Kenfig - The Complete History (e-Resource) - A Welsh Documentary Heritage Website
Identified by The National Library of Wales as an 'Important part of Wales' documentary heritage' Kenfig - The Complete History (e-Resource) - A Welsh Documentary Heritage Website
Identified by The National Library of Wales as an 'Important part of Wales' documentary heritage'
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Kenfig - The Complete History (e-Resource)


The Official Kenfig Community History Project
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Kenfig - The Complete History (e-Resource) - documenting entire history of Kenfig & surrounding areas from Prehistory to the Present Day


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London 2012 Olympic Games - Official Website London 2012 Olympic Games - Official Website

Supporting the London 2012 Olympic Games

The Olympic Torch Relay

The Kenfig Heritage website is proud to announce that the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay will pass through our locality on the A48 at Pyle enroute from Cardiff to Swansea on Saturday 26 May 2012. This website will document this 'once in a lifetime' spectacle. More info soon... London 2012 Olympic Games Official Website |-| London 2012 Olympic Games Torch Relay
London 2010 (The Olympic Movement) - Official Website The Paralympic Movement - Official Website
London 2012 Paralympic Games - Official Website London 2012 Paralympic Games - Official Website

Kenfig / Cynffig - The Complete History

An important part of Wales documentary Heritage
Identified by The National Library of Wales An important part of Wales documentary Heritage
Identified by The National Library of Wales Kenfig.org website listed within Wales on the Web Curriculum Cymreig guide Kenfig.org website listed within Wales on the Web Curriculum Cymreig guide The Sandville Self Help Centre The Sandville Self Help Centre

Kenfig (Welsh: Cynffig)

Sunset at Kenfig Pool
Sker House c.1900
Explore the history and importance of the Kenfig / Cynffig Borough - a medieval and now buried city on the South Wales coastline, United Kingdom - a location historically represented within the British governmental establishment and steeped in myth & legend.
Learn about the history & development of the entire Kenfig and surrounding areas and its peoples throughout the ages together with viewing a unique and envious Pictorial History of the entire area exclusive here on Kenfig - The Complete History website.
Experience local ghost stories and folklore, tales of smuggling & shipwrecks and learn of the beauty & turbulent past of Sker House together with its lovelorn maids.
Experience what it was like during WWII throughout the entire area together with personal oral accounts from local people and from individuals both here in the UK and throughout the world who have special memories of the area and the former RAF base at Stormy Down located nearby.
Exclusive to our Members Area are detailed oral accounts of the area from local people together with personal photographs, documents, and information donated by local peoples themselves to this website project. View our Famous People and Sporting Halls of Fame sections along with a unique local family tree section aimed at encouraging the research of these areas especially by local peoples with the overview of creating an totally unique database of the true history of the Kenfig and surrounding areas.
Welcome to Kenfig.org Local Community Group website
We hope you find your visit enjoyable, informational and an enlightening experience. This website is a long-term, ongoing resource for learning about local history around the Kenfig and surrounding areas.
Location Guide
Locate Kenfig and its buried city together with a host of other important local travel and tourist Information... Location Guide
Kenfig - The Complete History (e-Resource) - Raising an Awareness to PSP PSP - Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (The PSP Association) Learn More

A 21st Century online Educational Resource


Welsh Assembly Government Bridgend County Borough Council

National Library of Wales
Kenfig Castle

A Government Sponsored Project

Welcome to Kenfig - The Complete History (e-Resource)
Founded in March 2003 Learn more.. [ Community Organisation] this online website project documents the entire factual history of the old Kenfig Borough / old Bro Cynffig from pre-historic times to the present day providing a comprehensive digital documentary of life in South Wales. The website has undergone an extensive new look with improved usability/navigation together with containing more specialist information on the Kenfig area that should be accessible across all Internet & mobile web browsing platforms. Learn more.. [ Internet Technology] Kenfig - The Complete History (e-Resource) was founded by Rob Bowen [Biography - Rob Bowen]

This website project is operated as a not for profit organisation which is part sponsored by the Welsh Assembly Government & Bridgend County Borough Council and which has kindly recieved grant funding through BAVO (Bridgend Association of Voluntary Organisations) for the purchase of computer equipment to enable us to develop, design & manage this website.
This website has been granted Heritage Status by the National Library of Wales and is being archived for posterity through both the National Library of Wales and the UK Web Archive (Kenfig.org: Kenfig - The Complete History) which is provided by the British Library. This website is also listed as an online educational resource that can be used for the teaching of local history that forms a part of the Curriculum Cymreig in Wales. Our website aims are to provide a World Class online Educational Resource that will aide both the Nations Heritage and Education network in Wales.
The Kenfig.org website currently attracts around 2.1 million worldwide visitors per year and is used by Schools, Colleges, Universities & Government Educational Departments around the world.
Rob Bowen - Chair/Author/Webmaster

Kenfig.org - Rob Bowen (Author)
BAVO (Bridgend Association of Voluntary Organisations)

Tide Timetable - Porthcawl 2012

FEBRUARY 2012

Whole Year *Tide Time Tables (Porthcawl 2012)
LATEST UPDATES: January 2012 (full month), February (full month), March (full month)

DAY

DATE

TIME

HEIGHT(m)

TIME

HEIGHT(m)

TIME

HEIGHT(m)

TIME

HEIGHT(m)

Wed
01
0539
3.53
1207
7.42
1820
3.60
Thu
02
0042
7.20
0708
3.77
1329
7.18
1950
3.67
Fri
03
0217
7.26
0841
3.59
1500
7.39
2109
3.34
Sat
04
0335
7.72
0948
3.10
1605
7.91
2207
2.81
Sun
05
0430
8.34
1038
2.52
1655
8.50
2253
2.25
Mon
06
0514
8.96
1120
1.96
1738
9.07
2334
1.73
Tue
07
0556
9.51
1159
1.47
1818
9.56
Whole Year - Tide Timetables Porthcawl 2012

Tide Timetables 2012

These appear here courtesy Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory, Bidston Observatory, Birkenhead, Merseyside. Copyright Reserved © Time Zone: BST - High Tide = larger number in meters

LATEST NEWS


The Kenfig Heritage Project - 2012

Documenting Kenfig's Rich & Colourful History Digitally Since 2003
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We are continually striving to improve this website's usability & navigation together with making its information more accessible across all Internet & Mobile Web Browsing Platforms.
We are continually adding more content to this website & entrust the updating of the website will not interfere too much with the viewing of this site in general - Website Management Team.


Curriculum Cymreig


CONTENT CURRENTLY BEING UPDATED

Details where information on this website can be used especially by local schools in the Bridgend County Borough for the teaching of local history that forms a part of the Curriculum Cymreig will be listed here in the near future.





WHAT IS THE CURRICULUM CYMREIG

The Curriculum Cymreig is apart of the curriculum that is special to Wales. It is designed to reflect the history, geography and culture of Wales and your locality. The Curriculum Cymreig helps develop:
  • a sense of place and heritage
  • a sense of belonging
  • an awareness of the importance of language and literature in the history and life of Wales
  • an understanding of the creative and expressive arts in Wales

Curriculum Cymreig :: e-Resources

The National Library of Wales aims to direct users to Internet resources within Wales on the Web that maybe of use to the teaching of the Curriculum Cymreig and to schools in general. The Kenfig.org website has been vetted for its suitability and hence has been included within the Wales on the Web Curriculum Cymreig guide.

Local History Curriculum Guide

Calendar - Local Events 2012


EXPLORE KENFIG - THE COMPLETE HISTORY (e-RESOURCE)


New SPORTS & PASTIMES AROUND KENFIG
2012 OLYMPIC GAMES - LATEST NEWS
London 2012 Olympic Games - Official Website London 2012 Olympic Games - Official Website London 2012 Paralympic Games - Official Website London 2012 Paralympic Games - Official Website
London 2010 (The Olympic Movement) - Official Website The Paralympic Movement - Official Website
British Paralympic Association British Paralympic Association

Table Tennis Ace from North Cornelly chosen for Paralympian Team

Paralympian Paul Davies
Paralympian Paul Davies
Image source: Glamorgan Gazzette
Paul Davies of North Cornelly is among 4 Welsh athletes chosen to take part in the Paralympic Games by the British Paralympic Association (BPA).
It's a dream come true for Paul Davies who was paralysed in an accident in 1986. It will be the first time the World-Ranked Number 9 is to go to the Paralympics and something he's dreamed of for many years. 'It was a fantastic moment to be told that I had been selected to ParalympicsGB', he said. It's a real honour and a very proud moment for my family. I have been working towards this moment for many years and it is the highlight of my career.
Davies who trains at Pyle Leisure Centre has trained for 5 Paralympic Games over a period of 20 years before being selected to compete in London 2012.

