Builth Cottage Hospital, A Centenary History 1897-1997, by Gwen Davies
Foreword | Acknowledgements | Prologue Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6
Chapter 7 | Chapter 8 | Chapter 9 | Chapter 10 | Chapter 11 |
Chapter 12 | Chapter 13 | Epilogue
The League of Hospital Friends, by Betts Pugh
Builth, Queen of the Wye, by Jim Davies
Buith, Queen of the Wye
A history of health in the Builth district
The following account seeks to describe the health of people of Builth and surrounding
parishes, and the conditions under which they lived. Attention is paid
to the period before the founding of Builth Cottage Hospital and, afterwards
to the early years of its service in the community,
Acknowledgements
I am grateful for the information gained from so many conversations
with persons in Builth and around the district. Especially
I am indebted to Mr Edward Turner and to Mrs Gwen Davies for making
available interesting source material, some of which I have used
in telling this story.
The Powys Library service has been of great help and I wish to
thank the staff of libraries at Builth Wells, Llandrindod Wells,
Newtown and Brecon for their most willing assistant. My
thanks are also due to the staff of the Powys County Archives and
the Shropshire Records Office, Shrewsbury.
I acknowledge those authors who have written on this subject before,
and I attach a realist list of the text consulted.
Jim Davies
August 1997
BUILTH, QUEEN OF THE WYE
“Where every prospect pleases and none but the water is
vile only it does a power of good to those who care for sulphur
and salt in a dissolved state”
The observation on the town of Builth appeared in T R Roberts’ guide
to visitors published in the very same year the new cottage hospital
was opened. The grand epithet “Queen of the Wye” was
also employed at this time, in admiration of the spa and the virtues
of taking waters. For its visitors, at least, the town was
proclaimed “healthy”. For its residents we cannot
be so sure.
EARLIER TIEMS
We know little of Builth, or Llanfair-ym-Muallt, in the early
days and less still of the state of health of its occupants. John
Lealand, in the time of Henry the Eighth, describes “Buelth
apon Wy” as “ a good Market Town”. He also
tells us of a castle there and that there was much woodland. Indeed,
Builth seems to have been a fairly prosperous town at least until
the Great Fire (1690) when 41 substantial buildings were destroyed.
Some time later, a document describing “Builth in 1747” and
reproduced in the Brecon County Times (August 14 1903) added to
the description:
“Here
is a well of mineral water a ye sign of ye “Black Lion” noted
for curing cutaneous distempers by washing and taken inwardly is
good for asthma and diseases of the lungs, consumption, etc. It
tastes strong of sulphur, and smells much like gun-powder. About
a mile out of town there is a salt-spring called Ffynon y Park,
which produces common salt but not white. It tastes a little
brackish.”
At this time a dissenters’ meeting hours was under construction
on the orders and under the direction of Howell Harris. The
author of the document heard Harris preach and tell his congregation
that “God had never been before in Llanfair”. However,
the people were described as being drunk with religion. The
River Wye was full of fish and of great variety.
Theophilus Jones in his History of Brecknockshire commented in
rather pessimistic mood about the years 1800 and 1801, when the
population of the county was actually decreasing:
“Those
years were certainly sickly, the seasons unhealthy, and the bread
when eaten extremely bad, which of course, occasioned disorders,
and an extraordinary mortality…”
As far as Builth was concerned Jones described it as one long
street, continuous with shops and public houses. His further
comment was less complimentary:
“the
remained of the dwellings in 1800, consisting of this and the opposite row
, are in general miserable low confined apartments, few on the southern side
of the street having any outlets. On what is called the Bank and near
the western turnpike, some tolerable houses have been built of late years,
but an ill judged habit of building low and small rooms, so unseemly to the
sight, as well as prejudicial to health prevails here as in many other country
towns.”
Benjamin Malian’s description of the town in 1803 mentions
the two parallel streets – the upper being clean and comfortable,
but:
“the
lower and most populous streets is as fashionless, as miserable
and as dirty as anything I have hitherto witnessed”.
The population of the town in 1801 amounted to 677 persons, and
of Llanelwedd 146.
Williams’ History of Radnorshire presents a rather different
picture for the population across the river. His account
is somewhat romantic:
“The
male inhabitants are healthy and muscular – inferior in size,
but in activity superior to the English,…..Among the female
sex; are occasionally to be seen some of a tall and majestic stature,
amounting to five feet nine inches in height, whilst the generality
appears below the middle size yet possessing black sparkling, or
hazel eyes. They wear on their heads a small round hat, which
half conceals faces glowing with health, vivacity and animation.”
The history continues in its characterisation of the people of
Radnorshire, and not without a hint of stoicism:
“The
manners of superiors differ not from those of the same rank in
England; the common people also throughout the county are quiet,
peaceable, and industrious, seldom guilty of those vices with which
the inhabitants of many other parts are charged, being contented
with the humble station in which Providence has placed them; and
possessing health without medicine and happiness without affluence
without the homely dwelling of a wattle-built and straw roofed
cottage.”
The inhabitants can thereby be seen to match the picturesque landscape,
which the “Romantic Travellers” in Wales so admired. At
Builth, visitors had been sampling the waters for some time. By
1813 tree springs were in use at Park Wells where there was a Pump
House and a Guest House.
The rural depression that affected the whole country following
the Napoleonic Wars meant higher prices, lower wages, shortages
of food and a movement from the land. There was a reduction
in the number of holdings and increased hardship on cottage and
small tenant farmers. More landless-labourers were created
and, increasingly, there was a drain on the rates for relief. Such
impoverishment was widespread and, indeed, had been present for
some years. Wialliams’ History of Radnorshire comments
specifically that:
“the
net expenses for maintaining the poor throughout the County of
Radnor to have been nearly treble the sum raised fifty years ago”.
