Gwespyr

Last updated

Gwespyr
Gwespyr Village sign.jpg
Gwespyr Village sign
Flintshire UK location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Gwespyr
Location within Flintshire
OS grid reference SJ1083
Principal area
Country Wales
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Post town HOLYWELL
Postcode district CH8
Dialling code 01745
Police North Wales
Fire North Wales
Ambulance Welsh
UK Parliament
Senedd Cymru – Welsh Parliament
List of places
UK
Wales
Flintshire
53°20′08″N3°20′12″W / 53.335571°N 3.336687°W / 53.335571; -3.336687

Gwespyr is a village in Flintshire on the north coast of Wales in the community of Llanasa. Gwespyr had a population of 289 people in the United Kingdom 2001 census. [1] It overlooks Point of Ayr on the west side of the River Dee estuary and its sandy beaches with dunes. The hills of the Clwydian Range behind the village form the eastern boundary of the Vale of Clwyd. Gwespyr also looks respectively Welsh but is an alien name. It represents Old English for 'West-bury' which came to be interpreted as the 'west fort' meaning the westernmost fort in Mercia. Originally, it is thought to have been a strategic Mercian lookout which was reduced in importance with the development of a fortified Rhuddlan. [2]

Contents

Gwespyr stone has been quarried in quantity from Roman times and shipped to the rest of the UK and abroad. "Gwespyr Stone" was commercially successful for its grain, colour, and quality of cutting and shaping. It was used for many buildings around Gwespyr, and was also used to build the ancient Maen Achwyfan Cross at Whitford, the chapel at St Winefride's Well in Holywell, stone carvings in Rhuddlan Castle and Denbigh Castle, St Asaph Cathedral, The Talacre Arms Public house in Gwespyr and Basingwerk Abbey in Greenfield, Flintshire.[ citation needed ] Gwespyr stone was also found on sites such as Prestatyn Castle and the Roman bath house in Prestatyn. [3] There is evidence of the stone industry in Gwespyr prevalent even today, though all but one quarry is disused. The quarry in use today is home to Delyn Metal. [4]

Tourism

Gwespyr is home to two caravan parks. Tree Tops Caravan Park on New Road. [5] won its category in Wales in Bloom since 1992. [6] "Sea View Caravan Park" is located on Gwespyr Hill and up until the late 1990s was owned by the Reynolds family. Since its take over by Talacre Beach Leisure it has undergone regeneration. The site is a "sister park" to Talacre Beach Caravan park located in nearby Talacre and they share leisure and entertainment facilities. [7]

Religion

Capel Gwespyr Capel Gwespyr.jpg
Capel Gwespyr

Gwespyr has been home to at least three Chapels during its history. Only two remain standing today, but they are now private houses. [8] Gwespyr's chapels are listed as Calvinistic Methodist and Wesleyan. [9] "Gwespyr Chapel", located in on Tanrallt Road, was Calvinistic Methodist and built in 1860. [10] It had a congregation averaging 136 people between 1911 - 1960. "Wesley's Memorial Chapel" is also located on Tanrallt Road and was Wesleyan by denomination. The chapel was built in 1841 and was attended by an average of 140 worshipers between 1911 - 1960; services at the chapel where conducted in the Welsh language. [9] Another chapel belonging to the Church in Wales was built during the 1960s in a stunning location perched on the top of Gwespyr Hill opposite the Reservoir. The structure was built out of tin and was nicknamed "The Tin Chapel" by the locals. The church was opened after the closure of its counterparts on Tanrallt Road but closed in the late 1970s and the congregation was moved to nearby Llanasa Parish Church. [9] Church services were also held every other Sunday at Gwespyr Village Hall by the Minister from Llanasa to aid the elderly community who could not make the journey to nearby Llanasa. These services ceased due to falling numbers and changes at the Village Hall in 2001. [11]

Gwespyr Village Hall

Gwespyr Village Hall in 2019 Gwespyr Village Hall during 2019.jpg
Gwespyr Village Hall in 2019

Gwespyr Village Hall was built in 1952. It was used initially by the local people as a meeting place and a variety of clubs where subsequently formed and based at the Hall, including a Bowls Club, Indoor Shooting range club, Bingo, a Youth club and a Snooker club. The Village Hall could be rented by local residents for parties and events. In the 1980s, two extensions were built, funded by Local government grants. A sub Post office was introduced at that time. The Village Hall was also home to Gwespyr Sounds Productions between 1998 - 2004 for its bands and music acts to rehearse. [12] The Village Hall became redundant in 2004. A new committee was formed in June 2010 and registered as a Charitable organization and work began to regenerate the building. New events and openings began in May 2011. [13] The Village Hall once again became redundant during the COVID-19 pandemic. A new committee was formed and the hall is undergoing a period of surveys and renovations in the hopes of once again opening its doors. [14]

War memorial

Gwespyr War Memorial Gwespyr new 200.jpg
Gwespyr War Memorial

Gwespyr War Memorial sits in a small memorial garden near the top of Gwespyr Hill and was designed by R.Bruce Esq of Talacre. It commemorates all of those men who fought in World War I, together with the one soldier who died in action. One soldier killed in World War II is commemorated. The memorial was originally erected by Sir Pyres William Mostyn Baronet to commemorate Queen Victoria's diamond jubilee 14 August 1897.

