Strange Drowning Case at Goytrey – Western Mail 25^th September 1888

On Sunday the body of a woman named Mary Twissel, wife of Samuel, a butcher living at Goytrey near Pontypool was found in a brook near Llanvair.

The deceased had attended the market at Pontypool on Saturday as was her usual custom and it is conjectured that whilst returning home late on the night in question she fell into the brook and was drowned.

An inquest will be held and it is hoped further inquiry will result in throwing some light on the matter, which at present remains a mystery.

Miss F M Vimpany, Goytrey – 19th February 1943

The funeral took place on Monday at St Peter’s Church, Goytrey, of Miss Flossie May Vimpany aged 32 who died the previous Thursday night at Hay Meadow where she resided with her parents, Mr & Mrs Harry Vimpany.

The deceased was well known and popular throughout the countryside and her untimely demise, after a long illness was regretted by a large circle of friends.

She was a member of St Peter’s Church and had been employed at a local factory. The Rector (Canon Morgan) conducted the service.

Mourners: Mother and father; Harry, Ernest, William, Ivor and Harold, brothers; Ena, sister; Tom and Elsie brother and sister in law; Mr & Mrs Taylor; Mr & Mrs E Arnold, uncles and aunts; Mr F Pritchard, uncle; Mr T Taylor, cousin.

Bearers: Messrs H W Gwatkin, D Williams, W Powell and Douglas Price.

Flowers: Mam and Dad; Harry, Ernest and Ivor; Ena, Tom and baby Jill; Harold and Elsie; Bill, Violet, Ron and Peggy; Uncle Fred; Uncle Will; Auntie Florrie and family; Aunty Georgina and Uncle Eddie; Gordon and Eileen; Mr & Mrs Gwatkin and Con; Gwyn, Bill and Ann; Trevor, Amy and children; Mr & Mrs D Williams; Esme, Gwyn and Jack; Customers and friends, Pontypool Market; Mr & Mrs Watkins, sen and jun; Mr & Mrs Wilcox; Workmates, section 5; Mrs Jones and Evelyn; Mrs Rosser, Horace and Eunice; Mrs Court, Louie, Linda and Miss Osborne; Bobbie; Mr & Mrs Hatchley, Len and Joy; Mr & Mrs Doug Price; Mrs Williams, Lal and Minnie; All at Pydew; Mr & Mrs T Morris, Vine Tree Cottage; Mr & Mrs Lewis and family; Mr & Mrs Messenger and family.

March 8^th 1946

Mr H Vimpany, Goytrey.

The funeral took place at St Peter’s Churchyard, Goytrey, of Mr Harry Vimpany, aged 78 of Hay Meadow, Goytrey, Canon Morgan officiated.

Mourners: Wife; Harry, Ernest, William, Ivor, Harold, sons; Ena, daughter; Tom, son-in-law; Elsie and Doris, daughters-in-law; Georgina and Florrie, sisters-in-law; William, brother-in-law.

Bearers: M/s Hamer, Price, Powell and Hatchley.

Also present; M/s Churchill; Bybe; Gwatkin; Arthur Gwatkin; R Jones; Messenger; Dobbs and Jones.

Flowers:

Wife, Harry, Ern and Doris; Bill and Ivor; Harold and Elsie; Ena, Tom and children; Georgina; Will, Florrie and family; Mr & Mrs Gwatkin; Gweneth, Bill and Ann; Mrs Lionel Whitehead; Mrs Jones and Hilda; All at Gelli; Amy, Trevor and children; Mr & Mrs Hatchley and Joy; Mr & Mrs Price and Bobby; Mr & Mrs Hamer.

The funeral took place at St Peter’s Church Goytre of Mrs Susan Alice Vimpany of Hay Meadow, Goytre, the Rev. CW Kelly officiated.

Mourners:
Harry, Ern, Bill and Harold, sons.
Ena and Tom, daughter and son-in-law.
Georgina, sister.
Gordon and Leonard, nephews.
Marion, niece.

At the house:
Elsie, daughter-in-law.
Vera and Jessie, nieces.
Mrs Rees

Others present:
Mmes: D Price, Hatchley, Powell and Highley.
Messrs: I Jones, Gwatkin and B Price

Bearers:
M/s A Messenger, R Hamer, W Powell and W Morgan.

