Halloween Walk

27 people booked in for a Nantwich Halloween Ghost Walk last Saturday. All very much enjoyed themselves around the dark streets as the near-full moon rose into a milky-cloudy sky as the last of the leaves continued to come from the trees, leaving skeletal limb silhouettes against the sky.

Besides a good number of locals, visitors came from as far as Blackpool and Wolverhampton for the Nantwich Ghost walk. Those visitors, and a local all sent e-mails on Monday expressing their enjoyment of the ghost walk...

"Many thanks to saturday night it was amazing and fun for the kids . Katie S, Blackpool

"Thanks for a very enjoyable Halloween ghost walk in the lovely Nantwich. I would be very interested in doing your Crewe ghost walk and as with Halloween it would be for two adults... Many thanks again for your time and for the Nantwich walk." Mike P, Wolverhampton.

"Tim the tour was really great. Am going to get some friends to come along to the Crewe one next :)" Amanda Jane

An orb at The Wizard's Well - Mysterious Alderley Edge

A particularly fine location just south of Manchester is Alderley Edge. Head east uphill from the town towards Macclesfield and the road is quickly surrounded by woodland.

Parking in the National Trust car park, or one of a couple laybys, you can have a good day walking in these woods with intriguing curiosities to satiate and grow a sense of wonder: a 'standing stone', a Victorian folly stone circle, a prehistoric Bronze Age round barrow for burial once mounted and used as a beacon to warn of the Spanish Armada 3,500 years later in 1588. There are miles of mines, created from the mesolithic to modern times interlacing and honeycombing the hillside, with some fine viewpoints north towards Wilmslow and Manchester.

A sense of 'the other' can also drift in and out of the woods, and for those who remember "Robin of Sherwood" from the 1980s, you might expect to bump into Herne the Hunter in one of the leafy glades. Indeed, myths and legends haunt the locale layering the wonderful physical and visual ambience with mystery and whispers of it being a very special location.

Next to a path just as it starts descending in front of the north face of the escarpment is an outlet of a water from the ground, gently trickling away: a well. A holy well, in fact. Just above a small trough there is the fading carving of a wizard's face with the inscription, "Drink of this and take thy fill for the water falls by the Wizard's will". Now drinking it perhaps may not be a good idea in these days of (hopefully) good tapwater - but nonetheless - an issue of water from the earth.

The elemental oxymoron of the ground producing water gives a liminal space where perhaps the perceived norms of our world could be suspended, where the underworld gives forth a life giving flow into our world. Linked with the Wizard - well - a magical spot indeed.

I have visited this place about a dozen times since my own first discovering it about 1997. I have photographed it many times too, but returning in early October 2009 with a better camera, taking some pictures was imperative for me. On getting the pictures uploaded, I noticed this picture had a Yellow-Orange orb with slight flaring at the edges! Have had plenty of blue / see through orbs for several years - but not this type.

I rarely get orbs with this Canon PowerShot SX10IS - unlike my small Nikon Coolpix which frequently has orbs. Now, there are strong feelings as to what orbs actually are with verbally vigourous communities of orb-skeptics and orb-believers ready to argue their beliefs about these things. Are orbs just a load of balls? You be the judge. Don't accept second hand beliefs and opinions.

I just enjoy the fact that these phenomena happen. What with the synchronicity of places like The Wizard's Well at Alderley Edge just invests more meaning into the sense and spirit of place, whether there is a physical, or a more spiritual and mysterious explanantion.

Three pictures: top a zoomed in close up of the image, with pictures being enlarged to the original photo down the page.

Text and photos copyright Tim Prevett - Crewe and Nantwich Ghost Walks - Walking Tours of Hidden and Haunted Heritage - www.crewetours.com

The Dodcott Divas

With many thanks to the lovely Dodcott Divas, 17 of whom came on a special booking for the Nantwich Ghost Walk this week. The group is pictured here at the end of the tour next to the haunted Pall Mall not far from Morrisons Supermarket and two of the main Nantwich centre car parks.

Their feedback e-mail says,

"Good morning Tim,

Just a very quick note to say thanks for a great evening on Thursday last. Everyone that I've spoken to have said that they enjoyed the tour very much. I am very glad that the man on the church roof wasn't dressed as a monk though!

We all learnt a few different historical facts about Nantwich and will most certainly keep an eye out for stray bears, of the ghostly variety, when visiting Nantwich in the future.

I will definitely recommend your Ghost tours in future and wish you the all the very best with the book.

Many thanks,

Helen Atkins".

If you want to book a walk / vigil for your company's Christmas event, or a social, or even a team building exercise, get in touch. Hen parties, WIs, National Women's Register, and range of social group can book a ghost tour - or maybe even a vigil - by arrangement.

Crewe and Nantwich Ghost Walks
Walking tours of Hidden and Haunted Heritage

Crewe & Nantwich Ghost Walks

Welcome to the Crewe & Nantwich Ghost Walks which gives tours in, around and from the Historic Railway town of Crewe.

COMING LATER IN 2009 - THE BOOK!
"Paranormal Crewe and Nantwich" will be published by Amberley Publishing later in 2009... Any of your haunted, paranormal experiences you would like to be considered for inclusion do get in touch ASAP.

Details of longer paranormal vigils here, including Halloween period vigils.

If you want to book a walk / vigil for your company's Christmas event, or a social, or even a team building exercise, get in touch.

