Gwespyr
Encyclopedia
Gwespyr is a village in Flintshire
on the North
Wales
coast. Gwespyr had a population of 289 people in the 2001 census. 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 Cymraeg but is an alien name. It represents Old English for 'West-bury' which came to be interpreted as the 'west fort' meaning the western most 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.
Gwespyr is famed worldwide for its top quality stone quarried in quantity from Roman times and shipped all around the world. "Gwespyr Stone" as it became known had a fine grain and colour also a remarkable quality of cutting and shaping. It was used for many buildings around Gwespyr. It was also used to build the ancient Maen Achwyfan 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
. Gwespyr stone was also found on sites such as Prestatyn Castle
and the Roman bathhouse located in Prestatyn. There is plenty of 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.
"Sea View Caravan Park" is located on Gwespyr Hill and up until the late 90's was owned by the Reynolds family. Since its take over by Talacre Beach Leisure it has undergone extensive regeneration. The site is a "sister park" to Talacre Beach Caravan park located in nearby Talacre
and they share leisure and entertainment facilities. The park boasts a panoramic vista of blue skies, open rolling hills and sunny golden beaches every morning. The view is so breathtaking that it’s like waking up to a watercolour masterpiece.
. Another chapel belonging to the Church in Wales
was built during the 1960's 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 1970's and the congregation was moved to nearby Llanasa
Parish Church. Church services where 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 however seized due to falling numbers and changes at the Village Hall in 2001.
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 1980's the Village Hall had two extensions built funded by Local government
grants. A sub Post office
was introduced at that time. The Village Hall was home to Gwespyr Sounds Productions who took on the suite on the left side of the building full time. Gwespyr Sounds Productions used the building for its bands and music acts to rehearse and as its office. Local bands Utopia, Scramble Joe, The Lampshades and Outback used the facilities from 1998 - 2004. The Village Hall sadly became redundant in 2004 due to a lack of new ideas and a breakdown of communication between the dwindling committee and the public. A new committee was formed 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.
. It was erected by Sir Pyres William Mostyn Baronet to commemorate her majesty Queen Victoria's diamond jubilee August 14 1897. It states all the names of those fallen from Gwespyr.
and served Ansells beer until the mid 1990's when the pub was bought by private owners. The pub is still open today and has fantastic views from its Beer garden
.
" which is a small village restaurant
with a good reputation. It has an American Indian
theme throughout that is based on the Indigenous peoples of the Americas
.
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
.
and was seen as a major blow for the village some time after its closure.
At the bottom of Gwespyr Hill on the A548 coast road is the local Garage 'Lobitos' which serves Esso petrol, fits tyres and exhausts and has a small shop selling groceries, ice cream, sweets and newspapers.
Lobitos Garage started life in the 1950's as a general car repair garage, fuel station and cafe serving the locality and holiday traffic along the North Wales coast.
During the 1980's a new building was constructed to provide six new tyre and exhaust bays and house one of the largest tyre stocks in North Wales.
, Rhuddlan United and Rhyl Swifts. Gwespyr Rangers most bitter rivals where Prestatyn Town F.C. In 1911 Gwespyr Rangers FC thrashed Prestatyn Town F.C.
3-1 in a friendly fixture at Gwespyr's Quarry Ground. During a league game at Prestatyn's Bastion Gradens in 1912 the game was abandoned at half time with the visitors leading 3-1. This sparked off a controversy that was beyond the realms of farce and surpassed anything today's blazers could conjure up. The Gwespyr secretary, George Wright, alleged that Prestatyn refused to come out for the second half claiming that failing light was making conditions dangerous. The Flintshire side wanted to play on and the matter was eventually referred to the league's management committee who decreed that the unplayed 45 minutes of the game be replayed to a conclusion, again at Prestatyn. Gwespyr's secretary was still bombarding the paper with letters trying to make Prestatyn out as the guilty party for not coming out for the second half of the ill-fated game. Gwespyr's Mr Wright was in such fury that he immediately resigned his club from the league and sparked off a heated exchange of letters in the Weekly papers. Gwespyr Rangers F.C disbanded in 1913.
Flintshire
Flintshire is a county in north-east Wales. It borders Denbighshire, Wrexham and the English county of Cheshire. It is named after the historic county of Flintshire, which had notably different borders...
on the North
North Wales
North Wales is the northernmost unofficial region of Wales. It is bordered to the south by the counties of Ceredigion and Powys in Mid Wales and to the east by the counties of Shropshire in the West Midlands and Cheshire in North West England...
Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
coast. Gwespyr had a population of 289 people in the 2001 census. It overlooks Point of Ayr
Point of Ayr
Point of Ayr is the northernmost point of mainland Wales. It is situated immediately to the north of Talacre in Flintshire, at the mouth of the Dee estuary. It is to the southwest of the Liverpool Bay area of the Irish Sea...
on the west side of the River Dee
River Dee, Wales
The River Dee is a long river in the United Kingdom. It travels through Wales and England and also forms part of the border between the two countries....
estuary and its sandy beaches with dunes. The hills of the Clwydian Range
Clwydian Range
The Clwydian Range is a series of hills and mountains in north east Wales that runs from Llandegla in the south to Prestatyn in the north, with the highest point being the popular Moel Famau...
behind the village form the eastern boundary of the Vale of Clwyd
Vale of Clwyd
The Vale of Clwyd is a tract of low-lying ground in the county of Denbighshire in northeast Wales. The Vale extends south-southwestwards from the coast of the Irish Sea for some 20 miles forming a triangle of low ground bounded on its eastern side by the well-defined scarp of the Clwydian Range...
. Gwespyr also looks respectively Cymraeg but is an alien name. It represents Old English for 'West-bury' which came to be interpreted as the 'west fort' meaning the western most 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.
Gwespyr is famed worldwide for its top quality stone quarried in quantity from Roman times and shipped all around the world. "Gwespyr Stone" as it became known had a fine grain and colour also a remarkable quality of cutting and shaping. It was used for many buildings around Gwespyr. It was also used to build the ancient Maen Achwyfan at Whitford, the chapel at St Winefride's Well
St Winefride's Well
St Winefride's Well is a holy well located in Holywell, in Flintshire in North Wales. It is the oldest continually visited pilgrimage site in Great Britain....
in Holywell
Holywell
Holywell is the fifth largest town in Flintshire, North Wales, lying to the west of the estuary of the River Dee.-History:The market town of Holywell takes its name from the St Winefride's Well, a holy well surrounded by a chapel...
, stone carvings in Rhuddlan Castle
Rhuddlan Castle
Rhuddlan Castle is a castle located in Rhuddlan, Denbighshire, Wales. It was erected by Edward I in 1277 following the First Welsh War.-Construction:Rhuddlan was planned as a concentric castle...
and Denbigh Castle
Denbigh Castle
Denbigh Castle was a fortress built following the 13th-century conquest of Wales by Edward I.The castle, which stands on a rocky promontory above the Welsh market town of Denbigh, Denbighshire, was built upon an earlier Welsh stronghold. It was defended by a unique triple-towered gateway.A planned...
, St Asaph Cathedral
St Asaph Cathedral
St Asaph Cathedral is the Anglican cathedral in St Asaph, Denbighshire, north Wales. It is sometimes claimed to be the smallest Anglican cathedral in Britain.- History :...
, The Talacre Arms Public house
Public house
A public house, informally known as a pub, is a drinking establishment fundamental to the culture of Britain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. There are approximately 53,500 public houses in the United Kingdom. This number has been declining every year, so that nearly half of the smaller...
in Gwespyr and Basingwerk Abbey
Basingwerk Abbey
Basingwerk Abbey is the ruin of an abbey near Holywell, Flintshire, Wales, in the care of Cadw .The abbey was founded in 1132 by Ranulph de Gernon, 2nd Earl of Chester, who brought Benedictine monks from Savigny Abbey in southern Normandy. In 1147, the abbey became part of the Cistercian Order and...
in Greenfield, Flintshire
Greenfield, Flintshire
Greenfield is a village on the outskirts of Holywell, Flintshire, north-east Wales, located on the edge of the River Dee estuary. At the 2001 Census, it had a population of 2,741.-History:...
. Gwespyr stone was also found on sites such as Prestatyn Castle
Prestatyn Castle
An earth mound, visible in fields to the south of the Prestatyn railway station, near Nant Hall, marks the site of an early wooden motte and bailey castle. Prestatyn Castle occupies a low-lying position, but still commands a view across much of the flat coastal plain and guarded the coast road...
and the Roman bathhouse located in Prestatyn. There is plenty of 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.
