26th May 1877 – Important to Dog Owners
Colonel Byrde announced the determination of the Bench to issue notices to the effect that all dogs shall be muzzled or taken care of till August 1st.
A dog at Goytre, it appears, had bitten 6 other dogs; and the Bench, under the circumstances felt justified in issuing this order.
3rd February 1899 – The Liability of Country Tenants to keep their Hedges Pruned
An Interesting Case
Alfred Williams, Josiah Lewis, Henry Crump, William Jenkins and James Rowlands, were summoned to show cause why they should not be ordered to prune certain hedges on the highway at Goytre.
Mr T. Watkins, solicitor prosecuted on behalf of the Pontypool Rural District Council.
Jenkins, Rowlands, and [afterwards] Lewis, appeared in court, whilst Crump was represented by his son; Alfred Williams being the only one not represented.
Mr Watkins read section 65 of the Highways Act, respecting the cutting, pruning and plashing of hedges and empowering the local authority to prosecute.
In September last, the Rural District Council received a petition from the inhabitants of Goytrey [and strange to say, most of the defendants signed it] calling attention to the bad state of the roads and hedges.
Defendants were served with notices on the 5th of November to prune their hedges. Subsequently question was called to attention at the Parish Council. Nothing could be done to the roads until those hedges were cut. No wind or sun could get into them.
Rowlands, an old man of remarkable assertiveness, who, throughout the case provoked amusement by his persistent interruptions and expressions of opinion, boldly asked for the cases to be heard separately. His request was acceded to, his case was heard first.
Mr Robert Derrett, surveyor to the Pontypool Rural District Council, produced the petition signed by the inhabitants, and read the part relating to the fences, which were described as dangerous. Rowlands name was among the signatures. Witness handed the roadmen certain documents, copies of which were produced, this was on the 5th of November, the Rural District Council had also received a requisition from the Parish Council.
Defendant – When were you over that way mister?
Witness – Thursday
Where did you see this hedge you are complaining about? – On the road
What road? – The witness described the road
What sort of hedge was it? – You have cut a portion of it
What day of the year do you plead? – From the 30th September to the 31st March
Did you ever see a man plash a hedge in September? – Many trees are planted in October
Rowlands, Not one sir – You have brought me here today on a thing that is just beginning. Christmas is the time for plashing a hedge.
Witness – It’s the orders of the Council
The chairman told Rowlands he had had the whole of December, and the whole of January, two months, to do what was required of the hedge, he [the Chairman] knew as much about hedges as the defendant did.
Defendant said he always did the hedges between January and April. In April he preferred to do them. There was 85 yards done already, and he had about as much again, which he would do in 3 days if the weather was fine.
The Chairman advised him to do this.
Defendant: I am quite willing, what about my expenses Sir? I can’t come down here without my expenses, [laughter]
The Chairman: You have not done what you had notice in November to do. The Council had full power to summon you. They had a perfect right and you are here because you neglected to do your duty, and no one can pay you for neglecting to do your duty.
Defendant: Begging you pardon, the time is not expired until next March. There is a piece there by the house that will shade the house and the Rectory. Am I to do that or not? I do not know why I have been brought here today and lose time. If you had summoned me in April I should have done it.
The Chairman: I don’t summon you. You get it done as soon as you can. The law states you must get it done before 31st March. We have only to make an order.
Defendant: It’s to early to be done.
The Chairman: The order is that you are to do it in ten days or the Council will do the work and charge you with the costs.
Defendant: It can’t be done in ten days; I am short of stakes, [laughter]
Mr Watkins also asked that defendant should pay costs, but the Chairman said as this was the first case of this kind, the Bench did not think it advisable to order the costs to be paid.
The next case taken was that of Jenkins, who did not dispute his liability. He said he did the greater part of the hedge last year. He was leaving the farm on 2nd February, and expressed the opinion his landlord could claim damages of him if he pruned the hedge at this stage, besides, the trees were very good shelter for the house in rough weather.
The Chairman: If we make the order you will be safe from your landlord then?
Mr Derrett said the trees in question were 150 yards away, and were not a shelter to the house.
It’s nothing like a hundred yards sir.
The Bench granted the order applied for.
The third case, Josiah Williams was heard next. Williams said that any reasonable man would know it was not the time to trim the hedges now.
The Chairman – I had my trees done for the convenience of the County Council, although I was not obliged to do so as they are ornamental.
Defendant – I did 157 perches last winter.
An order was made in this case, defendant at this time expressing his annoyance at being compelled to come there and lose time over such an affair.
Crumps son pleaded that the road was to bad for a man to work on that side of the hedge next to the road – else his father would have done it
Col. Hair – It is to be hoped you will have finer weather – similar order made.
An order was made in the remaining case, that of Alfred Williams.