Despite the decline in income and also the decayed state of many
dwellings we have no reason to believe that the people of Builth
and the surrounding parishes were any worse off than those elsewhere. Indeed
the chances are that they were better placed to survive, if not
actually flourish.
POOR LAW REFORM
From the country at large and the big towns and cities there was
pressure for a lowering of taxation, which also meant a lightening
of the load of poor relief payable. Changes which followed
in the wake of parliamentary reform became law as the Poor Low
Amendment Act of 1834. Parishes were jointed to create “Unions” which
administered the payment of poor-relief. The building of
a work house was authorised for each union, and this institution
with its strict and punitive governance immediately became a symbol
of shame. It was ruled unlawful for relief to be granted
to an able-bodied pauper in his own home. This ruling often
meant that the whole families might find themselves forced to enter
the workhouse, and then to be separated within; man wife, male
and female children, all in separate quarters.
The Builth Union was formed in 1837 from the town of Builth and
29 parishes or townships in Breconshire and Radnorshire. Neighbouring
Unions were those of Brecon, Crickhowell, Rhayader, Knighton, Presteigne
and Hay. The Builth Union was unusual in as much as it did
not have a workhouse build there for another forty years. If
it had, it may well have suffer3d the fate of certain others, such
as Carmarthen which was destroyed by a Rebecca band in 18433. The
system of “Outdoor Relief” was to be other adopted
for the Builth Union.
The Poor Law was not the only means for relieving distress of
the poorer people. Charities were available in certain parishes
and indeed there were benefactors amongst the landowners. For
example, at Builth, Theophilus Jones reported that no less than £57
a year was given to the parish. Another charity, arising
from the income of a farm, Hengwm, was the gift of Margaret Powell. In
Radnorshire, at Aberedw, and Llanbadarn Y Garreg both parishes
received a Lloyd’s Bequest, and in the latter parish in 1839
another charity offered £10 a year to be distributed for
the benefit of “decayed house keepers”. At Llanelwedd,
Hartstongue’s bequest provided an income of £26 devoted
to education, and the “Powell” or “Boughrood” charity
was applied to the parish itself.
Friendly Societies were established to serve the needs of those
who were well-off, sufficient to save a little for the subscription. It
was important to attain some security in the event of sickness
or accident. Some of the better known of these organisations
were the King’ Head Friendly Society, The Buffaloes, Odd
fellows, Foresters, Freemasons, In Builth and the Beehive Friends
Society which met at the Carpenters’ Arms, Beulah. In
fact, one of the earliest societies of all was established in Builth,
in 1794.
Charities and Friendly societies played a most important part
in providing for families during sickness or perils of unemployment. Their
contributions were valued right up to the coming of the National
Health Service. By way of example, for 1940, the Foresters’ Court “Pride
of Builth” branch reported the funding of forty three of
its members a total of £257.1327d for time lost from work
through illness.
A STANDARD MEASURE OF HEALTH
Perhaps the best testimonial t the health of Builth people in
the last century was that provided by William Farr from his analysis
of mortality statistics for England and Wales. William Farr,
a native of Shropshire, had been appointed in 1839 as “Complier
of Abstracts” to the newly formed General Register Office
in London. He was a fine statistician and most interested
in discovering what he called the “exciting causes” of
disease.
arr undertook a comparative study of mortality rates for all
districts of England and Wales. He decided to distinguish
healthy districts from unhealthy districts according to whether
the mortality rate was low (17 deaths per 1000 alive, or less)
or high (18 deaths per 10000 alive, or above) for the decade of
1841-1850. Far claimed three districts to be the most healthy
in as much as the average mortality rate was 15 deaths per 1000
alive; the districts being Rothbury and Glendale (both in Northumberland)
and Eastbourne in Sussex. In the next rank – 16:1000
fourteen districts shared this rate and “Builth “ was
one of these. In fact, Builth was the only district in Wales
to be included. In a further forty seven districts the rate
was 17.:1000, beyond which Farr could not consider as healthy. Even
so, he claimed that even for the most favoured districts there
was room for improvement.
William Farr’s explanation of the relative healthiness of
districts such as Builth was summed up as follows:
“Nature,
however, does much for the inhabitants, the fresh air dilutes the
emanation from their nuisances, and infection diseases are not
easily transmitted from person to person in detached houses.”
From this study Farr extended generalisation:
The
people in “…..healthier districts were engage in agriculture,
contaminated waters were diluted and dispersed, they did not drink
gin and their minds are not overwrought by dissipation, passion,
intellectual effort.”
As far as we know William Farr did not come to Builth and was
not aware of the 32 ale houses in the district – nor that
17 of them were in the town of Builth itself! In addition,
Builth’s health status, at least as far as the town
was concerned, might seem to be contradicted from another source.
The Reverend Edward Williams of the Horeb Congregational Church
in Builth gave evidence to the Commissioners making an “Inquiry
into the State of Education in Wales” in 1846 (the report
of which became known as “The Blue Books”). He
cited serious inadequacies of accommodation in the town and also
the prevalence of drunkenness. Nevertheless, the people were
described as being of
“a
pretty fair character as to honesty and chastity….. the
country people are generally peaceably disposed, free from gambling,
but not very cleanly in their habits.”
William Farr would not have claimed “model” status
for Builth but he did refer to his low mortality rate districts
as modestly providing a “standard measure of health”.
Fro a better understanding of the 1840’s in Builth it is
worth looking behind the mortality rate statistic of 16.