Tourism
Gwespyr is home to two very well maintained and discrete caravan parks. "Tree Tops Caravan Park" is located on New Road and is best known for its Gardens, Five Star standards, beautiful surroundings and stunning sea views. Tree Tops is a family ran business who are very proud of its stunning gardens, the park has won its category in Wales in Bloom for the past 19 years."Sea View Caravan Park" is located on Gwespyr Hill and up until the late 90's was owned by the Reynolds family. Since its take over by Talacre Beach Leisure it has undergone extensive regeneration. The site is a "sister park" to Talacre Beach Caravan park located in nearby Talacre
Talacre
Talacre is a village in Flintshire on the North Wales coast with large holiday caravan parks adjacent. It is near Point of Ayr on the west side of the River Dee estuary and has a sandy beach with dunes. The hills of the Clwydian Range behind the village form the eastern boundary of the Vale of Clwyd...
and they share leisure and entertainment facilities. The park boasts a panoramic vista of blue skies, open rolling hills and sunny golden beaches every morning. The view is so breathtaking that it’s like waking up to a watercolour masterpiece.
Religion
Gwespyr has been home to at least three Chapels during its history. Only two remain standing today but they are private residence. Gwespyr's chapels are listed as Calvinistic Methodist and Wesleyan. "Gwespyr Chapel", located in on Tanrallt Road, was Calvinistic Methodist and built in 1860. 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 languageWelsh language
Welsh is a member of the Brythonic branch of the Celtic languages spoken natively in Wales, by some along the Welsh border in England, and in Y Wladfa...
. Another chapel belonging to the Church in Wales
Church in Wales
The Church in Wales is the Anglican church in Wales, composed of six dioceses.As with the primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, the Archbishop of Wales serves concurrently as one of the six diocesan bishops. The current archbishop is Barry Morgan, the Bishop of Llandaff.In contrast to the...
was built during the 1960's in a stunning location perched on the top of Gwespyr Hill opposite the Reservoir
Reservoir
A reservoir , artificial lake or dam is used to store water.Reservoirs may be created in river valleys by the construction of a dam or may be built by excavation in the ground or by conventional construction techniques such as brickwork or cast concrete.The term reservoir may also be used to...
. 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 1970's and the congregation was moved to nearby Llanasa
Llanasa
Llanasa is village in the county of Flintshire, northeast Wales. Llanasa is described as one of the ancient parishes of Flintshire. It originally comprised the townships of Gronant, Gwespyr, Kelston, Golden Grove, Picston, Trewaelod, Axtyn and Trelogan....
Parish Church. Church services where also held every other Sunday at Gwespyr Village Hall by the Minister
Minister
Minister can mean several things:* Minister , a Christian who ministers in some way* Minister , the rank of diplomat directly below ambassador* Minister , a politician who heads a ministry...
from Llanasa
Llanasa
Llanasa is village in the county of Flintshire, northeast Wales. Llanasa is described as one of the ancient parishes of Flintshire. It originally comprised the townships of Gronant, Gwespyr, Kelston, Golden Grove, Picston, Trewaelod, Axtyn and Trelogan....
to aid the elderly community who could not make the journey to nearby Llanasa
Llanasa
Llanasa is village in the county of Flintshire, northeast Wales. Llanasa is described as one of the ancient parishes of Flintshire. It originally comprised the townships of Gronant, Gwespyr, Kelston, Golden Grove, Picston, Trewaelod, Axtyn and Trelogan....
. These services however seized due to falling numbers and changes at the Village Hall in 2001.
Gwespyr Village Hall
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 BowlsBowls
Bowls is a sport in which the objective is to roll slightly asymmetric balls so that they stop close to a smaller "jack" or "kitty". It is played on a pitch which may be flat or convex or uneven...
