Out Of The Blue Artifacts A Library of a lifetime of collecting
The Walpole Arms.
The Walpole Arms was built sometime in 1896 and was issued with a licence in the same year. I believe (not confirmed) that the name Walpole derived from Miss Adeline Mary Walpole, future wife of the then landowner Dr William E. Williams of Llanhilleth and Abertillery, upon whose land the Walpole Arms was constructed. (More on the story below).
Mr and Mrs Adam Arnold.
In December 1898 the landlord of the Walpole Arms was Mr Adam Arnold and his wife Mrs Jane Arnold.
In January 1899 the council were in negotiations with Messrs Dr W. E. Williams and E. J. Williams of the Limes and Coed Iorwg, Abertillery respectively regarding the wall in front of the Walpole Arms and with the intentions to reimburse them for the costs of repairing it.
The Death of Mrs Jane Arnold.
On Thursday 15th of March 1900, Mrs Jane Arnold, the landlady of the Walpole Arms sadly passed away, she was 43 years of age and a native of Monmouth.
On Monday 21st of November 1904, the Baden Powell Lodge R.A.O.B. held a Smoking Concert at the Walpole Arms.
Mr James Allen.
In April 1900 it was reported that Mr James Allen kept the Walpole Arms.
Mr Joshua Weeks.
In May 1903 Mr Joshua Weeks was the landlord.
Mr Daniel Smart.
In 1908 Mr Daniel Smart was the landlord.
The Death of Mr Daniel Smart.
On Saturday 5th of August 1911, Mr Daniel Smart sadly passed away at 47 years of age.
The Llanhilleth Football Club.
On Saturday 28th of June 1913, an annual meeting was held at the Walpole Hotel in connection with the Llanhilleth Association Football Club. The following officers were elected Mr Theo Jones (President); Mr Ted Harris (Chairman); Mr Ernie Reed (Vice-Chairman) and Mr George Hall (Treasurer): Mr Hynam was unable to take the position of Secretary though Mr Arthur Jones of Llanhilleth House was able to fill vacancy temporary. Mr George Price was elected Captain. The Committee – Mr Edgar Maggs; Mr Ted Beckett; Mr Tom Woodland; Mr Charles Budd; Mr William Preston; Mr W. Meredith and Mr William Newall. Mr W. Murphy was elected trainer of the team: At this meeting it was stated that the Llanhilleth Institute Library Committee were prepared to grant the use of the Llanhilleth Institute field for play. They were awaiting the terms of the agreement. Also it was announced that the team colours were to be blue & white and the Walpole Hotel were to be their headquarters.
Mr Jesse Smart.
During the Great War Mr Jesse Smart was the landlord of the Walpole Arms.
In 1918 Miss Maggie Kimber became the head barmaid.
In September 1922 a meeting was held at the Walpole Arms in connection with forming an athletic club, the Walpole Arms were their headquarters and Mr Smart purchased a punchball for their use.
Table Quoits League.
In the early 1920’s the Walpole Arms was in the Abertillery and District Table Quoits League. Some of the team members were as follows – Mr J. H. Davies; Mr H. Burnett; Mr S. Thomas; Mr G. Simmonds; Mr J. Connett; Mr P. Jones; Mr S. Thomas; Mr E. Morgan; Mr A. Green; Mr C. Bevan; Mr J. Newman; Mr E. Parfitt; Mr J. Green and Mr G. Pitts:
By 1925 the team had new members as follows – Mr J. Hill; Mr T. Southall; Mr J. Newman; Mr P. Jones; Mr P. Jeremiah; Mr A. Green; Mr E. Morgan; Mr A. Burton; Mr W. Roderick; Mr E. Thomas; Mr G. Connett and Mr W. Dowle:
The Departure of Mr Jesse Smart.
In February 1927 it was announced that Mr Jesse Smart, the landlord of the Walpole Arms was to leave the district and take over the proprietorship of the Knights Arms, Porthcawl. I believe his wife stayed on as landlady of the Walpole Arms as she is mentioned in later reports.
In May 1927 Miss Maggie Kimber left the Walpole Arms and the area to reside at Porthcawl.
In the late 1920’s the Walpole Arms were still in the Abertillery & District Quoits League and some members of the team were as follows – Mr J. Edmunds; Mr J. Roberts; Mr G. Twissell; Mr A. Twissell; Mr M. Welsh; Mr W. Davies; Mr G. Simmonds and Mr M. Simmonds:
In July 1929 at a meeting of the Llanhilleth Association Football Club Mr Jesse Smart was president. It seems that he may have been steward of both the Walpole and the Knights Arms at Porthcawl. At this meeting it was confirmed that Mr Sam Woodland would be captain and Mr Arthur Howells vice-captain of the Llanhilleth Association Football Club, their colours were green & white and the Walpole Hotel was the headquarters of the club.
Petrol Pump Installation.
In late 1929 it appears there were two petrol pumps installed outside the Walpole Arms. At this time, it was reported an accident had occurred when a Chrysler lorry was backing out of the premises and it knocked over the two petrol pumps that were situated on the roadside outside the Walpole Arms.
The Death of Mr Jesse Smart.
On Wednesday 21st of December 1932, Mr Jesse Smart was reported missing, on the following day Thursday 22nd December 1932 police had announced they found his clothes and his driver’s license on the beach at Porthcawl. On Christmas Day 25th December 1932 the body of Mr Jesse Smart was found at Porthcawl. Mr Smart was 39 years of age. The funeral took place at Christchurch Aberbeeg.
Mr and Mrs Phillips.
In April 1933 the landlord and landlady were Mr and Mrs Phillips.
New Football League.
