The Bulwark and Wellington statue circa 1904
Brecon, as a town, developed below the Castle which was built in AD1093. The flat land across the Honddu was a good site for traders, artisans and other shopkeepers to set up in business providing services to the household at the Castle.
As the town was established more and more people moved in. The range of services expanded to include trades needed by the townspeople themselves and farmers from the surrounding area. Markets were held on Wednesday and Saturday with cattle in High Street Inferior (the area from Lloyds Bank to St Mary’s Church); sheep in what is now called Ship Street and horses in Llanfaes. Fairs were held for 17 days in June, August and November.
From the time the town was established until about one hundred and fifty years ago, nearly all the needs of people in the area had to be met locally. Brecon town had bakers, tailors, drapers, and brewers. Leather was tanned and dyed to become gloves, hats and saddlery; craftsmen such as thatchers, masons, carpenters and blacksmiths all set up within the town walls.
Some of the deals agreed would have been arranged within the churches of St Mary or St John. This was considered to be a secure deal made in the presence of God. In St John’s, now Brecon Cathedral, the shoemakers of Brecon, also known as cordwainers or corvisers, had a chapel dedicated to their guild. There were probably other similar chapels dedicated to other guilds which have now been removed.
The coming of the canal in 1800 resulted in an increase in trade as it provided a cheap transport route for farming produce to be taken to ever expanding towns in England. As industries grew up in south Wales, Brecon became the centre for financial and legal services to the coal and iron masters. The town also became the cultural capital for Brecknockshire with the theatre attracting some of the most renowned actors and musicians for ‘the season’.
Many of the trades and crafts listed above have now disappeared from the town. There are no leather tanners or hat makers with a shop in the centre of town. You may still be able to buy shoes and jackets in town but it is unlikely that they have been made locally. However, new businesses have arrived such as mobile phones, computers, e-cigarettes and Indian take-away meals.
Can you remember Keylock the butcher, F H Jones Newsagents or The Café Royal? What about Woolworth, Welsh Flair or Criterion Café? There are many shops and other businesses that have come and gone over the last few years so the Breconshire Local & Family History Society is recording the changes since 1900. The current lists for The Bulwark and High Street Inferior are held at Brecon Library but there are many gaps, and mistakes. Please take a look at the books and write in additions and corrections.
www.blfhs.co.uk
Hello, My ancestor Thomas Williams, was a cordwainer, born about 1769 Llanfilo, Brecon. He was tried for stealing and transported to Australia for 14 years. He was on the ship Calcutta and became one of the “first settlers” of Victoria, Australia. The ship moved on to Hobart Tasmania where he married and had ten children. He died a successful and respected man. As a result of his crime I am able to write to you today.
May I ask is there any record of cordwainers in the late 1700s/1805? Is there a record to which I could add his name. I would love to visit Brecon but must content myself with the internet. Many thanks, Pam, Australia.
Pam, I am chasing the same information, I’ve been researching my wife’s family and I am facing the same roadblock, ie anything prior to the court hearing and Thomas’s family prior to that hearing. There is a lot of possibles, but very little direct proof. I’m collating as much research info, but I am yet to have that “I done it” feeling. Can I ask where do you branch off from Thomas Williams. My wife follows Thomas > John > George > Richard > Richard.
Regards Colin