Club, Indoor Shooting range
Shooting range
A shooting range or firing range is a specialized facility designed for firearms practice. Each facility is typically overseen by one or more supervisory personnel, called variously a range master or "RSO – Range Safety Officer" in the United States or a range conducting officer or "RCO" in the UK...
club, Bingo, a Youth club
Youth club
A youth club or youth social club is a place where young people can meet and enjoy activities such as football, soccer, basketball, table tennis, or video games, and other religious, sports activities are frequently sponsored by a community center....
and a Snooker
Snooker
Snooker is a cue sport that is played on a green baize-covered table with pockets in each of the four corners and in the middle of each of the long side cushions. A regular table is . It is played using a cue and snooker balls: one white , 15 worth one point each, and six balls of different :...
club. The Village Hall could be rented by local residents for parties and events. In the 1980's the Village Hall had two extensions built funded by Local government
Local government
Local government refers collectively to administrative authorities over areas that are smaller than a state.The term is used to contrast with offices at nation-state level, which are referred to as the central government, national government, or federal government...
grants. A sub Post office
Post office
A post office is a facility forming part of a postal system for the posting, receipt, sorting, handling, transmission or delivery of mail.Post offices offer mail-related services such as post office boxes, postage and packaging supplies...
was introduced at that time. The Village Hall was home to Gwespyr Sounds Productions who took on the suite on the left side of the building full time. Gwespyr Sounds Productions used the building for its bands and music acts to rehearse and as its office. Local bands Utopia, Scramble Joe, The Lampshades and Outback used the facilities from 1998 - 2004. The Village Hall sadly became redundant in 2004 due to a lack of new ideas and a breakdown of communication between the dwindling committee and the public. A new committee was formed was formed in June 2010 and registered as a Charitable organization
Charitable organization
A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
and work began to regenerate the building. New events and openings began in May 2011.
War Memorial
Gwespyr War Memorial sits near the top of Gwespyr Hill. It is date marked 1914/1919 and was designed by R.Bruce Esq of TalacreTalacre
Talacre is a village in Flintshire on the North Wales coast with large holiday caravan parks adjacent. It is near Point of Ayr on the west side of the River Dee estuary and has a sandy beach with dunes. The hills of the Clwydian Range behind the village form the eastern boundary of the Vale of Clwyd...
. It was erected by Sir Pyres William Mostyn Baronet to commemorate her majesty Queen Victoria's diamond jubilee August 14 1897. It states all the names of those fallen from Gwespyr.
Legend
Frank Nicholson, of Gwespyr, the famous Welsh baritone, a National Eisteddfod winner, and a wireless singer, 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 the 8th of October 1928. Three weeks later a woman was seriously injured by the stallion at the same place.Public Houses
The village is home to two public houses. "The Talacre Arms" is situated midway up Gwespyr Hill. It was a very popular destination for people from far and wide during the 1960's. The pub was owned by Marston's Brewery until the mid 1990's when it was bought by private owners. The pub closed in May 2011. "The Masons Arms" is located near the top of Gwespyr Hill and is affectionately named "The Slip" by the locals. The name "The Slip" derived from the old quarry workers who used to "Slip" in for a pint! The pub was owned by Allied BreweriesAllied Breweries
Allied Breweries was the result of a 1961 merger between Ind Coope , Ansells , and Tetley Walker .- Ansells :...
and served Ansells beer until the mid 1990's when the pub was bought by private owners. The pub is still open today and has fantastic views from its Beer garden
Beer garden
Beer garden is an open-air area where beer, other drinks and local food are served. The concept originates from and is most common in Southern Germany...
.
Restaurants
On the corner of the A548 and Gwespyr Hill sits "The Lodge Inn". The Lodge was a popular live music venue serving mainly the holidaying public. In more recent times The Lodge has been better known for its traditional menu and enjoys passing trade from the A548 coast road. Directly across is "The Totem Pole restaurantRestaurant
A restaurant is an establishment which prepares and serves food and drink to customers in return for money. Meals are generally served and eaten on premises, but many restaurants also offer take-out and food delivery services...
" which is a small village restaurant
Restaurant
A restaurant is an establishment which prepares and serves food and drink to customers in return for money. Meals are generally served and eaten on premises, but many restaurants also offer take-out and food delivery services...
with a good reputation. It has an American Indian
Indigenous peoples of the Americas
The indigenous peoples of the Americas are the pre-Columbian inhabitants of North and South America, their descendants and other ethnic groups who are identified with those peoples. Indigenous peoples are known in Canada as Aboriginal peoples, and in the United States as Native Americans...
theme throughout that is based on the Indigenous peoples of the Americas
Indigenous peoples of the Americas
The indigenous peoples of the Americas are the pre-Columbian inhabitants of North and South America, their descendants and other ethnic groups who are identified with those peoples. Indigenous peoples are known in Canada as Aboriginal peoples, and in the United States as Native Americans...