The Builth in question constituted a surround district as well
as the town itself. The actual numbers of deaths occurring
in the Registration District of the year 1846 (the year of the
decade with the lowest number of deaths) was 47, with 11 of these
taking place in the town. The causes of death were described
as follows:
Phthisis 8
Fever 6
Dropsy 5
Asthma 4
Debility 4
Convulsions 3
Childbirth
(Unknown) 6
All other causes claimed on person each: Diarrhoea, cancer,
old age, pulmonary consumption, constipation, general decay, natural
decay and inflammation of the lungs.
Six of the deaths were of children and another four were infants. Eleven
people with an age of 70 or more also died in this year, nine of
these being outside Builth town itself.
Phthisis (a wasting condition, a term often synonymous with consumption
or tuberculosis) was given as the main single cause and five of
the eight deaths occurred in the town of Builth. In this
following year the number was much increased and an outbreak of
measles also accounted for many deaths of children.
The particular naming of causes of death raises questions of interpretation
and makes for difficulties in comparing mortality patterns over
time. Medically qualified persons were not always present
but they too had preferences for certain catch-all descriptions. “Debility”,
Decay”, “old Age”, “Fever”, “Asthma
and Asthenia” were favourite examples with some doctors.
In a most general sense the local situation corresponds to William
Farr’s conclusions. The country people were healthier
than those in the town. The most unhealthy districts of
all were large towns and cities and Farr cited Manchester, Glasgow,
Leeds, London and especially Liverpool and Merthyr Tydfil. Spa
towns tended to have lower mortality rates that other towns of
the same size. Builth, at mid-century with is population
of approximately a thousand, was still more of a market town that
a tourist spa. It was small, with many residents growing
much of their food in the town itself. The census of 1841
(taken in June) had recorded 55 visitors to the Park Wells for
the benefit of their health and enjoyment of concerts. They
were chiefly of the working classes. Another 14 visitors
counted in the census were in tents nearby Llandeewi’r-cwm – they
were gypsies in camp.
The pattern of mortality evidence in the 1840’s continued
to the end of the century and beyond. Outbreaks of infectious
diseases: influenza, tuberculosis, scarlet fever, scarlatina, measles
and diphtheria could make all the difference as to whether it was
a relatively good ear or a bad one. Few major visitations
of the Cholera had occurred compared with those in several South
Wales towns, including Brecon. One notable exception was
in the year of 1837 when 30 out of 67 deaths in the district were
from the disease. !Also in that year another nine died from
consumption.) And later, there would be occasional deaths
from the disease, notably in 1854 of Mr Pugh, the Baptist Minister.
Sickness was most prevalent amongst the poor, infants, young children
and elderly. The doctors appointed to the Union were much
appreciated for their demanding task of providing “Medical
Relief of the Sick Poor”. Apart from anything else
there was much travelling to be done. In 1866 the Builth
Guardians elected as Medical Officer for the Abergwessin District – which
consisted of 14 parishes or townships and had a population of nearly
4,000. The salary for this new post amounted to £42
per annum including for all extra medical fees payable under the
consolidated order of the Poor Law Board, but exclusive of any
Vaccination Fees and Fees for visiting Pauper lunatics.
Letters from the “medical men” to the Clerk to the
Guardians of the Poor in Builth Union provided personal proof of
the incidence of infections disease. For example, Thomas
Jones, surgeon, writing in 1867 about the previous year’s
cases of diarrhoea, typhus fever and measles explained how he,
too contracted typhus – from a pauper patient.
Outbreaks of diphtheria, especially , were feared. In the
parish of Llanddewi’r Cwm in 1879, three of the Jarman children
(aged four, sic and eleven) died of the disease in November. By
the end of the year tow children of the whiting family had also
died from the same cause. It must have been of little solace
that octogenarians live their long lives in the very same rural
parish where infants and young children were taken so suddenly
by disease.
The terms of the Vaccination Act of 1867 made it quite clear just
how seriously the requirements should be taken, and the fear of
the small pox in the country generally. Parents of children
not vaccinated could receive a penalty of 20 shillings.
It was in respect of the prevention of the spread of infection
disease that William Farr has so concerned as to the improvement
of towns. The Builth Local Bard had already taken some action
in this direction. The Lampercilly Brook spilling on to
the Groe had been culverted in 1840, and some new sewers were laid
in 1843. However, the Groe continued to be used for the
dumping of refuse from the town and there were any complains to
the Nuisances Committee about the heaps of manure about the town. For
a busy town such as Builth, holding its markets in the streets,
and with many townspeople keeping poultry and pigs it was inevitable
that there would be a question of refuse-disposal. The river
Wye was used for washing hides from the tannery and the drinking
water supply was provided by three wells and several private pumps. The
complaints about outside privies were to persist for many years.
In 1866 a local Board of health was informed following the passing
of the Public Health Act. A Mr Curley of Hereford was appointed
to survey the town with regard to the construction of a sewerage
scheme. He also suggested a plan for providing water, and
two sources of water outside the town near the Newry Road were
chosen for the purpose. Both projects came to fruition by
1868. Mr Curley had reported two years earlier that:
“I
have never inspected any town that requires sanitary works more
than Builth.”
In 1866 a Royal Commission made known its requirements “necessary
for civilised social life”. A Local Board was established
in Builth in 1871 to take responsibility for improvement and this
was translated into an urban sanitary authority following the Public
Health Act of 1872.
The town’s population grew following the coming of the railway
in 1864 and the new suburb of Oaklands (in Lladdewir-Cwm parish)
housed some of the railway workers, as did houses at Bank Square
and the new houses constructed at Cwmbach. It is of interest
to note that some railway workers and their families may have only
been resident temporarily in the district. For example,
in the list of cases in which certificates of vaccination had not
been duly received, (8th July 1871) four children belonged to fathers
working on the railway. Two of the fathers were plate-layers
and were living in the Huts, Cefn-y-Bedd, Llanganten.