A completely different second Crewe Ghost Walk is under construction... hopefully details by November if not sooner.

To enable under 18s to come along on the tours the pub finishes have been removed; the Crewe Walk finishes with a visit to The Crewe Heritage Centre's North Signal Box which has witnessed phenomena on vigils in 2008 and by people working there this year...

Need a drink before or after a walk? In recognition of and gratitude for the haunted pubs which helped the tours establish during its first 2 seasons, I am pleased to recommend:

in Crewe
Oscar's Hotel

in Nantwich
The Boot and Shoe
The Railway Hotel
Ye Olde Vaults

Alternatively, tales of haunting and strangeness could be brought to you. I will consider most requests!

Two very different towns with a highly haunted heritage to share. Many weird and wonderful stories with ghosts, folklore, superstitions, strange photos, macabre history - and more - with visits to haunted pubs. Fun and thoughtful - you may never see things the same way...

Crewe and Nantwich Ghost Walks - Autumn 2009 details are HERE.

What People Have Said (Ghost Walks Hen Party)

Hi Tim,

It was a great night thank you.

Thank you for your patience, everyone really enjoyed it.

The photos are great I have forwarded your email to everyone and I will forward the photos to you as soon as I have them.

No problem for you to use the photos.

Love the one with the orb!

Thanks again,

KR ( Hen Party ghost tour)

What People Have Said (Ghost Walks)

Hi Tim

Just wanted to say a very big thank you for giving up your time on Sunday night, we really enjoyed the evening although it was cold and windy!!, I have printed out your web page and put it on the notice board at work, also done one for my niece who works at Argos who told me about your tours, hopefully we can get some interest for our next team night out!!

Thanks again

SL
-----

Just a quick note to say thank you very much for the tour on Friday. The students raved about it and they all had a fantastic time. It also made for some interesting discussions in class. Thanks once again for being so accommodating.

Leanne (after a special tailored school trip ghost walk)

What People Have Said (Ghost Walks)

Hi Tim,
just a short note to say how much we enjoyed the ghost tour last night.

I certainly learned a few things about Crewe I never knew, even after living here (mostly) all my life.

Anyway, again, thanks for the tour,and we hope to join you for the Nantwich tour soon.

AV
-----

Morning Tim

Just a quick note to say thank you for last night - we both found it really interesting, despite the jokers & cynical few you had to deal\with!!

We'll be in touch again soon to book onto the Crewe walk

All the best,
Kirstin & Stephen.

What People Have Said (Ghost Walks)

Dear Tim

Just to say how much myself and our party enjoyed the ghost walk around Crewe last night, the fog certainly added to the atmosphere!! Your knowledge was second to none, we learnt so much about Crewe and it's history and folk-lore, I shall certainly see the town in a different light.

I cannot recommend the tour highly enough and I look forward to you sending me information about future tours you may do.

Sue Evans
-----

Hi Tim

Just to say that I really enjoyed the walk on Wednesday.

It was excellent, thank you very much for your information and knowledge about the town. I will definitely come again and spread the good word to my friends and colleagues.

Take care and keep up the good work,

Sue Evans (again!)

What People Have Said (Ghost Walks)

Many thanks for a great evening,
Michelle S.
-----

Hi Tim

Thanks for a very informative and interesting evening, I thoroughly enjoyed myself.
TT

What People Have Said (Ghost Walks)

Tim

I just wanted to thank you on behalf of the group I brought along on Halloween to the ghost walk of Crewe.

We found that not only was it a fascinating look at the less well known side of our home town but also a very informative and extremely interesting evening led by someone who obviously has a passion for this sort of event and that shows in your tours.

Its amazing how many times i have walked through Crewe at night and never noticed things or known what once stood in the area i am walking over. I will certainly look at Crewe in a different light now.

After the tour had ended, we went for a drink and i must say, every member of the group commented on how interesting and enjoyable the walk was. Even to the point of 2 people approaching us for your number so that they could book.

Stuart H

What People Have Said (Ghost Walks)

Hi Tim,

I was on your ghost walk last night, which I found very interesting and educational. Well done on trying to do something different for Crewe and I hope you find future success with similar events.

Steve T

What People Have Said (Talks)

Thank you so much for your talk. It was so interesting, and your enthusiasm shone through. Many of the members said they could have listened for another hour...praise indeed!

We counted 81 people present.

Do you think you will be able to come and talk to us again in 2009 or 2010?

Simon

Simon Keeling MSc (Appld. Meteorology & Climatology), FRMetS
Weather Consultancy Services
The Weather Centre, 188 Common Road, Wombourne,
Staffordshire, England. WV5 0LT.
Tel: (01902) 895252

(Followin Ancient Sites of Staffordshire talk to Wombourne Scientific Society)

What People Have Said (Talks)

Hi Tim,

I had several comments back from people who enjoyed your talk so it went down well and must have been better than satisfactory!

Paul Brown
Oswestry and Borders History and Archaeology Group
(following Prehistoric Shropshire talk)

What People Have Said (Talks)

Dear Tim

Thank you so much for the talks you have given - the customers and staff alike have been impressed by the quality of the talks and the slides, and have really enjoyed the sessions. We have had some excellent feedback from all of the talks you have given here.

I am sure that word will spread, and I really hope we will be able to book you again next year, maybe around May time, for your Curiosities of Staffordshire talk, which again looks really interesting and I am sure it will be very popular.

