by David Rowe
In 1855 the street is described as “The whole is in good tenantable repair, and produces an annual gross income of £196 14s.”[i] By May 1887, the view of the properties had changed dramatically “The cottages are at present are in a dilapidated condition— not fit for human habitation— they should be closed at once…….”[ii] So when the old houses were replaced by new villas by 1887, the local newspapers wrote of them in glowing terms. “These have been most substantially built for Mr. John Howard, of Sealand, who has converted what for many years had been nothing better than a rookery and a nest of immorality into one of the most respectable and delightful quarters of the town.”[iii] Originally one of Mold’s many courts and rows, Ferm’s Yard was situated behind the National Westminster Bank and what is now Alexander’s Cafe & Pizza House. By 1890, the street had changed its name to the current one of Bank Villas, although the actual date of the change has yet to be determined.
In this article we will not only look at the houses & residents of the street but also at High Street properties owned by the residents of of the large house at the bottom of Bank Villas, Holmfield.
My interest was piqued when the current owners of Holmfield, Marc & Karen Cavallini, invited me to their home to look through the original house deeds. Needless to say these dry legal documents opened up a myriad of avenues of research and hopefully this article will do them justice.
So back to the beginning and who or what was Ferm? The first thought resulted in a search for a tradesman called ‘Ferm’ who like other tradesmen had, like the blacksmith Josiah Price of Price’s Row, Chester Street, built houses to accommodate his workers. The search did not turn up anyone of that name. Among the past owners of the properties was the Jones-Mortimer family of Hartsheath, Pontblyddyn. Adjacent to Pontblyddyn Cricket ground will be found another estate property, the grade 1 listed late 16c house called Fferm.[iv]
It is also difficult today to imagine that the street was the home of one of the first non-conformist chapels in Mold. This was due in a major way to Richard Harrison (1743-1830),[v] born in Llanferres, he lived in Northop where he worked as a weaver. His cottage in Northop had the sign of the weaver in the form of the ‘loom and shuttle.’ Harrison became a Wesleyan Methodist after hearing John Wesley preach at Chester and was a founder member of the Mold chapel. He obtained a 63 year lease, dated 5th June 1802 on which to build a new chapel in Ferm’s Yard, Mold. It was granted a Bishop’s Licence and the building was described as ‘A certain building or meeting house in the Town and Parish of Mold.’ Named are John Harrison, Thomas Pierce, Edward Griffiths, Thomas James, Richard Harrison and Robert Morris. The original building was replaced in 1851, and the religious census for that year showed that it was able to accommodate 50 (free) plus 100 others. The attendance on the day was 40 at the morning service with 35 in the evening. Jumping to May 1868, the Caernarvon & Denbigh Herald reported that two memorial or corner stones had been laid for a new English Wesleyan Chapel,[vi] and commented on previous places of their worship. “For many years past the English Wesleyans of the town have been inconvenienced, and their prosperity has been checked, by not having a suitable building of their own wherein to conduct public worship, they, for a long time, meeting for worship in the Assembly Room of the Market Hall, and previous to that in an old dilapidated building situate in Ferm’s Yard, and now used as a warehouse.”
In 1829, the Jones family came into the possession of the Hartsheath Estate, which as we have already seen, includes the late sixteenth- or early seventeenth-century house called ‘Fferm.’ The first recorded owners of Ferm’s Yard were the Jones family, so did they name the court after one of their properties and, if so, why? A search of the Hartsheath archive, courtesy of Dr. Miranda Kaufmann, failed to provide an answer, so the search goes on.
We know from various deeds and newspaper articles that, pre 1881, Ferm’s Yard along with shops numbered 48-56 High Street were owned by the Estate. In 1855 an auction included the following:
LOT I.[vii] All those SIX SHOPS, most advantageously situate for business, in High-street, in the town of Mold, in the occupation of Mr. Peter Williams, tailor and draper; Mr. Owen, ironmonger; Mr. Harrison, watchmaker; Mr. Oliver Jones, draper, and others, or their undertenants; together with the Houses, Gardens, 27 Cottages, Stable, Gig-house, Nailor’s Shop, Chapel, &c., extending at the back, called “Ferm’s Yard,” in the occupation of Robert Williams, Sarah Tatum, and others. This Property is held under a lease, of which about ten years are unexpired, subject to a ground rent of £43 15s. The whole is in good tenantable repair, and produces an annual gross income of £196 14s. What is clear from records of the time is that the rents of the houses in Ferm’s Yard must have been relatively inexpensive, the tenants included a labourer with a collier son. Conditions must have been grim. In 1867, the Wrexham Advertiser[viii] reported that “Preparations are being made to drain the Ferm’s Yard, and other offensive places in the town, to connect them with the main drain.” A week later the Mold Town Board were advised by the Clerk that the work was expected to be finished within the week. Not the end of the problems though as, in September 1868, the Board’s Inspector & Surveyor, Mr J.P. Kennair, requested that the Board give orders “to have the Glanyrafon brook cleaned, and a nuisance at Ferm’s Yard abated.” He went on to describe the ‘nuisance’. “There was a midden and privies lately erected at the back of some cottages, the liquid leaked through the wall into the houses and ran along the floor, which was very unhealthy.” Somewhat of an understatement, particularly with high mortality rates among children and outbreaks of the primarily waterborne disease, cholera. On the 6th October 1866, the Caernarvon & Denbigh Herald reported on a meeting of the Holywell Board of Guardians, the subject of cholera claimed much of their attention. Cholera at Mold.”—A letter from the Medical Officer of Health, was read: Mold, Sept. 26th, 1866. “To the Chairman of the Board of Guardians, My Lord[ix].—Five cases of Asiatic cholera have proved fatal to my district since last board day, 1 at Leeswood; 2 in Mold; 1 at Maesydre, Mold; and 1 at Swyn toll gate, near Northop. A child has also died of choleraic diarrhoea in Ferm’s Yard, Mold.” While cholera cases continued to occur in the following years, a considerable amount of the Guardians time was spent discussing who should be responsible for paying costs associated with cholera deaths. Some village parishes arguing that individual parishes should be responsible for its own. They argued that town deaths were more common and it would be unfair for them to have to share the costs. One local Vicar was also criticised for allowing the body of a cholera victim to be brought into church, this they claimed was against the regulations.