There was much correspondence with the Board of Guardians of the
Union on the subject of vaccination, and, indeed some between unions. However,
most of the correspondence was in respect of cases where relatives
could not afford to keep their parents or children – especially
those with disabilities – and neither were they able to contribute
to relief payments. One particularly sad case was that of
a grandfather who was charged with negligence in support his grandchildren
at a Union Workhouse when the father of the children was in Presteigne
gaol.
The Poor Law Unions’ Gazette also catalogued distress across
the country, parish by parish. For example, the issue of
October 3rd 1868, named and described in some detail “Deserters
of Families”. Two men from the Builth Union were so
identified – one for Disserth parish and the other from the
town of Builth – their dependents being now chargeable to
the Union.
The Builth Union listed 424 paupers as being relieved fro the
half-year ending 29th September1868. The town of Builth itself
accounted for 895 paupers, and, in addition there was an unspecified
number of vagrants to whom relief had been given. By way
of comparison, the neighbouring parish of Llanelwedd had relieved
nine paupers. “Non-Resident Paupers” were also
included in the accountants and these numbered 54. Their
whereabouts varied greatly but neighbouring Unions and south Wales
mining towns were frequently cited. The remaining group to
be relieved were those resident at the Joint ?Counties Asylum,
Abergavenny. Numbers in the Builth Union varied during the
course of a year, tending to be higher in December, but by 1871
the Adult- Not Able-Bodied settled at around 150, and the children
at about the same number.
It may well have been the continued cost of the outdoor relief
arrangements that prompted the construction of a workhouse at Builth. In
1877 Victoria House was opened on its Brecon Road side. The
census of 1881 recorded 69 inmates of the workhouse, together with
the master and his family, and one nurse.
The 1881 census revealed that the population of the town of Builth
had increased considerably in the previous ten years. Llandewi’r-cwm
parish had also received an increase due to the creation of Oaklands. Some
of the older decayed housing had been removed , for example, near
the Wye bridge where the new market Hall had been built. Other
parts of the town had become even more crowded, notably the Bank
Square, where the census indicated 53 households containing 147
persons. This location had received many new arrivals from
surrounding parishes and further field. Several workmen were
lodging here temporarily.
Meanwhile, in the 1880’s the spa function of the town was
developing, visitors were being attracted and boating was established
on the Wye. A pavilion was build and a tennis court and bowling
green created – at the top end of the Gore. Colliers
from South Wales came to take the sulphur waters in the belief
that silicosis would be diminished by the treatment.
THE NINETIES
The census of 1891 recorded a population for Builth of 1414 persons.
Oaklands had grown to account for about 200 persons, but some of
the surrounding parishes, particularly those on higher ground and
more distant, had actually lost population in previous years.
The Local Government Act of 1894 established a more rational structure
for administering the area. An Urban District Council and
a Rural District Council, both with elected representatives as
councillors took over from the previous arrangement. Although
some provision e.g. for the local Authorities to build low cost
housing, (1890), already existed, new powers and responsibilities
became vested in the Urban and Rural councils. It would seem
for the regular reporting of meetings that councillors were attentive
to their duties and took their responsibilities seriously. Their
action were available to public scrutiny and it was important to
keep up appearances. Moreover, having some authority for
a burgeoning spa town already frequented by visitors, there was
an added stimulus to innovate and to progress. Pride was
expressed in the idea of the town prospering and becoming attractive
to outsiders. Improvements to roads and bridges, the inspecting
of “nuisances” cleaning the Groe and attending to unsanitary
conditions generally, made news at every council meeting.
The Nineties were also years when the expectations of growth did
in fact become realised. New chapels – Wesleyan Church 1896
and Baptist Church 1897 – were built. The new Country School
(1896) was built for older children. In Erwood. A Jubilee Market
Hall was constructed in 1898. some attractive larger houses were
built in the town at this time, and continued to be so into the
next century. The owner of larger estates e.g., Glanusk and Chapel
House, financed in repair of their farm houses and farm labourers’ cottages.
In some cases completely new houses replaced the old. As a consequence,
the quality of new housing stock and accommodation generally came
to improve.
The conflict of interests between encouraging visitors to the
spa, and maintaining the facilities for the marketing of farm produce
and the selling of cattle, sheep and pigs in the streets was always
in evidence. It was to take several years to resolve. The eventual
decision to site the animal market between Brecon Road and Smithfield
Road by 1910 helped to relieve both the congestion and the frayed
tempers in the streets.
Most of the summers of this decade were hot and very dry. Drought
raised much argument nationally, about the problems of supplying
sufficient water to large cities. The dams and reservoirs of the
Elan Valley were planned and under construction as were others
elsewhere in Wakes. In 1899 a most ambitious project to supply
London with water was being explored in the Builth District, relying
on the assumption that rivers such as the Irfon and it’s
tributary streams still maintained a flow – even in the driest
summer. It was proposed that a reservoir should be crested in the
mid section of the Irfon and a conduit at Llanynis to take water
along the Wye Valley into England, and thence to Boreham Wood.
As far as Builth was concerned a new water works was created in
1897, with a supply of water on the Epynt near Ty-capel, Llangynog.
The numerous council discussions about supplying water to Builth
as reported in the newspapers, make fascinating reading and provide
a valuable insight into local politics of the time.
1897 – JUBILEE YEAR
As far as the health of the town and its people were concerned
the year 1897 did not being well. Complaints were made about
the pens in the marked ant the unsanitary nature of the streets. Discontent
was also reported again later in the year with regard to arrangements
for selling cattle, and also concerning the bad state of some pig
sties. There was a threat to close the market, and great
concern was expressed about how a very large sale of sheep should
be accommodated.