Kind regards,

Carol

Carol Barker
Team Leader: ICT, Information and Local Studies
Burton Library
Riverside
Burton upon Trent
Staffordshire DE14 1AH

Crewe and Nantwich Ghost Walks 2009 / 2010 Season

PLEASE BE AWARE IF YOU DO NOT CONFIRM OR BOOK THERE MAY BE NO TOUR! AN ENQUIRY IS NOT THE SAME AS A BOOKING.

DATES & TIMES BELOW

Please bring digital cameras and use them - you never know what you may pick up!

Small torches are useful for dark alleyways and vigils.

Private tours by arrangement year round with details agreed by mutual consent. (Women's Institutes, social groups, (sober!) Hen and Stag Parties too).

Company groups for Christmas parties, team building exercises are welcome for a ghost walk and /or a paranormal vigil at Crewe Heritage Centre, by arrangement

Please meet at the respective starting point 10-15 mins beforehand. Walks will proceed whatever the weather, so come appropriately dressed.

Children are now welcome on the tours due to not finishing on licensed premises. If they can cope with Harry Potter, they will be fine with the tour!

Unless otherwise noted or arranged, the Crewe Walk will start from the War Memorial opposite Municipal Buildings and finish at The Crewe Heritage Centre next to Tesco.

The Nantwich Walk starts outside The Railway Hotel and will finish close to the town centre.

The regular Friday / Saturday tours are £7 adult £5 concession £20 family (up to 3 under 16s)

Telephone 07952 984 229 for bookings and enquiries.

NOVEMBER

Friday 13th - Crewe 8pm
Saturday 14th - Nantwich 7:30pm

Friday 27th - Crewe 8pm
Saturday 28th - Nantwich 7:30pm

DECEMBER
Details of Christmas Period Tours to follow

2010

JANUARY

Nantwich - 2 Ghost Walks for Holly Holy Day - Battle of Nantwich

Roll on "The Cheshire Cat"

March 2010 brings the release of Tim Burton's "Alice in Wonderland". There couldn't be a better director to relate this bizarre tale to the audience of today. You can be assured of an engagingly wacky, gothic and macabre interpretation. If, like me, you're a huge Tim Burton fan, it's one of those "do not let me die before I see this film"!

It's a curiosity to ponder if this new movie with the prominent Cheshire feline will spawn a raft of pub name changes across Cheshire - for once again The Cheshire Cat will stalk movie theatres' screens around the globe. We have The Cat Radio and the allegedly haunted Cat at Curshaws in Nantwich for starters...

Lewis Carroll came from Cheshire - indeed there is a carving of a cat at the church at Grappenhall - and the church at Daresbury features an Alice in Wonderland stained glass window dedicated to Carroll. His usage of the vanishing moggy with a strychnine smile is an icon for Cheshire around the world - probably its most famous weird export.

After watching the trailer below, you may wish to visit Wikipedia for this more indepth article on "The Cheshire Cat".

Helen's Bridge, near Asheville, North Carolina

This is one of the haunted places I got to visit in my three months in the USA - Helen's Bridge. Just love the sound of the crickets and critters for added ambience.

An actress by the name of Helen (? Surname) hung herself from this bridge following the tragic death of her daughter in a fire

People report seeing her hanging here in their rear view mirror, cars failing to start, unexplained handprints on car paint work which can't be removed (any photos ?), a feeling of not being alone or of invisible malice. Helen is said to be summoned by thrice calling "Helen! Come Forth!".

Probably the most experienced weird place around Asheville.

Interestingly on our visit, the Honda CRV's alarm began sounding when we were around the corner from the vehicle. The day was still (no wind) and the mountain afforded shelter if there was; it was Labor Day weekend so there was no one in and out of the business in the nearby castle, and there was no one about to cause the alarm to go off. Interesting. Made us smile.

Body Mind Spirit Expo in Raleigh

Welcome to the visitors speaking with me at the Body Mind Spirit Expo at the North Carolina State Fairground!

Stay in touch for details of tours and visits to ancient sacred sites in Britain, magazine articles, photos books and show appearances.

The picture top left is with a group of clients from across the USA at the stone circle and henge on Orkney Mainland. This was a 2 week tour from Stonehenge in the south of Britain to beyond the tip of mainland Scotland taking in some of the most iconic Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments of the British Isles.

The bottom picture is with a smaller tour for three US nationals catching sunset at Dyffryn Ardudwy tombs (two neolithic burial sites) in North West Wales. There are thousands of life changing special places such as these. There's much more to prehistoric sites in the UK than Stonehenge!

Tours large, small, 1 to 1, or even just giving you a few tips on where to go, what to see, and how to experience - I am more than happy to work with whatever needs you have in whatever way you wish to encounter ancient, mystical sacred sites in Britain.

I also run ghost walks in the Cheshire towns of Crewe and Nantwich; if you're visiting between September and March, or would like a dedicated booking at another time of year, get in touch, and I look forward to showing you the weird and wonderful sides of two very different but very historic English towns.

With much gratitude to Mayan Record Keeper, and The Mountain Area Learning Center of Asheville for their courtesy in enabling me to participate in this exciting, friendly expo.

Railway Cross

What could be more fitting for a Railway Company Church than for a cross made out of sleepers - as we suspect this cross facing west in the Nave is.

