Kenfig - The Complete History (e-Resource)
The Official Kenfig Community History Project
Kenfig.org Local Community Group
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HistoryThe Kenfig CommunityWelsh Assembly Government sponsored & Heritage Status website on Kenfig's rich & colourful history
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The Kenfig Community
History of Neighbouring Villages & Towns around Kenfig
Learn the history of each of the neighbouring villages and towns that surround the old borough of Kenfig.
In this section you can learn of the history of each individual area; this section is closely linked through to the main Community section of
Kenfig - The Complete History (e-Resource)
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Kenfig - The Complete History (e-Resource) THE KENFIG COMMUNITY
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Detailed Oral Accounts of Kenfig & Surrounding Areas
Read detailed oral accounts from local people of Kenfig and surrounding areas & experience what life was like in the
20th and early 21st centuries in South Wales during this point in time. Experience the trials and tribulations of a once
thriving agricultural community changed forever with the advent of modern society, housing developments and changes in
transportation taking a once sedate community into an urban sprawl.
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I was born at the Old West Farm, Nottage on 17 August 1902. At that time the old farmhouse was a workman's cottage.
My father was employed as a sheperd for the late William Thomas of New West Farm. Unfortunately, my father was sacked the day after
I was born as he was found drinking and celebrating over my birth - the old farmer was very much against drink.
My dear mother was the youngest daughter of the late William Thomas, a bailiff of the old Kenfig Burgesses. My grandfather was better
known as William Thomas Tynewydd, which is the proper name for the Prince of Wales Inn. When my father was dismissed from his job after
my birth he had to get out of the cottage but luckily a house was found for him at Kenfig, the owners being Mr & Mrs J Joseph of Ty Coch
Farm. My dear mother was very ill and never recovered after my birth. Thus she passed on to the land that is 'Fairer than Day' at the age of 25.
I have what few people can boast, two birth certificates; one is in my mother's Bible which was presented to her on the occasion of
her marriage by the Kenfig Sunday School, the other is still growing by the shelter in Nottage - a chestnut tree planted by Mr W. G.
Loveluck of Greenfields, Cornelly. This tree was planted the day I was born to commemorate the coronation of King Edward VII.
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Customers - Local Farmers c.1922
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An important task was the gathering of the monies which meant a very long walk as there were no cars or buses in those days. This
meant a walk from Three Trees to Newton starting at 8 o'clock, my dear aunt and I wouldn't get home till about 9 at night.
Now I will gladly admit I used to do well on the trip, having tips from almost everyone. (See opposite list... Customers - Local Farmers c.1922)
Another task was the planting of the brwyn on the common from Sker to the river. This was done to check the sand blizzards so as to
prevent another Kenfig being buried.
Now, a word of praise for the home guards of Kenfig & Maudlam. They were a voluntary squad of locals
most of whom have passed on. At this time (1914) vicar of St Mary Magdalene, Maudlam & St James, Pyle was the Revd D.J.Arthur who married
the daughter of William Morgan of Marlas Farm. The Revd D.J. was a popular vicar, chairman of concerts & many social events.
It was during the 1914-18 War that the vicar invited another vicar friend of his to see the church at Maudlam; it so happened
that when the visiting friend arrived, a Mr Clarke of Port Talbot (relative of Mr R Clarke of Central Garage, Pyle Cross) was fishing
for pike in Kenfig Pool. This Mr Clarke used to come on his motorbike & sidecar; he used to take his sidecar off & fill the bolt-holes with corks
and away to go... one time he narrowly missed being arrested by the Home Guard as they claimed he was signalling to a German submarine in the
Bristol Channel.
Of the farmers of Kenfig there were 3 outstanding characters...
The latter took over Pool Farm after his 4 batchelor uncles, William, Rees, Robert and Edward passed on. The women at this time would
club together, taking coal, sticks, boilers and food. They apread the washing over the bushes and ferns to dry and finished up having a dip themselves.
Now I am on the last and most important chapter of this real, true and honest knowledge of the Kenfig I knew... Kenfig C.M. Sunday School which
in 1963 celebrated 100 years. This school was formed by Mr & Mrs Richard Bowen in their house at Ton Kenfig in 1863.
It was transferred to the Town Hall in the same year when Evan Howell of Penymynydd Farm, Edmond Thomas of Heol Las & William Rees (father of the late
Dan Rees, Kenfig Farm) were the chief founder members. (My 1st wife was the grand daughter of Mr & Mrs Richard Bowen).
Footnote:
William Thomas was made a Burgess of Laugharne, Carmarthen... 'as being the one and only son of my father, at a fee of 10 shillings.
One of the rules was that I slept in Laugharne 3 nights a year and attended the Mayoral Sunday Service at St.Martin's Church and breakfast at
the Brown's Hotel, Laugharne.'
Oral Account provided by William R. Thomas (Mabon) in 1982. Source:
Kenfig History Booklet 1982 - Arthur Smith
Webpage Author: Mr Rob Bowen - Kenfig.org Local Community Group, 2011
Kenfig - The Complete History (e-Resource) THE KENFIG COMMUNITY
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