Moving on from the less desirable elements, a land conveyance dated 22nd December 1873 covering 863 square yards in Griffiths Square with George Griffiths, was for land that became the location and gardens of Holmfield.[x] The first major sale of properties occurs November 1880. “SALE of PROPERTY.[xi]—On Wednesday an important sale of freehold properties took place at the Black Lion Hotel, the auctioneer being Mr J. W. Brown, Mold. The properties were until lately in the possession of Mrs Wilson Jones, of Heartsheath, and consisted of a number of houses and shops in High- street and Ferm’s Yard. Lot one being four houses between the Crown Vaults and the premises of Messrs Jones and Hookes. This was put up at £250, and after some spirited bidding was knocked down to Mr J. Howard, of Sealand, for £650. Lot 2 was the premises now occupied by Messrs Jones and Hookes, which, starting at £500, went up to ??, and were knocked down to Mr Howard. Lot 3 is the property between the entrance to Ferm’s Yard and the National Provincial Bank, which was also purchased by Mr Howard for ? so were lots 4 and 5, both in Ferm’s Yard, for £135 and £180 respectively. Lot 7, consisting of land in the same yard, was not sold, but we believe that it will be taken by Mr Howard. The next lot offered for sale was the Cambrian Vaults[xii] which, starting at £800 reached £1,150, the bidding not being at all spirited. The bidding did not come up to the reserve price, and it was withdrawn. Lot 9, the house and shop in the occupation of Mr Everett, started at £500, and after spirited bidding was sold to Mr J. H. Lodge for £820.”
The sale was finally confirmed on the 25th March 1881 when John Carstairs Jones of Gelligynan, Llanarmon yn Ial & Wilson Jones of Hartsheath transferred title to John Howard, a farmer of Hawarden & Deeside for the sum of £3,300. The deeds describe the properties in detail. “Two shops and two dwelling houses being Nos. 54, 56, 58 and 60 in the High Street, Mold together with cottage outbuildings and yards then in the occupations of Mrs Mary Jones, Mr Edward Griffiths, Mrs Ann Jones, Messrs Jones & Hooke and others containing an area of 454 yards or thereabouts.
And Also all that dwellinghouse and ironmongers shop being Nos. 50 and 52 in the High Street, Mold together with the three cottages or outbuildings and yard then in the occupation of ??? Jones & Hook, J.W. Jones, Edward Twist, Robert Roberts, one cottage being unoccupied containing an area of 330 square yards or thereabouts.
And also the dwelling house and shop being Nos. 46 and 48 High Street together with the workshops, 5 cottages and outbuildings in Ferm’s Yard then in the occupations of Francis Jones[xiii] Mrs Elizabeth Williams and others containing an area of 560 square yards or thereabouts.
And also all those 5 cottages, warehouse on Ferms Yard then in the occupations of John Hughes, Mrs Charlotte Roberts, Richard Roberts, Mrs ? Edwards, Messrs Jones & Hooke, one cottage being unoccupied, and containing 606 square yards or thereabouts.
And also that piece or parcel of building land then cultivated as gardens in Ferms Yard and then in the occupations of Messrs Jones & Hooke, Mrs Elizabeth Williams and others containing 996 square yards or thereabouts.
And also the three cottages, warehouse, stable and gardens also situate in Ferms Yard then in the occupation of Mrs Margaret Griffiths, Mrs Anne Roberts and others containing 645 square yards or thereabouts.
And also that piece of building land then cultivated as gardens situate in Ferms Yard then in the occupation of Messrs Edward Griffiths and Henry Letts[xiv] containing 1250 square yards or thereabouts. And also all that passage or yard running between and belongs to the before described hereditaments and premises called or known and shown upon the plan thereinafter referred to as Ferms Yard.”
During 1881, the notorious reputation of the street was maintained with several residents appearing in front of magistrates. John Roberts, a labourer, was fined 5s and costs for assaulting a fellow resident. Thomas Jones, a shoemaker was bound over to keep the peace and fined 11s 6d, or in the case of default be jailed for two months seven days. While drunk, he had pulled his wife out of bed by the hair and then thrown her and their children into the street. The wife sought refuge in a neighbour’s house, whereupon Jones threw stones at the window and broke four panes of glass.
