:Llanfechell

The many prehistoric remains close to the village indicate that the area has been lived in for thousands of years. The first written mention of Llanfechell itself is in 1291.Rev. Dafydd Wyn William, record of a talk given to [http://www.cymdeithashanesmechell.co.uk/diary.htm Llanfechell History Society] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120303072347/http://www.cymdeithashanesmechell.co.uk/diary.htm |date=2012-03-03 }} The name Llanfechell means Church of St Mechell (In the lenitive (treiglad meddal) the 'M' becomes 'F', pronounced V.[http://www.omniglot.com/writing/welsh.htm Omniglot.com]). Mechell (or Mechyll) appears to have been a 6th-century missionary, possibly from Brittany, who founded a monastery here. He is said to have been the son of Echwydd and the grandson of Gwyn Gohoyw, who flourished in the 5th century. A 17th century manuscript (Llanstephan MS. 125)Baring-Gould, S. & Fisher, John (1911), The Lives of the British Saints, Vol III p.433 [https://archive.org/details/livesofbritishsa03bariuoft us.archive.org] records a Welsh poem, Cywydd i Fechell Sant. This describes how St Mechell was offered a gift of land in gratitude for a miraculous healing, to be demarcated by the route of a released hare. The hare, under divine guidance, marked the full extent of what is now the parish of Llanfechell, where he then founded the monastery.

18th century life in Llanfechell was described in great detail by William Bulkeley (1691–1760). From 1734 to 1760 he kept a daily diary recording Anglesey life, social customs, personal and family dealings, farming practices and the weather.{{Cite DWB|id=s-BULK-WIL-1691|title=William Bulkely (1691-1760)|first=Thomas |last=Richards}} William Bulkeley lived at Brynddu as Squire of Llanfechell. His daughter married Fortunatus Wright, a brewer from Liverpool whose colourful life included periods as a privateer.[http://www.cymdeithashanesmechell.co.uk/F.Wright.htm Brynddu and the Privateer, Fortunatus Wright] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120421043226/http://www.cymdeithashanesmechell.co.uk/F.Wright.htm |date=2012-04-21 }}, Menter Mechell History Society.

Llanfechell was one of a network of market towns on Anglesey. During the 18th century and following, in addition to its weekly market day the village held a fair several times a year, for the sale of livestock and produce. The Llanfechell Fair ({{langx|cy|Ffair Mechell}}) no longer includes livestock and agricultural sales, but continues as a horticultural show and family fun day at Llanfechell Community School in late July.[http://llanfechell.info/page11.html Mechell Fair - Llanfechell.info]

A war memorial in the village square records those from the village who died in both world wars, three sons of Brigadier-General Owen Thomas of Brynddu, who headed Lloyd George's Welsh Army.[http://llanfechell.info/page10.html Llanfechell War Memorial]

'Menter Mechell' is an umbrella community venture, which helps facilitate a variety of activities and interest groups in the village. Areas of activity include the History Group, a Hobbies Group, the Maes Martin playground and sports project and an Allotment Group.[http://llanfechell.info/page3.html Lanfechell.info: Menter Mechell]

{{main|St Mechell's Church, Llanfechell}}

File:Llanfechell Parish Church - geograph.org.uk - 867608.jpg

St Mechell's Church includes features that date back to the 12th century. It is a Grade II* listed building[http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/wales/isle+of+anglesey/mechell British Listed Buildings] accessed 7 May 2012 in the centre of the village (location:{{gbmappingitem|SH369913|53.3930|-4.4536|type=landmark|dim=500|name=St Mechell Church}}). St Mechell's Day is 15 November.[http://www.cymdeithashanesmechell.co.uk/church.html Menter Mechell: Inside the Church] The thick stone walls are whitewashed externally, while the stone tower has a single bell, and is topped by an unusual cupola. The church is part of the Anglican Church in Wales, in the diocese of Bangor, and holds bilingual services at 10.00am each Sunday.

Facing the church across the village square is Libanus Chapel (Welsh Calvinistic Methodist). Founded in 1832, it was rebuilt in 1903.[http://www.pictures.walesdirectory.co.uk/Libanus-Chapel-Llanfechell-p-1314.html Wales Directory. Libanus Chapel] Ebenezer Chapel, a Welsh Independent chapel, is near the school on Mountain Road. Built in 1862, it replaced a chapel built soon after 1800.[http://www.cymdeithashanesmechell.co.uk/LlanfechellChapels.htm History Society. Llanfechell Chapels] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120518044500/http://www.cymdeithashanesmechell.co.uk/LlanfechellChapels.htm |date=2012-05-18 }} Both chapels are listed grade II.

