Mechell, Anglesey
| Mechell | |
|---|---|
 The winding lane to Mynydd Mechell | |
  Mechell Location within Anglesey | |
| Population | 1,293 (2011 census) |
| Community |
|
| Principal area | |
| Country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
.svg)
Mechell is a community in the north of the Isle of Anglesey, Wales. Llanfechell is the largest village within the community area. Tregele, Llanfflewyn, Mynydd Mechell, Bodewryd, Rhosbeirio and Carreglefn have a more dispersed settlement pattern. The antiquity of these settlements is shown by the presence of 6 medieval (or older) churches and some 16 more ancient sites dating back into prehistory.
The population of the community in 2011 was 1,293.
Situation
[edit]Mechell's settlements are all on inland situations, although a narrow strip of land reaches up as far as the north coast of the island, east of Cemaes Bay, in Llanbadrig Community. To the east is Cylch-y-Garn Community, and to the south is Tref Alaw and Rhosybol.
There are three wards within the Mechell community council area, with a total of 10 councillors representing Llanfechell, Mynydd Mechell and Carreglefn, plus a chairperson.[1]
Prior to the 2012 Anglesey electoral boundary changes Mechell was an electoral ward for the county council. It is now part of a new Talybolion ward.[2]
History
[edit]
The oldest of the settlements appears to be Llanfechell, named, as is the larger community, after the 6th century saint Mechell, reputedly a Breton missionary. Tradition has it that he is buried in Llanfechell.[3] The large number of prehistoric sites attest to human habitation across the Community since well before that.
There is a very detailed account of daily life in the Mechell area during the 18th century, within the diaries of William Bulkeley, (1691-1760). He lived at Brynddu, a house on the edge of Llanfechell, and kept a daily record of Anglesey life from 1734 to 1760.[4]
Economy
[edit]The land of Mechell Community is a settled agricultural landscape, with a network of small farms. The longstanding importance of arable agriculture is shown by the remains of four watermills and three windmills in the Mechell area: Meddanen Water Mill and Melin Mechell Windmill (also known as Minffordd Mill and Melin Maen Arthur) are close together so could have been worked by the same miller, utilising water and wind as available. Further south is Pant y Gŵydd, the second windmill. To the west, along the Afon Cafnan, was a series of mills, including the Cefn Coch Water Mill and Windmill, the Pandy Cefn Coch (a fulling mill), and Cafnan Water Mill at the mouth of the river.[5][6][7][8]
Wylfa Nuclear Power Station, close to the Community boundary's northern tip, was the only substantial employer in the immediate neighbourhood, on the coast, 3 kilometres (1.9 miles) northwest of Llanfechell. It was the only Nuclear Power Station in Wales after Trawsfynedd shut down. The site produced electricity from 1971, and ceased at the end of 2015.[9] Proposals from Horizon Nuclear Power to build 'Wylfa Newydd' are under consideration.[10]
Mechel Churches: Church in Wales
