History of Llanfairtalhaiarn
This page documents the fascinating history of our village!
The Beginning
Beginning at the beginning… Little is known for certain about the beginnings of our community here at Llanfairtalhaiarn, but it is supposed that a monk’s cell was established here by Talhaearn in the mid 6th Century. It was an ideal location, on raised ground above the valley of the Elwy. Gradually, over the centuries, the cell of wood and turf evolved into a building of stone and was consecrated to Saint Mary.
A village of primitive huts grew around the church and graveyard, the original “Llan” – Llanfair. Because it was such a common name, that of the monk’s was added, giving us Llanfairtalhaiarn.
What’s in a name?
There are several versions of the name of our village, and according to scholars, Llanfairtalhaearn is likely to be historically most accurate. On the other hand, Llanfairtalhaiarn (or Llanfair Talhaiarn) is the version in common usage. Our website will make consistent use of Llanfairtalhaiarn, and avoid at all costs the dreaded “Llanfair t.h.”!
The Middle Ages
Over the centuries our village was no more than a sleepy agricultural community. Some of it, Bod Erain, was in the middle ages part of the estate of the (in?)famous Catrin o Ferain.
She was titled “Mam Cymru”, Mother of Wales because she married and re-married strategically, growing in wealth and extending her ownership of land with each new husband! She had four husbands in all before her death in 1591.
There are records of interlude performances by Twm o’r Nant and it was in our church in Llanfair, in 1763 that he was married to Elisabeth, his wife.
Twm's friend, scholar Evan Evans (Ieuan Brydydd Hir), fought to publish Welsh manuscripts (like the Mabinogi) but faced resistance. He also criticized the Church for appointing non-Welsh speakers to Welsh parishes.
Talhaiarn
In 1810, at “The Harp” tavern, a child was born who was to put our village “on the map”! John Jones, as he was first known, grew up surrounded by the joyous sounds of music and singing in his family-run pub. He learned not just reading and writing at school, but also a multitude of verses and harp tunes. After working alongside his carpenter father, John's passion for architecture blossomed. He apprenticed under renowned architects, even contributing to the magnificent Crystal Palace. "Talhaiarn," as he later became known, achieved great success. He oversaw grand projects and even designed mansions in France. Sadly, illness forced him back to his hometown, where his life ended tragically.
Village Flooding
Llanfairtalhaiarn, situated at the confluence of Afon Elwy and Afon Barrog, has long faced flooding issues. Afon Elwy's basin lies east of Afon Conwy, while Afon Barrog's smaller basin is south of the village on Moel Unben’s slopes. Originally, Afon Barrog flowed openly along Stryd Dwr and was later piped beneath the Square. Flooding first caused significant damage in 1964 when debris blocked the pipeline, and the problem persisted with major floods in 1976 and November 2012. Each time, the rivers overflowed, damaging homes and property. Efforts by Clwyd County Council and the River Board, including raising a river embankment and installing larger pipes and filter screens, have reduced but not eliminated the risk. Persistent community pressure has led to further measures, such as barriers to prevent debris from clogging the new filter, barrier gates for homes, one-way flood gates near the Black Lion, and a lockable unit for sandbags, with volunteer flood wardens monitoring the situation.
Photo Top Left: The Black Lion. November 2012 The floodwaters had fallen somewhat by the following morning.
Photo Top Right: Afon Elwy. The Llangernyw road below Dyffryn Elwy. 1980s
Photo Bottom Left: Afon Barrog flowing into the Square. The chips machine was located to the right of the shop.
Photo Bottom Right: Tom Jones, Garage, outside his house, Gernant. Hillman Minx and Hillman Super Minx
Llanfairtalhaiarn Coat of Arms
A small photo album from the mid-1800s, found among family trinkets, featured a picture of Llanfairtalhaiarn's crest. The crest depicted three boar's heads, likely referencing the Wynne family, and a stag, which is associated with Garthewin. This discovery, along with an online listing for a similar Llanfairtalhaiarn crest on china, sparked a search for more such items.
So, now we have a pair of crests! Are there any more out there?
The Memorial Hall
Llanfairtalhaiarn's Memorial Hall, built in 1924, honored both World War 1 fallen soldiers and the local poet/architect Talhaiarn. The new road, built by 1927, bypassed the village and sliced through Dol y Llan meadow. Here stood the recently built Memorial Hall.
Research has revealed details about the fallen soldiers, including the young officer Trefor Llewellyn Griffith and two others who died on the same day. A photo shows surviving WWI veterans at the hall's opening in 1924. The building itself served as a venue for events but required structural reinforcement in the 1930s. Today, the hall continues as a community centre.
Thanks to the research of the Clwyd Family History Society into our memorial tablet to those killed in both World Wars, we have the following information. Currently a century on from the start of this bloodiest of wars, it’s appropriate to consider the losses.
The only officer to be killed was a mere 22 years old, Trefor Llewellyn Griffith, who lived in Glasfryn – the large house in the 1927 picture. A young man with his whole life cut short.
What about W Henry Jones? We have no knowledge whatsoever of him or his sacrifice in the “War to end all wars“.
Note the date, April 22 1918. Two young men from Llanfair, Owen Thomas Jones, of Fron Ganol and John Thomas Williams, Cefn Groes Fawr, both lost their lives the same day, in the same place – and buried in the same graveyard.
“Their memory shall never fade.”
The New Road
Some of the surviving servicemen of World War 1, along with the Trustees on the occasion of the opening of the Memorial Hall in 1924.
The opening of the Memorial Hall
The Memorial Hall as it is now
Do you have anything to add?
If you have any historic images of Llanfairtalhaiarn, photos of flooding or any items relevant to our village’s history - please get in touch, we’d love to see them and add them to our village archives. Contact the Community Council Clerk on the email below -
