Meifod, Powys

Vyrnwy House, Meifod

This photo was taken from a spot very close to Vyrnwy House where my great Aunt Winifred Morris used to live. Broniarth Hill is behind the photographer. I used to visit her quite often in the 50's, usually on a Sunday when my father and I used to catch a fishermans coach from Liverpool to the village. In those days she had no electricity and water was obtained from a pump in the yard. The garden had a beautiful view over the valley exactly like this one. In the distance is Duffryn Hill which I climbed many times. At the base of this hill was the hall where Clement Davies the then head of the Liberal Party and MP for Merioneth lived.

Meifod in the 50s

This photo brings back many happy memories of Meifod in the 1950's when I used to go on holidays there with my family. The white building in the centre was the bank and the photo was taken outside the Lion Inn where my grandfather used to go for his pint. Next to the bank is Liverpool House where we used to stay with Mrs Edwards and on the opposite side of the road, on the corner, was the Post Office. The only electricity in the village in those days was the street lighting which was provided by a diesel generator. Water was obtained from the stand-pipes located in the street which are still there but unused these days. My Great Aunt, Winifred Morris, used to live in Vyrnwy House up on the hill on the opposite side of the River below Broniarth Hill. She is now buried in the churchyard.

explain the scene

the hill in the background is Dyffrynn Hill, a Celtic hill fort.One of many in the Valley.
Next to the church was a shop ran by a man with polio.
The church had a house attached and my Uncle lived there at one stage.
The car wasowned by Maurice Bebb. The village had layers of occupants.Rich people lived in Halls and had holidays there.

MAES-Y-LLAN WHERE I FIRST LIVED

These houses are in Maes-y-llan.My father Den and mother Hilda Wildblood with my sister Anne were the first to live in Number 6 when the houses were built in 1948 I believe.I was born in 1954 and it was my first home and initial imprinting.The houses were built on piece of land between Dyfrynn Hill (a wooded Celtic hill fort) and Church Field.My extended family lived in the village for 110 years and so just qualified as locals when the entire family all decided to leave. I would have stayed but I was only 5.

Mid-Wales - Ceredigion and Powys Photographic Memories

Meifod lies on the main A495 road, which eventually ends over the border in Oswestry. There was not much traffic when this picture was taken; perhaps it was a Sunday, as the two ladies find the premises of M Williams closed (left) and the other couple farthest away are not in working clothes.

Mid-Wales - Ceredigion and Powys Photographic Memories

There is everything you could want in one terrace of highly disparate buildings here in the centre of the village, from the whitewashed Midland Bank at the far end to some ‘Players Please’ at Rowland's store. The convertible car is a pleasing design, but inappropriate for the wet climate.

Mid-Wales - Ceredigion and Powys Photographic Memories

A lone walker makes his way along this pleasant, rustic street. The large house on the left bears the sign Morgan, but from this angle has no other indication that it is the usual general store.