.
Playground
There is a play area across from the Masons Arms public housePublic house
A public house, informally known as a pub, is a drinking establishment fundamental to the culture of Britain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. There are approximately 53,500 public houses in the United Kingdom. This number has been declining every year, so that nearly half of the smaller...
that is maintained by Flintshire County Council
Flintshire County Council
Flintshire County Council is the governing body of the principal area of Flintshire , one of the administrative subdivisions of Wales.-Political makeup:...
. 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
Basketball court
In basketball, the basketball court is the playing surface, consisting of a rectangular floor with tiles at either end. In professional or organized basketball, especially when played indoors, it is usually made out of a wood, often maple, and highly polished...
.
Shops
The Village shop was located on Tanrallt Road but closed in the early 1990's and became a private residence. The village shop prior to it closing was very traditional selling groceries. It also served as the Village Post OfficePost office
A post office is a facility forming part of a postal system for the posting, receipt, sorting, handling, transmission or delivery of mail.Post offices offer mail-related services such as post office boxes, postage and packaging supplies...
and was seen as a major blow for the village some time after its closure.
At the bottom of Gwespyr Hill on the A548 coast road is the local Garage 'Lobitos' which serves Esso petrol, fits tyres and exhausts and has a small shop selling groceries, ice cream, sweets and newspapers.
Lobitos Garage started life in the 1950's as a general car repair garage, fuel station and cafe serving the locality and holiday traffic along the North Wales coast.
During the 1980's a new building was constructed to provide six new tyre and exhaust bays and house one of the largest tyre stocks in North Wales.
Transport
Bus services are provided by Arriva North West and 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.Business
Gwespyr is home to a small number of local business.Gwespyr Heating Co.
Gwespyr Heating Co. the largest of these has been established in the village for 40 years.Jonathan Elwell Bespoke Joinery
Jonathan Elwell Bespoke Joinery was located in the workshops behind Tanrallt Road since 1998 until recently.Gwespyr Caravans Limited
Gwespyr Caravans is a fairly new business based at Sea View Caravan Park.Delyn Metals Limited
Delyn Metals is located in the only quarry left in use on Gwespyr Hill. They are listed as operating "Wholesale of Waste and Scrap"Gwespyr Rangers F.C.
Gwespyr however had a football club 1902-1913. They played in a full green strip. Gwespyr Rangers FC, nicknamed the Quarry-Men, competed in the Prestatyn and District Football League along with Dyserth Park Rangers, Meliden Church Guild, Prestatyn Town F.C.Prestatyn Town F.C.
Prestatyn Town Football Club is a Welsh association football club based in Prestatyn, Denbighshire.- History :Prestatyn town FC played their first-ever game on Thursday October 20th 1910 when they travelled to Rhyl Amateurs and got off to a flying start, winning 3-2 thanks to goals by Gratton,...
, Rhuddlan United and Rhyl Swifts. Gwespyr Rangers most bitter rivals where Prestatyn Town F.C. In 1911 Gwespyr Rangers FC thrashed Prestatyn Town F.C.
Prestatyn Town F.C.
Prestatyn Town Football Club is a Welsh association football club based in Prestatyn, Denbighshire.- History :Prestatyn town FC played their first-ever game on Thursday October 20th 1910 when they travelled to Rhyl Amateurs and got off to a flying start, winning 3-2 thanks to goals by Gratton,...
3-1 in a friendly fixture at Gwespyr's Quarry Ground. During a league game at Prestatyn's Bastion Gradens in 1912 the game was abandoned at half time with the visitors leading 3-1. This sparked off a controversy that was beyond the realms of farce and surpassed anything today's blazers could conjure up. The Gwespyr secretary, George Wright, alleged that Prestatyn refused to come out for the second half claiming that failing light was making conditions dangerous. The Flintshire side wanted to play on and the matter was eventually referred to the league's management committee who decreed that the unplayed 45 minutes of the game be replayed to a conclusion, again at Prestatyn. Gwespyr's secretary was still bombarding the paper with letters trying to make Prestatyn out as the guilty party for not coming out for the second half of the ill-fated game. Gwespyr's Mr Wright was in such fury that he immediately resigned his club from the league and sparked off a heated exchange of letters in the Weekly papers. Gwespyr Rangers F.C disbanded in 1913.