Gwespyr War Memorial Gwespyr War Memorial.jpg
Gwespyr War Memorial

Legend

Gwespyr Hillside From Talacre Gwespyr J.jpg
Gwespyr Hillside From Talacre

Frank Nicholson of Gwespyr was a Welsh baritone, a National Eisteddfod winner, and a wireless singer, who was attacked and killed by a stallion while walking home on a footpath leading from Talacre Abbey (known by the locals as "the park") to Gwespyr on Monday 8 October 1928. Three weeks later a woman was seriously injured by the stallion at the same place. [15]

Amenities

Public houses

The Masons Arms Masons Arms Gwespyr.jpg
The Masons Arms

The village is home to two public houses. "The Masons Arms" is located near the top of Gwespyr Hill. The pub was owned by Allied Breweries and served Ansells beer until the mid-1990s when the pub was bought by private owners. The pub is still open today. [16]

"The Talacre Arms" was situated midway up Gwespyr Hill. The pub was popular during the 1960s when it was owned by Marston's Brewery until the mid-1990s when it was bought by private owners; it closed in May 2011 and is now a residential building.

Playground

There is a play area across from the Masons Arms public house that is maintained by Flintshire County Council. The play area has a top and bottom part. The top is home to typical play equipment white the bottom area is one of many empty quarries - this is now home to a basketball court. [16]

Shops

Lobitos Garage in 2020 Lobitos Garage 2020.jpg
Lobitos Garage in 2020

The Village shop was located on Tanrallt Road but closed in the early 1990s and became a private residence. The village shop prior to it closing was very traditional selling groceries. It also served as the Village Post Office until its closure. At the bottom of Gwespyr Hill on the A548 coast road is the local garage and shop 'Lobitos', which started life in the 1950s as a general car repair garage, fuel station and cafe serving the locality and holiday traffic along the North Wales coast. [17]

Transport

Bus services are provided by Arriva Buses Wales. There are two bus stops serving the village, one on Tanrallt Road across from the former shop and the other on the A548 coast road next to the old Cam Gas Store.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Denbighshire</span> County in Wales

Denbighshire is a county in the north-east of Wales. It borders the Irish Sea to the north, Flintshire to the east, Wrexham to the southeast, Powys to the south, and Gwynedd and Conwy to the west. Rhyl is the largest town, and Ruthin is the administrative centre. Its borders differ from the historic county of the same name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flintshire</span> County in Wales

Flintshire is a county in the north-east of Wales. It has a maritime border with Merseyside along the Dee Estuary to the north, and land borders with Cheshire to the east, Wrexham County Borough to the south, and Denbighshire to the west. Connah's Quay is the largest town, while Flintshire County Council is based in Mold.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flintshire (historic)</span> Historic county of Wales

Until 1974, Flintshire, also known as the County of Flint, was an administrative county in the north-east of Wales, later classed as one of the thirteen historic counties of Wales.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clwyd</span> Preserved county of Wales

Clwyd is a preserved county of Wales, situated in the north-east corner of the country; it is named after the River Clwyd, which runs through the area. To the north lies the Irish Sea, with the English ceremonial counties of Cheshire to the east and Shropshire to the south-east. Powys and Gwynedd lie to the south and west respectively. Clwyd also shares a maritime boundary with Merseyside along the River Dee. Between 1974 and 1996, a slightly different area had a county council, with local government functions shared with six district councils. In 1996, Clwyd was abolished, and the new principal areas of Conwy County Borough, Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham County Borough were created; under this reorganisation, "Clwyd" became a preserved county, with the name being retained for certain ceremonial functions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flintshire County Council</span> Local government of Flintshire, Wales

Flintshire County Council is the unitary local authority for the county of Flintshire, one of the principal areas of Wales. It is based at County Hall in Mold.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">District of Delyn</span> Former district of Clwyd, Wales

Delyn was a local government district with borough status from 1974 to 1996, being one of six districts in the county of Clwyd, north-east Wales.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Talacre</span> Village in Flintshire, Wales

Talacre is a village in Flintshire on the north coast of Wales in the community of Llanasa and the electoral ward of Ffynnongroyw, and is the northernmost mainland settlement in Wales. The village itself has a population of 347 as of the 2011 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bagillt</span> Human settlement in Wales

Bagillt is a large village and community in Flintshire, Wales. The village overlooks the Dee Estuary and is between the towns of Holywell and Flint. At the 2001 Census the population was recorded as 3,918, increasing to 4,165 at the 2011 census. The community also includes the settlements of Coleshill, Walwen and Whelston.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">District of Rhuddlan</span> Former district of Clwyd, Wales

The Borough of Rhuddlan was a local government district with borough status from 1974 to 1996, being one of six districts in the county of Clwyd, north-east Wales.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trefin</span> Human settlement in Wales