Flowers:
Ena, Tom and family.
Harold, Elsie and Gordon.
Ern, Bill, Violet and Peggy.
Harry and family.
John, Jill and Len.
George, Marion and family.
Georgina and family.
Mr & Mrs Watkin and family, Parc Bach
Mr & Mrs Messenger and Betty.
Mr & Mrs Powell and family, Gelli.
Mr & Mrs Rees and family, Freeholdland.
Mrs Court, Low, Bill, Linda and David.
Nos. 3 and 7 Llwynu Lane
Mr & Mrs Hamer and Robert.
Mr & Mrs D Brice and Bobby.
Mr & Mrs Pritchard and family.
Bricklayers and mates of BNS.
Mrs Highley, Billy and Leslie.

The funeral took place at St Iltyd’s Churchyard, Mamhilad of Mr George Walton, 63, of 77 Coldstone Cross, Kingston, Hereford.

Born at Langstone, Mr Walton lived for a short time at Goytre. He was a veteran of the first World War.

Mourners were:
Ron, son; John, Sidney and Herbert, brothers; George, Reg, Granville, Charles and Trevor, nephews; Iris and Joyce, daughters; Gladys, Lucy and Rose, sisters; June, Brenda and Doreen, nieces; Cliff and Don, sons-in-law; Harry and Percy, brothers-in-law; Daph, daughter-in-law; Vi, sister-in-law; Betty, Ernie Morris and grandchildren.

October 14th 1932.

Mr Enoch Waters, Goytrey.

Goytrey’s oldest inhabitant has passed away. A remarkable character in many ways, Mr Enoch Waters was born and bred in the village, he died on Thursday last at his residence, Llaswern Cottage at the advanced age of 92 years.
Of a careful and industrious disposition he had built his house, Llaswern Cottage. Like his father he followed the occupation of a besom maker and supplied all the residents and gentlefolk of the district as well as some of the works and colliery’s with that useful though sometimes humble commodity.
To that, for many years he added that of coal merchant except for a break of ten years, during which he was employed at the old British Iron Works, Abersychan and at the works in Glamorgan as a puddler, he lived in Goytrey all his life.
The wages paid then were different from what they are today. His earnings were 2s per turn, but by dint of perseverance he eventually increased this to 30 shillings a week and was then considered a well paid man.
It is said of him that he was a man who always loved his work.
He commenced to fend for himself at the early age of ten years on a farm. A life long non-smoker Mr Walters was a man of remarkable physical strength and his faculties remained unimpaired to the last. He could always hold his own. Honest and upright, he was respected by all who knew him.
In politics he was a staunch Liberal and in religion a non-conformist, being a member of Saron Baptist Church.
On Sunday, amid manifestations of sorrow, deceased was laid to rest in Saron Burial ground, in the grave of his wife, who preceded him some twelve years ago.
Chief mourners were;
Mr Brinkworth, Cwmody (nephew);
Mr & Mrs Alfred Marsh, Porth, (Stepson and daughter in law)
Mrs Jones (Cwmffrwdoer
Mrs Rogers, Crumlin
Mrs Mallarney, Hafordyrynys
And other relatives

January 25^th

Mr C R Whatley – Goytrey

The funeral took place at Saron Chapel Goytrey on Saturday of Mr C R Whatley, who died the previous Tuesday at Pontypool hospital after a short illness.

Mr Whatley was well known in Pontypool, he was manager of M/s Hipps Pontypool shop. He leaves a widow, Mrs Esme Whatley and baby daughter.

The Rev. C A Rees officiated at the house and graveside.

Mourners: Wife; Mother and Father; Joyce and Herbert Whatley; Mam and Dad Williams; Gwyn and Jack; Uncle George.

Amongst others present were representatives of M/s Hipps and Pontypool Military band.

Bearers: M/s Truman; H Griffiths; J Davies and T Roberts.

