RootsChat.Com
Wales (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Wales => Denbighshire => Topic started by: johnalunsi on Sunday 24 July 16 16:47 BST (UK)
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Hi, My Taid, Isaac Alun Jones managed the Berwyn Stores at 4, Berwyn Street, Llangollen at about 1900 to about 1920's? My mother Margaret Enid Jones was born there 1910 and she was May Queen at Plas Newydd when she was in her teens. They also had a house called 'Chestnuts' on the A5 just out of town. Also, their errand boy at the shop was Raymond Watkins who was born at around 1921.
His father, Gwyl Watkins lived in John Street just near the Smithfield Market.
Does anybody remember these people or have any more info?
Many thanks.
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Welcome to Rootschat
Mentioned here
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/33241/page/500/data.pdf
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/33091/page/6571/data.pdf
http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/wa-1103-no-4-berwyn-street-watkin-williams-llangol#.V5TzIZB4WrU
http://www.mouseprice.com/property-for-sale/ref-28042193/4+berwyn+street+llangollen
Cas
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A very warm welcome to Rootschat.
http://newspapers.library.wales
Click on and put "berwyn stores" (include the " " as part of search key) in "Search. Returns 182 hits.
Mainly adverts but the odd mention of "Jones".
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Also try the search key "4 berwyn street" (including the " ")
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Thanks for the info! Great help.
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Hi, I still can't seem to find the actual location of where the Berwyn Stores was in 1910 when my mum was born.
I dont think it was 4 Berwyn Street because my Taids shop was General Groceries.
As far as I can gather the shop was either in Regent Street, Berwyn Street or Castle Street?
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Hi
I went to school in Llangollen many years later than your family but I think the Berwyn Stores would be on the corner of Berwyn Street and Chapel Street - on this map:
http://www.rootschat.com/links/01jnm/
Gadget
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Have you found Alun Jones and family on the 1911 Census? He refers to "Berwyn Stores" but it is not in Berwyn Street.
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Had a look at Cadw's "Llangollen Understanding Urban Character" which mentions "4 Berwyn Street (Watkin and Williams" and "The Old Bank".
The 1911 Census has Alun Jones next to "Richard's Bank". Are the Old Bank and Richard's Bank one and the same?
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Welsh Newspapers July 1910 has a "Mr A Avery, 6 Berwyn Street" who can be found on the 1911 Census.
If you can access the 1911 Census, check "List" after clicking on "Related Images" (bottom right of census image screen"
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-. Are the Old Bank and Richard's Bank one and the same?
There was a bank on the north side of Regent St/Berwyn Street (old A5) just before the traffic lights at junction with Castle Street. It was in the junction of road that went up to Fron Bache and the Plas Newydd road*. I think Berwyn Stores was opposite on the South side, where the arrrow is on the map link that I gave - at the junction of Chapel Street and Berwyn Street/Regent street.
This is from memory of 50+ years ago and also when I last visited (briefly) 9 years ago. I can visualise itstill.
The Berwyn Stores was the ancestor of one of the shops near the bus stop to Chirk and Glynceiriog.
* Add - the roads on the South side were/are Hill street, Hall Street and Willow Street - see map link
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It is probably worth contacting Llangollen History Society:
http://www.hanes.llangollen.co.uk/
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Here's the junction I was meaning:
https://goo.gl/maps/hWyG2yKBzWr
(hope it works!)
Looking east on A5 (with Chapel street junction on left by the y pillar box)
Added - The Old Bank is the building beside the pillar box if you enlarge :)
https://goo.gl/maps/73Qirn519As
Think I was mixing up The Old Bank with The Grapes.
Just been up the hill to my old school -goodness it's changed!
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Just noticed that in Cas's Reply #1, there is mention of Watkin & Williams, as listed building - they are No 4.
Quite prominent on the Google Streetview link :)
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Hi, thanks for the feedback guys. Its hard to tell where Berwyn Street finishes and Regent Street starts? It was probably where its shown on the map but Im not sure about a bank? I'll take a look on Google Streetview.
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HT and I have had a little chat and have determined that the Berwyn Stores (and 4 Berwyn Street) is the building between the current Watkin & Williams and The Old Bank. On the link it's windows are whitewashed over and the name above the front has been painted but Watkin & Williams is quite clearly showing through.
As you can see there were at least 2 floors plus an attic above - quite big enough for family accommodation.
Look at the street view links!
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CADW
http://cadw.gov.wales/docs/cadw/publications/historicenvironment/20163003LlangollenUnderstandingUrbanCharacter2016EN.pdf
Click on and tab down to pages 38 and 39. Page 38 shows the bank and the shop immediately next it is occupied.
Page 39 is a view of that shop from directly in front - described as "4 Berwyn St". These are the empty premises next the bank in the link provided by Gadget. As he has explained you can see Watkin and Williams above the door.
The empty premises, To Let, next to the present Watkin and Williams are No 8.