Thomas Jones appears to be a serial offender, as in February 1885, he once again finds himself in front of the magistrates for not supporting his son, Price Jones, who was at the Manchester and Salford Reformatory Industrial School.[xv] Although the placement of children in such establishments was normally for the breach of laws, parents were expected to contribute towards the cost. Jones was required to pay arrears and costs amounting to £2 or face one months imprisonment, with hard labour. Not one to learn his lesson, he appeared in front of the magistrates in June of that year, where it was said “he regarded his position with the utmost indifference.” The arrears at this time were £1 8s 6d. Drunkenness appeared to be the norm and in 1884, Phoebe Twist was fined 2s 6d for being ‘drunk and riotous’ in the street. A widow, Anne Griffiths, and her daughter Hannah Griffith (better known as ‘Prince’) appeared in front of magistrates for being drunk and disorderly. Anne was fined 6d with 7s 6d costs and was given a fortnight to pay, or 7 days imprisonment in default. Hannah was fined 2s 6d and costs or 7 days imprisonment in default. Clearly the magistrates did not believe she had the necessary money to pay the fine and was taken straight into custody.
While illegal activities were ongoing there was a considerable effort by the local Calvinistic Church to point the younger members towards a better lifestyle.[xvi] “SCHOOL ENTERTAINMENT -Some two years ago, seeing the difficulty there was in reaching the children of the back courts-of which there are a few, even in Mold-some young ladies belonging to the Calvinistic Methodists’ School in New-street, started a branch school in Peter’s-court and Ferm’s-yard, hiring a house for the purpose. Since that time they have faithfully and zealously stuck to their posts, meeting with a measure of success, which has encouraged them to persevere in the future. On Wednesday evening they entertained their scholars, with their mothers, and a few friends to tea at the schoolroom attached to the chapel in New-street, the young ladies being Misses Edwards, New-street, E. Jones, New-street, M. Jones, Berlin House, S. Powell, confectioner, and M. Davies, Leeswood Arms, with Mr Thos. Roberts, builder, as superintendent. After tea there was a miscellaneous entertainment, presided over by the Rev. Roger Edwards, when several of the children recited some pieces, and sang several of Sankey’s hymns very well indeed, the chairman several times congratulating them on the manner in which they did their parts.” Their efforts continued, when in June 1885, there was a meeting of Sunday Schools in town.[xvii] “Several Sunday Schools of the district to arrive in town, and these were those of Buckley, Mynydd Isa, Cilcain, Gwernaffield, Gwernymyndd, Fron, Nerquis, Soughton and Northop besides those of New Street and Maesydre, with branches at Pentre and Ferm’s Yard.”
The condition of the houses in Ferm’s Yard continued to exercise the members of the Local Board. [xviii]Annual Report of the Medical Officer to the Local Board. “In some of the courts the houses are in a dirty dilapidated condition. No great improvement since my last report. Notably Ferm’s yard, Prince’s yard, and Foundry yard, which have been noted in the journal folio twenty- three. The inspector informs me that the owner of the property in and adjoining Ferm’s yard contemplates improvement by pulling down these dilapidated dwellings and making a new street with proper pavement, channels, and sewers, a plan of which has been submitted to your Board; this will do away with existing nuisances which have been so often reported upon. The cottages in Ferm’s yard at present are in a dilapidated condition— not fit for human habitation— they should be closed at once…….”
By 1887, the old houses had been demolished and the street name changed from Ferms Yard to Bank Villas. Buildings on the High Street were either newly built or had been updated. Reports appeared in a local newspaper. [xix] “THE NEW POST OFFICE.[xx]—The Post Office authorities took possession of their new premises on Saturday morning last. These have been most substantially built for Mr. John Howard, of Sealand, who has converted what for many years had been nothing better than a rookery and a nest of immorality into one of the most respectable and delightful quarters of the town. Besides the new Post Office, a very large and commodious new bank, for the National and Provincial Company,[xxi] has been built, as well as two shops[xxii] in the High-street, now occupied by Mr. George Edwards, butcher, and the Misses Jones, milliners, dressmakers, &c. In the Old Ferm’s yard there are six or eight semi-detached cottages, suited for better class artisans, and the whole drained, &c., after the newest plans. The work has been admirably carried out by Messrs. Rees Brothers, of Tarporley, and the whole block is certainly one of the best and best situated in the town.
Although the chapel had ceased to exist, its memory was recalled in December 1887 by Thomas Kelly of the solicitors, Keene & Kelly, who stated that “he used sometime to go to the English Wesleyans who held their services in the old room in Ferm’s-yard, and a very nice service it was…” While the street and its owner may have changed, court appearances continued when Mr Howard, sued Dr Edward Williams[xxiii] for £7 3s 9d. Dr Williams counter sued for the same amount. The reason for the original action is not totally clear from the County Court reports, but appears to revolve around damage caused to grounds. Dr Edwards claim was for flood damage caused to a lawn tennis court. The damage allegedly caused by a siphon Mr Howard had placed in Dr. Edwards closet!! The judge was clearly unimpressed by Dr. Edwards and awarded him £1 without costs, while Mr Howard received the full amount claimed. The upgrade in the quality of the houses is evident when following the death of Miss Mary Ann Price, aged 55 years, her household effects were advertised in the newspapers.