MOLD CIVIC SOCIETY COACH TRIP TO SKIPTON & SETTLE on Monday 30th May 2022

Hello everyone

It is proposed to run a coach trip to Skipton & Settle in the lovely Yorkshire Dales.   This coach trip is in lieu of the live June meeting.

Firstly, it is open to Members of the Mold Civic Society initially, but to keep the cost down, we will then extend the invitation to friends and families / other organisations.   The cost will be £12.50 per person, leaving Mold at 09:00 am and returning at approximately 6.30 pm.   It is planned to have approximately 2.5 hours in the market town of Skipton and approximately 1.5 hours in Settle – two ancient Yorkshire townships.

All interested parties, please email bennettb929@gmail.com to book a seat(s) of for further information.

With best regards – Brian (Bennett) on behalf of Mold Civic Society

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New Local Book by Brian Bennett

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Mold Civic Society Meetings

In view of the current situation it has been decided to postpone any further Mold Civic Society Meetings until next year (ie 2021).Due to the general uncertainty we cannot make specific plans and will have to inform you of our intentions at a later date.Any member who paid their membership for 2020 will be given free membership next year.In the meantime stay safe and keep an eye on our website for announcements, however we will inform Members again by email.

Diane Johnson

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RHYDYMWYN

Flintshire Memories box . This week’s feature takes us two and a half miles north west of Mold to the delightful village of Rhydymwyn – which roughly translates into English as “ford of the ore”.    Its name is an obvious clue to its past history of being a predominantly mining community.    It’s a village forever linked to the development  of the atomic bomb during the second world war period and a vital defence site where a range of gases, chemicals and vital supplies were stored during the period of the hostilities.    This facility and the village  connections with both Felix Mendelsohn and Charles Kingsley making it a very interesting and historical community within our County.

The two images shown depict how the village has changed over the last 50 years or so.    On the c1960 image, the railway line and gates are very prominent, together with the then flourishing Post Office and Local Stores.    The old Public House known as “The Sun” would be just off the image on the right hand side – now sadly demolished in c2001 and replaced with a modern housing complex, justly called Llys y Haul – “Palace of the Sun”.    Sadly the Post Office closed its doors to business several years ago, after serving the community from this location since 1939 when it was first built.

The railway gates and crossing, both now relegated to the history pages, with the local Station just off the image on the left.    The line which ran from Chester to Denbigh crossed the highway for nearly a century after being opened in 1869.    The line finally closed to passengers in April 1962 and the line remained open for a couple of years as far as Ruby Brickworks as a freight line, until being removed completely in the late 60s.   

Another point of interest on both images is the “Wellingtonia” spruce tree in the centre, one of two in the village centre until the 1970s.    For many years a model of a kangaroo stood on the corner of Nant Alyn Road, where the tree still stands.    It became a bit of a tourist attraction having been made and erected by a Miss Stevens, who lived in the property and in whose garden it stood.    This corner was known locally as “Kangaroo corner” for many years.

Wonderful days and tales from a village that reputedly helped build the atom bomb and was an important industrial site during the Second World War.    At one time almost 2000 people were employed there and King George VI, together with Queen Elizabeth visited the village site in July 1942.   The site is now a nature reserve run by DEFRA and also the home for Rhydymwyn Valley History Society.

One village story relayed to me years ago concerned the Queen who, while speaking to a local female employee, was slightly bemused on being told that she was a “Nain to 10” !    More on Rhydymwyn or should that read  “ford of the ore” next week.

Stay safe – keep well everyone.

Best regards – Brian Bennett

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Our County town of Mold

Hello everyone

Flintshire Memories box trying and recall the “good old days” which, I am sure, we all look back on with relish.   The first item is a well known view of our County town old Mold.   Taken approximately in 1950, it shows a typical Market Day scene in the High Street – an event which has occurred twice weekly for centuries.   The topographical view of the town has not changed significantly over 70 years or so, but no white vans or modern gazebos in evidence, and traffic was permitted in the High Street.   This is a practice which was allowed until c1980 — of course no bypasses then !   One sad fact in the High Street today, only one named business has survived since this image was taken.   Give up ?   Answer – Boots the Chemist – still trading today, albeit in a different location.   I am hoping that you fellow Members will enjoy the features and every encouragement will be given for each of you to contribute in a similar way.   Hoping that this link will be enjoyed by all, and it will not be too long before we can all meet again in person at future Social History gatherings.   Stay safe and Bless you all.   

