Wells

by Ron Roberts
(Nant Bwlch yr Haearn)

Just found your site today, and is great.

I wrote earlier about Washi Bach?

Both sides of my parents’ families are from Sîr Fôn, Hafod Llwyn and Tregele. Would visit my Nain’s most weekends, to go to the shop for bread, veg and 5gals of paraffîn. Not bad for a six year old to haul? One thing I remember of Nain was her smile would light up the whole room!

I still feel I’m going home when I cross the Strait.

Nain’s farm did not have mains water, depending on a hand cranked pump, rain water kept in the stone cistern by the back door, and drinking water from various wells near and not so near the farm. I knew quite a few of them.

There was one in a field just down the road from Peter Jôs’ house at Fronddu in Gwalchmai. It was quite magnificent then. It was bordered by large stones, some lowered to allow easier reach to the water and a hinged lid on top. How posh was that?

I visited the farm a few years ago and had a wander round the fields, and still remember it all well.

Sadly, this particular well is in a very sorry state now, horses having trampled it, and the large stones either removed or put into the well to level off the field.

I am of the belief there is no law of any kind to protect old wells, other than those located in churches and such.

I take a turn round the old family places and memories, stories and feelings overwhelm me. Sometimes it brings tears!

Even though my parents and grandparents have now all gone, they’re still not far away. I’m lucky.