Llanfechell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Llanfechell |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
 Llanfechell
|
|
| Population | 1,293 |
| OS grid reference | SH369912 |
| Principal area | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Amlwch |
| Postcode district | LL68 |
| Police | North Wales |
| Fire | North Wales |
| Ambulance | Welsh |
| EU Parliament | Wales |
| UK Parliament |
|
| Welsh Assembly |
|
Llanfechell is a village in Anglesey, Wales. Its name comes from the Welsh words llan (meaning church) and Mechell (a saint). It is the biggest of several small villages in the Mechell Community area. Llanfechell is about 11 miles (18 km) east of Holyhead and 5.6 miles (9 km) west of Amlwch, in the northern part of Anglesey.
The Mechell Community, which includes nearby villages like Mynydd Mechell and Carreglefn, had a population of 1,293 people in 2011. In Llanfechell village, you'll find a church, a primary school, a pub, and two chapels. The area is mostly used for farming. In the past, it was an important local spot for markets and animal fairs. There was also a watermill and a windmill nearby. Many ancient monuments are found around the village.
Contents
History of Llanfechell
The area around Llanfechell has been lived in for thousands of years. This is shown by the many ancient remains found nearby. The first time Llanfechell was written about was in 1291.
The name Llanfechell means 'Church of Saint Mechell'. Saint Mechell was a missionary, possibly from Brittany, who lived in the 6th century. He is believed to have started a monastery here. An old Welsh poem tells a story about Saint Mechell. It says he was offered land as a thank-you for a miracle. The land was marked out by a hare, which was guided by God. This area became the parish of Llanfechell, where he then built his monastery.
In the 18th century, a man named William Bulkeley wrote a detailed diary about life in Llanfechell. He lived at a place called Brynddu and was the Squire of Llanfechell.
Llanfechell was one of many market towns on Anglesey. For a long time, the village had a weekly market day. It also held fairs several times a year to sell animals and farm produce. The Llanfechell Fair (called Ffair Mechell in Welsh) still happens today. It's now a fun day with a gardening show and family activities at Llanfechell Community School in late July.
A war memorial in the village square remembers the people from Llanfechell who died in both World Wars.
Community Activities
'Menter Mechell' is a group that helps organize different activities and clubs in the village. These include a History Group, a Hobbies Group, a playground and sports project called Maes Martin, and an Allotment Group.
Churches and Chapels
St Mechell's Church has parts that are over 800 years old, from the 12th century. It is a very important historical building in the village. Saint Mechell's Day is celebrated on November 15. The church has thick stone walls that are painted white. Its stone tower has one bell and a unique top part called a cupola. The church is part of the Church in Wales and holds services in both Welsh and English every Sunday.
Across the village square from the church is Libanus Chapel. It was first built in 1832 and then rebuilt in 1903. Another chapel, Ebenezer Chapel, is near the school. It was built in 1862. Both chapels are also important historical buildings.
Important Buildings
Besides the churches and chapels, there are six other important buildings in the village. These include:
- Brynddu: This is a large house from the 17th and 18th centuries, located south-east of the village. The Bulkeley family and their relatives have owned the Brynddu estate for 500 years. Today, it is a large farming estate.
- Crown Terrace: This is a row of three old buildings on the corner of the village square.
- The Old Rectory: This is a 17th-century house next to the churchyard.
- Llanfechell War Memorial: This memorial includes a clock and stands in the village square.
Ancient Sites
There are four important ancient sites near Llanfechell that are protected.
Baron Hill Maen Hir
This standing stone, called Baron Hill Maen Hir, is a prehistoric stone located north of Llanfechell Church. It is about 6.6 feet (2 meters) tall and weighs 4.6 tons. In 2009, it fell over, but it was put back up in 2010. When it was moved, workers found about 20 smaller stones around its base. One of these stones had two special carvings: a cupmark and a cup and ring mark. This carved stone is now in the Oriel Ynys Môn Museum. Such carvings are very rare in North Wales.
Llanfechell Triangle
The Llanfechell Triangle Standing Stones are a group of three prehistoric standing stones. They are all about 6.6 feet (2 meters) tall. Experts believe they were placed here during the Bronze Age.
Pen-y-Morwydd Barrow
Pen-y-Morwydd Barrow is a burial mound, likely from the Bronze Age. It is on top of a hill between Llanfechell and Bodewryd. It is about 27 yards (25 meters) wide and 6.6 feet (2 meters) high.
Llifad Enclosure
Llifad enclosure is an ancient, five-sided area that is about 49 yards (45 meters) wide. It might have been a defended settlement from a later prehistoric time. It is located a few hundred meters south of Pen-y-Morwydd Barrow.
Other Interesting Sites
There are other interesting historical sites around Llanfechell:
- Hilltop enclosure at Carog: This site shows evidence of people living there during the Neolithic period, around 800 BC. They found a circular defensive ditch. There were also signs of a house and everyday items from 800-900 AD.
- Meddanen Water Mill and Melin Mechell Windmill: These two mills are close together. The windmill stopped being used in the early 1900s and was turned into a house in the late 1970s.
Notable People
- Saint Mechell: He was the 6th-century founder and first leader of the monastery in Llanfechell.
- William Jones: Born in 1675, he was a mathematician who went to school in the village. He is famous for introducing the symbol for the mathematical constant π.
- William Bulkeley: Born in 1691, he was a local landowner and kept a very detailed diary about life in Anglesey. He was born at Brynddu in Llanfechell.
Images for kids
-
Melin Mechell Windmill
See also
In Spanish: Llanfechell para niños
