the early 50's with my parents; my father spoke of the time when the Earl of Plymouth passed the estate over into trust. At that time the Earl gave the pub opposite the castle to his butler to retire to. Each evening the former butler used to come into the bar and in his best butler's voice say "Gentlemen, time if you please". The Castle was a delight to visit and in particular the kitchens which looked as though the 18th century family were still in residence, and the reception room with its secret door. I recall that close to the cross roads north of the village a famer used to stand his milk churns in the stream to cool the milk. Another memory is fishing for trout and roach in the River Ely just below the castle - at that time no one worried about licences!! As time moved on we formed friends in St Fagans - in particular The Conn family whose father was lost whilst flying with the RAF during WW2 and who were granted a grace and favour house in the village. I recall one evening reading the names on the memorial cross in front of the church that bore the names of the villagers who lost their lives in the First World War. Another contributor mentioned a riding school near St Fagans and I wonder if that was the one just out side the village on the road to Peterston Super Ely. It was close to St Fagins circket ground - I used to drop a girl friend there for lessons. St Fagans is a wonderfull village and the castle with its museum is a great Welsh asset.
Philip Cornelius, Exmouth, Devon
I was born and bred in St Fagans - I went to the Village School from 1967 to 1974. I have very fond memories of the village and my whole family joined in the events organised to build the village hall (my father was treasurer). In fact I laid the slabs around it by myself when I was 12.My plan is to one day return to live in the village. If I don't make it, I have made my children promise to get my heart buried at St Mary's Church where I was once a choirboy.
John Raven, Brussels
They used to serve teas, or at any rate cups of tea, in on of the thatched cottages leading down to what was then (1930-40) - may still be - a level crossing. At the beginning of this period there had been an immense oak tree just before the crossing. The elders of the village used to sit on a bench in its shade on sunny days. It was struck by lightening and reduced to a stump entirely changing the whole character of the village. The Head Porter at the station lived in one of the Estate cottages and had an exceptionally fruitful allotment on the south side of the slight railway embankment alongside the station platform. He greatly assisted my courtship of a nurse in Glanely Hospital by locking us in the Waiting Room on summer evenings. I never met a more contented man especially when holidays or sickness elsewhere on the railway gave him temporary rank as Stationmaster at one of the nearby stations.
Basil Stephens
At school in Sussex in the 50s I have a strong memory of a history master, Mr Jenkins, who presumably had got fed with my repeated comment to anything, and said in reply to my raised hand "I know, Stephens, they've got one like that at St Fagans." Years later, I recall a St Fagans staff member who, on noticing my fiancee's ring, tried to get us married in the small chaopel.
Ruth Hanmer - Coychurch
Every Saturday and school holiday time (along with countless of other horse-mad girls and the occasional boy) was spent at the riding school of Mr Richards in St Fagans. You got paid if you "took a leading rein" ie taught someone how to ride a horse in an hour!!! After about three leading rein sessions the person on the horse could 'join the ride' which basically meant they could go with the rest of the main group. Ahhh.... carefree pony days.
Wendi Shaffer from Pennsylvania, USA
I visited St Fagans in September of 2006 with my boyfriend, who is a resident of Cardiff. I was entranced! I felt a deep sense of history and national pride while there. The history is well preserved and the effort to ensure the history of Welsh life was impressive. The day I visited was a bit rainy (as many of your days are), and I felt like a nymph in an enchanted forrest. I wish to return to St Fagans the next time I visit my love.
Steve & Kathy, Brisbane, Australia
We were so thrilled to see this article here on St Fagans as we have visited it & were suitably impressed. We spent a whole day there & took in everything we could. We loved the vast history & the experience of actually walking though this 'time' museum. To actually walk into the various dwellings of Wales over the ages made us realise the vast rich history of Wales. To pinpoint one part of St Fagans would do it an injustice - there's so much to see. One thing from a girl born & bred in Aussie though - I enjoyed the fire burning in one of the older dwellings & the great friendly chat we had with the Welsh minder of the house. When friends/people say they are going to Wales for a visit we always tell them of St Fagans & to put it on their list of 'must sees'. Then again there's lots of fabulous things to see in Wales.
Gareth Evans, Victoria, Canada
I remember as a lad of 5 in 1943 visiting my grandparents at 5 Station Terrace. There they raised a large family, my mother Ethel being the youngest. I last visited there in 1995 when my mother's cousin Dolly Hallet lived in number 1. Wonderful memories!
Bob Daw, from Brecon
I was born in St Fagans nearly 86 years ago and it's nice to know it will be kept as near to the original as possible. Some of it has gone but a visit still reminds me of the love for it we residents always will keep.
Gareth Evans, Victoria, Canada
I remember as a lad of 5 in 1943 visiting my grandparents at 5 Station Terrace. There they raised a large family, my mother Ethel being the youngest. I last visited there in 1995 when my mother's cousin Dolly Hallet lived in number 1. Wonderful memories!