[xxiv] “MONDAY, 16th of JUNE, 1890. ATTRACTIVE SALE of Superior Household Furniture, Fine Old Silver and Electro-plated Goods, Glass and China, Bed and Table Linen, together with the Miscellaneous Effects. at “BANK VILLAS,” MOLD. By J.E. Davies of the goods of the late Miss M.A. Price.” At this time the houses appear to have been unnumbered. Outside of census years it is difficult to link families to specific houses, so not sure which house Miss Hannah Davies, winner of the Baptist Competitive Festival for the best recitation of “Y dyddolaf” (the last morning) lived. For those of us that have been judges for Mold Rotary Club’s “Youth Speaks” competition among High Schools, the adjudicator’s criticism of some of the reciters has a certain resonance. “in reciting a piece of this nature it was quite out of character to sway the arms, and use theatrical attitudes.” The street’s link with another non-conformist body, the Baptist cause, comes with a family called Rowe and in particular William Rowe.[xxv] For ease of reference we will call this particular William Rowe Jnr., and look at how this family of Cornish descent ended up in North-east Wales. In 1806 John Wilkinson[xxvi] brought 17 year old William Rowe (Senior), to Bersham. By 1809 he was engaged on the surveys of Brymbo Colliery with two assistants, named James Stevenson and James Taylor. Described as a mining engineer and surveyor for the Trustees, he prepared a set of plans dated 1809 – 1812. These comprised of a separate plan for each seam worked. When Wilkinson died in 1818 the works were advertised ‘To Let’. In 1837, John Wilkinson Jnr. of Brymbo Hall restarted the Brymbo Works under the control of William Rowe who was representing his fathers trustees. Around 1837, Wilkinson Junior went overseas and never returned. Meanwhile William Rowe Snr. continued managing the works until they were bought by a group comprising of a Mr Reid, Sir Duncan MacDougall and a Major Campbell. William Rowe Senior died in 1860, but not before he had passed on his engineering skills to his son William Jnr. In 1883, after standing idle for six years, the Broughton (Southsea) forge was restarted by Messrs J. Plant & Fisher. Three pudding furnaces were working, and it was the intention to roll sheets and employ 50 men, with William Rowe Jnr. as Manager. At some stage William Jnr. moved to Bank Villas in Mold and became a Director of the Alyn Tin Plate Works, a link we will explore later. Returning to the Baptist Church, William was the treasurer of the Ebenezer Baptist Chapel, and his wife, Hannah, who died in March 1892, was very active within the church. Her funeral was attended by, among others the families of the owners of the Tin Plate Works. Her grave will be found in Mold Cemetery. William Rowe Jnr. also served on Mold Urban district Council.
It would appear that the Rowe’s were not the only Tin Plate employed family living in Bank Villas with Morgan Davies, a resident and clerk at the works, being presented with a gold albert chain[xxvii] and pendant by William Rowe. This to mark his leaving Mold to take up a new appointment at the Brymbo Steel and Iron Works, in 1893. The presentation took place at the Alyn Tin Plate works, and was attended by a large number of fellow employees. Sadly Mr Davies didn’t have much time to enjoy his new and more lucrative post, as in August 1902, his death was reported in the North Wales Times, describing him “No man was better known, and no one more highly respected for his breadth of mind and general intelligence than Mr. Davies, and the funeral, which took place on Tuesday, was an eloquent witness to the high regard and esteem in which he was held by those who knew him.”
Other families living in Bank Villas in the late 1890s, included W.A. Baggott who was foreman of an inquest jury investigating the death of 86 year old C. Frances Smith at her home in Penyffordd, Ruthin Road, Mold. The Verdict was ‘natural causes accelerated by old age.’ Presumably one of Mr Baggott’s children, was A.L. Baggott, a pupil at the Alun County School, who obtained a ‘Distinction in Arithmetic’ in the Cambridge Local Examinations.
A Mrs J. Worthington Roberts, of Bank Villas paid £202 at auction for the dwelling houses, gardens etc. of 53[xxviii] and 55 New Street. In January 1896, the newspaper[xxix] reported on the death of Mrs Eliza Olive. “Our readers will regret to learn that Mrs. Eliza Olive, wife of Mr. Thomas Holt Olive, of Bank Villas, died on Wednesday last, after a long and painful illness which she endured with great fortitude. The bereaved husband is well-known and highly respected as the deputy clerk of the Flintshire County Council, and clerk to the County Governing Body (Intermediate Education), and widespread sympathy is expressed for him and his two young daughters in their affliction.”
On 9th April 1897, an agreement was signed that would change the layout and building at the bottom of Bank Villas and the land involved is clearly identifiable today. The Agreement was between Samuel Jones of High Street and Thomas Foulkes of 87 High Street[xxx] for the sale of 6 gardens situate in the lower part of Griffiths Square for £710 comprising 1,965 square yards.[xxxi]
The type of people living in Bank Villas in is further illustrated by the funeral of a resident, called Robert Jones McLevie, who for many years was an assistant to Drs. Trubshaw and Edwards.[xxxii]
In the intervening years, Holmfield had been built, replacing the warehouse at the bottom of Bank Villas.
By 1910, Dr K.V Trubshaw was occupying the house., and the Trustees of the deceased John Howard, namely Mary Howard and Charles Vincent Howard, sold Holmfield and the other properties for £550.
1910 Abstract of Title
(Compliments of Marc & Karen Cavalini)
The purchasers were Charles & Annie Farr[xxxiii] with a mortgage taken out with Thomas Robert Lloyd of Tyiwas detailed on the sale document, ‘Freehold Properties of John Howard Deceased’ held at the Black Lion Hotel.
52 High Street 54 High Street.
(All Photographs taken from the Ray Davies Archive).
Lot 1: House, shop and premises known as ‘Mold Furnishing Stores’ having frontage to High Street and Bank Villas and being no.52 High Street (formerly the Mold Post Office)[xxxiv] and occupied by Mrs Ellen Bradshaw, Furniture Dealer at the yearly rental of £50.
Lot 2: Well built and commodious double fronted shop, house and premises being No. 54 High Street, occupied by Mr. J. E.R. Williams, Outfitter at the yearly rental of £80. [xxxv]
Lot 3: The convenient Shop, House & Premises with stabling and Appurtenances, being No. 56, High Street, occupied by Mr George Eaton Butcher, at the yearly rental of £35.