Arch Detail

Detail from one of the demolished arches in low but bright winter sunlight.

Looking East

A view from the west, looking east, early December 2008.

Christ Church Crewe - The historic Victorian railway church serving Crewe today - in Crewe Town Centre.

Christ Church from Coronation Street

Christ Church to the left and the outline of the Municipal Buildings and Market Hall tower view from Coronation Street just before the midwinter solstice 2008.

Christ Church Crewe - The historic Victorian railway church serving Crewe today - in Crewe Town Centre.

Christ Church from Delamere House

A view of Christ Church from the east side of Delamere House in early December 2008.

Christ Church Crewe - The historic Victorian railway church serving Crewe today - in Crewe Town Centre.

Christ Church in the Snow (7)

After the unexpected snowfall at the start of the school term in early January, a mission to photograph Christ Church in the sunshine with snow around was obligatory... enjoy these few snaps of a nowadays rare snow fall in the middle of Crewe.

Couldn't get more Christmas-sy than this - the Christmas tree with REAL snow on it! (Note the cordyline too with heating vent to the rear).

Christ Church Crewe - The historic Victorian railway church serving Crewe today - in Crewe Town Centre.

Christ Church in the Snow (6)

After the unexpected snowfall at the start of the school term in early January, a mission to photograph Christ Church in the sunshine with snow around was obligatory... enjoy these few snaps of a nowadays rare snow fall in the middle of Crewe.

Christ Church Crewe - The historic Victorian railway church serving Crewe today - in Crewe Town Centre.

Christ Church in the Snow (5)

After the unexpected snowfall at the start of the school term in early January, a mission to photograph Christ Church in the sunshine with snow around was obligatory... enjoy these few snaps of a nowadays rare snow fall in the middle of Crewe.

Christ Church Crewe - The historic Victorian railway church serving Crewe today - in Crewe Town Centre.

Christ Church in the Snow (4)

After the unexpected snowfall at the start of the school term in early January, a mission to photograph Christ Church in the sunshine with snow around was obligatory... enjoy these few snaps of a nowadays rare snow fall in the middle of Crewe.

Pictured here is Mr Crewe Blog (right) and Dale another Crewe Blog contributor besides myself, all eager to capture historic nice pictures of Crewe in the snow.

Christ Church Crewe - The historic Victorian railway church serving Crewe today - in Crewe Town Centre.

Christ Church in the Snow (3)

After the unexpected snowfall at the start of the school term in early January, a mission to photograph Christ Church in the sunshine with snow around was obligatory... enjoy these few snaps of a nowadays rare snow fall in the middle of Crewe.

Christ Church Crewe - The historic Victorian railway church serving Crewe today - in Crewe Town Centre.

Christ Church in the Snow (2)

After the unexpected snowfall at the start of the school term in early January, a mission to photograph Christ Church in the sunshine with snow around was obligatory... enjoy these few snaps of a nowadays rare snow fall in the middle of Crewe.

Christ Church Crewe - The historic Victorian railway church serving Crewe today - in Crewe Town Centre.

Christ Church in the Snow (1)

After the unexpected snowfall at the start of the school term in early January, a mission to photograph Christ Church in the sunshine with snow around was obligatory... enjoy these few snaps of a nowadays rare snow fall in the middle of Crewe.

Christ Church Crewe - The historic Victorian railway church serving Crewe today - in Crewe Town Centre.

Crewe Air Raid Shelters I

There are a number of World War II air raid shelters remaining in Crewe.

Late last year I was loaned some material from the daughter of a Crewe Works man which yielded the press clipping above (Crewe Chronicle, circa 1992). Knowing exactly where this site was I checked the aerial image, and yes, parch marks on the grass showed its location.

An on-the-ground check shows a couple hatches and extensive raised earthworks where the shelter ought to be, and its mound of covering earth spread out.

Now almost every town has rumours of tunnels and subterranean heritage. This is no rumour. How often do you find something like this still surviving without having been filled in or built upon?

It has now been flagged up to the council and Local Strategic Partnership culture group, with interest from the mayor and other parties, and could be a signifiant asset to Crewe's Wartime Heritage located in the West End between Bright Street, Samuel Street, Ramsbottom Street and Richard Moon Street.

How unique is this shelter? How many survive? Were they a standardised design? In the longer term would it be feasible to restore, open (even if only on key dates) and present this and / or other surviving Crewe shelters?

Ongoing research... photos to follow during the week.

Change at Crewe
http://www.changeatcrewe.com
Life, Heritage and Culture past and present in the Historic Railway Town

Roads and Trackways of North Wales - Appendix III - Timeline relating to Roads

Timeline relating to Roads and Trackways of North Wales

225,000 BC - Palaeolithic (Old Stone Age) - Bont Newydd Cave in Denbighshire in use

10,000 BC - Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age) - hunter gathers following tracks made by animals, river valleys, ridgeways

4,500 BC - Circa this time the Neolithic (New Stone Age) begins - farming, settled lifestyle, burial monuments (cromlechs) begin to appear, later on Cursus Monuments and Axe Trade

2,300 BC - Circa this time Bronze Age filters in leading to trackways dotted with standing stones, stone circles, cairns, barrows and stone rows. Copper Mining.

