Rhayader Police Charge Book

(R/CON)

This volume is very rare for Mid Wales, with only three others of a similar type surviving.  It has recently been conserved with a financial assistance from the National Manuscripts Conservation Trust.

The crimes recorded by the local constabulary in the charge book reflect life at the end of the nineteenth century in Rhayader. In March 1886 John Evans a farmer from Caerfagu and Thomas Davies a miller from Caerfagu Mill were charged with using “a torch light and pole or spear to kill salmon in the Dulas at Nantmel”.   Salmon poaching was widespread in and around Rhayader at this time.

In 1895 Evan Meredith and Alfred Morgan were charged with committing a breach of the peace by fighting with each other. Both were recorded as being of “previous good character”.

Other individuals were well known to the police. In 1886 John Lewis a farm servant from Upper Mill, Cwmteuddwr, a “suspicious character” was found on the premises of Llewellyn Pugh a farmer at Coedmynach, Cwmteuddwr “for an unlawful purpose”.

One of the more serious crimes recorded is that of the “wilful murder of one Mary Ann Hathaway at Great Castle on 8 June 1884”. Margaret J Edwards wife of John Edwards a farmer of Great Castle, Nantmel was charged and committed for trial at the assizes.

Also listed in the charge book are individuals who engaged in criminal activity around Rhayader at the time of the building of the Elan Valley dams. The huge dams and lakes were built by Birmingham City Council to provide a source of clean, safe water for the growing population of the city and its manufacturing industries.

The dambuilding scheme provided jobs for thousands of construction workers and “navvies”, and changed the local landscape for ever. The workers also kept the local police force busy! In December 1895 George Ward and Thomas Ward, Elan Valley Navvies were charged with being drunk and refusing to quit the Elan Valley Hotel.