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Notable Houses in and around Llanelli

Glyncoed

Former Home of John Henry Rogers

Glyncoed, described in the 20th century as a 19th century manor house was built around 1889, on or near, the site of Cae Mawr Cottage which was, at one time, the home of Arthur Raby – son of Alexander Raby the Ironmaster who lived at Furnace House. The picturesque thatched wooden chateau known as Cae Mawr burnt down in 1824 when the cook tipped fat on the fire and instead of rebuilding the burnt out chateau, the Raby family built Bryn Môr where Alexander Raby junior and his family lived. Bryn Môr must have been built after 1826 as the Llanelly Guardian of 1826 carried an advertisement offering Cae Mawr for lease.

When Glyncoed was built John Henry Rogers of Morewood and Company moved in and the 1891 census reveals that John Henry Rogers aged 48 was living at Glyncoed with his wife Eliza, daughter of Rowland MacLaran.

In 1894 John Henry Rogers’ only son John Edmund Morewood Rogers, entered Rugby School as a boarder in Whitelaw House (where the author Arthur Ransome also lived). He only remained at Rugby School for one year, leaving in 1895 when his address was given as Glencoed (sic), Llanelly.

In February 1898 the South Wales Works went into liquidation with the loss of hundreds of jobs and when it re-opened some months later, it had been sold to Richard Thomas and Co., with an entirely new management. Following the closure, Rogers decided to retire and he and his family left Llanelli to live in London.

Glyncoed was advertised for sale in the Llanelly Guardian in July 1899 and again in September 1900. When it failed to reach the desired price it was withdrawn from sale.

At a later date Glyncoed described as “Mock Tudor with Victorian stone, oak doors and panelling” was purchased by members of the Nevill family.

Over the next 70 years the property had a chequered history. In 1954 it was converted into a private club and during 1964, following an application by the proprietor, Frederick William Beckett, the club was granted a residential licence by the magistrates.

In 1971 Glyncoed Club was purchased by a Greek and renamed “The Bospherous” but the club never got off the ground and the building remained empty for a year until it was acquired by Mr Lewis and Mr John. Mr Lewis had been working in Athens as a musician and on returning to Wales decided to try a new venture. Mr John had been carrying on a Coal Merchant’s business in Erw Road.

Mr Lewis and Mr John, in partnership, purchased the club and reopened it as a country club in December 1972, under its original name “Glyncoed”. Within two years the fate of the once grand manor house was sealed when a fire gutted Glyncoed Country Club in March 1974. The site was eventually cleared and a housing estate was built in the picturesque valley overlooking the Dingle and close to Alexander Raby’s famous furnace that gave the village its name.

Details from the 1891 census - Glyncoed

John Henry Rogers Head 42 Tinplate Manufacturer, born Middlesex, London;

Eliza Mary Rogers Wife 42, born Middlesex, London;

Elizabeth G Rogers Servant 18 Housemaid, born Fishguard, Pembrokeshire;

Edith Mary Pritchard 20 Servant, Cook, born Llanelly;

Note John Henry Roger’s wife, Eliza Mary was the daughter of Rowland MacLaran of the Dafen Tinplate Works who lived at Cilfig.

July 13 1899

Llanelly Carmarthenshire

IMPORTANT SALE

of an exceedingly Valuable and Attractive Freehold Residential Estate.

MR JOHN FRANCIS has been instructed to

SELL BY AUCTION

at the Thomas Arms Hotel, Llanelly

on Thursday 10th August 1899 at 2.30 for 3 o’clock in the Afternoon

all that highly Valuable and Picturesque FREEHOLD ESTATE

known as:

“GLYNCOED”

Consisting of the substantial and commodious Residence erected about 10 years ago standing in the midst of its own charmingly disposed grounds situate near the Furnace Llanelly and about 1 mile from the Llanelly Station at the G.W. Ry. with the Beautiful Pleasure Grounds, Two large productive Gardens and the commodious Hot Houses, Three Vineries, Tomato House and Orchard Gardens, Cottages and Three Valuable fields of Excellent Pasture Land.

The house stands on the rising ground facing south, is surrounded by the best beautiful timber, and is approached by a carriage drive through an avenue of trees and has excellent views.

Included in the sale will be the picturesque and well-wooded Dingle with the ruins of the Old Furnace and Six recently erected cottages with extensive gardens set between “Glyncoed” and the Main Road.

The whole Estate will be offered in the first instance in One Lot and if not then sold will be offered in Separate Lots set forth in the Particulars of Sale.

Permission to view the property can be had and Particulars, Plans and Conditions of Sale (which will shortly be ready) and other information obtained of the AUCTIONEER at Carmarthen or of Roderick & Richards, Solicitors, Llanelly.

5 July 1899.

Sources

Historic Carmarthenshire Homes and their Families, Francis Jones, Brawdy Books 1997.

Carmarthenshire Notes Edited by Arthur Mee.

Llanelly & County Guardian.

Llanelly Guardian.