Please leave any comments below. If we need to respond, we will do so as soon as possible. Alternatively, please use the Contact page.
Please leave any comments below. If we need to respond, we will do so as soon as possible. Alternatively, please use the Contact page.
I have just finished reading the August 2020 Members Bulletin for The Chepstow Society.
I came across the article by searching on line for Arthur Gill of Chepstow. Arthur was the Clerk to the CDU in in 1939 and for many years after was a presence in the community.
Arthur Gill was my uncle and came from a well known Northallerton family He must have done quite well for himself as in 1939 he was only 28 years of age. Although I saw him only occasionally he was always, each visit was always full of energy.
Regards
Alan Gill
Toronto, Canada
Hello Chepstow Society,
I have just read through your published booklet: ‘The Chepstow story’ and have been looking at some Francis Frith photos of Chepstow and now I really wish we had ventured into Chepstow town, when visiting Monmouthshire from Australia in 2019. (Another trip needs to be planned!)
I wonder if anyone at the society is aware of an old shop in one of the main streets of Chepstow; the Barton grocer shop from around the 1940’s and 1950’s. I think Stanley Barton may have run the shop with his sister Dorothy helping out as a shop assistant. Stanley was married to Doris May Barton and they had a son John S. Barton who may also have worked in the family shop.
I would love to know where the Barton grocer was located.
Thanks for your time reading this,
Kind Regards,
Sally
Hi Sally. I wasn’t here then, but I’ve shared your question to our Facebook page, so for any replies it would be best to check there – or email me via the Contact page and I can pass comments on.
UPDATE: The consensus from several contributors on social media sites is that Stanley Barton’s shop was an electrical and cycle shop – not a grocer’s – that was originally in Albion Square and then moved to below the Arch in the High Street.
Stanley Barton had an electrical and cycle shop next to Chepstow arch and another shop in Albion Square. I remember these shops and my memory is that they were both open at the same time. Stanley Barton had three sons. The one you mentioned, John Barton who was at school with me ,died in Guildford in Surrey in July 2022.
Last weekend I visited Tidenham churchyard where we found several graves bearing the name TRAYHERN. I know my late husband had relatives in Rosemary Lane and wondered if anyone in your group had any information about the family. There are no living relatives as far as I know.
I hope you can help.
With thanks
Wendy – I passed your query on to the Tidenham History Group – tidenhamhistory.co.uk
Hello Chepstow Society,
In connection with family history research could you perhaps advise me where I might find old photographs of Chepstow dating back to the last decade of the 1800s and the first decade of the 1900s? I’m particularly interested in Bridge Street – no.12 to be precise – where James Kennedy ran a confectionery business.
Many thanks,
Chris.
Chris – There is a photo of Bridge Street, c.1908, showing the Kennedy’s shop in the middle distance, which was published in the book by Anne Rainsbury of Chepstow Museum, “Chepstow and the River Wye” in the “Britain in Old Photographs” series. It also contains many other old photos of the town. There were two editions – 1989 and 2009 – but the contents are similar in each, and I’m sure the museum would be able to provide a copy.
Hi Guy, thank-you for getting back to me. Literally within the last five minutes I’ve bought this book on eBay. I wasn’t sure of the extent of the photos, but it looked a good bet. It’s great that you’ve confirmed it contains exactly what I’m looking for. I’ve never visited Chepstow, but researching the area over the last few days has made me think that I should visit the town when the opportunity arises. Thanks again, Chris.