However, new lighting was being introduced to the town and the
fire brigade staff were praised for their action in stopping the
fire at the Lamb public house. Soon afterwards the brigade
was disbanded!
During March and April the Brecon and Radnor Express devoted several
of its columns to reporting what seemed to be a feud between Dr
Hugh Bennett the Medical Officer and the Builth Urban District
Council. Dr Bennett’s bleated annual report, for the
health of the town in 1896 was at the heart of the matter. Certain
members of the council were criticised in the report and some surprising
allegations were made.
The Medical Officer’s report was published in the newspaper
on page 8 April 15th 1897. the number of deaths occurring
in the town n the previous year came to 32. three of the
deaths were of persons not resident there. The mortality
rate was calculated to be 20.9 – higher than the average
for the country (17 per 1000) and much higher than that of the
previous years. Dr Bennett likened the rate, and the reasons for
it, to the situation obtaining at Machynlleth where many pigs were
kept, as indeed they were in Builth. Improperly constructed sites
and filthy surroundings in Builth must have had an injurious affect
on health of the inhabitants claimed Dr Bennett. He and the Sanitary
Inspector had received many complaints by visitors during the dry
weather of July as to the very offensive smells. In another report
sent to council on July 30th, 1896 reference had been made to no
less than 160 pigs kept in 67 sites – not one of which was
properly constructed. Of the people keeping pigs no less than 5
were members of the Sanitary Council itself all five were named
by Dr Bennett and he charged the council with not having taken
any notice of his complaint. Other complaints made by the Medical
Officer included the poor state of dairy cow sheds, dirty slaughter
houses, manure heaps, pig-waste, damaged water closets, pit closets,
ands stopped up drains. However, the Inspector of Nuisances in
his visiting of lodging houses always found those dwellings clean
and neat. After hearing the report, Mr Gwynne Vaughan said that
he had heard that a smell was arising from liquid manure stored
on Dr Bennett’s own land, and he thought that it should be
seen to!
A special meeting was arranged for April 8th, to further consider
the Medical Officer’s Report, which had already been discussed
in private about 10 days before. Subsequently, a letter of reply
was sent to the Local Government Board where by the claims of Dr
Bennett were refuted: the pig nuisances were unwarranted,
the true causes of death were not related to pigs or unsanitary
conditions generally; Dr Bennett’s claims about the water
supplies were considered absurd and frivolous. Moreover, Dr Bennett
had published had published his report in several newspapers and
the statistical portion had not been given. One particular ‘cause
of death’ given was remarked upon by Mr Gwynne Vaughan when
he said failure of memory was “a queer thing for a man to
die of!”
At the next meeting of the Urban District Council Mr Gilbert Eadie
deplored the ad publicity caused to the town of Builth. The new
appointment of Medical Officer was discussed and it was decided
the post should be at the same salary - £20 per year. The
new appointee was to be Dr Fry, who had already worked in the town
for 10 years. Mr Thomas Jones, Inspector of Nuisances reported
that he had found no cess pool on Dr Bennett’s property,
but only three casks – probably for maturing plants.
Attention now turned to celebration, and the mood of the townspeople,
or at least the newspaper reports, changed for the better. A public
meeting was convened at the Assembly Rooms to consider in
what form their loyalty should be shown. The whole meeting seemed
to concur with the view of Mr W Price, JP, chairman of the Urban
District Council that:
“…he did not know of anything that would be more of a Jubilee
celebration than a cottage hospital.”
Mr Price also reminded the meeting that it was usual to have a
meat tea and sports as indeed had been done in 1887, including
the whole of the Builth Union. Mr Vaughan had a statement of the
cost of the latter event (£70). Mr Abram Davies recommended
having ladies on the committee “to work the details out satisfactory”.
Comparisons were made between the new hospital and the Llandrindod
hospital built some 16 years previously. Mr G Price said that “the
hospital was a magnificent gift to the town.” Mr C J Wearn.
Headmaster, said his school at Builth had already commenced singing
a special song – after Mr Jones (Llanelwedd School) had suggested
children should sing a special song on the occasion!
The day of Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee arrived. Lamps,
flags, Chinese lanterns and especially fireworks were much in evidence.
A procession, swimming and diving competitions, canoe racing, sports
and climbing the greasy pole took place. The newspaper reported
that:
“Mrs Abram Davies, butcher, High street very kindly gave s meat tea on
her own to a large number of people.”
Flags decorated the outside of Mrs Abram Davies’ shop and
a sign pronounced – ‘England’s glory – beef
and beer’. However, Mrs Davies treated everyone to beef,
ham and tea!
Unfortunately, the workhouse children were not allowed to go to
the Groe for the Jubilee tea. There had been an outbreak of measles.
Dr Fry reported a widespread epidemic of measles and it was decided
that Crickadarn, Llanddewi’r-cwm, Maesmynis and Gwenddwr
schools be closed.
There were celebrations in Llanelwedd too, and there was the opening
of the Victoria Wells. Mr T. R. Roberts’ new guide’ The
Spas of Wales’ was published. A decision was reached for
a new river wall to be constructed from the boat house to the top
of the Jubilee Groe, and the Improvements Committee approved the
placing of seats on the Groe. Builth Choral Society gave a grand
concert in aid of the cottage hospital endowment fund, raising £32
10s. 9d.
Much excitement attended preparations during the year for laying
the foundation stone for the new Baptist Church – the Memorial
Baptist Church.
The laying of the new gas mains in the town was described, as
was the inspection of the new waterworks on the edge of the Epynt
near Ty-capel, Llangynog.
