The Ballinger Family of Symonds Yat West
Author: Peter Hunt
Retired electro mechanical service engineer. Resident in Whitchurch, Herefordshire, for 6 years.
The old Wye Rapids Hotel.
Wye Rapid's Cottages. Whye Rapid's Hotel as it was, with Gerald’s old house behind. I cannot find out when it was built or when it was replaced with the cottages. or holiday homes. Still there in 1973,
Kerne toll bridge.
Kerne bridge, erected in 1825, and now a grade 2 listed. The toll was in operation until 1948. The station closed in 1959. The gentleman in the picture is Sam Woolley. Most of us must use the bridge frequently but we seldom think about it’s history, which is one of our newer lower Wye… Continue reading Kerne toll bridge.
Just some quotes on the subject of History.
“History will be kind to me for I intend to write it.” ― Winston S. Churchill “If you don't know history, then you don't know anything. You are a leaf that doesn't know it is part of a tree. ” ― Michael Crichton. (Plus many variations by others.) “I was alive when the Dead… Continue reading Just some quotes on the subject of History.
Local iron ore smelting.
Iron ore has been mined and smelted in our area for thousands years, even before the Romans arrived. We know this because of the abundance of slag or cinders to be found locally. Iron ore would have initially come from from several mines on the Doward some of which are overlooking the Wye and can… Continue reading Local iron ore smelting.
Our parishioners who did not return from WW1.
The soldiers from our parish who died in WW1. All material supplied by Michael Miles.
Little Doward.
It would appear that the white park cattle have been removed from the hill fort and adjacent area where they have been for several years. Some how it will not be the same without them. It was said that these cattle were damaging parts of the hills ancient fortifications but I wonder what is going… Continue reading Little Doward.
Local Walks. (Work ongoing).
We are so lucky in having some excellent walking country in our parish particularly on the Doward Hills and beside the river Wye where there is so much natural and man made history if you know where to find it. Even in the busiest days you can get away from the more popular parts and… Continue reading Local Walks. (Work ongoing).
Romano Whitchurch.
Evidence of Roman life in the parishes of Whitchurch and Ganarew. Whist there is so much evidence of Roman activity and building within a short distance of Whitchurch there is little evidence of an actual Roman settlement within our parishes and there are only 2 records of buildings, or remnants of buildings, with Roman connections… Continue reading Romano Whitchurch.
The Lost City of Trellech.
Once a town of once some 10,000 when the population of London was only 40,000 people and is now what is now just a village, just south of Monmouth and not far from us. Some of our members went to see the Lost City last week. For those of you who missed the opportunity or did… Continue reading The Lost City of Trellech.
Whitchurch and Ganarew Area History Society 