Trefin, formerly anglicised as Trevine, is a village in North Pembrokeshire, south-west Wales. The village lies within the parish and community of Llanrhian, which has a significant Welsh-speaking population.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gwernymynydd</span> Village in Flintshire, Wales

Gwernymynydd is a village outside the market town of Mold in Flintshire, Wales. It forms part of the Gwernymynydd and Cadole community. At its highest point it is 1000 feet above sea level. It has two pubs and a once-busy garage, now a coach depot, home to Eagles & Crawford. Gwernymynydd is also home to a farm, a community centre, and a village primary school. Neighbouring communities include Gwernaffield, Llanferres, Nercwys, and Mold. The population at the 2011 census was 1,141.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brynford</span> Village and community in Flintshire, Wales

Brynford is a village and community in Flintshire, Wales. It is located to the south west of the town of Holywell and near the A55 road. Brynford had a population of 1,059 at the 2011 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greenfield, Flintshire</span> Village in Flintshire, Wales

Greenfield is a village in the community of Holywell, Flintshire, north-east Wales, on the edge of the River Dee estuary. At the time of the 2001 census it had a population of 2,741, which remained unchanged in the 2011 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dyserth</span> Village in Denbighshire, Wales

Dyserth is a village, community and electoral ward in Denbighshire, Wales. Its population at the 2011 United Kingdom census was 2,269 and was estimated by the Office for National Statistics as 2,271 in 2019. It lies within the historic county boundaries of Flintshire. Features include quarrying remains, waterfalls and the mountain Moel Hiraddug. Its railway line, once part of the London and North Western Railway, finally closed in 1973 and is now a footpath.

This is a list of High Sheriffs of Flintshire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holywell Green</span> Village in West Yorkshire, England

Holywell Green is a village in the civil parish of Stainland and District, in the Calderdale, district, in the county of West Yorkshire, England. The village is situated approximately 1.4 miles (2 km) south-west of Elland, 3.3 miles (5 km) south of Halifax and 3.9 miles (6 km) north-west of Huddersfield. Holywell Green is part of the Greetland and Stainland Ward of Calderdale Council.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Llanasa</span> Village and community in Flintshire, Wales

Llanasa is a village and community in the county of Flintshire, north-east Wales. Llanasa is described as one of the ancient parishes of Flintshire. It originally comprised the townships of Gronant, Gwespyr, Kelston, Golden Grove, Picton, Trewaelod, Axtyn and Trelogan. The modern community also includes Ffynnongroyw and Glan yr afon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ffynnongroew</span> Village in Flintshire, Wales

Ffynnongroyw is a village in Flintshire, north Wales. It is situated on the A548 road, near the Dee Estuary coast, near Prestatyn.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dyserth railway station</span> Railway station in Wales (1905–1964)

Dyserth railway station served the village of Dyserth, Flintshire, Wales. It was the southern terminus of the 2 miles 70 chains (4.6 km) Dyserth branch, most of which is now a public footpath. At its peak Dyserth had passengers in the thousands. In 1930 the line and station closed for passengers in the face of road competition. At one point fourteen trains a day had shuttled along the line. Although the station has long been demolished, a crane from the station has been installed at the end of the walk as a feature of historical interest, as have two pieces of track at Chapel Street.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Registered historic parks and gardens in Flintshire</span> List of landscapes in county of Wales

Flintshire is a county in the north-east of Wales. It covers an area of 437.5 km2 (168.9 sq mi) and in 2021 the population was approximately 155,100.

References

  1. "Check Browser Settings". neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 25 September 2012. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
  2. "BBC - North East Wales Towns - Place names explained".
  3. Thomas, Harry (6 March 2003). Harry Thomas' Memory Lane Vol I. Gwasg Helygain Ltd. ISBN   9780952275565 via Google Books.
  4. "Map - Directions | Delyn Metals Ltd | Scrap Metal Merchants, Holywell » Yell.com".
  5. "Caravan Park North Wales - Caravans For Sale North Wales". Tree Tops Caravan Park.
  6. "Wales in Bloom Winner 2021". 10 September 2021.
  7. "Holiday Park In North Wales | Seaview Holiday Home Park | Darwin Escapes". Seaview Holiday Home Park.
  8. "The Churches of Britain and Ireland - Flintshire". www.churches-uk-ireland.org.
  9. 1 2 3 "Genuki: Llanasa, Flintshire". www.genuki.org.uk.
  10. "Photo of Capel Gwespyr plaque". The Churches of Britain and Ireland.
  11. "LlanasaParishChurch'Regular services". Archived from the original on 16 March 2012. Retrieved 21 August 2011.
  12. "North Wales: G – link2wales.co.uk".
  13. "The Leader - News from Wrexham & Flintshire - Fears grow for Flintshire village left without support".
  14. "Gwespyr Village Hall". www.facebook.com.
  15. Eddies News Extracts – 19281000
  16. 1 2 "Welcome to Gwespyr Village". 9 February 2001. Archived from the original on 9 February 2001.
  17. "Lobitos - Company". Archived from the original on 31 March 2012. Retrieved 21 August 2011.