Bob Daw, from Brecon
I was born in St Fagans nearly 86 years ago and it's nice to know it will be kept as near to the original as possible. Some of it has gone but a visit still reminds me of the love for it we residents always will keep.
Gareth Evans, Victoria, Canada
I remember as a lad of 5 in 1943 visiting my grandparents at 5 Station Terrace. There they raised a large family, my mother Ethel being the youngest. I last visited there in 1995 when my mother's cousin Dolly Hallet lived in number 1. Wonderful memories!
Gareth Evans, Victoria, Canada
I remember as a lad of 5 in 1943 visiting my grandparents at 5 Station Terrace. There they raised a large family, my mother Ethel being the youngest. I last visited there in 1995 when my mother's cousin Dolly Hallet lived in this house, #1. Wonderful memories!
Steve & Kathy, Brisbane, Australia
We were so thrilled to see this article here on St Fagans as we have visited it & were suitably impressed. We spent a whole day there & took in everything we could. We loved the vast history & the experience of actually walking though this 'time' museum. To actually walk into the various dwellings of Wales over the ages made us realise the vast rich history of Wales. To pinpoint one part of St Fagans would do it an injustice - there's so much to see. One thing from a girl born & bred in Aussie though - I enjoyed the fire burning in one of the older dwellings & the great friendlly chat we had with the Welsh minder of the house. When friends/people say they are going to Wales for a visit we always tell them of St Fagans & to put it on their list of 'must sees'. Then again there's lots of fabulous things to see in Wales.
Steve & Kathy, Brisbane, Australia
We were so thrilled to see this article here on St Fagans as we have visited it & were suitably impressed. We spent a whole day there & took in everything we could. We loved the vast history & the experience of actually walking though this 'time' museum. To actually walk into the various dwellings of Wales over the ages made us realise the vast rich history of Wales. To pinpoint one part of St Fagans would do it an injustice - there's so much to see. One thing from a girl born & bred in Aussie though - I enjoyed the fire burning in one of the older dwellings & the great friendlly chat we had with the Welsh minder of the house. When friends/people say they are going to Wales for a visit we always tell them of St Fagans & to put it on their list of 'must sees'. Then again there's lots of fabulous things to see in Wales.
Bob Daw, from Brecon
I was born in St Fagans nearly 86 years ago and it's nice to know it will be kept as near to the original as possible. Some of it has gone but a visit still reminds me of the love for it we residents always will keep.
Steve & Kathy, Brisbane, Australia
We were so thrilled to see this article here on St Fagans as we have visited it & were suitably impressed. We spent a whole day there & took in everything we could. We loved the vast history & the experience of actually walking though this 'time' museum. To actually walk into the various dwellings of Wales over the ages made us realise the vast rich history of Wales. To pinpoint one part of St Fagans would do it an injustice - there's so much to see. One thing from a girl born & bred in Aussie though - I enjoyed the fire burning in one of the older dwellings & the great friendlly chat we had with the welsh minder of the house. When friends/people say they are going to Wales for a visit we always tell them of St Fagans & to put it on their list of 'must sees'. Then again there's lots of fabulous things to see in Wales.
Helen Stacey, Cardiff
I am getting married this year in St Fagans Castle and can't wait as it's such a scenic and lovely place.
Audrey from Abergavenny
What lovely memories of St Fagans. I first went there to a fete in 19?? and many times as a girl with a friend who lived in Fairwater. We walked up the road past the 'chickapollosis' hospital and into the grounds (no museum then). And we were Lady Ermintrude & Lady Etheldreda parading along the terraces, our imaginations ran wild. Ah! happy days.
Neil Morgan from Cardiff
I grew up in Pentrebane and visited St Fagans many times. I have seen quite a number of changes and watched it grow with interest. Through the years I have spoken to many of the friendly and helpful staff who have always gladly given me the benefit of their knowledge (And no sorry I do not speak welsh). This magical place holds many fond memmories for me. It is one of the best places of interest we have in Cardiff\Wales.
Carol Adkinson (nee Ward)
My first visit of many to St Fagans museum was with the junior school in Bulwark, near Chepstow. I had been born in Bulwark, moved to Cardiff (Roath Park), then just before we moved to Hemel Hempstead, moved back to stay with my grandparents in Bulwark. I went on the school trip, when I was about seven, in about 1952, and was fascinated from the first. I think it was St Fagans which gave me a life-long love of history, in particular local history. We had learned Welsh in the junior school in Cardiff, and I remember 'puncturing' the ego of one of my classmates when he recited the numbers 1 - 5 in Welsh, and was completely flummoxed when I asked him, in Welsh, his name and address! I now spend all the time I can visiting historic sites, and they all have to try hard to measure up to St Fagans, which of course gets better all the time!
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