Career Highlights

World Ranking: 9
Silver Medal at 2001 European Championships (beating 2008 Paralympic Gold Medalist)

Source: Glamorgan Gazette & GEM Newspapers

KENFIG.ORG - 2012 OLYMPIC GAMES

A Special Section on the 2012 Olympic Games will be made available on this website over the coming months where we will be documenting all local athletes competing in both the able-bodied and Paralympic Games. We will also be documenting the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay that passes through our locality on the A48 at Pyle enroute from Cardiff to Swansea on Saturday 26 May 2012.
New ON THIS DAY - 30 January 1607
KENFIG THROUGH THE AGES - 17TH CENTURY KENFIG

Life in 17th Century Kenfig

In the early 1600's, the population of Kenfig was around 200. A church and village at Maudlam, a few scattered houses at Ton Kenfig and Sker Farm.

The Great Storm 1607 - Tsunami in Bristol Channel

On this day in 1607 (405 years ago) there was a great storm and many people lost their lives in the county when lowland areas became flooded. (Experts now believe this was caused by a Tsunami in the Bristol Channel and not a storm or high tides.
At Kenfig, the sand made further inroads - times were also hard; there were bad harvests in the 1620's and 1630's due to excessive rain. This also caused increased mortality of livestock, thus pushing up the price of all foodstuffs. Homes at this time were often workshops, peasant farmers having to exploit every means possible to make ends meet.

Cottage Industries

Looms were set up in cottages where the whole family would help with the spinning, combing, weaving and stocking-knitting. People made their own clothes and also sold garments at local fairs and markets. Tanning was also often carried in conjunction with small-scale farming. It required a plentiful supply of oak bark, water and lime, all of which were available within the Kenfig area.

Some local People

William Reese of Pyle and Kenfig was a cordwainer (Shoemaker) who also owned a cow, horse, lambs and ewes, grain and corn. Richard Thomas of Kenfig was able to earn his living solely by being a cordwainer. In 1634 tanned hides were regulary exported from Newton.
In 1654 John Leyshon held a lease of all veins and mines of coal in Rugge (Cefn Cribbwr) lying 'Within the liberty of the Borough of Kenfig'. He was a registered seaman and it is thought that coal was transported on the backs of horses or mules from Cefn to Newton to be shipped out. The coal would have been cut out of the bottom of shallow bell pits and carried in baskets up ladders to the surface.

Kenfig during Civil War Years (1642)

When Charles I became King in 1625 he believed he could rule by divine right without advice from Parliament. When civil war broke out between his supporters and Oliver Cromwell's Parliamentarians, Wales was mostly Royalist in sympathy, the Kenfig area being no exception. After Cromwell's death in 1658 his son failed to maintain politcal stability and Charles II was welcomed back from exile since people were tired of the restrictions imposed by Puritan rule. By the summer of 1659 there had been a weeding out of political figures in Glamorgan who had supported Cromwell's Protectorate.
In 1662 the Act of Uniformity was passed, compelling people to conform to rules of the Established Church and to use the Book of Common Prayer. Lewis Aylward (Portreeve of the Kenfig Borough) was an ardent non-conformist and his house (either present day Kenfig Farm or Pool Farm), was used for meetings after the passing of the Act. In 1664, a troop of soldiers arrested Jacob Christopher, a preacher at the house but he was later released. He continued to use Aylward's house for meetings from 1672-75 but died a year later and was buried at Maudlam.
James II became King in 1685 and was unpopular with many people and with Parliament because he was suspected of trying to revert the country to the Catholic faith. When the Duke of Monmouth tried to displace James, the same Lewis Aylward, along with Thomas Lougher of South Cornelly (Constable of Kenfig Castle), was imprisoned in Chepstow Castle on the grounds he was sympathetic to Monmouth's cause. After Monmouth was beheaded in 1685 they were both freed.
Some Roman Catholic priests were executed for their faith in James' reign. Parliament ordered the local Justices of the Peace to seek them out. Philip Evans was arrested at Sker House (Owned by Christopher Turberville) in 1678 and was later hung, drawn and quartered in Cardiff. He was canonized in 1970.

Kenfig - The 1660 Survey

In the mid 17th century it is known that only one cottage near the old Kenfig castle was occupied. A survey of the Borough was made in 1660 for it's lord, the Earl of Pembroke, by a jury of burgesses. It defined the Borough's boundaries.
At this time burgesses were sworn in by the portreeve without payment. Anyone could be a burgess as long as the portreeve and his aldermen agreed. The portreeve, sergeant, constable of the castle, heyward and two ale-tasters were elected each year by all the burgesses. This resulted in rather a confused situation, especially when several burgesses were sworn in at the same time. The jurors admitted they did not know how many burgesses were within the Borough who ought to perform their 'suit of court' obligation. Furthermore, they did not know how many houses or how many acres in the Borough had been overcome by sand.
Within the Borough and under the Lordship were two manors of free socage tenure.
(socage = rent; free socage tenure meant held by free men on payment of rent)
These were the Paschall Hill holding (129 acres) and another unnamed holding of 145 acres. There were 19 people who rented various acreages of the Paschall Hill holding at two and a half pence per acre. The 145 acres was divided between 20 tenants who again held various amounts at the nominal rent of one red rose and three peppercorns a year. The tenants of the above holdings may or may not have been burgesses.
The 1660 survey also stated that one third of Kenfig Down (at Sker) which had been held by the monks of Neath Abbey was now held by Thomas Turberville and enclosed. The rent of this unknown acreage was five shillings a year and paid to the Earl, but Thomas Turberville received the profit and benefit of that land. The other two-thirds of the Down had been rented by the burgesses for ten shillings a year 'time out of mind' but now some of it was enclosed by them and they could rent it to non-burgesses and receive the profit. They held an unknown quantity of enclosed land in the common called Rugge (Cefn Cribbwr) in the same way. The fishing rights of Kenfig Pool were also theirs.

Local Fashions

During this century of Stuart rule fashions changed considerably. Men's hair was long and curled, cavalier's dress was elaborate with long lace collars and cuffs, loose breeches with ribbons at the knees and wide leather boots.
Women's skirts were high waisted and often looped up. The puritans, in marked contrast wore plain dark garments with white collars and aprons. They wore their hair short. When Charles II came to the throne, rich people dressed even more elaborately and expensively but the poor still wore simple wollen garments.
The homes of the poor were draughty and smokey as chimneys were dispensed of due to Chimney Tax. Glass was also taxed so windows were made with paper soaked in oil. The better off people had comfortable homes with four-poster beds and padded chairs in contrast.
Kenfig - The Complete History (e-Resource)

The Kenfig Heritage Project - MAIN HISTORY SECTION

Documenting entire history of Kenfig & surrounding Area from Prehistory to Present Day

The Beginning of The Margam Estate - 1668

The Earl of Pembroke sold his manor of Kenfig to Sir Edward Mansel of Margam for £525 (five hundred and twenty five pounds) in 1668. It included decayed castle, all property, lands, woods, mineral rights at Cefn Cribbwr, waters, warrens, fishing, rents and other rights.
Sir Edward's descendants, the Mansel-Talbots inherited these until the estate was broken up and sold in 1941.
Learn more... The Margam Estate

Manorial Courts at Kenfig

Early records of manorial courts held in the Pyle and Kenfig district begin in 1676. They were presided over by the stewards and portreeve and there were three types:
  • Courts Baron - were held monthly to deal with the rents, services and heriots due from tenants.
  • Courts Leet - Petty criminal courts, these were only held twice a year.
  • Court of Pleas - these heard actions pertaining to land and were held monthly.
Petty offences included selling ale at short measure, not grinding corn at the mill where 'suit of mill' licence was held, not repairing the highway, not assisting in planting sedges and shooting partridges within the Borough precinct. The courts continued in the area until 1816.