[edit]Mechell Community has 4 Church in Wales buildings in the Bangor Diocese and Bro Padrig Deanery,[11]
- St Mechell's Church, Llanfechell
- (Grade II* listed). 12th century church with 19th century rebuild.[3] SH369913 53°23′35″N 4°27′13″W / 53.3930°N 4.4536°W.[12]
- St Fflewin's Church, Llanfflewin
- (Grade II listed) in Mynydd Mechell. Documentary records from 1254, but the oldest extant fabric appears to be 18th century, extensively restored in the 1930s. SH350890 53°22′21″N 4°28′56″W / 53.3724°N 4.4822°W.[13]
- St Mary's Church, Bodewryd
- (Grade II listed). The present structure is from the 16th century or earlier, and on a much earlier site. The original dedication was to St Gewryd. SH400906, 53°23′16″N 4°24′26″W / 53.3878°N 4.4071°W.[14]
- St Peirio's Church, Rhosbeirio
- Grade II listed, now disused. SH391917. 53°23′53″N 4°25′17″W / 53.3980°N 4.4213°W.[15]
- Capel Anhunedd-y-Pran
- There is a redundant (or decayed) medieval chapel at Clegyrog. By 1796 it was in use as a cowhouse.[16] SH388903, Coordinates:53°23′06″N 4°25′31″W / 53.3849°N 4.4252°W.[17]
- Cappel Newsaint
- An unlocated medieval chapel stood somewhere in Mynydd Mechell. SH3590. 53°22′52″N 4°28′56″W / 53.381°N 4.4821°W.[18]
Mechell non-conformist Chapels
[edit]There have been least nine non=conformist Chapels in the Mechell area, dating to the nineteenth and early 20th centuries:-
- Libanus Chapel, Llanfechell
- Methodistiaid Calfinaidd, Welsh Calvanistic Methodist Chapel on the village square. Founded in 1832, rebuilt in 1903.[19] SH369912. 53°23′34″N 4°27′15″W / 53.3927°N 4.4542°W
- Ebenezer Chapel, Llanfechell
- Welsh Independent chapel near the School, on Mountain Road. Built 1862, replacing a Chapel built soon after 1800.[20] SH365909, 53°23′23″N 4°27′35″W / 53.3896°N 4.4598°W
- Calfaria Chapel, Mynydd Mechell
- Welsh Baptist chapel built in 1897 to replace an earlier building of 1815.[20] SH361900 53°22′52″N 4°27′59″W / 53.38113°N 4.4663°W
,_Mynydd_Mechell_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1253340.jpg)
- Jerusalem Chapel, Mynydd Mechell
- Methodistiaid Calfinaidd, Welsh Calvanistic Methodist chapek.[21] SH358897, 53°22′42″N 4°28′15″W / 53.3783°N 4.4709°W
- Bethlehem Chapel, Carreglefn
- Welsh Calvinistic Methodist chapel.[22] SH383891, 53°22′28″N 4°25′54″W / 53.3744°N 4.4318°W
- Seion Chapel, Carreglefn
- Independent Chapel.[23] SH394895,53°22′40″N 4°24′59″W / 53.3778°N 4.4164°W
- Hephsibah Chapel, Rhosbeirio
- Former Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Chapel, converted into a house in 1985.[24] SH394913, 53°23′39″N 4°24′59″W / 53.3943°N 4.4164°W
- Capel Bethania, Tregele
- The Calvinistic Methodist cause at Tregele began in 1810. The Chapel was rebuilt in 1906 and closed in 1973[25] and is now a house.
Mechell notable buildings
[edit]All four extant medieval churches above are given the legal protection of Listed Building status. Below are the other listed buildings within the community,[26] plus some other notable buildings and structures:-
- Plas Bodewryd
- (Grade II* listed mansion). A 15th/16th century Hall house at Bodewryd, with substantial additions in every century following.[27] SH40019082, 53°23′24″N 4°24′26″W / 53.3899°N 4.4073°W.[26]
