Llanferchell
| Llanfechell | |
| Anglesey | |
|---|---|
| |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SH369912 |
| Location: | 53°23’26"N, 4°27’4"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 1,293 |
| Post town: | Amlwch |
| Postcode: | LL68 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Anglesey |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Ynys Môn |
Llanfechell, whose name means 'church of (Saint) Mechell', is a village in Anglesey. It is the largest of several small villages and dispersed settlements that make up the 'Mechell' parish. The village is found is eleven miles east of Holyhead, and five and a half miles west of Amlwch, in the north of the island.
With the little villages of Mynydd Mechell and Carreglefn, Merchell had a 2011 population of 1,293 in 2011.
The village has a church, a primary school, a pub and two chapels. It is an agricultural area, and has been a local centre for markets, livestock fairs, and had both a watermill and a windmill. The area round about has many prehistoric monuments.
History
The many prehistoric remains close to the village indicate that the area has been lived in for thousands of years. The first written mention of Llanfechell itself is in 1291.
The name Llanfechell means 'Church of St Mechell': Mechell (or Mechyll) appears to have been a 6th-century missionary, possibly from Brittany, who founded a monastery here. He is said to have been the son of Echwydd and the grandson of Gwyn Gohoyw, who flourished in the 5th century. A 17th century manuscript (Llanstephan MS. 125)[1] records a Welsh poem, Cywydd i Fechell Sant. This describes how St Mechell was offered a gift of land in gratitude for a miraculous healing, to be demarcated by the route of a released hare. The hare, under divine guidance, marked the full extent of what is now the parish of Llanfechell, where he then founded the monastery.[1]
18th century life in Llanfechell was described in great detail by William Bulkeley (1691–1760). From 1734 to 1760 he kept a daily diary recording Anglesey life, social customs, personal and family dealings, farming practices and the weather.[2] William Bulkeley lived at Brynddu as Squire of Llanfechell. His daughter married Fortunatus Wright, a brewer from Liverpool whose colourful life included periods as a privateer.[3]
Llanfechell was one of a network of market towns on Anglesey. During the 18th century and following, in addition to its weekly market day the village held a fair several times a year, for the sale of livestock and produce. The Llanfechell Fair (Ffair Mechell) no longer includes livestock and agricultural sales, but continues as a horticultural show and family fun day at Llanfechell Community School in late July.[4]
Church and chapels
St Mechell's Church includes features that date back to the 12th century. It is a Grade II* listed building[5] in the centre of the village. The thick stone walls are whitewashed externally, while the stone tower has a single bell, and is topped by an unusual cupola. The church is part of the Church in Wales, in the Diocese of Bangor.
Facing the church across the village square is Libanus Chapel (Welsh Calvinistic Methodist). Founded in 1832, it was rebuilt in 1903.[6] Ebenezer Chapel, a Welsh Independent chapel, is near the school on Mountain Road. Built in 1862, it replaced a chapel built soon after 1800. Both chapels are listed grade II.[5]
Ancient sites
There are four scheduled monuments close to the village:
Baron Hill Maen Hir, is a prehistoric standing stone (one of many such on Anglesey), found 440 yards north of Llanfechell Church. The stone is six and half feet high, with a further foot and a half below ground and weighs four and a half tons. In 2009 it had keeled over, and in 2010 it was lifted and re-set in position under the guidance of Cadw. When removed from its socket, some 20 packing stones were found around its base, one of which had two 'pecked' engravings, a cupmark and a cup and ring mark.[7] The engraved stone is now at the island museum, Oriel Ynys Môn, in Llangefni. Such rock engravings are very rare in North Wales, and its use as part of the construction of the standing stone implies a particular, if unknown, significance.[8] It is located at 53°23’47"N, 4°27’11"W / SH369916.[9]
The Llanfechell Triangle Standing Stones are a group of three prehistoric standing stones at 53°23’48"N, 4°27’43"W / SH363916. They are all around six and a half feet high with their long axis aligned NW-SE. They are thought to date to the Bronze Age.
Pen-y-Morwydd Barrow, is a burial mound, probably from the Bronze Age, on the top of a hill between Llanfechell and Bodewryd. It is 27 yards across, and six and a half feet high, crossed by a modern wall.[10] A footpath from Rhosbeirio crosses the mound. (Location: 53°23’36"N, 4°25’50"W / SH385913)
Llifad Enclosure is a later prehistoric pentagonal enclosure, fifty yards across.[11] It is a possible defended settlement a few hundred yards south of Pen-y-Morwydd Barrow, on the same hill, towards Carreglefn. Location: 53°23’29"N, 4°25’49"W / SH384910
Society
'Menter Mechell' is an umbrella community venture, which helps facilitate a variety of activities and interest groups in the village. Areas of activity include the History Group, a Hobbies Group, the Maes Martin playground and sports project and an Allotment Group.[12]
Outside links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Baring-Gould, S. & Fisher, John (1911), The Lives of the British Saints, Vol III p.433 us.archive.org
- ↑ "William Bulkely (1691-1760)". Dictionary of Welsh Biography. https://biography.wales/article/s-BULK-WIL-1691.
- ↑ Brynddu and the Privateer, Fortunatus Wright Template:Webarchive, Menter Mechell History Society.
- ↑ Mechell Fair - Llanfechell.info
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 British Listed Buildings accessed 7 May 2012
- ↑ Wales Directory. Libanus Chapel
- ↑ Rock Art Wales, April 2011 Template:Webarchive Accessed 5 May 2012
- ↑ Archaeological News on Llanfechell Standing Stone. George Smith, 29 September 2010
- ↑ Site details: Standing stone Llanfechell (RCAHMW)
- ↑ Site details: Pen-y-Morwydd Barrow (RCAHMW)
- ↑ Site details: Llifad (RCAHMW)
- ↑ Lanfechell.info: Menter Mechell