Court Records

  • Court records show that in 1676 the River Kenfig was blocked with sand.
  • In 1682 there is reference to a 'Wigmore Road' leading to the sea at Sker.
Wigmore was the burning of seaweed to provide fertiliser for the land. It is also known that lime-burning went on at Cornelly - there being a plentiful supply of limestone as well as coal not too far away. Often lime was applied far too liberally as it was thought of as a fertiliser.
New Heritage Exhibition

Bethlehem Church Life Centre, Cefn Cribwr

Saturday 21 January 2012

Bridgend Farmers' Market, Capital Region Tourism
Bridgend REACH
Kenfig - The Complete History (e-Resource) was one of many exhibitors at a successful 'This is Your heritage...discover it today!' exhibition held at Bethlehem Church Life Centre, Cefn Cribwr on Saturday 21 January 2012. This event was promoted by Bridgend REACH (The Bridgend Rural Development Program, Bridgend County Borough Council).

History & Heritage Steering Group

Kenfig.org Local Community Group who is responsible for this webiste is pleased to announce its association with Bridgend REACH with its History & Heritage Steering Group which aims to help promote the history, heritage & tourism aspects of the Bridgend County together with the nation of Wales as a whole.

Collabarate Working

This heritage exhibition has paved the way forward to collaborative working between like-minded individuals & organisations in forging long-term relations & business opportunities in addition to promoting both the heritage & tourism aspects of what the county has to offer. The Kenfig.org Local Community Group found the exhibition very rewarding and is looking forward to extending our services as time goes by. We would like to thank the management & staff at both the Bethlehem Church Life Centre & Bridgend REACH for hosting such a great event.

Further Information

Some of the Exhibitors
Glamorgan Gwent Archaeological Trust
Glamorgan Archives, Cardiff
Ogmore Valley History & Heritage Society
Llynfi Models
Bridgend Beekeepers, 1940s Swansea Bay, Conservation & Design, BCBC
New FOLKLORE - The Cefn Riders & The Red Goblins

Local Folklore:

The Cefn Riders & The Red Goblins

Cefn - Welsh for back or ridge & Pyle (Pil in Welsh) means Stronghold

The Cefn Riders

Gangs of men known as the Cefn Riders & the Red Goblins have become legendary figures in local folklore within the Kenfig & surrounding area.
Cefn Cribbwr is a sprawling village running along the top of a spur or ridge whose height & shape give it a commanding position in the area. From anywhere in Cefn the surrounding countryside can clearly be seen and the potential for defence was spotted by its earliest peoples; the ancient Britons built a camp or fort here which was known as Castell Kribor, defences were also built on the appproach routes to Cefn eg. Pyle.
From the top of the ridge the people of Cefn were able to look about them and feel quite secure. By the 19th century they had almost become a people apart & any stranger visiting the area would be eyed with silent hostility and suspicion & at worst attacked so fiercely they would think twice before venturing there again.
The soil on the ridges was so poor that it was impossible for any large community to remain there and so bands of tougher men descended upon the lowlands taking what they required. No farm or building was safe, sheep and cattle began to disappear in large quantities. From this small step to plain thuggery the Cefn Riders as they came to be called roamed far & wide attacking strangers and packmen.
Travelling mostly on foot but sometimes on horseback they became greatly feared as far afield as Merthyr and the Vale of Glamorgan; showing little mercy to their victims - there is a very good description of 1 of their attacks in Alexander Cordell's, 'The Fire People' in which the Riders indulge in a favourite pastime of leaping on a traveller's back & forcing them to carry them some way along the journey.

The Red Goblins

The Red Goblins lived in the mountainous area between the Garw & Maesteg, these too were a band of ruffians living on what they stole from peoples living in the lowlands. From their caves on the mountainside they travelled in sweeping raids. Their favourite hunting ground was from the Vale of Glamorgan to the coast.
On one occasion they caught the Carmarthenshire Drovers on their way to the meat markets of London & stole their entire herd, on another occasion they captured an aristocratic lady of the Carne family & held her to ransome.
The Red Goblins appear to have been capable of gallant acts & they always treated women honourably. Sometimes 'men of good breeding' joined the gang in search of adventure - in spite of this, mothers were able to make their children behave with the phrase... Hush! or the Red Goblins will get you.
Sources: Bridgend County Borough Library & Information Services, (Books - Legends of Porthcawl & the Glamorgan Coast - Alun Morgan, Buried City of Kenfig - Thomas Gray, Folklore & Folk Stories of Wales - Marie Trevelyan)

Kenfig - The Complete History (e-Resource) - The Kenfig Heritage Project
NewKenfig Times - Echos from the Past

The Kenfig Community - North Cornelly, Maudlam & Kenfig

Kenfig Times - Old Shops of North Cornelly, Maudlam & Kenfig


Court House, Blue Street

Owned by Mrs Caroline David - this was a dark room with uneven flagstones, fitted out with counter, drawers & brass scales; the shop sold materials such as cotton, buttons, fastners & boots (not shoes) which were hanging up on nails from a raftered ceiling. The shop also had bee-hives on the front lawn & sold beeswax in the shape of a basin mould & honey. Some sweets such as Fry's Cream chocolate was usually on the counter.

The CO-OP, Blue Street

Built next door to Court House this was at one time Harris's Photographic Studio & a grocery shop owned by Willie Thomas of Tymaen.

David's The Butchers, Maudlam

This was a village shop in what was formally the Butcher's Arms - it was also a Post Office.

Jenkin Morgan, Maudlam

Firstly this was a shop in the parlour at Fir Tree Cottage and later across the road at Heol Las Farm - the shop sold sweets.

Miss Vaughan's, Ton Kenfig

This shop was formally operated by Mrs Skinner & later by Miss Vaughan - its was situated behind the former Windrush Restaurant.

Mrs Jenkin's, Ton Kenfig

A wooden shop adjacent to Pen y Lan.

Marie Vaughan's, Near New House, Cornelly

This shop was situated between Fairfield House (4 new houses today) & the New House Inn - this is where the so called 'Parish' was paid out.

Pear Tree Cottage, Old Road

Parlour type shop situated behind the New House Inn

Mrs Powell's, Grit Hill, Old Road

Small parlour shop on the then main road to Pyle (Ffordd y Eglwys) - Mrs Powell also had a wooden cabin shop at Pyle station.

Dampier's, Heol Fach, Cornelly

George Dampier built a shop in the early 1920's - it was the only newsagent's in the area (the nearest newsagent was at Kenfig Hill). A Fish & Chip shop was opened in Belmont House, Heol Fach, prior to this William's Fish & Chip shop was next door before Belmont House had been built. Before both these food shops, a Fish & Chip Cart used to operate around the district.
Bill from Willie John Butcher's Cornelly - 1938
Bill from Willie John Butcher's Cornelly - 1938
Bill from Evan John Butcher's, (Willie John's Father) - 1883
Bill from Evan John (Willie John's Father)- 1883
The above bill was to Mrs Jenkins (Chemist) Bryn Eglwys, Maudlam.

Granny Bowen's, Pearl Cottage, Blue Street

This was a small parlour shop operating from chest of drawers. The 4 cottages were apparently at one time: a private house, the 1st cottage being the stable, the 2nd the kitchen, the 3rd the living room & the 4th the lounge. At one time there was a tailor's in the upstairs of the first cottage.

Old Post Office, Curwen Terrace, Cornelly

Built c.1911 by Will Evans as a shop. It was made the Post Office c.1922. This also was Thomas & Evans, Peglar's, & Jeff Roberts Electrical.

Blacksmith's Shop, Cornelly Cross

William John's stone built shop on the cross - this was later re-built across the road as a tin-built forge.

School Terrace, Cornelly

Carpenter's shop at Cornelly Court, Saunder's shoe shop & Roger Evan's Fish & Chip shop.