600 BC - The Iron Age is established with communities in hillforts, hut circles, farmsteads and homesteads

43 AD - Roman Invasion (typically)

60 - Roman Conquest of Anglesey

77/78 - the final ‘Pacification of Wales’ by the Romans; Roman road from Canovium to Segontium documented in Antonine Itinerary

368 - Magnus Maximus arrives in Britain, marries Elen Lwddog who outlives him (d. 388), in legend it is her who is Elen of the Roads, and therefore the Roman Roads known Sarn Elen (not Helen)

400s - Einion Frenin on Bardsey

520 - St Cadfan founds Monastery on Bardsey

640 - Death of St Beuno

660 - (Second) Death of St Winefride

1066 - Norman Conquest

1188 - Gerald of Wales’ journey through Wales

1194 - Llywelyn Fawr (The Great) Prince of Wales to 1240 - resisted the English pushing them out of Wales

1277 - 1294 - Subjugation of North Wales by King Edward I

1347 - First references to cattle trade at Ruthin and Abergele

1400 - 1410 Owain Glyndwr and the Welsh Revolt

1400s - First reference to cattle trade from Anglesey

1536 and 1543 - Laws effecting the Act of Union between Wales and England

1555 - Highway Act placing responsibility for local roads to the Parish

1657 - Thrice weekly coach service from London to Chester

1663 - First turnpike trust set up in Hertfordshire

1674 - John Ogilby’s survey of the roads

1744 - Act for milestones on most roads

1766 - Act for milestones on every road

1773 - Act for compulsory signposts at Turnpike Crossroads

1776 - The coach service extended to Holyhead

1784 - The Royal Mail coach service replaces post-boys

1791 - Route up the west side of Nant Ffrancon to Capel Curig begun by Lord Penrhyn

1800 - Act of Union with Ireland and United Kingdom dictates improved communication from London to Holyhead

1802 - Pentrefoelas to Llandegai Turnpike opens a better route northwest; eastern side of Nant Francon used for the route

1810 - Parliamentary Committee concerning Holyhead Road

1815 - 1830 - Telford’s A5 and improved route via Llangollen, Betws y Coed, Bethesda and Bangor

1819 - Telford’s route to Bangor operational and safe

1823 - Telford’s Stanley Embankment to Holyhead opened

1826 - Telford’s Menai Bridge and Conwy Bridge opened

1826 - Macadam’s road making techniques and management introduced widely

1850 - The age of coaching now gone, roads for local usage

1850 - Stephenson’s Britannia Bridge Opened

1895 - Turnpikes abolished

1900s - Rise of the automobile

1937 - Ministry of Transport takes responsibility for the roads

1980 - Remodelled Britannia Bridge opened with a deck each for trains and for traffic

1980s - Throughout the decade sections of the A55 Expressway were constructed and opened

1991 - Conwy tunnel opened - the country’s first immersed tube road tunnel

2001 - A55 Extension across Anglesey completed

2008 - A third Menai Crossing under consideration

Roads and Trackways of North Wales - Appendix II - Guide to Welsh Place Name Meanings

Most Welsh place names are actually descriptive of their location, so this might help to unlock the meanings of places talked about or locations to visit. This is aimed at being comprehensive, but not exhaustive.

Particularly relevant to roads and trackways

Cefn ffordd - ridge road
Henffordd - old road
Pont - bridge (also Bont)
Rhyd - ford, river crossing
Sarn - old track
Tyrpeg - turnpike

A to Z

Aber - river mouth
Allt - wooded incline
Ar - on
Aran - ridge
Afon - river

Bach - meander in a river, small (also Fach)
Bae - bay
Bala - outlet of river from a lake
Ban - peak, crest
Bedd - grave
Berwyn - snow mountain
Betws - house of prayer
Blaen - head of valley
Bod - house, dwelling
Bont - bridge (also Pont)
Braich - ridge
Bron - hillside
Bryn - hill
Bwlch - pass
Bychan - small

Cadair - stronghold or chair (also Cader)
Cae - field, enclosure
Caer - fort
Capel - chapel
Carnedd - cairn
Carn - cairn
Carreg - rock
Castell - castle
Cefn - ridge
Celli - grove
Cerrig - stones
Ceunant - ravine
Cil - source of a stream
Clas - cloister, cell, early monastic community
Clogau - knolls, cliffs
Clogwyn - cliff, sheer
Clun - meadow
Coch - red (also Goch)
Coed - forest
Copa - summit
Cors - bog, swamp
Craig - crag, rock
Croes -cross (also Groes)
Crug - cairn, mound
Cwm - a bowl shaped valley, coombe
Cymer - confluence (of river)

Dda - good
Ddu - black (also Du)
De - south
Derw - oak
Diffwys - wilderness
Diffaith - desert, wilderness
Dinas - camp or fort
Dol - meadow
Drum - summit or ridge
Drw - water
Dwyrain - east
Dyffryn - broad valley, low land

Eglwys - church
Eithin - gorse
Esgair - mountain ridge

Fan - peak (also Van)
Fawr - big
Foel - bare hill (also Moel)
Ffarm - farm
Ffin - boundary
Ffordd - road
Ffos - ditch
Ffridd - mountain pasture
Ffrwd - torrent, stream
Ffynnon - well, spring

