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Timelines
and Footsteps ~ The History of the Copper Kingdom
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Some stories
are so huge and improbable that in their re-telling they can become
shrouded in myth and mystery. The real and the surreal, the legend
and the legendary. So it is with the history of the town of Amlwch,
centre of the Copper Kingdom.
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| Copper
was first worked on Parys mountain by the Bronze Age people, evidence
of their endeavours can still be found if you have a keen eye. The
conquering legions of Rome defeated the Druids on the banks of the
Menai Straits and had their captors work the mines. The copper they
mined forged into the bronze tools and weapons that fuelled their
ambitions of empire. |
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Various
disparate characters through history tried in vain to scrape their
fortunes from the mountain, when you visit you can hear the sad tale
of Alexander Frasier, exiled from his Scottish homeland, the (to modern
ears) comic medical claims of Dr. Rutty and eventually the triumph
of Charles Roe ~ The Copper King.
The legendary 18th century industrialist from Macclesfield in Cheshire
whose experience and business skills brought about the golden age
of the Copper Kingdom. |
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mines flourished under Roe but history saw them finally take their
place on a world stage under the stewardship of Thomas
Williams ~ 'Twm Chwarae Teg', Tom Fair Play
in English, a skilled an canny family lawyer who came to control the
entire world market in copper from his office in Amlwch, no mean feat! |
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| From
the mountain we move down to the Port. Amlwch Port flourished because
of the copper trade, it's rugged beauty being home to one of the
busiest ports in Britain in its heyday. It had two shipbuilders
and was host to the elegant schooners that plyed their trade as
far afield as South America. Today it's still a busy fishing port,
though the inner harbour has a more tranquil feel, it's ancient
walls now home to more leisurely craft. Our walking tour takes in
all of the sights of the historic quayside and your guide will tell
you the tales of its history, from the 'Roman' walls to the beery
berthing fee to the nightclub with the very unusual dance floor! |
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actual centre of Amlwch is very much a working town, from its busy
supermarket to its smaller speciality shops, inc a deli, sports
shop and award winning butcher, it even has a shop exporting country
and western dance regalia to the US! It is also awash with it's
history and memories of the past. St. Eleths church (right) was
build by the mine owners of old and its churchyard became their
final resting place. On a walking tour you will also see the unusual
'upturned boat' of the Catholic church, the national School built
in 1821 for the miners children, as you walk you will also be regaled
with the stories of life in a 'wildwest' mining town of riots and
starvation and drunken livestock running wild in its streets! Also
a great place to pause for lunch or maybe a pint and a chat with
the locals in one of its colourful pubs. |
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WalkAmlwch
Tour Guides
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1
Bryn Seion, Rhosgoch, Anglesey. LL66 0AE.
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Tel.(+44)
01407 711094
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Mobile
SMS 07766608889
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