The Copper Kingdom
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.
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. |
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!
The Port is also home to three heritage attractions, the Sail Loft Centre boasts a cafe and exhibition area, the old Copper Bins are home to the new Copper Kingdon Centre and the old Watch House is home to the Geomon Geopark geology centre complete with its 'geological' clock display. The 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 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 (right), 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. |
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.
The 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! 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. |
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