Gaer - wall, fort (also Caer)
Gallt - wooded slope
Gardd - garden
Garn - pile of stones, cairn
Garreg - rock or cliff
Garth - hill, enclosure
Garw - rough
Gelli - a small wood, grove
Glan - river bank
Glas - green or blue
Glyn - glen
Goetre - woodland
Gogledd - north
Gorllewin -west
Gorwydd - wooded slope
Graig - rock, crag
Gwaelod - bottom land
Gwaun - meadow
Gwaunydd - moor, meadow
Gwern - marsh, meadow, alder grove
Gwydd - in the wilderness
Gwyddfa - tumulus, grave (also Wyddfa)
Gwyn - white, fair (also Wen)
Gwyllt - wild
Gwyrdd - green

Hafod - summer grazing base
Haul - sun
Helygen - willow
Hen - old, ancient
Hendre - main farm (also Hendref)
Heol - road
Hir - long

Is - below
Isaf - lower
Isal - low

Llain - strip of land
Llan - enclosure; church; flat area
Llanerch - clearing or glade
Llawr - low ground in valley, floor
Lle - place
Llech - slab
Llechwedd - hillside
Llethr - slope
Llety - small house
Llewyd - grey
Lluest - hut, tent
Llwybr - path
Llwyn - bush or grove
Llyn - lake
Llys - court, house

Mam - mother
Maen - rock
Maes - field
Mawr - great, big (also Fawr)
Melyn - yellow
Meri - mere
Merthyr - burial place
Mign - bog
Min - edge
Mor - sea
Morfa - seashore
Myn - ore, mine
Mynydd - mountain

Nan - valley
Nannau - brooks
Nant - small stream or valley
Nos - night

Ogof - cave

Pant - valley, hollow
Parc - park
Pen - head, end, head of valley
Pentre - village
Pistyll - spring, spout, waterfall
Plas - hall, mansion
Porfa - pasture, grass
Porth - harbor, gateway
Pwll - pool

Rhayader - waterfall
Rhayaedr - waterfall
Rhiw - hillside, ascent
Rhos - moorland, heath
Rhyd - ford, stream

Sain - saint
Sarn - causeway
Sir - shire
Sych - dry

Tai - houses
Tal - end, front, brow of hill, high
Tan - below
Tarren - rocky height
Teg - fair
Tir - land, ground, territory
Tomen - mound, dunghill
Ton - grassland
Traet - beach
Tre - township (also Tref)
Troed - foot
Trum - ridge (also Drum)
Tyrpeg - turnpike
Twr - tower
Twyn - hillock
Ty - house
Tyddeyn - small farm
Tyn - small

Uchaf - highest
Uchel - high
Uwch - above, over

Waun - moorland, meadow

Y, Yr, ’r - the; of the
Ynys - island
Ystrad - valley floor
Ystum - river bend

Roads and Trackways of North Wales - Appendix I - Guide to Welsh Pronunciation

Thanks to Ceriddwen Connelly for supplying and allowing replication of her notes on Welsh Pronunciation from her Welsh course which form this Appendix 1.

Guide to Welsh Pronounciation

*Unlike English, the letters and dipthongs are true and constant

c = k (as in Cerridwen)
ch = as in "Bach the composer"
dd = th as in "the"
f = v
ff = f
ng as in sing
ll - say th (as in thing) with L sound (a toughie!)
ph - f
r - trilled (like Spanish rrr)
rh - aspirated (as in perhaps)
s as in sit (not nose)
si = sh
th as in think

ae/ ai au = aye!
aw = as in proud
ei/ eu - between ee and eye
ew - short e (let) + oo (soon)
iw/ uw/ yw - as in dew/ few
oe/ oi as in oil
ow - as in Owen
wy = "we" (like: we are here)

Vowels come in two varieties: long and short

this is much more confusing:

a, e, i o, w :

short:
before c, p, m, and ng
as in: at, bet, in, hot, up (w= English u)

long:
before g, b, d, ch, th, ff, s, f, dd:
as in father, evening, evening, only, soon

Roads and Trackways of North Wales by Tim Prevett

Welcome to the hub page for my first book published by Landmark November 2008.

To buy the book, click on the advert in the right hand menu, or below.

If you wish to discuss any issues from the book please see the Facebook Group or contact me on the e-mail address top right hand corner.

If you wish to book a talk on the book - whether as an overview, or tackling particular periods or chapters, please get in touch with the e-mail address in the top right hand corner or telephone 07952 984 229.

I will be placing some images on this website which were not able to be included in the book, so please visit again. Once I know what images have not been included in the publication, I will be able to put up the appropriate images.

Publisher's Press Release:

Roads & Trackways of North Wales By Tim Prevett

Now and again, a book is published which adds significantly to public knowledge of our countryside and the history of the landscape in which it is located. ‘The Roads & Trackways of North Wales’, a new book, does just that.

Driving along the A5 from Chirk to Anglesey, are a succession of signs stating that the road is a ‘Historic Route’. This book shows that the A5 is a comparative newcomer, with many others in North Wales which are ten – twenty times older.

Some of the roads were pre-historic when they were utilised by the Romans and two thousand years on, still remain in use.

The packhorse way being succeeded by the cart, coach and motor vehicle, in many cases preserves a route-way that had its origins in pre-history. The old road from Rowen to Aber – Bwlch Y Ddeufaen, or the pass of two stones – still has the two huge way-markers as well as a cromlech at the side of the roadway.