E.W.John, Butcher, Heol Fach, Cornelly

Built in early 1920's by Evan John, father of Willie John & grandson Arwyn. This butchers closed sometime ago.

Glen Rosa Cafe, Heol Fach, Cornelly

Started by Mrs Elizabeth Hughes at Ton Kenfig as a summer shop in the late 1920's - its was incorporated into the house at Heol Fach and run for many years by her daughter Betty Jenkins. It had a long room with a billiard table & was used at one time as a meeting place for the Kenfig Women's Institute, Church Sunday School & as a local political meeting place. There was a wooden seat on the verandah and was always the haunt of youngsters of the area.

Webb's, Heol Fach, Cornelly

A grocery/sweet shop opened in the late 1920's. This shop was next to Edward's newsmarket which is presently a hairdressing salon.

Broad's, Heol Fach, Cornelly

Opened in early 1930's by Sammy Evans as a sweet shop.

Roach's Fruit Shop, Heol Fach, Cornelly

Mrs Davies started a shop in Brecon House which was later opened as a fruit shop by Tom Roach & later still as the doctor's surgery.

Old Cottages, top of Blue Street

In the 2nd of the two old cottages that once stood at the top end of Blue Street, Mrs Jack Carter sold home-brewed pop made from herbs etc from nearby fields.
NewSt John Ambulance

The Kenfig Community - Kenfig Hill

St John Ambulance Kenfig Hill Division - started c.1909


St John Ambulance Kenfig Hill Division c.1920
St John Ambulance Kenfig Hill Division c.1920
The Ambulance Hall Kenfig Hill c.1937
The Ambulance Hall Kenfig Hill c.1937

The St John Ambulance Movement

The movement in Kenfig Hill started c.1909 when the first class was held at Kenfig Hill School for the purpose of rendering First Aid to the injured. After 2 years a committee was formed which met at the home of Dr Cooper. First Aid grew to such an extent that classes were held at the Talbot Institute from 23 March 1912 - the Kenfig Hill Division was officially formed in this year with the Cefn Cribbwr Division being formed in 1913.
Prize draws & concerts were organised to raise funds to purchase uniforms with equipment & stretchers kindly donated. There were an average of 120 injuries treated each year by the Kenfig Hill Division.

The Ambulance Hall

This was built in 1914 at a cost of £190. It was located to the north of Mynydd Cynffig Junior School on the site presently occupied by the Air Training Corps Headquaters (2117 (Kenfig Hill) Squadron - Air Training Corps). When the division celebrated its 25th anniversary in 1937 it consisted of 23 Ambulance men, a nursing division of 14 & a cadet force of 25. The division had a fine team which won many cups & shields at the National Eisteddfod Ambulance Competitions.
In 1924 the St John Priory of Wales stationed an Ambulance Car at Kenfig Hill which was initially housed near the Ambulance Hall but was moved to a garage on Pisgah Street opposite Pyle Welfare (Pyle Life Centre) when the ambulance hall was taken down. The Ambulance Hall was demolished in the late 1970's and the division was wound up for practicable purposes in 1984.
New Llanfihangel Mill & Farm

The Kenfig Community - Pyle / Pil

Llanfihangel Mill & Farm - Mentioned in 1186

Llanfihangel Mill, Pyle c.1920's
Llanfihangel Mill, Pyle c.1920's
One of the Granges of Margam Abbey - The Mill was fed via a sluce from a dam & waterfall upstream at the Collwyn. The mill was still working in 1926.
Stone Bridge over River Kenfig
Stone Bridge over River Kenfig
Stone Bridge over River Kenfig
Stone Bridge over River Kenfig
The old mill is situated in a hollow below Marlas and is approached via a stone bridge over the River Kenfig. In former times it was held by the monks of Margam as one of the Granges of Margam Abbey (St. Michael's) and was attached to the nearlby farm - mention to this is made in 1186. The mill was leased by lay tenants and served the needs of the people around Pyle until 1926. The Mill was fed via a sluce from a dam & waterfall upstream at the Collwyn.
The earliest known lay tenant was Thomas ap David who secured a lease upon the mill in 1527.
Following the dissolution of Margam Abbey the mill was acquired by the Mansel family (1536 - 1750) at this time there were 3 other corn mills operating in the area but by 1700 Llanfihangel was the only 1 still operational. Between 1724-1725 considerable renovation work were carried out and by 1739 a drying kiln had been added. In 1751 machinery for a second mill had been installed. (The tenant at this time was Edward Harris (d.1756) who was Portreeve of the Kenfig Borough for 14 consecutive years between 1742 & 1756 - Kenfig Portreeves 1339-1886)
The farm which is screened from view from the highway has labelled & mullioned windows which date from the late 16th century. When new windows were inserted in the south wall in 1959 sections of a small moulded & cusped 14th century window were found. Scores of pigeon holes can be seen in the northern pine end and nearby stands a large ruined building believed to have been used as a tithe barn. In 1358 and abbey lay brother named Meuric who worked at the grange was indicted for harbouring felons there.

Ffynnon Collwyn Spring

Along the Collwyn behind St James' Church a flight of steps leads down to a small spring at the very edge of the river. This is known as Ffynnon Collwyn and was formally a healing well, the waters of which were claimed to have medicinal properties.

Unusual Story Connected with the Mill

In 1833 an 11 year old girl named Ann Thomas was at the mill when her clothing became caught in the machinery "which machinery whirled her about with such violence as to mangle her whole frame in such a shocking manner as caused her instantaneous death". The girl was the daughter of a carpenter named Thomas Thomas from Pyle - 8 years later he was employed to carry out repairs to the waterwheel; "His foot slipt or entangled in the said water wheel, so that his head went between the said water wheel and the wall, by means whereof the said Thomas Thomas then and there instantly died".
NewHistory 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.

Kenfig - The Complete History (e-Resource) THE KENFIG COMMUNITY

History of Neighbouring Villages & Towns around Kenfig
New ON THIS DAY - 28 December 1781

Local Shipwrecks:

CATERINA - lost at Sker Point on 28 December 1781

On this day in 1781 (230 years ago), the vessel CATERINA was lost at Sker Point. Hundreds of local people converged upon the wreck with a lawless attitude totally indifferent to the sufferance of her crew. The newly formed fellowship put a guard on the ship and a pitch battle broke out - 3 people were killed.
The plunderers were later caught and jailed but tranferred to Hereford to prevent the locals from freeing them. One of these, John Webb was later hanged.
The cargo of the CATERINA consisted of cotton, several casks of wine, brandy, currants & other goods.

Footnote:

Some 28 years before the wreck of the CATERINA in 1753, a similar occurrence of the shameful plundering of wrecks by local people happened with LE VAINQUEUR again at Sker and in the same month. Outling the severity with which the authorities meant to deal with offenders by affixing noticies to local parish church doors advising, "that the looting of wrecks was punishable by death" this didn't seem work as a deterent to the practise of looting wrecked vessels.

Kenfig - The Complete History (e-Resource)
New KENFIG THROUGH THE AGES - 16TH CENTURY KENFIG

King Henry VIII & Kenfig

King Henry VIII Wikipedia
King Henry VIII
King Henry VIII
Photo: Wikipedia
The overwhelming of Kenfig by the sands in the late 15th century was just a memory by 1538 when Leland, the Kings Antiquary visited the area. He wrote of the castle and village being in ruins and 'almost shokid and devourid with sand that the Severne Se castith up'. He referred to the Kenfig River as Colebrooke and mentioned good corn and grass at Sker.
At this time, King Henry VIII dissolved the monastries. Margam was the first to go in Glamorgan and when the monks left, all their property, which included some burgages at the site of the old town of Kenfig, fell to the Crown. The lands were sold to various buyers and Margam, Pyle, Stormy, Kenfig Higher (the area north of the Kenfig river) and coal pits in Cefn Cribbwr were acquired in 1546 by Sir Rice Mansel of Oxwich and Penrice in the Gower.
He settled at Margam a little later. The Lordship of Kenfig Borough itself was Henry VIII's since he was Lord of Glamorgan, but by 1550 it was sold to Sir William Herbert, 1st Earl of Pembroke.

