Bwlch Derwin

First View of Capel Uchaf

I first came to Capel Uchaf after my family returned from Australia. My grandmother was Mary Griffith who was living in Capel Uchaf, also there were my uncles Dick and Elved as well as aunts Rachel, Marion and Sarah Wynn.  My grandfather Grifith Griffith had died earlier. This was my mother's family and she was Annie Griffith. I remember arriving at some strange hour and my grandmother greeting us. What a strange thing she was - I couldn't understand her at all. I was stunned by the place and loved it. My vivid memory is of the baker's van arriving with the fresh bread - what a smell and taste. I soon met the hill down to Clynnog as I was to attend school there.  I loved it even though I was in a strange place and that  hill was the best fitness circuit ever. I can remember the little shop at Capel Uchaf and buying sweets from there. We eventually left and returned about two years later to live... Read more

Good Times

My memories of Clynnog years ago were good ones, Halloween was our favourite time, we used to just pull gates off hinges, and leave them. The atmosphere of Clynnog then was very happy and innocent, no one to hurt anyone, all neighbours happy to help each other. We climbed mountains, and were gone for hours with no worries of danger,went swimming all day in the summers, with just a bottle of red Corona.

Lon Y Gert

I have a letter dated 1935 signed your brother William Hugh Jones to my grandfather James Oscough Jones who lived in Garn  unable to find my grandfathers birth record not sure if he was adopted still checking he did live at Lon Gert found family possibly his as it states on my grandfathers marriage father as Hugh Jones:-
Hugh b abt 1851-1911 and Anne b 1862-1918. The children were
William Hugh b abt 1884, Maggie Olwen b abt 1888-1918, Alice Mary b abt 1891, Elizabeth Ann b abt 1896, Hugh Thomas b abt 1898,
Annie Elizabeth b abt 1893-1894 and Ann M b abt 1904.

I have a picture of William Hugh Jones aswell.

Visiting Pontllyfni

Pont-Y-Cim c1940
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I spent two wonderful summers in Pontllyfni in 1974 and 1976. I was a college student from the U.S., visiting Wales with a friend who had a cousin living there. The family owned a small inn just up the road from the beach. Visitors from out of country were somewhat rare in Pontllyfni at that time and we enjoyed the attentions of a number of cute young men. I remember the bridge and the "yucky, grotty pub" down the road. I wonder if anyone knows the whereabouts of Robert Wynn Jones? He'd be about 50 by now. I've lost track of him. He came to visit us in the U.S. in 1977 and we corresponded for some time after that. Well, thanks for the opportunity to wander down memory lane!

I was fortunate enough to have spent a holiday at "Brynawelon", Criccieth in the mid 50's.  I stayed with my Aunt and Uncle who rented a cottage in the grounds.  My Aunt introduced me to Sosia {Soshia} who was the Polish housekeeper's daughter - we were inseparable.  We would slide down the highly polished wooden bannister in the main hallway, onto a lion skin, {I was horrified!}  We hopped and skipped and jumped the days away and all too soon it was time to say goodbye.  I remember our traumatic parting as if it was yesterday, my Aunt turned to my Mother and said "parting is such sweet sorrow". I often think of the delightful girl with the smile that would melt your heart, and wonder where she is and if she remembers me.   

Message to Lorna Enslin

Lorna, I saw your message and realised that you must have stayed in my Nain's cottage at Bryn Awelon. I was ther yesterday speaking to my Aunt who is trying to work out who you are. I remember Sosia too - she has recently returned to live in Criccieth as she has lost her husband. This is what my Aunt has heard I havn't made any more enquries yet. She believes she is living in her mothers house near Cadwaladers icecream parlour. My Nain was Mrs. Ellis and my Aunt is Catherine or Catrin or Cady she is known by all three titles.

Zosia

Just a short note to say that I also remember Zosia Starzecka... I worked with her in the bank in Pwllheli in the early 1970s and have not seen her since then. Maybe I'll call to see her in Criccieth soon?