Flowers: Wife and baby Christine; Mam and Dad; Joyce and Herbert; Mam and Dad; Gwyn and Jack, cousins; Tegwen; Uncle George, Aunt Nell and family; neighbours of Jubilee Terrace; M/s Hipps Ltd., Manager and staff Lower George Street Pontypool; Pontypool Military Band; members of Pontypool Comrades Club.

M/s E J Ware and Sons were the undertakers.

Mrs Lucy M Wilks – Penpellenny

To the general regret of all those who had the pleasure of her acquaintance for many years, Mrs Lucy M Wilks, widow of the late William Wilks passed away after only a days illness at Hawthorn Cottage Penpellenny Sunday last.

Well known in the life of the district her sudden demise caused quite a shock to the residents amongst whom she will be sadly missed.

Having continued the business of her husband in the building trade since his death, Mrs Wilks was a popular figure and was seen to be carrying out her daily rounds in her familiar pony and trap.

She was a capable business woman, beloved by her employees and was of an amiable and loving disposition.

She will be missed at Goytre Parish Church where she was a faithful and loyal member.

The funeral which took place at Goytrey on Wednesday was largely attended bearing testimony to the high esteem in which the deceased had been held throughout the neighbourhood.

The officiating minister was the Rev. H O P Belcher M.A. Rector, the coffin of plain elm bore the inscription “Lucy Maria Wilks died Jan 10^th 1926 aged 64 years.”

Six employees acted as bearers and among the principal mourners were Miss Robbins (niece) Messrs Philip and Joshua Robbins (brothers); Miss R Wilks (niece); Mrs Merrick (sister-in-law); MrW Jackson, (manager); together with several nephews and nieces.

The coffin was covered with a large number of floral tributes.

Full of Years and Honour –  Mr John Wilks

Little Mill Engineering Works Founder

60 years Deacon of Chapel Ed

Born at Penpellenny, Goytre on April 9^th 1842 Mr John Wilks passed away at his residence there Friday April 17^th 1931 full of years and of honour amongst his own people and of good repute amongst all of his acquaintances far and wide.

Mr Wilks has spent a long, active and useful life and won the affection and esteem of a large number of friends. The son of a smith, he commenced work at an early age, as was common in the days of his youth, and his first job was on the railway at the time when bridge work was in progress.

At the age of 22 he left Goytrey for Pandy, but at the age of 24 he returned home to start a small business of his own, from which has developed the engineering works of Messers Wilks and sons, Little Mill.

Mr Wilks helped the late Col. H Byrde in the works of building of the British School Penperllenny, and served on the committee of management. He was the first chairman of the Parish Council, a position he held for many years, and one in which his intimate knowledge of parochial affairs and business like qualities were of great value. For many years he was a trustee of the Council School.

The Oldest Deacon

For about 60 years Mr Wilks had been deacon at Chapel Ed, he was the oldest deacon of the Presbyterian Connection in the County and by his generosity and loyalty he had been able to keep the work going through storm and sunshine.

His house was an open home to ministers of all denominations and he was ever ready to help any good cause. His uprightness, integrity and good works placed him among the noblest and best of those professing the Christian faith.

In recognition of his great services at Chapel Ed in June 1923 Mr Wilks was presented with an illuminated address as a slight token of the affection and esteem in which he was held.

He took an active interest in the work at Little Mill practically up to the last, but in the latter months his failing health prevented him leaving his Penpellenny home. Amongst letters of condolence received by the family were one from Mr E J Bagley, secretary of the Hope Presbeteryn Church Pandy, and the Parry family at Glannant, and Col. R B Ford of Pontypool.

 The Funeral

The funeral took place on Monday afternoon, and was attended by a very large number of friends of the family from far and near who knew and revered Mr John Wilks as a man of Christian worth and a man of outstanding character in the countryside.

At the house a short service was conducted by the Rev. Thomas Probert, Pontnwynydd, and the Rev. Thomas Cooper, Abertysswg, after which the coffin was borne on the shoulders of relay men to Chapel Ed, which failed to accommodate all who attended.

Mr Charles Merrick presided at the organ and played ‘O Rest in the Lord’ as the cortege entered and ‘Handels Large’ as it left. The service which was conducted by the Rev William Jones of Mozerah commenced with the signing of the hymn ‘O God’.