CARNARVON TRADERS

The Repository of all Things Historical for the Ancient Welsh Town of Carnarvon

  Castle Square, Carnarvon. Published by Williams & Hughes, Bridge Steet, 1850


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SLATER'S DIRECTORY
1856


CARNARVON, or as it was anciently written, Caer yn Arvon, is a borough, both corporate and parliamentary, and the county and assize town of Carnarvonshire, in the extensive parish of Llanbebleg, hundred of Is-Gorfair, 244 miles N. W. from London, 70 W. from Chester, 30 S. E. from Holyhead, 21 N. from Pwllheli, and 9 S. by W. from Bangor; beautifully situated on the banks of the Menai straits, about four miles from St. George's Channel. The ancient walls of the old town of Carnarvon run parallel with the banks of the sea on the Straits, and the fine old castle and the town are bounded on the south side by the river Seiont, the estuary of which forms a capacious and well sheltered harbour, capable of affording refuge in all weather. The sea flows at high tide for a distance of more than half a mile up this harbour, and prior to the erection of the Slate quay, and the closing of the castle moat on the town side, the castle was completely surrounded by water. The principal object of attraction to strangers, and which is justly considered the glory of Carnarvon, is its castle - a fortress, which it has been well observed, from whatever point or whatever distance it is viewed, assumes a romantic singularity of appearance, that excites in the beholder, mingled feelings of reverence and pleasure. It was erected by Edward I. after the completion of his conquest of North Wales, and was the birth place of the first English Prince of Wales, afterwards Edward II. The structure occupies the summit of an extensive rock, boldly projecting into the Menai. Its external fortifications are still nearly perfect, and display an example of decorated castellated architecture, which is perhaps unrivalled. Above the embattled parapets rise numerous turreted towers, of singular beauty - not uniform, but pentagonal, hexagonal and octagonal, in their shape: of these, the most interesting is the 'Eagle tower,' as (according to Pennant) 'within a little dark room of this tower, not twelve feet long nor eight in breadth, was born Edward II; so little in those days did a royal consort consult either pomp or convenience.' The walls of the castle are of great height, and generally about ten feet thick. In front of the principal entrance is a statue of Edward, who is represented with a sword in his hand half drawn from its scabbard. Owing to the extraordinary beauty of this castle, and the consequent interest taken in it by all parties, the government expended a sum of about £2,000., in repairing the ruined parts of this noble edifice. Of late years, Carnarvon, from the salubrity of its site, and the eminent beauty of the adjacent district, has not only ranked high as a watering place, but has become the residence of many respectable families; and a new town, as it were, has, in consequence, arisen beyond the ancient precincts, which more than trebles the size of the old town. The salubrity and beauty, however, of the situation, and the grandeur of the walls and castle, render it a place of fashionable and considerable resort. The climate is mild in winter, and therefore much recommended to invalids. On the outside of the town walls is a broad and pleasant terrace, parallel with the banks of the Menai, much frequented as a promenade in the bathing season; there are many respectable boarding and lodging houses for the reception of visitors. The ancient portion of the town, which is built in the form of a square, is chiefly surrounded by the massive and lofty remains of its ancient walls, flanked and strengthened by numerous semi-circular towers. In the principal street, High-street, is the old town hall and the custom house. The coasting trade of Carnarvon is extensive, the annual return of slates shipped being large. There is also a small foreign trade with the ports of the United Staes and Canada, and also with Lisbon and Cadiz, whence wines are brought direct - Carnarvon being a bonded port. The trustees have recently erected increased warehouse and cellerage for the bonding of wines, spirits, and goods, of an exciseable nature, and of late years considerable improvements have been effected in the quays and harbour by the trustees, who keep up an excellent light-house at the entrance of the bar, and three life-boat stations. The place of business of the trustees of the harbour consists of a commodious and handsome building, with committee room and offices. The increasing steam communication to and from Carnarvon, caused the trustees to erect a handsome and useful pile pier, at which steam vessels of any size can load and discharge at all times of tide. The quays, wharfs, and piers, are well lit with gas. Among the exports, slate may be considered the principal, which is shipped from this port in large quantities; the trade in iron, coal, copper, lime, and malt, is also of some consequence. Ship and boat building, and the repairing of vessels is carried on, and a patent slip, belonging to the trustees of the harbour, affords facility to these operations. The town is governed by a mayor, assisted by four borough magistrates, a town-clerk, and corporation. The borough enjoys several valuable privileges, and, in conjunction with Bangor, Conway, Crickieth, Nevin, and Pwllheli, returns one member to parliament; William Bulkeley Hughes, Esq. of Plas-coch, Anglesey, is the present representative. The Royal Welsh Yacht Club have lately erected a beautiful club house, and have displayed considerable antiquarian and architectural taste in adapting the ancient towers of the golden gate to this purpose. The club is a gentlemanly and well constituted society, including among its members the elite of this and the adjoining county of Anglesey. This club annually gives a grand regatta, which is generally held in the month of August. The regattas of this club have long been famed amongst yachtsmen, and the first club house has increased the interest in the proceedings, the platform on the roof of the building affording an entire view of the sailing and various races. The town has lately been improved by the erection of a handsome barrack for the County Militia. There are two newspapers, the 'Carnarvon and Denbigh Herald' and the 'Herald Cymreig,' published here weekly, on Saturday, conducted with considerable talent, and circulated throughout the whole of North Wales. In Church-street is a commodious building, containing news and billiard rooms, a museum and public baths, and there is also an excellent library.

The places of worship consists of two churches (one English, the other Welsh), and chapels for Baptists, Independents, Calvinists and Wesleyan Methodists. The English church (Saint Mary's), is a chapel of ease to the parish church of Llanbeblig, and was formerly the garrison chapel in King Edward's time, it contains a beautiful organ. Owing to the praiseworthy and active exertions of the respected vicar, the Rev. Thomas Thomas, several schools have been established in connexion with the church. The building for the national school, erected by subscription in 1844, is a remarkably fine one. The same rev. gentleman has also founded a training school, for educating and qualifying persons to become masters for national schools; and aided by some other of the zealous inhabitants, he has, within the last few years, procured the erection of an infants' school, and a ragged school: in the establishment of the latter, the name of Miss Girdlestone, will be gratefully remembered.

The market is held on Saturday, and the fairs March 4th, May 15th, June 26th, August 11th, September 23rd, November 9th, and the first Friday in December, for cattle and hiring servants - with few, if no exceptions, these fairs are numerously attended. The parish of Llanbebleg contained, in 1841, 9,192 inhabitants, of this number 7,972 were returned for the borough; in 1851, the population of the parish was 9,983, of which 8,674 were comprised in the borough.

POST OFFICE, Palace-street, Jas. Foster, Post Master - Letters from LONDON and all parts of ENGLAND, also IRELAND and SCOTLAND, arrive every morning at twenty minutes past four, and are despatched thereto every evening at a quarter-past seven. - Letters from PWLLHELI arrive every evening at half-past eight, and are despatched thereto every morning at twenty minutes past four. - Letters from BEDDGELERT, TRE-MADOC, PORT-MADOC, TAN Y BWLCH, HARLECH and BARMOUTH, arrive every evening at a quarter-past seven, and are despatched thereto every morning at six. Money Orders are granted and paid here.


Taken from Slater's Directory of 1856.

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