Author Tim Prevett begins the book looking at the evidence for such old roads and then moves on to examine the Roman roads, pilgrims’ routes, drovers’ roads and subsequent highways up to the turnpikes, including Telford’s A5, the London to Holyhead route for Dublin-bound travellers.

He has carefully included lots of maps and photographs to illustrate the text. They make it much easier to understand the locations he describes. There is a lot packed into the book’s 160pp and it is competitively priced at £14.99. With its eye-catching cover of sheep still using the Bwlch Y Ddeufaen route, the author shows us how much of our heritage we can easily take for granted and how much of our countryside has been shaped by our forefathers and mothers.

ISBN 13: 9781843064206

Roads and Trackways of North Wales by Tim Prevett

To buy the book, click on the advert in the right hand menu, or below.

If you wish to discuss any issues from the book please see the Facebook Group or contact me on the e-mail address top right hand corner.

If you wish to book a talk on the book - whether as an overview, or tackling particular periods or chapters, please get in touch with the e-mail address in the top right hand corner or telephone 07952 984 229.

I will be placing some images on my Change at Crewe website which were not able to be included in the book, so please visit again. Once I know what images have not been included in the publication, I will be able to put up the appropriate images.

Publisher's Press Release:

Roads & Trackways of North Wales By Tim Prevett

Now and again, a book is published which adds significantly to public knowledge of our countryside and the history of the landscape in which it is located. ‘The Roads & Trackways of North Wales’, a new book, does just that.

Driving along the A5 from Chirk to Anglesey, are a succession of signs stating that the road is a ‘Historic Route’. This book shows that the A5 is a comparative newcomer, with many others in North Wales which are ten – twenty times older.

Some of the roads were pre-historic when they were utilised by the Romans and two thousand years on, still remain in use.

The packhorse way being succeeded by the cart, coach and motor vehicle, in many cases preserves a route-way that had its origins in pre-history. The old road from Rowen to Aber – Bwlch Y Ddeufaen, or the pass of two stones – still has the two huge way-markers as well as a cromlech at the side of the roadway.

Author Tim Prevett begins the book looking at the evidence for such old roads and then moves on to examine the Roman roads, pilgrims’ routes, drovers’ roads and subsequent highways up to the turnpikes, including Telford’s A5, the London to Holyhead route for Dublin-bound travellers.

He has carefully included lots of maps and photographs to illustrate the text. They make it much easier to understand the locations he describes. There is a lot packed into the book’s 160pp and it is competitively priced at £14.99. With its eye-catching cover of sheep still using the Bwlch Y Ddeufaen route, the author shows us how much of our heritage we can easily take for granted and how much of our countryside has been shaped by our forefathers and mothers.

ISBN 13: 9781843064206

Crewe by Night (6)

Tollit Street with Big Bill peering over the town centre.

The three streets here off Chester Street (the others being Betley and Dorfold) are the only surviving terraces of the earliest Crewe housing which went up in the 1840s.

I love walking around here trying to imagine the sights, sounds and smells of The Works (The General Offices, or GO just the other side of the wall to the south) and railway lines which were adjacent - now where is situated the Phoenix Leisure Park.

Excepting Christ Church and the Market Hall, these streets are about all that remain of the first whiffs of Crewe Town History.

Imagine these streets and houses replicated dozens of times over with a town centre population several thousand higher than we have now. Crewe town centre has changed hugely from its birth 170 odd years ago; will it all change again in the next few years?

Change at Crewe
http://www.changeatcrewe.com
Life, Heritage and Culture past and present in the Historic Railway Town

Crewe & Nantwich Ghost Walks Nominated for Tourism Award

Crewe and Nantwich Ghost Walks, as part of Crewe Tours (soon to be renamed Six Spoke Tours), has been nominated for Best New Entrant to the Visitor Economy for the Cheshire Awards for Tourism Skills 2008.

The Ghost walks launched late October 2007 and have grown throughout their first year with promising medium and long term prospects. There have been around 800 visitors to Crewe and Nantwich town centres for the walks in this time.

Besides regular Wednesday evening walks, there have been dedicated bookings for Hen parties, Womens' Institutes, Christmas Party ghost tours for local firms, a Paranormal Pub Tour for the Nantwich Food and Drink Festival, as well as paranormal vigils.

The tours have drawn attention to Crewe Town Centre in particular, bringing in visitors to midweek evening walks, and the operator is boldly doing historical tours where no guide has toured before.

The walks are continually assessed, seeking to strengthen the content and impact of the evening. The walks in turn promote the featured locations and get people through the door of the finishing venues, generating further visits*.

With further promotion the Ghost Walks will generate more visitors and revenue for the local visitor economy.

The vision is to widen the scope of the tours to inform and interpret the town's global contribution to the Railways, World War efforts, Victoriana, built heritage and social history. The Ghost Walks form part of bringing an accessible interpretation of that local history.

Winning the award would be an affirmation of all the risks taken so far in forming and pushing the walks out, and would help establish an endeavour which is helping open up Crewe town centre to more visitors.

* Particular credit must go to Ye Olde Vaults in Nantwich and Oscars Hotel in Crewe as finishing venues, with grateful acknowledgement of The Boot and Shoe, The Railway Hotel, The Oddfellows Arms, and The Residence in Nantwich.

Crewe by Night (5)

The Backses between Catherine Street and Bedford Street.