Life in 16th Century Kenfig

Tudor Period (1485-1603) / Elizabethan Era

During the Tudor period, houses in some areas were constructed of a timber framework (usually of oak) with wattle and plaster in between and topped with a thatched roof. Many great oaks grew at Margam and it is known that some were transported as far as Plymouth for ship building.
It is probable that most of the houses in the area now known as Ton Kenfig and in the village of Maudlam were built of local stone. The Guildhall, the present 'Prince of Wales Inn' dates from the 16th century as does Sker House.
Glass was expensive so was only seen in the houses of the wealthy. Homes of farmers and merchants contained furniture such as settles, wooden armchairs, carved beds with feather mattresses lain across ropes and wollen blankets.
Peasant's huts were more sparsely furnished with just a few stools, pots and a wooden chest. The hut floor was of earth and the fire was built on a hearthstone with a basket hood to take the smoke out through the smoke hole.
Poor people wore rough cotton or wollen clothes while a well-off farmer dressed in leather doublet and hose. Wealthy women had tight-bodied dresses with padded sleeves and cloaks were worn in cold weather. The climate deteriorated over western Europe during the latter half of the century and there was a succession of bad harvests and a famine in 1556.

Working in the area

Llanfihangel Mill, Pyle c.1920's
Llanfihangel Mill, Pyle c.1920's
One of the Granges of Margam Abbey - The Mill was fed via a sluce from a dam & waterfall upstream at the Collwyn. The mill was still working in 1926.
Although iron and coal working was gradually on the increase in Glamorgan, most of the people worked on the land including those of the Kenfig area. Many died from malnutrition and there was also an influenza epidemic.
In Elizabeth I's region, laws were made to help the poor since the closing of the monasteries meant there were no monks to provide charity and the practice of keeping sheep had resulted in fewer people required to work the soil. More corn was grown and the numbers of cattle increased. At this time there were water mills for grinding corn at Llanfihangel Farm and at Pont Felin Newydd.

Catholic Counter Reformation and Kenfig

Mary I of England
Queen Mary I of England
Photo: Wikipedia
Elizabeth I of England
Queen Elizabeth I
Photo: Wikipedia
King Philip II of Spain
King Philip II of Spain
Photo: Wikipedia
Elizabeth I was determined to thwart the Catholic Counter Reformation which had begun in the reign of Mary Tudor. Those who refused to attend Church of England services were fined twenty pounds a month and then two thirds of their estates were fortified if the fine was not paid. In 1585 it was high treason for Popish priests to remain in the country.
Despite these measures the people of Kenfig and surrounding areas remained faithful Catholics - maybe due to the lasting influence of the dissolved abbey at Margam and the activities of the priests harboured by the Turbervilles of Sker. Mary Tudor had also been respected by the people of South Wales since she was seen to be Henry VIII's true heir while Elizabeth was the daughter of the unpopular Anne Boleyn.
Thomas ab Ieuan ap Rees (c.1510-60) was a bard from Tythegston who sang before the dissolution of the monastries - he was a devout Catholic and composed a verse on the accession of Mary Tudor. One of his other poems tells of his imprisonment in the town of Kenfig.

King Philip of Spain & Margam

There is a story which tells of King Philip of Spain, a suitor for Elizabeth's hand, sending her a gift of orange and lemon trees. The ship was wrecked on Kenfig Sands but the trees were saved and planted at Margam. They were not formally presented to the Mansels of Margam until Queen Anne's time and it was not until 1785 that the Orangery was erected for their protection. It is debatable whether the cultivation of orange trees would have continued in Margam for such a length of time before the orangery was built.

Important Dates

28 Feb 1537
Margam Abbey was surrendered to King Henry VIII under the Dissolution of the Monastries Act
29 Mar 1542
Richard William received the land of Sker from King Henry VIII by Letters Patent
1543
The sale of Sker by Richard Williams, great grandfather of Oliver Cromwell, to Christopher Turberville of Pendine.
1570
Earliest surviving survey of the manor of Kenfig Borough
More in-depth information on Kenfig during the 16th century can be viewed on the Kenfig History Timeline c.1147-1886 ...Read more

Kenfig Timeline c.1147-1886

A Timeline of Kenfig's History from 1147 - 1886 A Timeline of Kenfig's History from 1147 - 1886

Kenfig - The Complete History (e-Resource)

The Kenfig Heritage Project - MAIN HISTORY SECTION

Documenting entire history of Kenfig & surrounding Area from Prehistory to Present Day

1570 Survey

A survey of the Kenfig Borough in 1570 mentioned several free tenants holding land within the borough.
  • Richard Thomas held the Grange at Marlas and fifteen burgages in the old town.
  • Rees Thomas ap Ieuan had a burgage at Millhill.
  • William Jenkin Armiger held ground at Kenfig Pool.
The annual burgage rent was twenty shillings. Thirty-three shillings and four pence was payable by each burgess when the heir of a deceased lord took possession.
Free tenants and burgesses owed 'suit of court' (an obligation to attend the hundred court and another two yearly courts). The hundred court was granted by the Crown to a lordship and all free men 'assembled in their hundred'. These tenants were excused obligations such as suit of mill (having to grind their own corn at the manorial mill) and heriots (payments made to the lord on the death of a tenant). An ordinance of the Borough added in 1572 descibed the enclosing and ditching of part of the free common at Cefn Cribbwr - this common apparently extended from Cattpitt (Pwll-y-Gath, Kenfig Hill) to the ridge of Coity. The enclosed land was given to the Borough by the Lords of Glamorgan to replace ground at Kenfig covered by sand. 29 burgesses shared the area.
New ON THIS DAY - 17 December 1753

Sker House Rear View
Sker House Rear View

Local Shipwrecks:

LE VAINQUEUR - lost at Sker Rocks on 17 December 1753

On this day in 1753 (258 years ago), the French Merchantman, Le Vainqueur struck Sker Rocks. She was enroute from Lisbon to Le Harve when her captain entered the Bristol Channel under the belief it was the English Channel, a fatal mistake made by others before and after. In her holds were 789 chests of oranges, 650 frails of figs, 240 boxes of lemons and 84 planks of Brazilian hardwood. Of her 10 man crew, 8 survived, yet her Captain and the first mate, both brothers were drowned.

Shameful Plundering

The shameful plundering executed by the local people with much of the cargo destined for the banqueting halls of the French nobility, was to provide a clandlestine Christmas feast for the people of Margam and Kenfig. News of her plight spread through the county like wildfire and within hours, hundreds of people were swarming over the stricken vessel grabbing whatever booty they could. Some hacked at the woodwork and even set it alight in an attempt to recover the nails - everything had salvage value.
The Captain's body was rifled of 17 Portuguese gold pieces, his silver shoe and knee buckles and a silver watch - this last item was recovered from a Pyle watchmaker to whom the thief had taken it with a view to repair.

Local Arrests

17 people were arrested for looting and several accussed, cited Issac Williams of Sker as having a hand in the plundering of the wreck. Better known as the father of ' Elizabeth Williams, The Maid of Sker ' - he was at this time both the Constable for the Hundred of Newcastle and a local magistrate.
He was to claim that he simply removed as much cargo to Sker House as possible to protect it, while this maybe correct, his cause wasn't made any stronger by the fact that some of these goods were stolen during the night, despite having been put under guard. During the subsequent enquiry, two witnesses gave statements as to William's conduct and whilst there was insufficient evidence for Williams to be brought to trial, it is said that local people never trusted him again and that he went in some fear of his life.

The Outcome

Of those arrested, 1 was hanged and to help bring the severity with which the authorities meant to deal with offenders, notices were affixed to local parish church doors advising, "that the looting of wrecks was punishable by death".

Le Vainqueur

Background Information

Further Information

Le Vainqueur, a French vessel belonging to Harve de Grace was returning home from Lisbon. Her Captain, John Masson made the mistake of entering the Bristol Channel instead of the English Channel. His ship became stranded at a place called 'ye Scar' - she became completely wrecked and was extensively looted by crowds of people. When the ship struck, it started to break up quickly. Captain Masson, his brother, The Mate and a passenger were all drowned. 8 of the crew, however, were saved. An eye witness accounts of a wreck on Sker Rocks with a crowd of 400 people swarming all over the vessel is noted. It also said that the wreckers tried to set fire to the hull so that any iron could be recovered.