Lot 4:The extensive Stables and Yard, with Loft over at rear of foregoing lot and occupied by the “Anglo American Oil Co.,” on a 5 year lease from the 1st May 1903 at the yearly rental of £10 10s 0d.
Lot 5: The superior modern 10 roomed RESIDENCE, LAWN &c., with Stables, Coach House, &c., Known as ‘HOLMFIELD,’ situate in own grounds, off High Street, Mold, and adjacent to Bank Villas. (Immediate possession of this Lot can be given).
Lot 6: A pair of compact, Semi detached VILLAS, situate off High Street, known as Nos. 1 and 2, Bank Villas, in the occupations of Messrs. Nixon & Whybrow, at the yearly rental of £13 each.
Lot 7: Pair of Ditto, Ditto, No. 3 & 4, Bank Villas, in the occupations of Messrs Chatham and Denne, at the yearly rental of £13 each.
Lot 8: Pair of Ditto, Ditto, No. 5 & 6, Bank Villas, in the occupations of Rev. T. Morgan and Mrs Baggott, at the yearly rent of £12 12s 6d and £13 respectively.
Lot 9: Pair of Ditto, Ditto, No. 7 & 8, Bank Villas, in the occupations of Mrs Gillett and Miss Annie Jones, at the yearly rental of £13 and £13 10s 0d respectively. Miss Nixon, tenant at No. 1, hold letting agreement for 2 years from February 28th 1910; others are yearly tenancies, and can be sold separately if so desired.
Lot 10: All that Piece of BUILDING LAND, situate and being opposite Nos. 3 and 4 Bank Villas, adjacent to Lot 9, and containing 216 square yards or thereabouts, occupied by Mrs Bradshaw, in tenancy with the Mold Furnishing Stores.
Lot 11: Two cottages with YARDS and gardens, being Nos. 1 & 2, Alyn Street in occupation of Messrs Rowlands and Roberts at the gross annual rental of £16 9s 4d.
Lot 12: Six Cottages known as ‘River View’, Bridge Street, together with the gardens in front, and Outbuildings and Extensive Gardens at the rear, in the occupation of Messrs Williams, Evans, Barlow and others at the gross annual rental of £ 14 12s 0d.
Lot 13: Six Cottages, known as Sealand Row, Main Street, Northop, near the Boot Hotel, in the tenancies of Messrs Jones, Mayhood and others at the gross annual rental of £27 6s 0d.
Special conditions cover party walls, fences, hedges and various drainage requirements.
In subsequent newspaper adverts the largest house in the street was given particular emphasis. “The superior modern 10 roomed RESIDENCE, LAWN, etc.. with Stables, Coachhouse, etc., known as “Holmfield,” situate in own grounds, off High-street. Mold, and adjacent to Bank Villas. (Immediate possession of this lot can be given.) T.S. Adams”
One of the residents was the Prince family, not to be confused with a family of the same name who appeared in court when the street was called Ferm’s Yard. Mrs Martha A. Prince, was the daughter of the late Dr Robert Parry and a cousin of the former County Court Judge of Salford, His Honour Judge Parry. Along with her sister Mrs Gillett, they ran the Mold Post office until Martha married Rupert Prince. On marriage, responsibility was transferred to the former school master and native of Mold, Rupert Prince. The family lived in Bank Villas, with Mr Prince heavily involved with public and religious duties. On his death in September 1911, aged 87, it was reported that he had only relinquished the Post Office duties two years previously. The published obituary[xxxvi] listed his many roles, which besides the Post Office included; Joint Secretary of the St. Asaph Diocesan Conference; Churchwarden and Superintendent of St. Mary’s Sunday School; Member of the School Board; Manager of the Mold National and Gwernymynydd Day Schools; Governor of Mold County School and a Savings Bank Trustee. For relaxation he took an active interest in the local lead mining industry and was a devoted angler.
The purchase of land continued in August 1911, with Annie Farr purchasing 863 square yards of Griffiths Square and a right of way from Mary Foulkes for £200.
A family named in Lot 6 of the sale detailed above was that of the Whybrow’s and in March 1913, Mrs Kate Whybrow found herself summoned for wilfully setting fire to the chimney of her house. Her defence was that the chimney needed cleaning so she had set it on fire. Her defence solicitor stated that she was affronted by having served with the summons and as such she had no intention to coming into the court. Highly amused, the Bench made an order for costs.
We will return to the Whybrow family later in the article while we discover another couple of residents of the street.
One was W.H. Farley the proprietor of Bells Grocery Shop in the High Street, and in June 1913 he is standing for election to Mold Urban District Council. His election address states that voting for him “is a vote in the right direction. You are then securing a member of sound business ability, and a good public worker. Vote for Farley, the People’s candidate.”
Number 5 Bank Villas was the home of the Calvinistic Methodist minister and Temperance advocate Rev. Thomas Morgan and family. Both parents were very active within Temperance Union, while their daughter Megan passed the pianoforte preparatory grade with honours in July 1914. Thomas was greatly concerned about young soldiers drinking. In January 1915, this concern resulted in a series of ‘Letters to the Editor’ of local newspapers, between himself and individuals disagreeing with his views.
World War I commenced in July 1914, and the male residents of Bank Villas enlisted in their numbers.
Frederick P. Gillett, Sapper, Royal Engineers. (No.7)
Thomas E. Baggott. Private, Royal Horse Artillery. (No. 6)
Thomas Albert Meredith Parry. Private, 1st Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers.
