Plas-y-gamil 1910-1920

Plas-y-gamil was a relatively new part of Goodwick in 1910. Some houses in the terrace were being placed on the market for the first time. These snippets from the local press bring to light how much has changed, and also how little has changed.

The County Echo 29-9-1910 (24 houses are noted in St Davids Place  & 40 houses in Plas-y-gamil, all recently constructed).  In our last issue we reported that the Llanwnda Parish Council had decided to go thoroughly into the matter of the lighting of Plasygammil Road and St David’s Place. The committee appointed to visit these places and report at the next Council meeting has we understand, come to the conclusion that lamps were absolutely necessary in both thoroughfares. We learn that it is probable that two will be fixed in St David’s Place, one at the entrance to Plasygammil-road, and another about the centre of the terrace. The inhabitants of these particular terraces will welcome the good news. Two lamp posts have already been deposited at the entrance to Plasygamil road. Water Mains.  Two men were employed in repairing the water mains at the foot of Plasygamil Road on Tuesday, owing to one of the pipes bursting. As a consequence, the inhabitants of Goodwick were without water throughout the day, it having been cut off at the main.

The County Echo 3-11-1910 Dangerous. It would not be amiss to call attention to the existing danger, at the end of Plasygamil-road, leading down through Dyffryn. Upon leaving the aforementioned thoroughfare one proceeds along a rugged pathway and, situated about one hundred yards away, is a stream running down the hillside, across which is placed what is supposed to be, and acts in a certain degree as a bridge. This consists of a wooden plank, about a foot wide and should anyone inadvertently step aside he would have a drop of about two feet, and would undoubtedly injure himself seriously. The bridge is scarcely wide enough for an individual to pass over, at night time, especially to strangers who would have the necessity to walk through Plasygamil Road and past this place to the Dyffryn. Something should be done to alter the existing evil and it is hoped that a change will be effected at an early date.

1910 was the pinnacle of the building boom in Goodwick. The new Goodwick School building was being erected, the ‘palatial structure’ of the Fishguard Bay Hotel was complete and was being furnished with high class fittings brought by train from London. Quay Road was lit from end to end and the County Council had sanctioned a £3000 upgrade to the Police Station. However, the advent of war slowed progress and the residents of Plas-y-gamil tightened their belts along with other Goodwick residents.

The Haverfordwest  & Milford Haven Telegraph  of 2-5-1917 carried a report on the Haverfordwest Rural Tribunal. This committee reviewed exemption certificates for men who were not in the armed services. Here is such a case from Plasygamil –

“An application was made on behalf of Llewellyn Ivor Jones (26), Plasygamil Road, Goodwick, by his employer, Mr. Bishop, Goodwick. Applicant stated that this was now the only man he employed, two others  being at present serving in France. This man was now left to do all the mechanical work, as well as sending off from 400 to 600 rabbits a day. He also stated that there were about 1,000 rabbit boxes to make, and after August the busy season would be starting. Mr. Clarke Williams asked ‘Who does the motor cleaning?’ The applicant answered “We don’t do any, as we have no time.” Mr. Bishop added that he thought he should be allowed to keep this man, having spared two, and nine-tenths of his work being Government work.—Certificate reviewed and confirmed.”