Wrecking

Many people regarded a wrecked ship as a divine gift - some believed that ships wrecked on those rocks were the right of the local populous. The authorities were shocked at the wrecking, one officer stated 'that if they had known sooner they could have caught the villans'. Another report said that when a baliff went to recover some of the cargo an angry mob threatened him with his life. He promptly left the scene and said he would not return even if he was offered £50. Lloyds List summed up the event by saying 'the Country people made a perfect wreck of the Ship and Cargo'.
Type:
Sailing Ship, unknown rig
Port of Registry:
Dieppe, France
Owner:
Harve de Grace
Date of Sinking:
17 December 1753
Location:
Sker Rocks, Porthcawl, Glamorgan


Source: Yvonne Carr (Shipwrecks around and about Kenfig), Tom Bennett (Shipwrecks around Wales - Happy Fish Publishers, Dyfed), Lloyds Register of Ships




Kenfig - The Complete History (e-Resource)
New ON THIS DAY - 08 December 1808

Local Shipwrecks:

RICHARD - lost at Tusker Rock on 08 December 1808

On this day in 1808 (203 years ago), the vessel RICHARD bound for the Ogmore River from Cardigan (West Wales) was lost. Three of her 7 crew together with her cargo which is unknown were saved - The vessel was lost.
Kenfig - The Complete History (e-Resource)
New ON THIS DAY - 04 December 1678

Sker House Rear View
Sker House Rear View

Sker House Front View
Sker House Front View

Saint Philip Evans (1645-1679)

Arrested at Sker House - 04 December 1678

On this day in 1678 (333 years ago), Father Philip Evans, a Roman Catholic priest was arrested at the home of Christopher Turberville at Sker, Glamorgan. When he refused to take the Oath of Supremacy, he was imprisoned alone in Cardiff Castle. He had been arrested in the hysteria of the Titus Oates plot to kill King Charles II.
After five months the priest was brought to trial but when no evidence of his complicity could be produced, he was charged with being a priest (which was illegal in the realm) - few were willing to serve as witnesses. He was convicted on the evidence of two poor women who were suborned to say that they had seen Father Evans celebrating Mass.
He was executed on Gallows Field (north eastern end Richmond Road, Cardiff) - Father Evans addressed the onlookers in Welsh and English - He was executed along with John Lloyd saying 'Adieu, Mr Lloyd, though for a little time, for we shall shortly meet again '. The feast day of St. Philip Evans is on 25 October.
Father Philips died at Cardiff, 22 July 1679. He was beatified in 1929, canonized by Pope Paul VI in 1970 as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales.

Background

Philip Evans was born in Monmouthshire in 1645 and educated at Saint-Omer, he joined the Society of Jesus when he was 20 and was ordained at Liège, Belgium, in 1675.
Father Philip was sent back to Wales to minister to the Catholics in the southern part of the country. For several years he zealously ministered to his flock unmolested, but the civil authorities turned a blind eye until November 1678 - although John Arnold, a justice of the peace and hunter of priests, offered a £200 bounty for his arrest, Father Evans refused to leave his flock untended.

Kenfig during Civil War Years (1642)

KENFIG - The Complete History (e-Resource) ...... HISTORY | WAR YEARS | COMMUNITY | FOLKLORE | THE COAST

New RELIGION

Maudlam Church c.1907
St Mary Magdalene Church, Maudlam c.1907 view from South

Maudlam Church (Built c.1255) - (Parish of Pyle & Kenfig)

Dedicated to St.Mary Magdalene, Maudlam Church (built c.1255). It isn't the parish church due to a consistory court, which met at Margam in 1485, deciding that this status be accorded to St.James' church, Pyle; even though Maudlam Church is some 200 years older. Learn more about the church including a Live Church in Wales Twitter news feed.
Read more... Maudlam Church

St James' Church, Kenfig (Built c.1147-1154)

Built c.1147-1154 by the Normans & endowed to Tewkesbury Abbey, St James' Church was located close to Kenfig Castle in the medieval town of Kenfig. It is believed that St James' Church at Kenfig was removed stone by stone & rebuilt at Pyle being renamed St James' at that location in the 15th century.

St James' Church, Pyle (Built c.1471)

Known locally as 'The Upside-down Church' as it is reputed that when the sands threatened to engulf Kenfig, the old church of St James' in the town was dismantled stone by stone and re-built in 'reverse' at it's present location. The Church was built c.1471 - St James' Church, Pyle is the Parish Church for the benefice of Pyle and Kenfig.

THE KENFIG COMMUNITY

Kenfig - The Complete History (e-Resource) THE KENFIG COMMUNITY
History of Neighbouring Villages & Towns around Kenfig

Kenfig Farm c.1952
Kenfig Farm c.1952
New 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.
NewHistory 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.

Kenfig - The Complete History (e-Resource) THE KENFIG COMMUNITY

History of Neighbouring Villages & Towns around Kenfig

HISTORY - KENFIG

Kenfig - The Complete History (e-Resource) HISTORY SECTION

The Seal of Kenfig Borough

The Seal of Kenfig Borough

The seal was used by Alice, the widow of John Peruat, (former Burgess of Kenfig) for her gifts of land & 2 burgages in the town of Margam Abbey in 1320 & 1321 because 'her seal is unknown to many persons'. In August 1325 the seal was used by John Nichol of Kenfig when he quit-claimed to the monks all his land & burgages in the town.

This wasn't the only seal used by the burgesses. John (son of Henry de Bonville) used the Kenfig Borough Seal on a receipt for payment in lieu of arrears on a pension he was receiving from the monks. Instead of an ornamental cross between 4 pellets, the seal outlined displays the device of a fleur-de-lis.

The Iron Age

Plan - 7th Century Iron Age Camp at Pen-y-Castell Kenfig Hill drawn in 1895

7th Century Iron Age Camp

Pen-y-Castell, Kenfig Hill

This fortification was 700 feet long by 220 feet wide strategically positioned on the crest (Ton) to command a military position over the 2 valleys either side & the approaches from the sea. Remains of the camp were extensively damaged by quarrying in 19th century.

A 9th century fortification on Stormy Down were completely destroyed by more recent quarrying during the 20th century.

Reference: Iron Age Britain Wikipedia
New

Barrie Griffiths (1942-2009)

A fitting Tribute to a local Historian

Barrie Griffiths (1942-2009) - A fitting Tribute to a local Historian
This section is dedicated to Mr Barrie Griffiths who was a prolific local historian & mainstay of Kenfig History Society; his research was thorough & his works and publications well respected throughout both the local communities and the world.
New

Kenfig Corporation Trust

A charity charged with administration of Borough property since 1886

Kenfig Corporation Trust - A charity charged with administration of Borough property since 1886
History of trust including High Court Case of 1971 over ownership of Kenfig Common; Pyle & Kenfig Manorial Court Presentments from 1676 and list of Portreeves of Kenfig Borough 1339-1886.

Kenfig - A Medieval Town

A Brief Background

Archaeological evidence has suggested that there has been a settlement at Kenfig since Roman times. Pieces of Romano-British pottery, a roofing tile and a coin depicting the emperor Constans (337 – 350 A.D.) have been found. Additionally, a Roman road runs through the Borough complete with mile stones. These mile stones are situated in Margam and Pyle and they carry inscriptions to the emperors Postumus (259 – 268 A.D.) and Victorinus (268 - 270 A.D.) respectively. In the wider landscape Neolithic arrowheads, scrapers, a dwelling and a burial urn have also been uncovered suggesting that Kenfig has been a home to people for at least 4000 years.

The Iron Age

Iron Age settlements were constructed to the North and to the East of Kenfig providing a continuity of occupation into Roman times. The Iron Age people of Kenfig were known as the Silures and they were led by Bodvoc, son of Caitegern, great-grandson of Eternalis Vedomavus. Bodvoc was killed in the struggle against Rome by legionaries commanded by Julius Frontinus. The ‘Bodvoc Stone’, a tribute to the Silurian leader, now stands in the Margam stones museum.

