Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Monument to the great rail disaster of 1868 in the Churchyard of Church of St Michael
Abergele, Conwy, Wales
The record
- Designation
- Listed building, Grade II
- Broad class
- Religious, Ritual and Funerary
- Date of designation
- 5 August 1997
- Locality
- Abergele
- Town
- Abergele
- Community
- Abergele
- Unitary authority
- Conwy
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates
- 53.28552, -3.58317
- Cadw reference
- 18697
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesLlyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru – The National Library of WalesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
Shown on 5 historical map sheets, the earliest the 1795 "To Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn Bart ... the map of the six counties of North Wales is most humbly inscribed by his obedient humble servant" (Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru – The National Library of Wales).
Cadw's description
Location
The monument is set against the eastern churchyard wall, on the N side of the Church of St Michael.
History
The monument is to commemorate the loss of 33 victims of the rail accident near Abergele which happened on 20th August 1868, amongst whom were Lord Farnham, Rev Sir Nicholas Chinnery, Judge Berwick and others. The Irish mail train collided with three runaway goods trucks loaded with barrels of parrafin. The monument was erected probably at the expence of John Roberts, local benefactor, as the materials used are very similar to his father's monument at Mynydd Seion and his house at Bryngwenallt.
Exterior
A granite tablet inscribed with cut and gilded lettering, set between pink granite columns supporting a gabled head, the soffit trefoil shaped over the tablet itself, and bearing gilded lettering and IHS monogram. The monument is set on a twice chamfered stone plinth and is enclosed by an elongated burial ground, approximately 19m x 3m, defined by limestone posts and iron chains.
Reason for designation
Included as a monument of significance in the history of Abergele, and for group value with the Church of St Michael.
Nearby in the register
- Church of St MichaelReligious, Ritual and Funeraryunder 1 mi
- Ty-mawr TerraceDomesticunder 1 mi
- Ty-mawr TerraceDomesticunder 1 mi
- Lych Gate to Church of St MichaelReligious, Ritual and Funeraryunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.