The master of the workhouse reported on September 16th that there
were 30 inmates, 82 tramps had gained relief there in the past
fortnight. Tenders had been considered for the supply of provisions,
boots, clothing etc., for the House. Mr Abram Davies’ tender
for meat was accepted, Mr Gilbert Eadie was to supply boots; Mr
W. Powell, coal, and Messrs Price and Company, provisions.
On Wednesday, the 27th of October, came the opening ceremony of
Builth Cottage Hospital. It was a fine day, “beautifully
fine”, the Brecon and Radnor Express reported. A
new era was heralded in the town.
The founding of a hospital at this time was very much in keeping
with Royal example. Queen Victoria wished to support the
Prince of Wales’ proposal so that her Second Jubilee be remembered
by a fund raised to underwrite the expenses of the great hospitals. The
Princess of Wales had also written to the Lord mayor in concern
for the poor of London, and over £300,000 was given to be
distributed among them.
Meanwhile, the spirit of celebration continued in Builth, and
the councillors of the town were praised by the speakers at
the annual dinner of the Greyhound Friendly Society for improving
the sanitation and health of the town, so much so that, despite
various adverse medical reports, the town could be help up as a
pattern for the whole country. The chairman, in his response,
and enthusiasm went as far as to suggest that the new water supply
would be a success, and capable of enlargement should Builth get
20 or 30 thousand inhabitants in the future, as he hoped they would. The
meeting continues with a song by Mr Isaac Davies.
BUILTH IN ITS HEYDAY
By the turn of the century and the 1901 census the population
of the Builth Union had increased to 8,975 persons. The town
of Builth – now also called Builth Wells – had a population
total of 1805. There seems to have been a surge of optimism
to match the increase in population. The wells were in fashion
and the necessity of preparing the town for visitors raised expectations,
encourage the residents themselves to share in the recreation and
gaiety. New guide books to Builth and District were produced
and these extolled the virtues of the spa and the scenery to be
viewed and visited. And, the first lamb of the season had
arrived, on the last day of December 1900, belonging to Mr Powell
of Howey Hall!
The “Wells” of course were the main attraction
to the visitors. Unfortunately, as business ventures, their
successes were sporadic. At Whitsun 1903 the Glanne Sulphur
and Chalybeate springs were reopened under the new management of
Mr Josiah John. “Health “, “comfort and
enjoyment” were advertised at this, “an ideal resort”. A
grand concert was held on the Whit-Wednesday – free. Regrettably,
in December of that year, the Glanne Wells had to close, due to
bankruptcy.
Not all the Wells in the district were as well known as the Glanne
or the Park Wells in Builth, or those of Llangammarch and Llanwrtyd. One
such example was the Llanerch-coedlan Wells between Erwood and
Boughrood which had sulphur springs and could be reached by rail
and horse-drawn carriage. Excellent trout fishing was available
to boarders.
A difference of opinion certainly persisted in the town as to
just what development might best take place. A letter by
a Mr John Smith to the Brecon and Radnor Express(28.05.03) deplored
the lack of “gentlemanly accommodation” in Builth:
“To what purpose is it that we lay out Wells when Builth
is rapidly filling with workmen’s cottages and tiny villas,
usurping the most charming sites and forming positive blots, from
an artistic standpoint, upon the landscape?”
(Here Mr Smith was making a point of contrast with Llandrindod
Wells.)
The day to day happenings in the town would seem to have been
robust rather than genteel. The description offered by the
new and revised edition of Theophilus Jones’ History of Brecknock
provided a good advertisement but chose not to tell the full story:
“Builth
at the present time (1905) is one of the most important towns in
the County, ranking after the more populous district of Brynmawr. The
public streets present a clean appearance the houses in the majority
of cases are well built and modern, and there are several very
commodious hotels, and extensive business premises. Facing
the Groe and the river Wye, are as fine a row of residences as
may be found anywhere else in the county. This improvement
in public and private premises is no doubt largely the result of
the discovery of mineral springs in the immediate neighbourhood
of the town.”
At a meeting of the Builth Wells Improvement Committee in May
1904 the item on the agenda was “Advertising the Town”. The
Rev J T Owen introduced the subject and saw the town capable of
becoming a health resort. A widespread publicising of the
attractions of the town should take place, especially in respect
of the railway network. There was no reason, he said, for
unsanitary conditions in a town they were proud to claim as “The
Queen of the Wye”. A Better class of visitors would
be attracted by charging higher prices. The Reverend Owen
suggested a committee be formed. “….. of a
few men whose heads are screwed on properly”. Amid
laughter, the committee was formed: Reverend J T Owen, Mr
Rees Thomas, Mr Amos Williams and Mr G E Sayce.
Builth was a market town first and foremost. It was inevitable
that there should be a conflict of interest at times. New
building of houses and roads and the laying of new water pipes,
gas mains and sewers were taking place in various parts of the
town. Garth Road was coming into being with its large houses
and gardens. At a meeting of the Urban District Council in
February 1903 Mr Thomas Lant was more insistent that the owners
and householders involved carry out all necessary paving, channelling,
and kerbing without any financial assistance from the Council. In
1906, application by one householder in Garth Road for a pig sty
to be constructed was met with an abrupt refusal.
The Medical Officer reported in March 1906 that there was no lack
of house accommodation in Builth. A few pit closets remained,
and one row of houses had insufficient water-closet accommodation. The
council cart removed house refuse every morning – but it
was still deposited on the Groe! There were still complaints
of the market-day squalor. The running of heavy horses in
the main street – complained of by “Scribbler” in
1903 – had still not stopped.
In the Builth Rural District for the year 1903, the Medical Officer
reported that house accommodation was mainly sufficient but in
some of the smaller farms on the hills it was not. The only
properly flushed sever existed in Oaklands. Water was obtained
from pumps and well in villages and on individual properties. The
only schools to have water laid on were Maesmynis, Cefn Y Bedd,
Beulah, Llangammarch and Llanafan.