The Manager of the American Cycling Team
A Notable Goytrey Boy – 20th January 1888
The following sketch of the career of Mr W.J., the son of Mr W. Morgan, The Wern Farm, Goytre, who has earned distinction both in this country and America, will be read by many friends in this district.
William J. Morgan, long distance Champion of America, and Manager of the American team, was born in Goytrey, Monmouthshire in 1863. After a British school education, and an apprenticeship of four years, when thirteen years old, to the grocery business in Dudley, Staffordshire, he returned to Wales and put in two years more behind the counter in Newport, Monmouthshire.
Here he learned to ride a bicycle and became a member of the flourishing Newport bicycle club.
In 1880 he sailed for Canada and settled in Toronto, Ontario. Bicycling was just beginning to attract public attention in the dominion, and Morgan was the first man to introduce bicycle riding into Canada, having brought a racer from England with him.
Forming the St Catherine bicycle club Mr Morgan was soon known as a celebrity on the road and path. In 1882 he crossed the line into the States and raced against John S. Price, Rollinson, Harrison brother, and others with varying success, being particularly fortunate in long distance riding.
In Chicago in 1883, out of a field of seven in the championship 12 hours per day (72 hour) race, he rode second to Prince, defeating Higham, Woodside, Shuck and others.
In 1885 he defeated Prince and a large field in the 48-hour Memphis, Tenn., six-day contest, winning by over 20 miles. In 1886 Morgan defeated Prince, who was then champion of America, ten races out of an actual twelve on the circuit, winning an 8-hour per day race a month later, and establishing professional tandem records for the world from 1 to 250 miles inclusive.
A month later he defeated a field of seven in Minneapolis in the eight hour per day international championship race, making the world record of 780 miles in 48 hours, riding the first five days without dismounting. Three weeks later he was matched for 144 hours, six-day (night and day) contest for $1000, against Albert Schock whom he defeated three weeks previous in the 48-hour race.
In this race Morgan astonished cycling America by riding 235 miles (world’s record) without stopping or making one dismount. Leading until Friday, the fifth day, with a score of 1098 miles, he was attacked with sickness, which compelled him to leave the track for six hours, which lost him the race.Mr Morgan is not only a busy rider, but also a writer of cycling renown and his letters to all the cycling and sporting press of America on sporting matters under the Nome-du-plume of “Spokes” and “Coventry” have earned for the Anglo American distinction.
Mr Morgan was for some time connected with the Chicago Daily Inter-Ocean and Sporting Journal as a writer on sporting matters; and in turn he not only manages the affairs of his team and takes part in contests, but is also the special correspondent for the Chicago Journal, Lynn Item, and the Bicycling world and will also write for a number of other American papers on “what he sees on his travels”
Mr Morgan stands 5 feet 7 inches high and weighs 145 lbs.
Mr Morgan’s performances in England have been somewhat limited, as his managerial duties have curtailed his practises to such an extent that he cannot find time to practise for any event that he is booked for.
His running a dead heat for second place in the Easter Handicap at Leicester in 2 mins, 36. 1-5 secs., from the 80 yards; and his win of the mile at Bridlington Quay in 2mins., 37 secs., from the 90 yards is the best work he has accomplished in Great Britain.
In Edinburgh, last October, in company with Batenby, Dabois, and Lumaden, he succeeded in beating the best 50 mile record, doing the distance in 2 hours and 41 mins.
Mr Morgan is responsible for the Edinburgh, London and Newcastle six day races, where at each place the public were turned away owing to the crowds who sought admission. The public evidently appreciated the good entertainment the Anglo-American manager provides for them.
Friday 3rd May 1940 – Theft from Goytrey Farm
Delwyn Price, aged 35, an unemployed Merthyr collier, pleaded not guilty at Pontypool on Saturday to stealing two pairs of brass bearings, a steel casting and an index number plate, with red rear lamp attached, value £3 –5-0, the property of Joseph Edwin Edgar, garage proprietor.
Edgar said Price and another man called him on April 20th at his farm to pick up some sheep. Later he missed the articles from the farm yard.
P C Taylor, Little Mill, said Price denied all knowledge of the theft when he interviewed him at Merthyr, when he found the articles under some hay Price admitted taking them and said “The old man at the farm told me they were of no use”.
Edgar’s father said he did not know the articles were on the yard of the farm.
Superintendent E Casey said Price had been ill for a considerable time.
Price was fined £2
Friday 3rd May 1940
19th May 1899 – Theft of Coal
John Davies was charged with stealing 1s worth of coal at Goytrey on the 4th May. Defendant pleaded guilty. Arthur Pugh, waggoner, in the employ of Rosser & Payne, said he was taking coal to Nantyderry and left the coal [1cwt] under a hedge where requested by the purchaser, in a sack.
Witness identified the sack produced as the one containing the coal. He asked the prisoner the following day if he had seen anything of the coal, and he said he had not – Margaret Evans, Gwilym Evans and P.c. Davies also gave evidence.