The Romans

The Romans were converted to Christianity by the Emperor Constantine in 313 A.D. and the pagan tribes of Kenfig were forced to abandon their gods and worship the god of Rome. As Christianity took hold among the Silures, and Britain as a whole, monasteries were built, including an early structure at Margam. To this day, an abbey exists at Margam, thus providing a link to those early Christian founding fathers.

Irish, Angles, Saxons & Vikings

By 410 A.D. the Roman Empire was in decay and the troops stationed in Britain were called back to defend Rome. The vacuum left by the Romans was filled by numerous raiders over the coming centuries, including the Irish, the Angles, the Saxons and the Vikings. It is suggested that the Vikings settled in the area and that local place names such as Sker, and Kenfig itself, are of Viking origin.

The Normans

By the 11th century a new power had emerged in Europe: descendants of the Vikings, the Normans invaded Britain and led by Robert Fitzhamon they took control of Kenfig, c1100 A.D. A castle was built, initially of wood, to help suppress any local opposition and that was followed by a church, dedicated to St James. A town was established, made up of Norman and English settlers, and a system akin to apartheid was set in place. Needless to say, the indigenous people, who were largely excluded from the town, took exception to this imposition and the town was raided on the 13th January 1167. As a result of this, and subsequent raids, the wooden castle was replaced by a stone tower and the donjon that would come to dominate Kenfig for the next 300 years was born.

New FAMOUS PEOPLE OF KENFIG THROUGH THE AGES

Ben, the Hermit of Kenfig Sands - View Story

The Story of a Welsh 'Robinson Crusoe', the difference being that he was cast up from a coal mine and not by the sea.

Ben, the Hermit of Kenfig Sands - View Here

New RARE PHOTOS OF KENFIG SAND DUNES - View Photos

Digitised images from old glass lantern slides c.1904

A selection of rare images of Kenfig & Newton Burrows have kindly been donated to this project by Mr Steve Parker of Kenfig.

Rare Photos of Kenfig Sand Dunes - View Here

KENFIG NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE SSSI

Kenfig Reserve Centre

The Reserve Centre

Situated at Kenfig Pool, Glamorgan's largest natural lake, Kenfig National Nature Reserve SSSI is on land owned by Trustees of the Kenfig Corporation Property which is leased & managed by Bridgend County Borough Council. A Site of Special Scientific Interest, Kenfig NNR is one of the finest wildlife habitats in Wales and is home to a wide variety of rare and endangered species of plants and animals, including the Fen Orchid.

The Kenfig website has kindly been supplied a report on 'Kenfig Sand Dunes - Potential for Dune Reactivation' by The Countryside Council for Wales (CCW). We have included part of the report on the Kenfig NNR webpage - the report is very informative about dune management, especially that on Kenfig.


PLEASE NOTE

This website is NOT the Official Website for the Reserve Centre.
Please DO NOT email this website with queries relating to and/or associated with Kenfig NNR
We are NOT in a position to reply to any emails.

THE TOWN HALL - PRINCE OF WALES INN

The Town Hall - Prince of Wales Inn

The Prince of Wales Inn

The Town Hall of the Ancient Borough of Kenfig replaced the old guild hall of the ancient Borough which once stood in the old medieval town and is the focal point of the Borough both within its present and former transitions. The building is owned by The Kenfig Corporation Trust; its upstairs room has been in continuous usage for centuries and it was within this very room that the Burgesses exercised their rights granted by the Kenfig charters.

Kenfig - The Complete History (e-Resource)

Read more... History Section


New CHANNEL 4 TIME TEAM AT KENFIG

The Buried Medieval Town of Kenfig - 3 day Archaeological Dig (August 2011) - View Time Team Visit to Kenfig

The Channel 4 Time Team spent 3 days at Kenfig (Wed 10/Thu 11/Fri 12 August 2011) on an archaeological dig/filming expedition to locate the medieval buried town of Kenfig in the sand near Kenfig Castle. This section on Kenfig's website is aimed at documenting Channel 4 Time Team's actual visit to Kenfig in 2011 as this website project is being archived for posterity through both the National Library of Wales & British Library.

EXPLORE TIME TEAM AT KENFIG - Learn about Time Team, cross-referenced information on Kenfig town's history, Live Time Team Twitter News Feed, photos of day 3 and Official embedded Time Team video footage from YouTube.

New CHANNEL 4 TIME TEAM AT KENFIG - View Time Team Visit to Kenfig

Channel 4 Time Team at Kenfig - View Here



War Years War Years Pictorial History Pictorial History
Folklore Folklore The Sport of Bando The Sport of Bando
Graffiti Artists - Is this art or vandalism? Graffiti Artists - Is this art or vandalism?

Video of 2010 Annual Gambo Race on YouTube

Annual Gambo Race

The 2010 Gambo Race was the last of its kind in Kenfig Community due to public 'Health & Safety' Issues imposed by local Authorities / Police
...Learn more

New Little Known Legends

General Sir Thomas Picton

The Birth of General Picton
One of the Duke of Wellington's divisional commanders killed at the Battle of Waterloo had several connections with Porthcawl.
Read more... General Picton

MARGAM HISTORY...


Margam Abbey (1147-1536)

Margam Abbey
Founded in 1147 by Robert, Earl of Gloucester, Margam Abbey was a Cistercian Abbey of the Mother House Clairvaux - its dissolution came about in 1536 and was the first abbey to fall under the Dissolution of the Monastries by King Henry VIII... Margam Abbey

Margam Castle

Margam Castle
Built for Sir Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot owner of the Margam Estate. This Tudor style mansion was built in the early 19th century and remained in use until the end of World War II. Now a part of Margam Country Park owned and managed by Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council... Margam Castle

Capel Mair (c.1470)

Capel Mair
The medieval chapel known as Hen Eglwys or Capel Mair stands on the east side of Margam woods on a grassy knoll below Graig Fawr at 107m OD. Built c.1470 it appears to have served the local community who lived near to Margam Abbey; the Abbey Church being restricted to the monks... Capel Mair

New The Margam Estate

With evidence of over 4000yrs of continuous human habitation at Margam, learn history of the Estate & its owners through the centuries. Glimpse a Timeline of Margam Estate from the Bronze/Iron Age & Roman, Monastic, The Mansels, The Talbots, War Years/Sir Evans-Bevan & The Council Eras through to a an indepth study of all the above - this latter section will be on-going & updated at regular intervals.
... The Margam Estate

New Local Genealogy

Kenfig & Surrounding Area

A unique online resource of the families that have helped shape the Kenfig area.

Parish Surnames since 1695

Beginning in 1695 this information contains a wealth of interesting material especially for Geneaology Studies.
... Parish Surnames since 1695

New 1982 - The Year it Started

1st Local History Booklet Published

1st Local History Booklet Published
Some 7 years before the Kenfig History Society was founded, a local history booklet was published by the Kenfig Press of Arthur Smith at Heol Fach, North Cornelly. A tribute to his grandfather who was the 1st Kenfig Councillor to be Chairman of Penybont Rural District Council & who was made a J.P. in the Coronation Year of 1937.

Only around 200 free copies of this booklet were ever published. This website project has managed to obtain a copy & is now digitally publishing this here so that it can be archived.
... View Coming soon

New Sport in the Kenfig Area

Boxing - Coney Beach, Porthcawl


British Pathé

Big Fight, Big Brawl - 05/09/1960

European Heavyweight title match between Dick Richardson & Brian London at Coney Beach Arena, Porthcawl. A legendary boxing match that saw a mass brawl at the end of round 8 - View Video Newsreel Film

Newsreel Courtesy: British Pathé Ltd

New Fossils in Kenfig Area

Dinosaur jawbone - Stormy Down


Dinosaur Fossils found at Stormy Down

Zanclodon Cambrensis

Found at Stormy Down in 1899 above sketch is reproduced from Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London & illustrates jawbone from a Zanclodon (a two legged reptile with large head, short arms, standing upright with long tail) which belongs to late Triassic Period. This was 1st of its species recorded in Wales.