Reginald Ryley Prince. Corporal 2/5th (Buffs) East Kent Regiment, Army Pay Corps.
Arthur Albert Whybrow. Sergeant Major, Royal Horse Artillery. (No.2)
Edward Norman Glover, Lieutenant, Royal Army Medical Corps, 6, British Expeditionary (Military Division) – Mentioned in Despatches 1917. (Holmfield)
In addition to the Rev. Morgan other Calvinists lived in the street, included W. J. & Hugh Roberts who participated in the Bethseda’s Literary Committee’s staging of ‘Myfanwy’ in the Town Hall. W..J. Roberts B.A. also catechised[xxxvii] the children of the Mold & District Calvinistic Methodist Sunday Schools in the 6th Chapter of the ‘Mother’s Gift.’
The street must have been a Mecca for religious families as the Flintshire County Herald edition of the 29th December 1916, reported on the death of the 81 year old retired ex-Chairman of the Denbigh, Flintshire and Merioneth Baptist Association, Rev. Evan Davies.
The change of the street is perfectly reflected in a May 1918 when a Miss Nixon, who is leaving the area, is offering for sale at Bank Villas ‘Superior Household Furniture and Superior Household appointments’.
Holmfield in 1918 was the home of Mrs R.E. Jones, who was the honorary secretary of the Mold and District Nursing Association, and who was still living in the house when it was sold in 1923. In October, 1923 Annie Farr sold ‘All that piece or parcel of land formerly forming part of property known as Ferms Yard situate on the south west side of High Street…together with the messuage or dwelling known as ‘Holmfield’ lately in the occupation of Mrs R.E. Jones……Secondly all that piece or parcel of land (now used as a kitchen garden)situate in the lower part of Griffiths Square……’ to Alfred and Mary Turner (Retired farmers) 8, New Street for £1,050. Another reference to the lower part of Griffiths Square which now forms part of the car park.
The military and medical link continues when the daughter of Sergeant Instructor and Mrs Whybrow’s daughter, Cissie married at the Parish Church Jos. Shavington of Crewe. The report of the wedding included a considerable portion to her father’s military service. The public duty continued with her mother. During WWI she was said to be closely associated with the club established in Mold for the accommodation of wounded soldiers quartered at the Leeswood Hall VAD Hospital.[xxxviii]
One year later Holmfield was valued by Adams & Adams.
Freehold Residential Property for information of Messrs Gamon & Co., 2, White Friars, Chester.
The residence is known as “Holmfield”, and situate at the end of a Private Road, known as “Bank Villas,” off High Street, Mold. In ownership and occupation of F. Turner Esq.
The property is nicely situated, well secluded, brick and slate built, and comprises Porch Way at front, Entrance Hall, Dining, Drawing and Breakfast Rooms, 5 Bedrooms, Kitchens, Scullery etc. Modern Offices, Yard, Stable, Coach House or Garage, Tennis Lawn, Green House, Extensive and well-stocked Garden, all in splendid order throughout.
Value £1,275.00
Meanwhile Mrs Elizabeth Baggott, who lived at number 6 Bank Villas, died in June 1928 at the age of 86. A very active lady she had enjoyed good health until 1924, when she was knocked down and severely injured by a lorry. The daughter of Mr Roberts of Hill Farm, Llong, she spent many years living in Brazil with her late railway engineer husband, before returning to live in Mold. Her faith was extremely important to her and she was heavily involved in the effort to have the now demolished English Presbyterian Church built in Chester Street. Following her death the contents of the house, described as an ‘Attractive Sale of the Antique & Modern Household Furniture & General Effects.’ A full list of the sale will be found in the Flintshire County Herald of 13th July, 1928, the contents included a ‘Sweet-Toned piano, in a mahogany case’, along with walnut, oak and other mahogany items. Clearly a valuable collection of possessions.
By 1932, Holmfield was again up for sale and was purchased by the Managing Director of Bells Stores, John Farley, for £1,500. The sale included “that piece or parcel of land (now used as a kitchen garden in connection with Holmfield) situate in the lower part of Griffiths Square 863 square yards. Walls and fences with number 4 and building lands deemed party walls.”
The building of new houses in the street was not over and in February 1936, Bradburne Price sold the recently erected ‘Sunnyside’ to Nurse Taylor for the sum of £700, but the auction went on with the sale of household furniture. It must therefore be assumed that the house had been tenanted previously, but to whom we haven’t determined.
Another house on the market was that of Mrs Whybrow, No.2 Bank Villas in January 1939, while a year later the death in a family we have not previously come across was widely reported in the local newspapers. The individual concerned was that of Thomas James, aged 78, who as well as running a successful garage business, was a councillor from 1909 and served as Chairman of Mold Urban District Council in 1924. In addition he was heavily involved with Mold Parish Church and when funds were required for the provision of a new organ, he donated a car to the raffle, the second prize being a ladies motorcycle. Tickets cost 1/- (5p).