School log books, especially in the country parishes testified
to the state of health of the children quite accurately. Sickness
view with the bad weather and with the occasion of fairs as the
main reason for absences. There were also several entries
indicating when children had stayed at home to look after a sick
parent or sibling.
In March 1901 Dr Fry reported that there was much illness about
in the Colwyn Rural District. The diphtheria outbreak of
December 1900 still lingered, but by January 31st the disease had
been confined to one house where seven were infected. It
had been necessary to close Llanelwedd School for 14 days. The
mortality rate for 1900 in this District had been 16.34 per 1,000.
The mortality rates for the 1900’s were generally low and
may well of reflected a gradual improvement in living conditions
and in standards of health care. The rate for Builth Urban District
in the year 1902 was remarkably low – 8.81 per 1000 – concerning
19 deaths. For 1903 the rates were 13.52 and 14.16 per 1000 for
the Urban and Rural Districts of Builth respectively measles, whooping
cough pneumonia and bronchitis continued to be prominent causes
of death in most years. For the Builth Rural District in 1903 five
cases of typhoid fever were reported – all at the same cottage
near Llanwrtyd. There were also nine cases of scarlet fever and
five of enteric fever in the District. There was a serious outbreak
of mumps in 1909, of influenza in 1910 and measles later in that
year.
In February 1903 the Builth Urban District Council considered
the subject of an “Isolation Hospital”. Reports of
small pox at Rhayader and Brecon had prompted the discussion. The
possibility of acquiring an isolated cottage for the purpose was
proposed,, but the outcome of the meeting was to authorise the Medical
Officer to advocate re-vaccination. However, in May of the
following year the Board of Guardians agreed to pass a resolution
similar to that of the Reading Union. It was decided that
vaccination was dangerous and no efficacious as a preventative
against small pox, and this its enforcement in the services was
hardship.
Infant mortality rates did not being to tall for several years
although legislation in the form of the Notifications of Births
Act 1908 and the increased employment of midwives eventually effected
improvements.
On the 18th February 1903 the new asylum for Breconshire and Radnorshire
was opened near Talgarth. There was much description of the
building in the newspapers and the modernity of its design was
praised. The Abergavenny asylum had been overcrowded for
may years.
It is likely that the improvements in public health generally
and with housing in particular were of benefit, not least in making
life more comfortable. People with chronic illnesses must
have gained some relief, and the spread of infectious disease was
probably limited by less overcrowding. Even so, for the most
part, people rarely sought medical advice and relied on their knowledge
and skills for protection and care. The held their won beliefs
on medication . Herbs, honey and alcohol figured prominently
in the treatments, and the importance of fresh air, avoidance of
mist and fog and a sudden chilling was recognised by all. The
newspapers in their “tips to reader” legitimised such
beliefs by presenting them as rules. For example, eight hours
out of 24 should be spent in sleep, and children should be allowed
to sleep as long as they needed and awake of their own accord. The
preparation of wholesome food, the taking of exercise and above
all, a regard for temperance were common subjects of discussion. It
was from the newspapers that many would learn of patent remedies,
the advertising of which often allied with traditional beliefs
to persuade people to buy them.
With some much respiratory infection about it was not surprising
to find local chemists advertising their products:
“INFLUENZA! Have you had it? If so, you want
Cod Liver Oil and Malt Extract to build you up again., 1 and
1 s 9 d. per bottle at Wards. Whooping Cough! Have
your children had it? If so, five them Cod Liver Oil Emulsion,
8 d., 1s. and 1 s 9d per bottle at Wards only for this quality
and price. J Ward, MPS, CDSA, The People’s Chemist,
Builth Wells.”
On the subject of good food, residents of the town were left in
no doubt as to what this meant and where thy should get it. Moreover,
residents should let visitors know too:
“CAUTION TO VISITORS – What is the use of drinking
Sulphur and Alkaline if you purchase inferior provisions. Why
not call at Bristol House, the noted shop for Welsh produce and
secure the best Welsh ham, bacon, butter, cheese and eggs. The
bests 2s tea town Ring Up Tel. No 21.
(Brecon and Radnor Express. August 6th 1903)
We are reminded of Mr Thomas Hamer’s advertisement taking
price of place in 1897:
“Queen
Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. Thomas Hamer, The Builth
Grocer. Established 1809.”
During thee years a craze developed for long-distance walking
races. Exercise was always advocate for health, but the waking
boom, as it became known, was rather extreme. To accompany
the announcement of one such race – between two famous walkers
John Davies of Pear Tree Cottage and Richard Langford, Old Mill,
Glascwm – Mr Peace Jones had placed his own advertisement
for his “Premier” Corn Cure.
“Mother Siegel’s Syrup” was another well known
product virtually guaranteed to ensure “Long Life” and
to be especially helpful to “Feeble Folk”.
On the subject of “drink” the townspeople were told
by Mr S Stanton at a Temperance Meeting (February 1906) that “moderate
drinking was difficult to define”. He also claimed
that the abolition of drink would solve the unemployment problem
and he referred to this good example of America.
The “beer question” had been discussed by the Guardians
in respect of the traditional fare at the workhouse on Christmas
Day (1898). The Reverend Beynon proposed that no allowance
of beer should be made as it posed a temptation to the inmates. The
chairman of the meeting, Commander Thomas, disagreed and felt that
a ping of beer would do no harm. A lively discussion had
followed and the matter was put to the vote. The traditional
issue of one pint of beer and one ounce of tobacco was to continue!
Another interesting matter arose regarding the workhouse. New
dietary tables had been issue in 1901 and no syrup was to be supplied
with meals. However, it was decided at Builth that the suet
pudding with golden syrup should continue as it was so well like!