- Bodewryd Colomendy or Dovecote, Bodewryd
- Grade II listed late 17th C. dovecote in the grounds of Plas Bodewryd. Stone walls incorporate around 400 nests. SH40019082, 53°23′24″N 4°24′26″W / 53.3899°N 4.4073°W.[28]
- Lychgate at Church of St Mary, Bodewryd
- Grade II listed building. SH40119057, 53°23′16″N 4°24′21″W / 53.3877°N 4.4057°W.[26]
- Brynddu, Llanfechell
- Grade II listed 18th Century larger Anglesey house. Home of the Bulkeley Family. SH37329119 53°23′33″N 4°26′52″W / 53.3924°N 4.4479°W.[29]
- Pont-y-Plas, Llanfechell
- Road Bridge with square headed arches and steps to water. SH36889135||53°23′37″N 4°27′17″W / 53.3937°N 4.4546°W.[30]
- Crown Terrace, including Crown House, Llanfechell
- Grade II listed row of three terraced buildings with a shop/bank. SH369912, 53°23′33″N 4°27′15″W / 53.3924°N 4.4542°W.[31]
- Old Rectory, Llanfechell
- Grade II listed, 17th Century Rectory, with 18th C additions. SH36989128, 53°23′35″N 4°27′11″W / 53.3931°N 4.4531°W[32]
- War Memorial, Llanfechell
- Grade II listed memorial to the fallen of the Great War, in the village square and incorporates a clock. SH37029120||53°23′33″N 4°27′09″W / 53.3924°N 4.4525°W[26]
- Ffynnon Ddygfael, Mynydd Mechell
- Well shaft close to a pool. SH35119050||53°23′08″N 4°28′51″W / 53.3855°N 4.4808°W.[33]
- Llanddygfael-groes, Mynydd Mechell
- Grade II listed building. SH35149059||53°23′11″N 4°28′49″W / 53.3863°N 4.4804°W.[26]
- Cae Mawr, Tregele
- Grade II listed late 18th century farmhouse. SH34929088||53°23′20″N 4°29′02″W / 53.3889°N 4.4838°W.[34]
- Cefn-Coch, Tregele
- Grade II listed ||17th century central hall type house, with pointed internal doorways and 17th C. balusters. SH34259072 53°23′14″N 4°29′38″W / 53.3872°N 4.4938°W.[35]
- Groesfechan, Tregele
- Medieval domestic remains. SH351917||53°23′47″N 4°28′53″W / 53.3963°N 4.4815°W[36]
- Melin Cefn Coch (Ty'n y Felin), Tregele
- Grade II listed building. SH34319139, 53°23′36″N 4°29′36″W / 53.3933°N 4.4932°W.[37]
Carreglefn
[edit]- Cottage at Pant-y-Gist, Carreglefn
- Grade II Listed Building, SH39358967, 53°22′46″N 4°25′00″W / 53.3794°N 4.4167°W.[26]
- Hen Bont, Carreglefn
- Grade II listed building. SH38408907||53°22′25″N 4°25′50″W / 53.3737°N 4.4306°W.[26]
- Pant-y-cryntach, Carreglefn
- Grade II listed building. SH38808967, 53°22′45″N 4°25′30″W / 53.3792°N 4.4249°W[26]
- Ty Newydd, Carreglefn
- Grade II listed building. SH38408907, 53°22′25″N 4°25′50″W / 53.3737°N 4.4306°W.[26]
- Y Stryd, Carreglefn
- Grade II listed building. SH38398906, 53°22′25″N 4°25′51″W / 53.3736°N 4.4307°W[26]
Llanfflewyn, near Mynydd Mechell
[edit]- Twll-y-clawdd, Llanfflewyn
- Grade II listed building. SH35638861, 53°22′07″N 4°28′19″W / 53.3687°N 4.4719°W.[26]
Archaeological sites
[edit]There are five Scheduled monuments within the community area, all of them dating to prehistory, and a further 10 sites are also listed by the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales. All the sites are in open country within the community aea, so cannot be said to be in any one of the settlements. The 'settlement' column is there to give a guide as to which part of Mechell Community it is in.