In 1942, the owner of Holmfield was still John Farley,[xxxix] Managing Director of Bells Ltd, a chain of sixteen Grocery Stores in North Wales, including ones in Mold High Street and Connah’s Quay High Street. A successful business that frequently advertised in local newspapers, but Farley was less than pleased when the Cheshire Observer edition of 2nd May 1942 carried a report from Northop Sessions with the headline, FIRST CASE IN FLINTSHIRE. The crime was related to food rationing, in particular ‘one summons supplying food in excess of the quantity authorised’, and ‘three summons for supplying in food without authority to supply under the Ships Control Order.’ The lawyers involved were from the same family.Prosecuting on behalf of the Ministry of Food was Cyril O. Jones,[xl] and defending was his nephew, Rhys Llewelyn-Jones of Mold. The ship in question was the Ryeland captained by an Irish Captain, Richard Conway, but before looking at the case in the Magistrates Court, let us consider the vessel. My thanks go to John Coppack for the information. Registered in 1887, Ryeland was originally a 3 masted double topsail schooner, whose co-owner, Captain Morrow, lived in Shotton and the town’s Ryeland Street is named after the ship. The vessel was extensively used in the brick industry, china clay trade primarily between Connahs Quay and Devon. Between 1931 and 1946 she was converted into a motor/sail vessel, before taking a completely different course in 1949, the film industry.
Ryeland (Photo by courtesy of John Coppack)
In 1949, she featured in Walt Disney’s Treasure Island as the Hispaniola. 1954 saw her used as the Pequod and Rosebud in Moby Dick, then in 1959, she became the Dilipa in the television series The Buccaneers. Her final move was to Morecambe as a tourist attraction and floating museum, initially called the Neptune, her name was changed, unsurprisingly to Moby Dick. There she remained until 1970 when she was sadly destroyed by fire.
However, this is all in the future as we return to Bell’s brush with Flintshire Magistrates in 1942. The rationing process for ships obtaining stores required the Captain to obtain the necessary authority from the Customs Food Control Officer, this by the means of a permit issued by the Food Control Committee. In this case the application was for four pounds of tea but the committee decided that as the crew only comprised of four, then three pounds was considered sufficient and the permit was issued on this basis. No other items were listed on the permit, but when the Assistant Preventative Officer carried out an inspection of the ship he found, fifteen pounds of tea, three sacks of flour, a quantity of herring and raisins. The flour and tea were seized and the court heard that the Manager of Bell’s Connah’s Quay Store had been previously warned not to deliver the unauthorised items. John Farley gave evidence to the court confirming that all 16 shops had received verbal and written instructions with regard to the rationing requirements of supplying goods to ships. As the store Manager had been expressly told not to deliver flour, the magistrates considered this a serious case. However, as Bells had the highest reputation and this was the first case in the county, the magistrates decided to fine the company £50 and costs, instead of the £100 maximum penalty. Surprisingly it would appear that no action was taken against the ship’s captain. The thoughts of John Farley are not recorded and nor is what action, if any, was taken against the unidentified store manager.
Later in 1942 in Bank Villas, newspapers reported on the death, following health issues for two years, of the 86 year old, Miss Mary Nixon. Miss Nixon was a prominent church worker and a member of the sewing class connected with the Mold Parish Church restoration scheme. Before moving to to Bank Villas, Miss Nixon, a native of Chester, had lived in Chester and Rhyl. She was connected with the late Mr & Mrs J. Swift, of The Black Lion, Mold and had also lived with her Aunt, Mrs Brentnall in the Red Lion, Wrexham Street.
Moving on to the 1950s, John Farley had relocated from Holmfield to Deganwy and in October 1958, Holmfield was sold to Lily Jardine, of Bryn Bannon, Cilcain. It was described thus: Firstly piece or parcel of land formerly forming part of the property known as Ferm’s Yard together with messuage or dwellinghouse and buildings erected thereon known as ‘Holmfield’ and drainage. Secondly all that piece or parcel of land (now used as a kitchen garden in connection with Holmfield) situate in the lower part of Griffiths Square 863 square yards. Walls and fences with number 4 and building lands deemed party walls
In 1971, Mold Urban District Council purchased the 532 square yards of land at the rear of Holmfield and in 1993 this was incorporated into the Griffiths Square car park.
During the time Rhona Jardine Philipps was in residence, her family obviously were of great pride to her. In May 1977, the Liverpool Daily Post published an entry in their Supermum Competition from her 13 year old daughter Gaynor. ‘Our mum is THE SUPERMUM. She always takes my brother Andrew and myself everywhere she goes. She is always waiting for us to come home from school. She does not go out to work as she would not be at home for us. “We do not have car, freezer, telephone, colour television, and other luxuries but we have our mum at home and she always smiling what ever goes wrong. She does people good turns every day without expecting rewards. The three of us go to Church every Sunday. My mum is kind to all people and she would make a good Prime Minister for Britain. She is great fun but also very just. She tries her best. She’d make a super Prime Minister! to give us everything we need and does not get the things she wants herself.’ Concern for others is clearly a family trait with Rhona entering her son, Andrew, in a Liverpool Daily Post competition for a radio cassette-recorder with the following testimonial. ‘Where does one begin with a broth of a boy like mine? Andrew is ten, a pupil of Coch School Mold Prefers worms and fishing to mathematics loves football. After each day Andrew calls on his grandmother[xli] who is 80 and fetches coal and runs her errands, helps’ anyone to carry bag or parcel in street who he feels need help.’
As we saw earlier the original post office was on the corner of Bank Villas and the post box can be seen outside the premises. In 1997, plans were made to move this over the road to Church Lane, a proposal that met major opposition from from Rhona. Described as a former councillor, the issue was headlined in the Flint & Holywell Chronicle as ‘FIRST CLASS ROW.’ Clearly the opponents of the move were successful, the post box will still be found on its original side of the street, albeit in a slightly different position.
Holmfield remained with Lily Jardine’s family until purchased by the Marc & Karen Cavallini’s in 2001, and that’s where we will end the story of Holmfield (highlighted) and the street.
