BRIDGEND 1851

( Photo 1 ) Park street Bridgend, taking the cows to Bridgend market from ty-talwyn farm Cefn Cribw.

BRIDGEND 1851

THE GOOD OLD DAYS.

A year in the life of Bridgend town.

It was a time when, the local gentry landowners entertained their tenants with a Banquet at a castle, and lost books were returned and warranted space in a newspaper to announce the fact it was returned, and some individuals in Bridgend still believed in magic.

Bridgend 1851

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The Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian Glamorgan Monmouth and Brecon Gazette

13th September 1851

ENTERTAINMENT TO LADY DUNRAVEN'S TENANTRY.—

On Wednesday week, pursuant to an invitation, a most interesting assemblage of farmers, tenants of the

Dowager Countess of Dunraven, took place at Dunraven Castle. At three o'clock, p.m., the tenautry, with their wives and daughters, sat down to a sumptuous dinner; they subsequently spent a most pleasant afternoon around the festive board, when toast and song were intermingled. Several speeches, which evinced the warm-hearted feelings of the tenautry to the ancient house of Wyndham, were delivered with an eloquence which derived its inspiration from the sincerity of the speakers. On leaving the hall, the company adjourned to the splendid lawn in the vicinity of the castle, where, according to usual rural custom, the pleasures of the merry dance were participated in by both old and young, Messrs. Williams and Jenkins, harpists, of Bridgend, giving life to the animating scene by the strains of sweet harmony. A highly fashionable company were present to witness and give an additional zest to this spectacle of a reunion between the tenants and their landlords. Among those whom we may more particularly specify were the Countess of Dunraven, Lady Galway, Mrs. Booker, Mrs. Randall, and Mrs. Richards, &c. &c. The whole proceedings of the day gave great and rational pleasure to all who participated in them, and will be long remembered by the guests, with the feelings which kindness ever engenders and the satisfaction which belongs to the conferrer of happiness, in whatever degree, by the hospitable and noble entertainer.

The Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian Glamorgan Monmouth and Brecon Gazette

1st November 1851

A circumstance occurred on Tuesday night, which places in a striking light the good and efficient system of management on the South Wales Railway. A passenger, upon the occasion in question, inadvertently left a book in a carriage when he left the train at Bridgend. He gave instant information to the obliging station-master of that place, who promptly and very kindly forwarded a note of inquiry by the next train, the consequence of which was that early the following morning the book was delivered to its owner at Cardiff carriage free, having been sent on to Chepstow where it was discovered. If it had been left in a stage coach the chances of its recovery would have been doubtful.

The Pembrokeshire Herald and General Advertiser

4th July 1851

MYSTERIOUS ROBBERY.—

A " CUNNING MAN AT FAULT “.—

Some gossip Has been caused at Bridgend, by a very mysterious robbery, to the extent of £63 in gold and notes having taken place in that town. It appears that an inhabitant of the place had received a considerable sum of money at Llandaff fair, which he placed in a box in the house, which box also contained a watch and other valuables. In the morning the money was missing, but the other property remained in the box. The police were sent for and inspected the premises, but could discover no trace of the house having been broken into. However, one or two persons were taken into custody on suspicion, but again discharged for want of evidence. In this dilemma, the sagacious person whose money had been abstracted conceived the idea of journeying to Gloucester to consult a conjuror, or cunning man," whose fame in such cases had reached even the remote town of Bridgend. The journey was forthwith taken, and an interview with the conjuror obtained, the result of which was that our hero returned home in high glee, having received all assurance from the magician, whose fee of course was duly paid, that the £63 would be restored to him on the following Sunday night, by being placed under the door of his abode. This was considered perfectly satisfactory and it the appointed time anxious watch was kept upon the door but alas but no £63 made its appearance and has a consequence, the reputation of the cunning man" stands considerably damaged in the estimation even of those whose faith in his miraculous powers had been previously unbounded.

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The Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian Glamorgan Monmouth and Brecon Gazette

20th September 1851

BRIDGEND PETTY SESSIONS.—

15th Sept.—Before the Revs. H. L. Blosse and C. R. Knight.—Richard Sadler charged John Jenkins and Jenkin Morgan with being drunk and disorderly at the Rhiew ( Rhiw ), at Bridgend, on Sunday night at half-past twelve. Both pleaded guilty, and were fined 5s. Each.

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The Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian Glamorgan Monmouth and Brecon Gazette

1st March 1851

TRIALS OF PRISONERS.

Emily Atkins, aged 20, single woman, pleaded guilty to having stolen three tumbler glasses, value Is. 6d, the property of Mrs. Catherine Evans, of the Bear Inn, Bridgend. Sentence,- One month with hard labour.

one £1 in 1850 was approximately worth £80 in today's money, it would have been 5 days wages for a skilled worker.

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The Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian Glamorgan Monmouth and Brecon Gazette

1st November 1851

THE BRIDGEND LABOURERS' FRIEND SOCIETY.

The society gave out cash prizes every year to local people who worked on the land, many workers left farm working to work in the better paying iron and coal industries, the cash prizes were an incentive to stay on the land and the farms.

CLASS 11.MEN LONGEST IN Agricultural EMPLOYMENT

First prize, Harry Parry, Bridgend, having worked 48 years with Mrs. Betterton and predecessors, £3.

2nd prize, William John, Margam, having worked 32 years with C. R. M. Talbot, Esq., M.P., £2.

CLASS 12.- WOMEN IN AGRICULTURAL EMPLOYMENT.

First prize, Mary Rees, St. Bride's, having worked at Dunraven Castle 30 years £2.

2nd prize, Margaret Morgan, Margam, having worked 30 years with R Lindsay, Esq., and predecessors, £1.

CLASS 13.-WOMEN IN IN-DOOR SERVICE.

First prize, Mary Lloyd, having lived 45 and a half years with Mr. Daniel Llewellyn, Tremains, and his late father, £2.

2nd prize, Mary David, having lived 24 years with Miss Price, Newcastle, and predecessors.

CLASS 14.—UNMARRIED FARM SERVANTS.

First prize, no merit 2nd prize, Evan Evan, having lived 51 years with Mr. Daniel Llewellyn, Tremains, £1.

CLASS 15. UNDER 21 YEARS OF AGE.

First prize, William Stradling, having with Mr. Daniel Llewellyn, Tremains, £2;

2nd prize Thomas Phillips, having lived seven years with Mr. Gronow John, Norton Hall .

CLASS 16.—WOMEN UNDER 21 YEARS OF AGE.

First prize, Jennet Thomas, having lived 14 years with Mr. John Lewis, Bridgend. £2.

2nd prize, Catherine Thomas, having lived twelve years with Mrs. Mary Thomas, Marram, £1.

CLASS 17.-AGED AGRICULTURAL LABOURERS.

First prize, Roger Burnell, Newton, 79 years of age £3.

2nd prize, Jenkin Leyshon, Pyle, 73 years, £2.

3rd prize, Thomas Rosser, Coychurch, 72 years £1.

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