| Picture | Monument Name | settlement | Site type | Period | Purpose | Grid Reference & Coordinates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Bodewryd Standing Stone | Bodewryd | Standing stone | Prehistoric | Religious, Ritual and Funerary | SH406902, 53°23′05″N 4°23′52″W / 53.3847°N 4.3978°W |
| Llifad enclosure | Carreglefn | Enclosure | Prehistoric | Possible defended settlement.[38] | SH384910, 53°23′29″N 4°25′49″W / 53.3915°N 4.4302°W | |
| Pen-y-Morwyd Round Barrow | Pen-y-Morwyd | Round barrow | Prehistoric | Religious, Ritual and Funerary | SH384912, 53°23′36″N 4°25′50″W / 53.3933°N 4.4306°W | |
 |
Standing Stone North of Llanfechell Church (Baron Hill Maen Hir) | Llanfechell | Standing stone | Prehistoric | Religious, Ritual and Funerary.[39] Cup and ring mark found on one of the packing stones.[40] | SH369916, 53°23′47″N 4°27′11″W / 53.3964°N 4.4531°W |
 |
The Llanfechell Triangle Standing Stones | Llanfechell | Standing stone | Prehistoric | Religious, Ritual and Funerary | SH363916, 53°23′48″N 4°27′43″W / 53.3966°N 4.46204°W |
Other Archaeological sites in Mechell:-
| Monument Name | settlement | Site details | Grid Reference & Coordinates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barrow between Rhosbeirio and Yr Efail | Rhosbeirio | Bronze Age or later Round barrow | SH395911, 53°23′32″N 4°24′55″W / 53.3922°N 4.4154°W |
| Burial Chamber at Foel Fawr, or Stones near Cromlech Farm | Llanfechell | It may just be a 'suggestive natural feature'.[41] | SH360920, 53°23′57″N 4°28′03″W / 53.3993°N 4.4675°W |
| Clegyrog Blas, Cropmark Enclosure | Carreglefn | Cropmarks of a concentric ditched enclosure.[42] | SH386907, 53°23′19″N 4°25′42″W / 53.3887°N 4.4284°W |
| Maen-Y-Goges; Maen-Y-Eoges (the Cook's stone) | Carreglefn |  |
SH395895, 53°22′40″N 4°24′51″W / 53.3778°N 4.4141°W |
| Mynydd Groes Earthwork | Llanfechell | Field enclosure earthworks, largely cleared.[44] | SH351915, 53°23′38″N 4°28′54″W / 53.3940°N 4.4818°W |
| Pen-y-Morwydd Barrow | Llanfechell | Field enclosure earthworks, largely cleared.[45] | SH385913, 53°23′36″N 4°25′50″W / 53.3933°N 4.4306°W |
| Pen-y-Morwydd Pillow Mound | Llanfechell | Constructed rabbit warren. Up to 7 mounds recorded at this site, most no longer visible.[46] | SH385912, 53°23′34″N 4°25′49″W / 53.3927°N 4.4304°W |
| Enclosure north-west of Llanfechell | Llanfechell | roughly square enclosure 15m across.[47] | SH364917, 53°23′48″N 4°27′44″W / 53.3967°N 4.4622°W |
| Hilltop enclosure at Carog | Llanfechell | Neolithic settlement evidence with circular defensive ditch dated to 800BC. Also 800-900AD house and domestic artifacts. Excavated 2010.[48] | SH373922, 53°24′04″N 4°26′57″W / 53.4012°N 4.4491°W |
| Tai Hen Cropmark Enclosure | Llanfechell | Irregular rectilinear enclosure some 46m across[49] | SH384915, 53°23′45″N 4°25′57″W / 53.3957°N 4.4325°W |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Menter Mechell. "Community Council". Llanfechell.info. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
- ^ "Isle of Anglesey (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2012" (PDF). legislation.gov.uk. The National Archives. Retrieved 6 December 2017.