Remains are on display in National Museum of Wales, Cardiff.

New Local Shipwrecks

Samtampa - Sker Rocks (1947)


Samtampa Memorial - Sker Rocks

Samtampa Memorial - Sker Rocks

A memorial dedicated to both the Samtampa & Edward Prince of Wales Lifeboat is located on Sker Rocks.
GPS Coordinates - SS79177941
(above link opens in new window)

Samtampa Shipwreck - Sker Rocks (23 April 1947)
Learn more about the Samtampa

Shipwrecks around Kenfig since 1583
Cefn Cribbwr Brickworks

Local Coal Mines Local Coal Mines throughout the Kenfig Area

Local Shipwrecks

Local Shipwrecks - The Altmark, Kenfig c.1960
The Altmark, Kenfig c.1960
Local Shipwrecks - The Samtampa, Sker c.1947
The Samtampa, Sker c.1947

The Changing Face of Porthcawl

The Changing Face of Porthcawl - John Street c.1901
John Street c.1901
The Changing Face of Porthcawl - John Street c.1930
John Street c.1930
The Changing Face of Porthcawl - John Street c.1938
John Street c.1938
The Changing Face of Porthcawl - Seabank House c.1860
Seabank House c.1860 (From This...)
The Changing Face of Porthcawl - Seabank Hotel c.1955
Seabank Hotel c.1955 (To This...)
The Changing Face of Porthcawl - Esplanade Terraces c.1901
Esplanade Terraces c.1901 (From This...)
The Changing Face of Porthcawl - Esplanade Hotel c.1950
Esplanade Hotel c.1950 (To This...)
The Changing Face of Porthcawl - The Esplanade c.1926
The Esplanade c.1926

Sports & Pastimes

Sports & Pastimes - Cefn Cribbwr RFC 1936-7
Cefn Cribbwr RFC 1936-7
Sports & Pastimes - Kenfig Hill RFC Team V Cardiff Athletic 29 April 1959
Kenfig Hill RFC Team 1959
Sports & Pastimes - Kenfig Hill AFC Ton Boys 1930
Kenfig Hill AFC Ton Boys 1930
Sports & Pastimes - Stormy Down Cinema 1947
Stormy Down Cinema 1947
Sports & Pastimes - Films Showing at Gaiety, Kenfig Hill June 1951
Films Showing at Gaiety June 1951

Porthcawl Docks & Harbour

Porthcawl Docks & Harbour - Porthcawl Inner Harbour & Railway c.1885
Porthcawl Inner Harbour & Railway c.1885
Porthcawl Docks & Harbour - Porthcawl Breakwater, nearing completion c.1865
Porthcawl Breakwater, c.1865
Porthcawl Docks & Harbour - Porthcawl Harbour c.1880
Porthcawl Harbour c.1880
Porthcawl Docks & Harbour - Porthcawl Harbour c.1875
Porthcawl Harbour c.1875
Porthcawl Docks & Harbour - Porthcawl Docks, aerial view c.1925
Porthcawl Docks, aerial view c.1925
Porthcawl Docks & Harbour - Coastguard Station & Pilot Lookout Tower c.1870
Coastguard Station & Pilot Lookout c.1870
Porthcawl Docks & Harbour - Coastguard Station & Pilot Lookout Tower c.1938
Coastguard Station & Pilot Lookout c.1938

North Cornelly

Hall Farm North Cornelly
Hall Farm North Cornelly

Local Railways

Pyle Railway Station
Pyle Railway Station
Pyle Railway Station Staff c.1920
Pyle Railway Station Staff c.1920

Sker House

Sker House
Sker House

War Years

Plan of Island Farm POW Camp
Plan of Island Farm POW Camp
Island Farm POW Camp
Island Farm POW Camp
The Kenfig Hill & Pyle War Memorial unveiling/dedication advert 11 November 1925
Kenfig Hill & Pyle War Memorial Advert

Pyle

Llanfihangel Mill, Pyle
Llanfihangel Mill, Pyle
Pyle Inn Advert
Pyle Inn Advert

Kenfig Hill

Trustees & Official Management Committee of the Talbot Institute, Kenfig Hill c.1911
Talbot Institute Trustees/Committee c.1911
Talbot Institute, Kenfig Hill Newspaper advert
Talbot Institute, Kenfig Hill advert

Kenfig through the Ages || A Timeline of Kenfig's History from 1147 - 1886

A Timeline of Kenfig's History from 1147 - 1886 A Timeline of Kenfig's History from 1147 - 1886

Annals de Margan

One of the most valuable surviving Welsh monastic documents beginning with the death of Edward the Confessor, from 1185 onwards, breaking off abruptly in 1232 - it is regarded as the most valuable primary source for Glamorgan History.

Kenfig Tithe Maps

The term 'Tithe Map' is applied to a Parish following the Tithe Communication Act 1836 allowing tithes to be paid in cash rather than goods. The map & its schedule gives the names of all owners and occupiers of land in the Parish... The Kenfig Tithe Maps

Background || over 860 years of History

The earliest reliable reference to the town of Kenfig comes in a document dated c.1141-7 in which a reference to a burgage indicates that Kenfig was already then a Chartered Borough. The Kenfig History Timeline is categorised into the various centuries it was associated with. The information has been cross-referenced with integrated associated website links making this section a unique repository of local historical facts that can be used as a research platform.

Kenfig History Timeline c.1147-1886 ...Includes links to Welsh wills for the Diocese of Llandaff 1568-1857 (Parish of Kenfig) provided by the National Library of Wales.

*Welsh Wills online

Diocese of Llandaff 1568-1857 (Parish of Kenfig)

Wills proved in the Welsh Ecclesiastical courts before 1858 are available through the National Library of Wales; over 190,000 Welsh wills are available free to view.
... Welsh Wills online catelogue - National Library of Wales

Kenfig - The Complete History (e-Resource) - An important part of Wales' documentary heritage

Nash Point Lighthouses

Nash Point Lighthouses

Nash Point Lighthouses

The Nash Point Lighthouses have helped mariners to keep clear of the Nash Sands since the disaster of the paddle steamer Frolic in 1831. The paddle steamer Frolic sank with the loss of all onboard on 16 March 1831 at Nash Sands, Porthcawl. As a direct result of this tradegy the Nash Lighthouses were constructed to guide vessels safely around the notorious Nash Sands.
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Exclusive: Around the World by Bicycle - Heinz Stücke

Exclusive: Heinz Stücke

Heinz Stücke - Guinness Book of record holder - Epic Journeys. An Exclusive interview with Heinz Stücke on A48 at Pyle on his epic round the world journey by bicycle. Since 1962 Heinz has been travelling around the world and is a Guinness Book record holder - Epic Journeys - We had a chance encounter with Heinz on 01 June 2006.
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Heinz Stücke at A48 in Pyle

Sker House

The history of Sker House

Sker House

The Great House at Sker began its origins as a monastic grange over 900 years ago. After falling into decline over the years, extensive restoration works eventually saved Sker House for posterity through National Heritage and Lottery funding - Sker House is of Grade 1 listed status and is now privately owned.
Sker House [ Learn more ]
Maids of Sker [ The Maids of Sker ]
Australian Connection [ Maid of Sker Paddle Steamer ]

IMPORTANT NOTICE

IMPORTANT PUBLIC NOTICE


Visiting Sker House

Sker House is now Privately owned. The new owners of the property have executed their obligations with regards allowing the general public access to the premises and all present and future public visits have now been suspended.
There are public footpaths surrounding Sker House and that is as far as the general public can go as far as visiting the house without trespass on the owners property.

History of Pyle - The Pyle Inn (An 18th Century Coaching Inn)

The Pyle Inn

Built as an 18th century Coaching Inn by the Margam Estate, this inn was not only used for its inended purpose but also as a meeting place of various County bodies until it was turned into flats in 1896 and then demolished in 1959. The inn was visited by many famous people including Admiral Lord Nelson and throughout the 19th century the likes of Thomas Telford and Isambard Kingdom Brunel.
An 18th century coaching Inn
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Exclusive Pictorial History of the old Kenfig Borough ENTER