self centred softy

Model Farm

The aptly named Heather, from the Countryside Council for Wales, came to Cefnmeurig today as a follow up to my application under the Tir Gofal environmental scheme.

It's looking hopeful; Cefnmeurig is the ideal farm for the scheme because it has never been intensively farmed and has numerous uncultivated patches and quite a bit of water. To qualify for the scheme a farm has to achieve 100 points which are awarded for various environmental features. She was going back to the office to count the points.

If Heather ever gets tired of getting her feet wet in boggy farmland she could easily swap her wellies for Jimmy Choos and start striding the catwalk. At about 6 foot tall she was elegantly stepping over the farm gates while I was inelegantly clamouring over them.

Heather is no shrinking Violet either, she bravely defended me against a suckler cow in a bad mood.

Roy's Caff

The Roy Noble Programme on BBC Radio Wales was broadcast from the Cafe of the St Clears Arts Centre this morning and I was invited to talk about Cefnmeurig for 6 minutes.

There was a very jolly atmosphere as people were encouraged to come in, sit down, have a cup of coffee and listen to the broadcast.

It seems that Roy Noble has a small posse of groupies, about three or four middle aged men who follow him around the country and sit in on his broadcasts.

The resident astrologer, John Dee, said of Aries people today:
" ARIES people will be reassured that your professional dreams have got some chance of fulfilment. You've got a long way to go yet, but you are on the right road. Trust your instincts."

A personal horoscope surely.

Do you recognise these women?

I have recently discovered a family photo album with about 50 photos most dating from the 19th century. This is quite a find but unfortunately, none of the photos are identified. One or two are definitely not family... I don't think I can claim Lord Randolph Churchill as an ancestor and another is of Daniel Gwenffrwd Evans, the first minister of Trinity Chapel, Llanboidy.

However, I believe I may have identified three or four people in the album.

This photo could be my great great grandmother Anne Phillips (1812-1899) nee Lewis (born Ffosdufach Farm, Llanboidy). I think that the photo was taken outside Pencnwc Farm, Llanboidy. The poor woman looks terrified and appears to have lost her teeth. Two of her brothers became very wealthy as the result of a legacy from a cousin, William Philipps. Alas, Anne, being a mere woman, was only bequeathed a small annuity - enough to keep her in bonnets and shawls but not much else.

The photograph was taken by a Liverpool photographer, John Thomas who was originally from Cellan, Cardiganshire and is one of the best known Welsh Victorian photographers. He travelled all around Wales from the 1860s to 1890s taking photographs.

This photo could be of my great grandmother Amy Phillips nee Williams (born Lan Farm, Llangan, Llanboidy) (1832-1899). She married my great grandfather James Phillips of Pencnwc, Llanboidy and the family moved to Cefnmeurig in 1882. My mother looks very much like the lady in the photo.

Ruminating about the roof

I will have to decide tomorrow whether or not to replace the roof, after speaking to Colin the surveyor.

Pete Hedley said on Friday that he thought it should be replaced. He has had a good look at its condition having been up there a while dismantling the chimneys.

Tickled pink by the Scaffold

"We'll drink a drink a drink
To Lily the Pink the Pink the Pink
The saviour of the human race
For she invented medicinal compound
Most efficacious in every case."

Scaffolding up; render off. The outside looks very different now with the stonework exposed (click on thumbnail to see larger image). The next job is to dismantle the chimneys. We are only going to put two chimneys back up, at either end of the house and block up the one in the middle.

Keith and I did a bit of rough measuring out of the bathrooms. We have decided to put in two ensuite bathrooms and an en-suite shower room upstairs as opposed to two en-suite shower rooms and one en-suite bathroom. There appears to be plenty of space to accommodate an extra bath.

The three Hedley brothers have disappeared to be replaced by... the fourth Hedley brother, Pete and a Hedley, son in law. They both live in Letterston as well. The village should be renamed Hedleyston. Letterston is well known for having a renowned Fish and Chip shop but none of the Hedley family like the chips there and will drive to Fishguard to get their fish supper. David Gray, the builder (who also lives in Letterston) doesn't like the chips there either.

Rick Stein said of the chip shop “everything about it was satisfying; the staff, the manager, but above all the fish and chips”.

The replacement Hedley boys are just as hard working as the originals and most efficacious in every case.