The meeting of the Board of Guardians were informed that pauperism
was showing a decline. However, vagrancy was on the increase
and causing some concern. “Scribbler”, wiring
in the Brecon and Radnor Express may 21st 1903 stated that “Tramps
are as plentiful as garden seeds these days”. At least
115 vagrants had been admitted to the Builth Workhouse in the previous
fortnight. This number was an increase of 68 compared with
the corresponding period in the previous year.
Several festive occasions and special events were seen in Builth
Wells as far as leisure and recreation were concerned. The
Groe Green was cleared of refuse piles and extended. More
facilities for tennis and bowling were created. Lord Glanusk
had provided two hundred trees and shrubs to be planted on the
Groe, as a gift to the town. A new cricket pavilion was built
and all the team games were very popular and gained much publicity
in the local newspapers. From time to time there were tributes
to local men who had left the district and “made good” by
playing for famous teams.
Perhaps the most spectacular occasion of all was the visit of
Buffalo Bill’s Wild West to Builth Wells on May the 12th
1904. Almost 10,000 people came to see the performances on
the Groe. The workhouse children were given free passes to
a performance, and schools awarded an afternoon holiday. The
registers show that several took the morning off as well! William
Cody made some pleasant remarks about the appearance of the town,
complimenting the councillors that it was a s pretty as a picture
and very much like his own home in the mountains of America. Mr
W Price was responsible for the catering to the public ,a and the
buns “gave complete satisfaction.”
It could be argued that an equally impressive “show” was
the grand pageant of 1909. This was the creation of The Reverend
D Edmondes Owen of Llanelwedd. Fortunately, several photographs
sill exist of this remarkable display.
Each year there were several concerts or eisteddfodau, not least
involving the choirs of Mr A P Morgan and Mr Evan Evans (Llew Buallt). Newspapers
reported in great detail the performances of the Builth Wells Harmonic
Society, and especially so when it went to London in March 1903.
Sporting organisations and musical societies were linked closely
with the hospital in Builth wells and frequently raised monies
to fund a new development. During the five years up to 1904
Dr Black Jones himself had raised the sum of £94 17 s 6d
and in 1906 he had presented a concert at Llangammarch Wells. In
January of the year the Improvements Committee of the town met
to appoint Dr Fry and Messrs A P Morgan and A Williams to
discuss the advisability of obtaining subscriptions for the creation
of the proposed Builth Wells stall at the Crystal Palace Exhibition.
The “Builth and District Notes” of the Brecon county
times, July 31st 1913 provide a most suitable description to convey
the mood and reality of the times. The hay harvest for that
year had been good, but there was concern about the corn as the
spring had been very wet. It was regarded as a pity that
no proper market place for poultry and farm produce was provided
in the town. Farmers’ wives had to go from door to
door and this was considered a nuisance both for them and to visitors. The
children of Llanddewir-cwm School were entertained with a tea party
by Mr and Mrs Inglis at Glanwye
As regards the town of Builth, it was forecast that this would
be a record year for visitors provided the weather was fine. The
visors would be better catered for by way of amusements. Horse
races and an agricultural show would be held, and the cricket club
had arranged several excellent matches for August. Evenings
could be occupied with the cinematograph displays at the Assembly
Room.
The “Notes” emphasised that
“The
great event of next week will be the children’s sport and
tea in aid of the Builth Cottage Hospital;. The chief promoter,
Mrs A Davies is leaving nothing undone that is likely to bring
success, and she will receive the hearty support of numerous admirers
of the Cottage Hospital”.
At the present day we can do no better than continue with this
long tradition of popular support for Builth Cottage Hospital,
which it has rightly received since its very beginning a hundred
years ago.
Reading
Davies, Edwin
A General history of the County of Radnor,
complied from the manuscript
of the late Rev Jonathan Williams, A M and other sources, by
Edwin Davies of Brecon. Published by Davies and Co, Brecon 1905.
Humphreys, Noel A, Ed
Vital statistics: A memorial of selections from the report and
writing of William Farr London 1885.
Jones Theophilus
A History of the County of Brecknock
Published and sold by Blissett, Davies & Co
Brecon: Vol
I II 1909 Vol III,
IV 1911
Morrison, Malcolm
History of Horeb congregational church,
Builth Wells, 180-8-1988 (unpublished)
Pugh, H Margaret,
History of Horeb Congregational Church,
Builth Wells, 1908 – 1988
(Unpublished)
Sinclair J B and Fenn R W D
Llanfair Ym Muallt, Builth Wells, (Towns and Villages of Wales)
Alan Sutton, Stroud, 1995.
(newspapers): The Brecon & Radnor Express 1890 – 1908
The Brecon
County Times 1853 – 1914
LIST OF SPONSORS
The League of Hospital Friends who were unable to subscribe to
this publication, owing to their charitable status, which to express
their appreciation and gratitude to the following for their generosity
in making donations towards the cost of publication.
They are particularly appreciative of the contributions received
from the smaller Councils who, although on an exceptionally tight
budget themselves, continued to support the Builth Cottage Hospital
as they have done through the past century.
Aberedw Community Council
Disserth/Trecoed Community Council
Erwood Community Council
Glascwm Community Council
Llanafan Community Council
Llanelwedd Community Council
Llanwrtyd Town Council.
They also wish to thank the individual members of the “Friends” for
their hard work in organising events to raise funds for this book:
Two Whist Drives were organised by Mrs Charlotte Hughes and Mrs
Glenys Price.
A “Silent Auction” was organised by Mrs Eira Mason
at Newbridge-on-Wye.
Personal Donations and a donation from the heart Machine
Appeal Fund, surplus to requirements, were also received.
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