Cymdeithas Hanes Mechell
The Demography of Llanfechell 1851 & 1901
William Bulkeley and the poor of Llanfechell
Llanfechell in the early 19th Century
with thanks to the Headteacher and senior pupils of the school
Introduction
When did education begin in Llanfechell and why?
Who were the Headteachers?
What did the children play?
What was taught?
Were the children punished?
What will the school of the future be like?
What were the buildings like?
Where did we look for information?
- Information Books
- The Archives
- Newspapers
- The Internet
- Interviews
- Photographs
Extracts from a talk by the Rev. Emlyn Richards
Dyfyniadau o ddarlith y Parch Emlyn Richards
‘Richard Gwynne of Rhydygroes in the Parish of Llanfechell left a smallholding called Nantglyn in his will of 1723 so that the poor children of the parish would benefit from an education in a school in the village of Llanfechell.
It was recorded in Llanfechell School that they were without a Headteacher and were unable to get one...
In 1716, Griffith Jones became the vicar of Llanddowror and the first circulating school began. These schools used the Welsh language as a medium of learning.
Griffith Jones appealed to the SPCK (Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge) for copies of the Welsh Bible.
He was a genius and he made sure that education was spread to all parts of Wales
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There were three types of schools in existence in Wales during the eighteenth century
The Sunday School
The Charity School
The Private School
The first school in Llanfechell opened in 1844. It was a 'Charity School'
Llanfechell Primary School
Llanfechell Primary School 1907-
An extract from the late Mrs. E. Williams' schoolbook (Tan Rallt, Mynydd Mechell) who was a pupil at the Charity School and the Primary School. The book dates from 18/9/1907 – 11/7/1908.
Thanks to Florence Jones, Bryn Mechell, Holyhead for lending the book to the Mechell Archives
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1924
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Some class photographs
One of the pupils of the 30ies-
Mrs Jean Jones, Calfaria
Jean Jones' School Reports
The Headmaster, Mr E.G. Roberts
Mr E G Roberts and his wife Annie
The Kitchen
Kitchen staff
Mrs Griffiths, The Cook
Iola Margaret Richardson's School Report, Standard 1 in 1952
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Mr Richard Jones Headmaster of Ysgol Llanfechell 1955 -
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Some recollections of Mrs. Lewis, Carreglefn (Teacher at the school during Mr. Richard Jones’ Headship)
By the sixties the interest of the individual became prominent and there was a more open and informal relationship between the teacher and pupil.
There was very little space for the younger pupils in the Old School and in the Caravan (the children’s name for it) to implement the new system and it was marvellous to move into a bright and cheerful classroom in the new school.
There was a carpeted ‘home corner’, an electric fire, book shelves, a television and a piano.
When I started in Llanfechell Mr Richard Jones was the Headteacher and Mrs Ceridwen Owen taught the ‘middle class’…
When Mr Jones moved on to Amlwch Primary School, Mr Gwynfor Roberts was appointed as Headteacher. With the sudden death of Mrs Owen, Miss Beti Aubrey came to the school and before long Mr Alwyn Roberts..
Mrs Mair Pritchard and Mrs Owen Wern were the cooks and later on Mrs Maureen Jones and Mrs Beryl Jones. They were all very able cooks who took great care of the children – preparing packed lunches for school trips; made pudding with the blackberries collected by the children etc…
Because of the excellent preparations, Christmas was great. There was a Christmas dinner and party. In the autumn the teachers would visit Webbs in Llanfair to buy presents and the children really looked forward to the dinner, the party and Father Christmas’ visit.
The children played hide and seek, skipping, tic, hop scotch, played ball with everyone getting along with each other..
There was no problem with discipline and absenteeism..
In the old system the children sat, listened and said nothing. It’s a good thing that nowadays expressing ideas and opinions and discovering for themselves, leading to a natural enthusiasm are now part of the daily system.
(Original available at Mechell Archives)
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Rhai o luniau'r cyfnod
I started teaching in the ‘Old School’ but because of its poor condition lessons were held in mobile classrooms and work began on the new building which opened in 1971.
For some years there was a gradual change in the methods of teaching. The heavy old desks made of wood and iron, which were impossible to move, were thrown out. They were gradually replaced by lighter tables and chairs, easy to move with plenty of room for the children to move around them, searching and asking questions.
Mrs Glenys Jones, widow of the late Mr Richard Jones was asked about the origin of the ‘wall’ of presents. She said that Mr Jones remembered the time when he was a child, walking from Llanfachraeth to Llanfwrog at Christmas time for a ‘Christmas Tree’ evening. On entering, everyone received a raffle ticket that matched a present mounted on the wall of the building. It was a memorable event for the children of the time. Mr Jones used the idea at Llanfechell School by giving each pupil a piece of paper on which they would write their wish for a Christmas present. Each pupil then received a raffle ticket which they had to look after until the day of the Christmas party. After enjoying their party followed by games the teachers would uncover the wall of presents and the children were able to look for their special number. Father Christmas would call round to help share out the presents.
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Recollections of some former pupils
Mrs Marian Roberts
Mrs Roberts said that the day of the Christmas was the best day of the year. No lessons.
Everyone in the Infants during the morning looking at films and cartoons. Everyone
had received a raffle ticket to get a present. The greatest worry was losing the
ticket and not getting a present. Mrs Roberts remembers putting it in her shoe one
year because she didn’t have a pocket. Then across the yard to the canteen for the
Christmas dinner, a turkey and all the trimmings. The canteen staff would have hidden
a sixpenny piece in the pudding and everyone tried their best to find it. After dinner
everyone went to Mr Jones and Mrs Owen’s class. The two classes were opened out to
make one large one. She remembers a wall covered with presents with a ticket attached
to each one. Games all afternoon, ,’musical chairs’ and borrowing Mrs Owen’s scarf
to wrap around our eyes and then trying to recognise other children. She remembers
the ‘flour game’-
Mrs Elaine Williams and daughter, Morfydd
Mrs Elaine Rowlands loved coming to Ysgol Llanfechell with the excitement of preparing for Christmas fresh in her mind. There was a fantastic Christmas party with a Christmas tree, Father Christmas and, of course a present. Her daughter, Morfydd remembers making a Christmas card with rubber stamps. She also remembers an excellent Christmas dinner followed by a special chocolate pudding with sweet chocolate sauce poured all over it. One of her first memories is of being the partner of the famous Robin McBryde at a Christmas party.
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The end of an era
