County Echo -Thursday February 4th, 1960
Fifty Years ago, on February 5th, 1910, Mr & Mrs Sidney Bevans now residing at 1, Victoria Avenue, Fishguard, were married at Harmony Baptist Chapel by the late Rev W. Rees (Arianglwydd). Mrs Bevans, (one of thirteen children) of the late Mr & Mrs John Morgan of Rhosycaerau, is a direct descendant of the “Day old baby” mentioned in the account of the French Invasion of 1797.
The baby mentioned was born at the Cotts, Pencaer, and the baby’s bottle and a cannon ball have been handed down to the eldest child of the family through the generations ever since! With the kind permission of Mrs Bevans, these items have often been on display in historical exhibitions.
Mr Bevans, the son of the late Mr and Mrs James Bevans of Neyland was, at the time of his marriage, a marine fireman at Fishguard Harbour while Mrs Bevans was a domestic servant at Carngowil. Prior to coming to live in Fishguard they lived in Harbour Village.
There were 8 children of their marriage of whom 4 sons and 2 daughters (all married) survive, and there are 7 grandchidren.
Life Saver
40 years ago, and on the site where Messrs Black’s garage stands today, was a quarry full of stagnant water. Bravely Mrs Bevans saved a boy from drowning there by wading in and risking her own life as she could not swim herself. This heroic act was recorded in the National newspapers of the time and a photograph of Mrs Bevans appeared in one of the Sunday papers. Local people presented her with a beautiful tea service in recognition of her bravery.
Tomorrow (Friday) all the family will be arriving from various parts of the country for this special occasion and will be joined by many friends from the locality. We join in wishing Mr & Mrs Bevans, who are faithful members of Bethel Baptist Church and active members of the Darby & Joan club, congratulations and best wishes for the future.
Bethel Social
On Tuesday last, Bethel Baptist Chapel held a social evening for Mr & Mrs Bevans, and congratulations were expressed by the minister, Rev E Rowe Griffiths HCF who presided, and the deacons of the chapel. Mr Howard Evans, senior deacon presented a cheque, and the following poem was written by Mrs Amy Howells and read by Mrs Rowe Griffiths.
IF
(With apologies to Rudyard Kipling)
If you can live thro’ fifty years of marriage, Bring up 6 children and their love retain, If you can face life with an upright carriage, And thro’ its trials keep both calm and sane: f If in your Memory Book some golden pages Still stirs your hearts to laughter & to tears If you have garnered wisdom from the sages, And learned from them to share your hopes and fears; And if you’ve found gladness has outweighed the sorrow, And countless mercies have bestrewed your way, If trouble you have never tried to borrow, But kept your spirits bright & gay; Then on this earth you’ve found your bit of Heaven! God bless you both – and bless the name of Bevan!
Amy W Howells
The baby’s bottle, handed down through the generations since 1797 is now on display in the Tapestry Gallery at Fishguard Library
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