Throughout this article we have met the many residents of this small cul-de-sac and moved through the years, from when it was described as ‘not being fit for human habitation’ to a respectable location with notable residents. There is so much more that can be said about the street and its occupants but that’s for another time.
What stories does your street contain?
Acknowledgements
With all articles they would not be possible without the assistance of other people. In this case I owe a great debt of gratitude to Marc & Karen Cavalini who made documents associated with Holmfield and Bank Villas available to me. John Coppack for his extensive knowledge of Connah’s Quay shipping history. Peter Humphrey Jones for information on the lawyer family of Jones. Barbara Forbes for her efforts in trawling through various census records. The British Newspaper archive for the various newspaper article referenced throughout the article. Ray Roberts of Mold & District Civic Society for adding this to the website.
If I have forgotten anyone please accept my apologies as it was unintentional. I would also point out that if there any errors or omissions these are fully my responsibility.
David Rowe 11th September 2025
[i]27th June 1855 Chester Courant
[ii]25th February 1885 Wrexham Advertiser
[iii]5th May 1887 Flintshire Observer
[iv]English translation is Farm.
[v] The story of Harrison will be found in Roy Edge and Rosemary Jones ‘The Pride of Northop’ (2001) Northop 2000 publication.
[vi]Chapel in Wrexham Street
[vii] 27th June 1855 Chester Courant
[viii]2nd November 1867
[ix]Lord Mostyn
[x] Part of this land is now the lower part of Griffiths Square car park.
[xi]13th November 188 Wrexham Advertiser.
[xii]The now demolished Cambrian Vaults was located in the lower part of the High Street. The location is now the walkway to the Daniel Owen Square between Morrisons Daily Store and the HSBC Bank
[xiii]Possibly the clockmaker.
[xiv]Landlord of the Crown Vaults, High Street, Mold (1879-1881) and The Cross Foxes at Nannerch between the years 1891-1895.
[xv]https://www.hiddenlives.org.uk/articles/raggedschool.html#:~:text=The%20clear%20distinction%20between%20Industrial,deserved%20to%20receive%20an%20education. https://www.childrenshomes.org.uk/ManchesterBoysRfy/
[xvi]3rd January 1885 Wrexham Advertiser
[xvii]20th June 1885 Wrexham Advertiser.
[xviii]21st March 1885 Wrexham Advertiser
[xix]5th May 1887 Flintshire Observer.
[xx] Now Alexander’s Cafe with Hannah Blyddyn AM/MS office in the upper floors.
[xxi] National Westminster Bank on the site.
[xxii]Now Gregory’s & Just Steak.
[xxiii]Dr. Williams surgery was in Plas yn’ Dre, 24, High Street. (now W.H.Smith and others) and was always in financial trouble, eventually ending up bankrupt.
[xxiv]13th June 1890 Flintshire County Herald
[xxv] Although my late father and eldest brother were both called William, there is no relationship as far as we are aware of.
[xxvi] *Brymbo and its Neighbourhood by Graham Rogers (1991) 10, Ash Grove, The Woodlands, Llay
[xxvii] A very wearable heavy gage classic gold chain. It is termed an “Albert” after Prince Albert, Queen Victoria’s husband, who popularised the wearing of chains across the waistcoat with seals and a “T” bar terminal. Nowadays they are worn as neck chains which look really good.
[xxviii]Formerly Eagle & Crawford’s garage.
[xxix] 18th January 1896 Cheshire Observer
[xxx] The house is now called St. Mary’s Chambers. It is advertised as a Victorian residence available for short term bookings.
[xxxi] The lower part of Griffiths Square car park.
[xxxii] Pendre House Surgery.
[xxxiii]The Daughter of the late David Williams of Bromfield Hall, Mold and co-owner of Alyn Tinplate Works
[xxxiv] The post box outside the old Post Office and which becomes an issue for a later tenant of Holmfield
[xxxv] Picture outside the shop in 1910 is J.E. Williams with his two sons John and Clarke. As it was not considered patriotic, the name of the shop was changed from Berlin House to London House at the outbreak of the First World War.
[xxxvi] 22nd September 1911 Flintshire Observer
[xxxvii] instruct (someone) in the principles of Christian religion by means of question and answer, typically by using a catechism. put questions to or interrogate (someone).
[xxxviii] http://moldcivicsociety.org.uk/gladys-myfanwy-jones-the-leeswood-hall-autograph-album/
- [xxxix] 10th November 1960 North Wales Weekly News
MR. J. FARLEY Mr. John Farley, Adref, Conway Crescent, Llandudno. died on Thursday, aged 62. A native of Mold, he was the governing director of Messrs. Bells and Cash Grocers Ltd., and came to Llandudno two years ago. In Mold Mr. Farley was a prominent churchman, a member of St. Mary’s Parish Church and the Parochial Church Council. Mr. Farley was a prominent Freemason. He was a vice-president o the Mold St. John Ambulance Brigade and a founder member and past president of the Mold Rotary Club. During the 1939-45 war he was a member of the Royal Observer Corps. He leaves his wife, two sons and a daughter. The funeral was on Monday. The Rev. John Davies. vicar of St. Mary’s, Mold, officiated at the house, and Archdeacon J. Lewis Edwards at Colwyn Bay crematorium.
[xl]https://wrexham.ac.uk/cyril-oswald-jones-/
[xli] Lily Jardine died in April 1991, while living at Plas Anney Nursing Home, Mold.
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