Best regards – Brian Bennett
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1918 Exhibition Programme

1918 Rhaglen

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The new Mold Digital Trail app

The new Mold Digital Trail app has now been incorporated into the North East Wales Digital Trails app. Its available on Apple and Android. It has been put together by a small group of volunteers from the Mold Civic Society, and is still work in progress.

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Victorian Rhyl through the Eye of the Artist

Philip Lloyd will give a talk on ‘Victorian Rhyl through the Eye of the Artist’, illustrated on the screen by engravings, lithographs etc which help trace the growth of this popular seaside resort in its 19^th century heyday (sometimes with unintended humorous consequences – all will be revealed in due course!). He will also display examples from his personal collection of prints.

Well-dressed visitors chat, walk, sit and ride on Rhyl Promenade. From the c1860 lithograph entitled ‘Rhyl looking East’, published by Catherall and Pritchard of Chester.

MOLD AND DISTRICT CIVIC SOCIETY

Meeting: Thursday, September 6^th, Masonic Hall, Earl Road, Mold at 7.30 pm

As usual, non-members are welcome, admission £2.

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Pentrehobyn Hall

Visit 26th July 2018

There was a very interesting and informative guided tour of Pentrehobyn Hall, Mold on Thursday evening when about 30 members of Mold Civic Society were shown around the hall by Mr Clark. The visit had been arraigned following a talk given by Dr Shaun Evans “The Lloyd Family of Pentrehobyn” to the society earlier this month.

  

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The next Mold Civic Society meeting is this Thursday 7th June 2018. When Dr Mark Baker will talk on “50 Houses that made Wales”

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Mold Civic Society May 2018 meeting

The next Mold Civic Society meeting will be Thursday 3rd May. When Gill Smith will talk on “Dee Valley Folklore Myths and Lrgends” New members are always welcome. Visitors are also very welcome for a small fee each visit. Meetings are held at the Masonic Hall, Earl Road, Mold. CH7 1AB (next door to the Post Office) 7.15 for a 7.30pm start

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Mold Civic Society April 2018 meeting

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First Meeting of 2018

The next Mold Civic Society meeting will be Thursday 1st of February. When David Shiel will talk on the Jubilee Tower, Moel Fammau, David’s talks have always been exceptionally popular and interesting,
Our Treasurer is standing down from February , so is there anyone out there willing to take on the roll. Please!!!
New members are always welcome. Visitors are also very welcome for a small fee each visit. Meetings are held at the Masonic Hall, Earl Road, Mold. CH7 1AB (next door to the Post Office) 7.15 for a 7.30pm start

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Last Meeting of 2017

Well that’s it for another year folks. Tonight Mold Civic Society had a very busy evening. First was the introduction to the new Mold Town Trail app which can now be downloaded from the “App Store” and “Play Store” we’ve still got a lot of work to do on it yet. Thanks to Lorna Jenner and Jo Danson for their continued support. Next was our very own Philip Lloyd with this magic lantern slides show “Buckley’s Biblical Biography” which was very entertaining (and a little technical hitch) then on to the drink and mince pie’s to complete Christmas social evening, and the 2017 calendar.
No meeting in January so the next meeting will be Thursday 1st of February.
Next year’s program will be published soon.
Thank you to everyone for their continued support
Hope to see you next year
New members are always welcome. Visitors are also very welcome for a small fee each visit. Meetings are held at the Masonic Hall, Earl Road, Mold. CH7 1AB (next door to the Post Office) 7.15 for a 7.30pm start.
The Mold Civic Society would like to wish everyone A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

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December Mold Civic Society Meeting

The next Mold Civic Society meeting is tomorrow night Thursday 7th December when it will be the Christmas Social which will include a look at the Mold Ibeacon App we’ve been working on, then another exiting illustrated presentation by our very own Philip Lloyd entitled “Buckley’s Biblical Biography” and hopefully a drink and a mince pie.

New members are always welcome. Visitors are also very welcome for a small fee each visit. Meetings are held at the Masonic Hall, Earl Road, Mold. CH7 1AB (next door to the Post Office) 7.15 for a 7.30pm start.

