The story so far.
We picked up the story in January 2016 when we came across Merryhall. The cottage was lived in by a Mrs. Veall, the remaining half of a couple who turned the grounds into a must have, must see, attraction garden open for special events linked to the local (Llandod) hospital fund raising.
In looking back at the history of the village, and of Merryhall, we came across a lecture given by a researcher to the local history society – Penybont and District Local History Group.
“He would recommend some books that he has found very useful:
• The Welsh Drovers of Wales – Richard Moore Colyer
• The Drover Roads of Wales – Shirley Toulson and Fay Godwin
• The Drovers – Shirley Toulson
Colin started with some slides showing sculptures of Drovers. One in Newbridge, one in Llandovery and one of the Drover and his dog at Smithfield. Cardigan and Pembrokeshire Corgis were the dogs of choice as they nipped the heels of the Welsh Black cattle to keep them moving along. Estimates would suggest that some 30,000 cattle being taken from Wales to London around 1700. [The survey of the property commissioned by us prior to purchase put the age of the building at 1750]
There were very many routes that the Drovers used across Wales. The poor soil meant that Welsh farmers exported their stock to the English markets in London, or the Midlands, to make their living. They were known to have swum the Menai Straits to get to the fattening grounds in the English Midlands. They travelled at a speed of about 2 miles per hour. The cattle would then be kept for about three weeks in the SE England before finally going to market. In the latter part of the 18th century routes were developed to avoid the Tolls. Halfpenny fields became associated with the tolls where for every score of cattle the Drovers were charged 10d. It is difficult to talk about Drover’s Roads as they followed routes which tried to avoid tolls and crossed lands where landowners were helpful. Colin prefers the word routes. He went on to trace 4 routes that went through Radnorshire and on towards Hereford.
1. Beulah – Newbridge – Hereford
The route would have come up from Tregarin to Beulah and on to Abergwesyn and then down to Newbridge where originally the Drovers would cross the Wye where it was calm and shallow. There were six pubs in Newbridge. Merry Hall was a Cider House and became known as ‘Merry Hell’. There is also a Halfpenny Field nearby.
From Newbridge the Drovers would progress through Green Lane to Disserth where they would cross the River Ithon. The Farm at Disserth was previously an Inn used by the Drovers. It is said that the singing in Disserth Church could lead to an instant conversion. On from Disserth they would make their way towards Howey with its two pubs, one called the Drovers, and crossing the main road at Crossways. This would take them via the ancient town of Cefnllys and on to Franksbridge where, as well as the Inn, where there was Franks Shop and blacksmith. From there they would cross Gilwern Hill to Cregina on the River Edw. The cattle would be shod here, Black Lion Inn, with cattle shoes (ciws), some have been dug up in the area. Glascwm would be the next stop with its three pubs and then on to Colva, where St David’s Church is one of the highest churches in Wales, and the Star Inn. Crossing the Welsh –English border they would proceed to Huntington and Hereford or they would go through Gladestry to Kington.”.
Mr and Mrs Veall we think purchased the property as a converted house and adjoining barn in about 1996. This picture exists showing the then derelict property prior to conversion.