- ^ a b Cymdeithas Hanes Mechell. "Llanfechell Church". cymdeithashanesmechell.co.uk. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
- ^ Cymdeithas Hanes Mechell. "Brynddu and the Diaries of William Bulkeley". cymdeithashanesmechell.co.uk. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
- ^ "Llanfechell Mills". Cymdeithashanesmechell.co.uk. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
- ^ "High resolution images and the History of Mynydd Mechell Windmill (known as Melin Mechell) on Anglesey". Anglesey.info. Archived from the original on 6 March 2019. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
- ^ Kovach, Warren. "Windmills of Anglesey". Anglesey History. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
- ^ Kovach, Warren. "Other Mills on Anglesey". Anglesey History. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
- ^ "Wylfa: Last day for Anglesey nuclear plant". BBC News. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
- ^ "Wylfa Newydd - About Our Site". Horizonnuclearpower.com. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
- ^ "Bro Padrig B230 In the benefice of Bro Padrig". British Listed Buildings. 5 December 1970. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
- ^ "Church of St Mechell - Mechell - Isle of Anglesey - Wales". British Listed Buildings. 5 December 1970. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
- ^ "Church of St Fflewyn - Mechell - Isle of Anglesey - Wales". The Church in Wales. 5 December 1970. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
- ^ Bodewryd Church (ID NPRN43616). at the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales (RCAHMW)
- ^ St. Peirio's Church, coflein NPRN: 43640
- ^ William Owen Pughe (1799). "Cambrian Register". p. 286. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
- ^ Capel Anhunedd-y-Pran, coflein NPRN: 43548
- ^ Cappel Newsaint, coflein NPRN: 309971
- ^ "Picture of Libanus Chapel Llanfechell". Pictures.walesdirectory.co.uk. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
- ^ a b Cymdeithas Hanes Mechell. "Llanfechell Chapels". cymdeithashanesmechell.co.uk. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
- ^ Menter Mechell. "Chapel/Church". Llanfechell.info. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
- ^ Bethlehem Chapel, coflein NPRN: 43548
- ^ Seion Chapel, coflein NPRN: 8846
- ^ Capel Hephsiba, coflein NPRN: 8839
- ^ "pew rents book | The National Archives". Discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Listed Buildings in Mechell, Isle of Anglesey, Wales". British Listed Buildings. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
- ^ Plas Bodewryd coflein NPRN: 15803
- ^ Bodewryd Colomendy, coflein NPRN: 31059
- ^ Brynddu, Llanfechell, coflein NPRN: 15590
- ^ Pont-y-Plas, coflein NPRN: 23730
- ^ Crown Terrace, coflein NPRN: 15676
- ^ Old Rectory, Llanfechell, coflein NPRN: 15772
- ^ Ffynnon Ddygfael, coflein NPRN: 32159
- ^ Cae Mawr, Tregele, coflein NPRN: 405485
- ^ Cefn-Coch, Tregele, coflein NPRN: 15637
- ^ Groesfechan, Tregele, coflein NPRN: 15699
- ^ Melin Cefn Coch, coflein NPRN: 40365
- ^ "LLIFAD, EARTHWORK ENCLOSURE". Coflein.gov.uk. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
- ^ "STANDING STONE NORTH OF LLANFECHELL;BARON HILL MAEN HIR". Coflein.gov.uk. Retrieved 18 June 2016.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "The Welsh Rock Art Organisation - Llanfechell (East) Standing Stone". Rock-art-in-wales.co.uk. Archived from the original on 6 April 2016. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
- ^ "BURIAL CHAMBER, FOEL FAWR, OR STONES NEAR CROMLECH FARM". Coflein.gov. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
- ^ "CLEGYROG BLAS, CROPMARK ENCLOSURE NORTH-EAST OF". Coflein.gov.uk. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
- ^ "AEN-Y-GOGES;MAEN-Y-EOGES". Coflein.gov.uk. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
- ^ "MYNYDD GROES, EARTHWORK FEATURES". Coflein.gov.ukn. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
- ^ "PEN-Y-MORWYDD, BARROW". Coflein.gov.uk. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
- ^ "PILLOW MOUND, PENYMORWYDD". Coflein.gov.uk. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
- ^ "POSSIBLE ENCLOSURE NORTH-WEST OF LLANFECHELL & SOME DISTANCE FROM GORS". Coflein.gov.uk. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
- ^ "Croeso i Wefan Cymdeithas Hanes Menter Mechell". Archived from the original on 3 March 2012. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
- ^ "TAI HEN, CROPMARK ENCLOSURE SOUTH OF". Coflein.gov.uk. 14 June 1999. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
