Images of Wales

In 1860, L. Tallis wrote:
BAGLAN, is a parish in the hundred of Neath. The village is of the most romantic beauty, and the scenery in the neighbourhood is of a delightful character. Near this place is Britton Ferry which is interesting, not only on account of its sylvan fascinations, but as being the domain of Lord Jersey, whose extensive plantations spread over several bold hills westward of the Neath river, a stream which here emerges in a fine sweep, between woody banks, partly broken into cliffs, and at a short distance descends into the sea. This part of Wales is so mild in its climate, that myrtles, magnolias, and other tender exotics, grow luxuriantly in the open air. Near Baglan is a well with medicinal properties, but many superstitious customs are associated with its use in the neighbourhood.

The parish of Baglan was originally served by a medieval single-chamber church. The church fell into a ruinous state in the 19th century and was replaced by a "new" church, built near the old church between 1875 and 1892 in Victorian gothic style and dedicated to St Catharine of Alexandria. On a recent sunny December morning I decided to visit Baglan and photograph the old church, which is now but a shell after a fire in 1954. The old church is dedicated to St Baglan, a disciple of St Illtyd.

Above: West wall, entrance, window, and double belfry.

Below: The west entrance was guarded by an iron gate bearing a warning notice.

Above: The interior of the church was overgrown with brambles, and the 16th century windows in the south wall were blocked.

Below: 15th century east window, viewed from the west entrance.

Above: South-eastern aspect of the church.

Above and below: 15th century east window.		Above: West door and belfrey, viewed through east window.

Above: Looking west beyond the south wall of the old church. The new church is out of sight through the trees. Several of the oldest gravestones have been set against the base of the south wall (see examples below).

IN Memory of JOHN LEWIS of this Parish who died 23rd Decbr 1795 Aged 45 Years. Also MARGARET wife of the above JOHN LEWIS who died 26th Sepbr 1821 Aged 69 Years Also of JOHN LEWIS son of LEWIS & MARGARET LEWIS & Grandson of the above named who died March 27th 1848 Aged 23 Years Also the above LEWIS LEWIS who died February 23rd 1857 Aged 66 Years.		HERE lieth the body of John David who departed this life the 10th day of October 1708 Aged 78 yrs HERE also lieth the body of Joan ye wife of the above John David who de parted this life ye 1st day of November 1726 Aged 87 years HERE also lieth the body of David John Son of the said John David who departed this life the 24th day of July 1745 Aged 71 years Also William John Grandson of the said DAVID JOHN who departed....
[Note the use of patronymic naming in the inscription above right]

Below: This old headstone was in the shade of a tree (inscription below picture).
IN Memory of MARGARET the Wife of REES JOHN of this Parish who died the 7th of Octbr 1832 AGED 64 Also the Above REES JOHN who died Decbr 22 1847 Aged 81 Years

Below: Ominous warning seen on another tombstone; possibly an example of a cholera death.