Washi Bach - I Remember the Name and the Face

by Menai Dillon
(Wirral, Cheshire)

Hello Wil

As a child in the 1950s I remember visiting my grandparents in Llanffinan and other relatives in Llangefni and other parts of the island.

Everyone seemed to know Washi Bach. The general feeling was that he was a sad case and that he would turn up out of the blue to places where they were kind to him.

My grandmother did look after him at Tyn Llan, Llanffinan and he knew that.

It is sad that there were tramps around, but they were common in cities too. There was a crowd of them that I remember around the Marble Arch area in London in the 1970s - no sign of them after the 80s.

Its a harsh exsistence and the fact that we remember them now is a good thing.

Warmest regards

Menai

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Noswaith dda Menai,

I am glad to report that all of us who have made a contribution to these pages want Washi Bach to be remembered.

It was a time when we ourselves took responsibility for the care of the poor and vulnerable. We didn't defer and look away, as seems to be the case today.

Many friends remember him and care enough to want to share their own memories of him. Thereby, he exists once more.

I believe that a concerted effort was made by the Greater London Council to discourage the tramps congregating in tourist spots. Hopefully, care and support was made available for them.

Like railways stations, busy places in cities seem to draw the lost, like moths to a flame.

Llanffinan is a lovely place to pass time. Green, verdant and a lovely little community. I believe Mr Hugh Price and his son, Brian still live there. Colin is high flying MD somewhere in those United States of America.

Diolch yn fawr i chi Menai a cofiwch alw yn ol rhyw bryd gyda'ch straeon.

Wil