On Saturday 26th of May 1933, a meeting was held at the Walpole Hotel with the intention to form a new Association Football Club called the Llanhilleth Corinthians to compete in the Senior League. Mr Perryman presided at the meeting were Mr T. Griffiths was asked to become its president. The following gentlemen were elected vice-presidents – Dr R. W. Scanlon; Dr T. J. Frost; Dr W. Saunderson; Mr J. Dixon; Mr Percy Roberts of Newport; Mr H. Creed; Mr J. H. Huxley; Mr M. Gorman J.P.; Mr Harry Lewis; Mr Jack Lewis (Barclay’s Bank); Mr H. Smart; Mr H. Dicks; Mr W. Jones (Pencoedcae) and Rev T. Madog Williams: It was agreed that the club colours would be Royal Blue jerseys and white shorts, though reported at the time as being (white knickers). Mr T. Ellis and Mr Ted Jones invited applications from players for positions in the team. Mr Harry Parfitt Jnr and Mr T. Ellis were added to the committee. A week later the confirmation of the team was announced. Mr Edgar Davies was elected permanent secretary and Mr Harry Parfitt of Aberbeeg was trainer. Mr E. Davies and Arthur Howells were appointed delegates to the league.
Tug-of-War Team.
On Saturday 13th of May 1933, a meeting was held at the Walpole Hotel with the intention to form a Tug-of-War team from the Walpole Hotel. The team would compete in various competitions in the county. Mr W. Hiscott was elected Captain and the anchor position was filled by his father Mr William Hiscott. Other team members were as follows – Mr W. Perryman; Mr Sam Woodland; Mr F. Adams and Mr Tomas Thayer: Mr J. W. Phillips (Landlord) of the Walpole Hotel consented to present the team with a suitable rope.
Skittles Club.
On Friday 28th of July 1933, a Skittles Club was formed at the Walpole Hotel, Llanhilleth. The officers were as follows – Mr William Perryman (Chairman); Mr J. W. Phillips (Treasurer); Mr A. H. Hynam (Secretary); Mr Jack Fieldes (Captain temporary); Committee – Mr Sam Kingston; Mr T. Kimber; Mr W. Cooper; Mr J. Wixey jnr and Mr E. Compton: It was stated that over thirty players had enrolled and it was hoped to form two teams. Their first team members were as follows – Mr E. Compton; Mr W. Gullick; Mr W. Phillips; Mr W. Cooper; Mr J. Lane; Mr W. Whitney; Mr B. Humphries; Mr E. Parsons; Mr J. Maloney; Mr W. A. Neal; Mr Mr J. Fieldes (Captain); Mr A. Coles; Mr P. Prosser; Mr W. Perryman; Mr C. Compton; Mr T. Thayer; Mr J. Wixey; Mr S. Kingston; Mr W. Insley; Mr R. Carter; Mr L Ewens and Mr W. Kimber:
St Illtyd Lodge.
In August 1933 the St Illtyd Lodge was based at the Walpole Hotel, it was reported they celebrated their fourteenth anniversary at their new home.
The Skittles League.
On Thursday 23rd of August 1934, a meeting was held at the Walpole Hotel to consider the formation of a Llanhilleth Skittles League. Mr Bob Christian presided with Mr A. H. Hynam the Walpole Hotel, club secretary and other delegates. It was reported that there were eight Llanhilleth Skittles teams and two from Crumlin, if a league was formed, there were other Crumlin teams interested in joining. A meeting was proposed at a later date to consider the formation, though in September 1934 the Walpole Hotel Skittles Team announced they would still be playing in the Marsden League at Abertillery.
In September 1934 it was reported that 300 Skittle players within ten combinations at Llanhilleth were still unsure as to what league they would be playing in for the coming season. Though at a meeting of the Crumlin and District Skittles League it was announced that the Walpole Hotel and the Central Hotel Llanhilleth would remain in the Marsdens League at Abertillery. The other teams seemed to play in the Crumlin League at this point.
Dart League.
In 1937 the Walpole Hotel Dart Club appeared in the Abertillery & District Dart League.
In October 1938 at a meeting in the Walpole Hotel the following officers and committee were elected – Mr J. Dennis (Chairman); Mr William John Phillips (Treasurer); Mr A. H. Hynam (Secretary); Committee – Mr J. Coombes; Mr C. Beckerton; Mr R. Welch; Mr G. Maloney; Mr I. Kimber; Mr L. Johns and Mr T. Meek: I believe they had formed some years previous but may have competed in the Crumlin League.
Points of Contention –
The Walpole and Llanhilleth Connection.
As mentioned on the Limes House page, Abertillery, the 1840 tithe map shows that the land upon which the Walpole Arms was to be built was actually owned by Mr Edmund Williams, farmer at Cwm Court, Llanhilleth. Edmund Williams was the father of John Jones Williams, grandfather of Messrs W. E. & E. J. Williams.
Dr William E. Williams married Miss Adeline Mary Walpole in January 1898, around this time, the Walpole Arms at Llanhilleth was built, Messrs W. E. & E. J. Williams were the landowners and sold the land for the Walpole Arms to be built. I wonder if the name has any connection to Miss Adeline Mary Walpole, his fiancée, later wife at the time.
In the early 1900’s the council was reported to have reimbursed the Messrs Williams brothers for damage to a wall on their property close to the Walpole Arms and at the same time was in communication with Messrs Williams and a Percy Phillips with the intention to purchase more land from them to build a recreational ground at Llanhilleth, close to the Walpole Arms.
In some reports the landlord Mr J. T. Phillips was stated as being Mr William John Phillips, though in other files his initials were J. T. Phillips.?
In the early 1900’s the Walpole featured in some reports as being an “Inn” and in other reports it was called the “Arms”. In about the 1910’s the Walpole was known as a hotel and featured as being such in many reports.
(More information to come)