Defendant said he found the coal where it had been placed by the first witness, and took it, not knowing whom it belonged to, but the constable said that at first defendant denied any knowledge of the coal.
This was his first offence and a fine of 10s was imposed.
To the Overseers of the Poor of the Parish of Goytrey, the Superintendent of Police for the District of Pontypool and to all whom it may concern
11th August 1877
I, John Harris, now residing at Penpellenny in the parish of Goytrey in the county of Monmouth, beerhouse keeper, and for six months last past having resided at Penpellenny in the said parish of Goytrey
Do hereby give notice that it is my intention to apply at the General Annual Licensing meeting to be holden at the Town Hall, Pontypool on the 25th August next ensuing, for a license to sell excisable liquors by retail, to be drunk or consumed in the house or premises thereunto belonging, situate at Penperllenny:
Said which I intend to keep as Inn, Alehouse or Victualling House
Given under my hand this 3rd day of August in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and seventy seventy.
18th August 1877
As above:
George Howard for Nantyderry
28th July 1877 – Wanted
Strong Active Lad Indoors; accustomed to farm housework;
Apply:
Mr John Powell,
Walnut Tree Farm Goytrey
26th August 1876 – ALLEGED WELL POISONING at GOYTRE
The Chairman wished to call the attention of the Superintendent of Police to a proclamation the address of which “Town Hall, Pontypool, had led to the supposition that it had the authority of this Court, and he wished it to be understood that this was not the case.
Mr Phillips was taken unawares, not having known anything of the matter till he had heard it from the chairman.
Mr M’Intosh, “ shall I publicly explain to you? my office is in the Town Hall.
After a few more remarks, in which the word “diabolical” was quoted from the proclamation.
Mr M’Intosh said he could give an explanation if they required it, and continued “Am I to explain now.”
The Chairman:
“You had better defer the explanation.”
Later on during the sitting the magistrate retired and invited Mr M’Intosh into their private room.
On the magistrate’s return into court, the Chairman, {Col. Byrde} said that having ascertained that the bill was issued under instruction there could be no doubt the superintendent was quite justified in issuing the bill, and no reflection could be cast upon him.
January 5th
Strayed to Upper Pentwyn, Nantyderry. Ten yearling Welsh Ewes about middle of November. A. H. Marfel
January 15th
House and garden to let in the country – apply Evans, Carpenters Arms, Goytrey, Nr Pontypool.
March 19th
At the house of Mr John Wilks of Goytrey, there is an old chair pulpit, which used to be carried round old farm houses when services were held there.
Still Useful
The Calvinistic Methodist Chapel known as Chapel Ed, Goytrey, still has the old fashioned high-backed pews, which are in excellent condition.There is no suggestion of changing them.
Comforts for Soldiers
The Goytrey Parish Church Working Party, are sending this week, their fourth parcel of comforts to the 2nd Mon. Regiment.It consists of 11 shirts, 6 mufflers, 6 handkerchiefs, 16 pairs of socks, 3 pairs of cuffs, and one pair of mittens.
May 14th
To Let – Six roomed Cottage with large garden at Goytrey. – Apply Mrs Williams, Penperllenny, Goytrey Near Pontypool.
May 24th – Goytrey – Egg Collection
Another 173 eggs were collected last Sunday for the National egg collection.
Altogether 1150 eggs have been brought to the church.
The eggs are sent to London and from there are sent to the wounded soldiers and sailors
June 4th 1915
This is to give notice that after this date I will not be responsible for any purchases made in my name – Edward Humphreys, The Pudda, Goytrey.
For Sale by Tender
31/2 acres of coppice wood; also 58 Oak timber and 38 stores; 19 Ash timber, Sycamore and Chestnut Trees in Bwrgwm Wood, Goytrey.
Full particulars from D. Davies 12 Park Street, Blaenavon, Mon.
June 25th
To Let; Pentre House, Goytrey, 3 sitting rooms and 6 bedrooms; small stable and coach house; house, garden etc.
Apply: Iltyd Gardener, Neville Rooms, Abergavenny.
21st January 1865
William William’s, an elderly man and a lad named James Morgan and Roger Morgan (not related) were charged with having had in their possession a spear for catching salmon.
It appears that Wm. Atkinson, keeper and another man were on the banks of a river or stream at Goytrey on the morning of Sunday watching what is called a pit where salmon spawn, and some were spawning at the time they looked at it.
They afterwards observed one of defendants go to the same place and having looked well round about he returned down the river and met the other defendants.
They procured a long pole (produced) they had a spear to it and were apposite the place where the fish were spawning.
Seeing the keeper they ran off leaving the pole behind them. James Morgan, the other defendant pleaded guilty to having presented the pole.
The other defendants did not appear.
The bench said the penalty for the offence was £3, or 2 months imprisonment each.