On the one hand the increased security the gates bring, which are being rolled out throughout town is to be welcomed. On the other hand the loss of accessing these alleys, or for Crewe 'The Backses' is somewhat melancholy.

The gates are spreading, so one by one many of these short cuts and atmospheric photo opportunities will be lessened.

Generations of Crewe children have played in The Backses, but how many children do you see playing in the miles of alleys now?

Change at Crewe
http://www.changeatcrewe.com
Life, Heritage and Culture past and present in the Historic Railway Town

Crewe Hall Avenue

Even in the gloom of a murky late autumn day, the avenue leading up to Crewe Hall is glorious and resplendent.

Change at Crewe
http://www.changeatcrewe.com
Life, Heritage and Culture past and present in the Historic Railway Town

Remembrance and War Memorials

Crewe has a number of War Memorials to remember those in the town's history who died in or as a direct result of conflict.

The oldest is The Boer War 'Tommy Atkins' facing north in Queens Park, and will be re-presented with the wider park restoration.

Also affected with the restorative work will be the Burma Memorial on the island, currently inaccessible as of November 2008.

Of more recent note is, of course, Britannia (top left), now also facing north in the Municipal Square. She faces the front of the Municipal Buildings with its carvings depicting the trades and industries which gave birth to and nourished Crewe's early days.

Christ Church's walled garden houses a relocated memorial, with a number of particular memorials inside the remaining chancel.More details on those another time.

Change at Crewe
http://www.changeatcrewe.com
Life, Heritage and Culture past and present in the Historic Railway Town

Remembrance 2008 (III) - The Last Mayor

The Last Mayor of Crewe and Nantwich, Brian Silvester, lays a wreath at Britannia on behalf of the people of Crewe and Nantwich, the sunlight catching on the civic attire.

April 2009 sees Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council absorbed into Cheshire East council.

Change at Crewe
http://www.changeatcrewe.com
Life, Heritage and Culture past and present in the Historic Railway Town

22.5 Hours in Edinburgh Part II

Recently I took the opportunity to get to Edinburgh to see how some of the noted Ghost Walks operate, and sample a much recommended city I knew nothing of and had never been to before.

For the Sunday night I had booked on to three different ghost walks or macabre tours to see what they do and how they do it - from the booking process to saying goodbye.

This, my second tour was the Ghosts and Ghouls tour - another courtesy of Mercat Tours.

Rushing from The Vaults back up to the Mercat Cross at a couple minutes past seven, one of the Mercat Tours admin staff tackled me (verbally) in a friendly way as I attached myself to a group. Showing her the paperwork, she took me over to my group on the steps of St Giles, as the guide, Liz, commenced some mock flagellation to the delight of all.

This tour was much more narrative based, relying upon storytelling rather than the more presentational style of the earlier tour. We wove in and out of a couple of the Closes which add a lot of character and ambience to the proceedings at the higher end of The Royal Mile, pausing for stories where appropriate.

The finally third or so of the tour occured back at The Vaults, for some tales from those Vaults and wider Edinburgh to suggest the most creepy, spine-chilling aspects of the city's grim and haunted heritage.

On entering the room where I thought I had earlier seen a 'naked eye winged orb' with my peripheral vision, Liz named the exact spot where she says some people see it - which was the same as where I had. Greatly delighted at having actually seen 'something' (whatever 'something' might be!), I followed at the rear of the group taking photographs and enjoying the stories.

If you are looking for creepier tales rather than paranormal information and not-at-all boring haunted education, this may be the tour for you. Two different tours, different guides, different styles and aims - equally valid in all aspects.

A slight wait for the last tour of evening - not a problem - it gave me time to loiter with photographic intent outside Edinburgh Castle and enjoy the cityscape at night.

Having been walking since 2:30pm and listening since 5:45pm, this last tour starting at 9pm had to be good for me to last the course. I was not to be disappointed.

Crewe by Night (4)

A not often seen angle or time of day for Crewe Centre.

Wellington House (left) and Delamere House by night taken from the Chester Street and Holly Bank car parks. Both structures will disappear if the Modus redevelopment, changing Crewe Centre again, ever gets under way.

Odd to think that the residence of the Chief Mechanical Engineer of Crewe Works (who was almost God for the town) used to reside in this area too - now a leaf strewn car park, with the steps once leading down to the line for the General Offices - and now instead leading to a little woodland near the Pheonix Leisure Park.

Change at Crewe
http://www.changeatcrewe.com
Life, Heritage and Culture past and present in the Historic Railway Town

Remembrance 2008 (II)

Tuesday's procession and two minute silence was very profound. Very moving.

Starting up near The Gaffers' Row on Victoria street, accompanied by the sound of bagpipes, the procession headed down past Queensway and the presiding clock tower of Big Bill (pictured) to Market Street, left turn on to Earle Street. There saluted by the Mayor and Mayoress, and assembled in the Municipal Square for a short service lead by Revd Gordon Geddes.

90 years after the end of the First World War, exactly. Next year sees 70 years since the start of the Second World War. With these anniversaries, it is a good thing that we are not given a chance to forget the sacrifices given and taken.

Something which touched the heart of everyone was a class of pupils dressed up as evacuees, with two of them laying a wreath in front of Britannia. They won't forget.

The people and generations remembering may change, but Remembrance must not change.

Change at Crewe
http://www.changeatcrewe.com
Life, Heritage and Culture past and present in the Historic Railway Town