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brianb
15-12-2009, 1:07 PM
Hi there everyone.

Does anyone have knowledge of the Banwell (near Weston S M) area.

My family are from Llantrithyd in South Wales, and an aunt (family name of Baker) left there to go in service in Banwell, and while I was very close to her, I never did find out why she left south wales for Banwell, so I am wondering if anyone can shed some light. I very much doubt there was "family reasons" she went "across the water" to work. She was always proud to be Welsh.

Clues are:

1. She was working in service at Banwell Castle in 1938 when she married a local man, indeed she got married "from" the castle. I believe the Calvert family lived there then.

2. She often pointed out a large manor house on the road from Banwell to Cheddar (on the left of the road, set back a hundred yards or so, possibly Mooseheart at Winscombe, though what it was called then and who lived there I dont know) where she also worked in service at some time, before or after Banwell Castle I dont know.

3. There is a prominent / well to do / titled family in Llantrithyd called the Aubreys, and by chance I spoted one of their's is buried in Banwell church with his wife, albeit both burried in the 1890's so well before my aunt went there.

4. I do know several of my own family worked for the Aubreys in Llantrithyd, including some "in service" to them.

Hence, why did she go to Banwell to work, is there a link between Banwell and Llantrithyd I cannot think of ? Surely there would have been enough locals to fill the jobs in Banwell without advertising in Wales. Yes she may have struggled to get work in Llantrithyd, but Cardiff was nearby.

Its not "important" that I know this, just frustrating not knowing, and if you dont ask you dont get do you. If there is one place to ask the impossible its here ! I mean as a little boy (when I often stayed with her) I was not inquisitive enough to ask her myself:) was I.

Ah well, who knows, maybe someone has the missing link.

In the meantime, seasons greetings to you all.

Cheers

Brian



|help|

bibliojunkie
15-12-2009, 4:52 PM
Hi Brian

Perhaps your aunt was highly thought by the Aubreys in Llantrithyd and was recommended to the Banwell Calverts. Also, the latter family may have been related to the former in some way. It was not that uncommon for servants to move households for these reasons.

Ali

Sandyhall
15-12-2009, 8:38 PM
Have you tried Google for Banwell Castle, found some history on there.
Richard and Constance Calvert had it from 1917 untill W.W.11 when the RAF took over.

Sandy

Sandyhall
15-12-2009, 8:44 PM
Richard Calvert marriage
June qtr 1905, Chorley, Vol No, 8e, Page No, 1061
on the same page is Constance Mary L. Eccles.

If it helps

Sandy

brianb
16-12-2009, 8:29 AM
Hi Ali and Sandy

the reason is probably straight forward - shame I dont know.

Maybe someone knows the links between the two places (reason I mentioned names), and come forward. Ive tried to link the Aubreys but without luck so far other than the Banwell grave of "Richard Aubrey of Glamorgan" who died in 1887 (and his wife) I think it was.

The Banwell Castle history online is good, various owners and occupiers listed for a long time, including a "Sir William Baker" 1854 / 74, and with my aunt's surname being Baker that would be a nice link, especially as her father (George Baker b1866 ish) apparently ran away from home as a boy (1911 census says he is from Lincolnshire but who knows), but I cant link him to Sir William Baker either.

Ah well, the mystery is what makes the researching so adictive.

Have a pleasant day everyone.

Brian


ps if I can link my Bakers to Sir William, can I call myself "Sir Brian" and have you lot |bowdown| on your knees ?

Sandyhall
16-12-2009, 9:10 AM
LOL

Brian you can call yourself what you like these day's ........ most people don't take any notice.

Enjoy the day what's his name..

Sandy |jumphappy

I don't know about getting down on my knees for you I'm a bit to old for that.

peter nicholl
16-12-2009, 9:59 AM
Just a couple of points, what was your Aunt's married Name? If the large house is Mooseheart, then its previous name was Kildare.
Going completely off thread

I don't know about getting down on my knees for you I'm a bit to old for that.
Sandy, You know when you are getting too old, it's not the getting down, it's the getting up |nopity|
Peter
PS The Lady of the House was Harriett Edmunds who was still there in 1922, aged about 76.

brianb
16-12-2009, 12:50 PM
Hi again, and thanks.

Well my aunt was born in 1912 Dorothy Louise Baker, so could have moved across to the west country around 1930 ish I assume. Married into the Yarde family in 1938.

Now the thing is I recall Dot pointing this substantial house out on the left of the main road, maybe set back 100 yards or so, through basic railing type fence, and I was begining to imagine it, however my Mum said exactly the same thing too, so some house along those lines exists. My stab in the dark at Mooseheart is from Google Maps, about right location. I wasnt able to get much history on that building, so the name Kildaire will help.

When you say the lady of the house, is that Kildare House (?) up to the 1920's, and if so who would have been there after that do you know.

Will do some googling again now, so thanks for the replies, and a simple nod of the head will sufice, no need to get down on the knees.

Cheers

Brian (Sir in waiting)

ps, cant even get down on my knees without the body moaning, never mind getting back up again.