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7th September 2017

Our speaker for the September meeting was Colin Herbert who told us the story of his Great Uncle Ernest based on the letters which he sent home from the Front during WW1. It was a different slant on the familiar story & gave an insight into everyday living & how much the parcels from home were looked forward to & appreciated –especially the cakes!!! Colin’s talk also touched on aspects of his father’s experiences during the Great War where he won the Military Cross.
Colin was leaving for a visit to France just after his talk where he was going to try to find the exact spot where the action had taken place that resulted in his father’s decoration. I am happy to report that after many years of research Colin was successful in this endeavour & he found it a very moving & emotional.

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Place-Names of Flintshire

By Hywel Wyn Owen (Author), Ken Lloyd Gruffydd (Author)

Publishing date 30 Jun 2017

This is the first thorough, authoritative study of the place-names of the entire pre-1974 Flintshire, scholarly in substance, readable in presentation, with its selection of names based on the OS Landranger 1:50,000 map. The entry for each of the 800 names presents a grid reference, documentary and oral evidence with dates, derivation and meaning, and a discussion of the significance of the name in terms of history, language, landscape and industrial associations. Additionally, comparisons are drawn with similar names in other parts of Wales and the UK, and the later linguistic development of names is charted in light of the particular influences of a bilingual society

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Mold Church Historical Society

New Program for 2017-2018

Mold Church Historical Society New Program for 2017-2018 is below. but don’t forget about the last meeting of the 2016-2017 program is tomorrow Saturday 8th April 2017 at the Church Hall King Street Mold at 2.30pm when Graham Greasley will be talking on Thomas Telford

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Mold Civic Society is sponsoring the excellent talk

The Place of Richard Wilson in the history of Landscape Painting

by Peter Lord as part of the The Daniel Owen Festival. On Thursday 20 October 2016, 7:30pm at Tyddyn Street Chapel, Mold.
Click below for more information

http://www.danielowenfestival.com/events/richrd-wilson/

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History Symposium at Mold Library

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Book launch at Mold Library on Wednesday June 29th at 7.00pm.

For those of you that are not aware Ken Lloyd Gruffydd was working on a book entitled ‘Maritime Wales in the Middle Ages’. It has now been published, and the book will be launched at Mold Library on Wednesday June 29th at 7.00.
It has been priced at £25 but will be for sale at £20 on the night.

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North East Wales Heritage Forum ‘pieces from the past’

Mold Civic Society along with 14 other local/heritage societies took part in ‘pieces from the past’ event today (14th May 2016). Groups from across the region brought objects to talk about the significance of their local history, there was over twenty exhibition stalls showcasing items from our region’s past at the Civic Hall, Connah’s Quay.

Diane Johnson MCS Chairperson spoke about the blue plaques and information boards around Mold

Concluding remarks by W T Pritchard

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You are warmly invited to join the North East Wales Heritage Forum for a celebration of the region’s history on Saturday, 14th May. A large selection of historical societies and heritage organisations from across Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham will be showcasing and presenting artefacts (three ‘pieces from the past’) which in their view best encapsulate the distinctiveness of their locality or area of interest. Please come along to support this rich exploration of local heritage.

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The Cynefin Project

Residents in Flintshire are being invited to take part in an exciting Welsh project to put tithe maps online.
These early 19 century local parish maps and the information that goes with them, are invaluable to show the landscape, land use and social make-up at the time.
The Cynefin Project is producing digital images of the maps but help is needed from the public to transcribe the text and schedules and link them to modern maps. It isn’t difficult to do and volunteers are able to work from their own computer at home at any time.
Flintshire Record Office in Hawarden is holding workshops next month to show anyone who would like to participate in the project how they can help.
The sessions will be run by Carys Evans from the Cynefin Project and have been organised following the popularity of workshops held in September.
Booking for the sessions from 10am to 4pm on Wednesday 2 and 16 December is essential to ensure that everyone gets some one-to-one attention to be able to make the most of their time.
Cabinet Member for Education, Cllr Chris Bithell, said:
“This is a great opportunity for residents in Flintshire to be involved in an exciting and valuable project to bring our history to life”.
To book a place please contact Carys Evans on 01970 632416