In addition to the three churches, there are six other listed buildings within the village (all grade II):

• Brynddu (listed in 2001), is a large 17th to 18th century house {{convert|440|yards|m}} south-east of the village.[http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/wa-25171-bryn-ddu-mechell British Listed Buildings: Bryn-ddu] (Location: {{gbmappingitem|SH37329119 |53.3924|-4.4479|type=landmark|dim=500|name=Brynddu}}. There was a medieval building which the diarist William Bulkeley began to rebuild in the 1690s. Brynddu estate has been in the hands of the Bulkeley family and their descendants for 500 years. It is now a 900-acre farming estate with five long-term tenant farmers in the locality, as well as 70 acres farmed directly from Brynddu. Since 2006 it has been the home of Robin Grove-White, formerly director of CPRE and chair of Greenpeace UK.[http://www.dailypost.co.uk/farming-north-wales/farming-news/2008/01/17/robin-grove-white-lives-the-wild-life-55578-20359172/ Robin Grove-White lives the wild life] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120724153241/http://www.dailypost.co.uk/farming-north-wales/farming-news/2008/01/17/robin-grove-white-lives-the-wild-life-55578-20359172/ |date=2012-07-24 }}, Andrew Forgrave, dailypost.co.uk 8 Jan 2008. (Accessed 21 May 2012)
• Crown Terrace, including Crown House. A row of three listed terraced buildings on the corner of the Square.{{Coflein|num=15676|desc=Crown Terrace|access-date=28 November 2016}}
• The Old Rectory, a 17th-century rectory, with 18th century additions, in grounds alongside the churchyard and Crown Terrace.{{Coflein|num=15772|desc=The Old Rectory|fewer-links=yes|access-date=28 November 2016}}
• Llanfechell War Memorial, which incorporates a clock, and stands in the village square. {{gbmappingitem| SH37029120|53.3924|-4.4525|type=landmark|dim=500|name=Llanfechell War Memorial}}

There are four scheduled monuments close to the village:

File:Standing stone east of Llanfechell - geograph.org.uk - 1254434.jpg

The standing stone 440 yards north of Llanfechell Church, known as Baron Hill Maen Hir, is a prehistoric standing stone (one of many such on Anglesey). The stone is {{convert|6.6|ft|m}} high, with a further 19 in (0.5m) below ground and weighs 4.6 tons. In 2009 it had keeled over, and in 2010 it was lifted and re-set in position by Gwynedd Archaeological Trust under the guidance of Cadw. When removed from its socket, some 20 packing stones were found around its base, one of which had two 'pecked' engravings, a cupmark and a cup and ring mark.[http://www.rock-art-in-wales.co.uk/database/welsh-rock-art-llanfechell.html Rock Art Wales, April 2011] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406103119/http://www.rock-art-in-wales.co.uk/database/welsh-rock-art-llanfechell.html |date=2016-04-06 }} Accessed 5 May 2012 The engraved stone is now at Oriel Ynys Môn Museum, Llangefni. Such rock engravings are very rare in North Wales, and its use as part of the construction of the standing stone implies a particular, if unknown, significance.[http://henebnews.wordpress.com/2010/09/29/archaeological-work-at-llanfechell-standing-stone-anglesey/ Archaeological News on Llanfechell Standing Stone]. George Smith, 29 September 2010 It is Located at {{coord|53.3964|-4.4531|name=Standing Stone east of Llanfechell|display=inline|region:GB_type:landmark_dim:1km}}, {{gbmapping|SH369916}}.{{Coflein|num=302330|desc=Standing stone Llanfechell|fewer-links=yes|access-date=28 November 2016}}

File:The Llanfechell Triangle - geograph.org.uk - 1260817.jpg

The Llanfechell Triangle Standing Stones are a group of three prehistoric standing stones at {{coord|53.3966|-4.46204|display=inline|name=Llanfechell Triangle Standing Stones|region:GB_type:landmark_dim:1km}}, {{gbmapping|SH363916}}. They are all around {{convert|6.6|ft|m}} high with their long axis aligned NW-SE. They are thought to date to the Bronze Age.

Pen-y-Morwydd Barrow, is a burial mound, probably from the Bronze Age, on the top of a hill between Llanfechell and Bodewryd. It is {{convert|27|yd|m}} across, and {{convert|6.6|ft|m}} high, crossed by a modern wall.{{Coflein|num=302341|desc=Pen-y-Morwydd Barrow|fewer-links=yes|access-date=28 November 2016}} A footpath from Rhosbeirio crosses the mound. (Location: {{coord|53.3933|-4.4306|display=inline|name=Pen-y-Morwydd Barrow |region:GB_type:landmark_dim:1km}}, {{gbmapping|SH385913}})

Llifad enclosure is a later prehistoric pentagonal enclosure, {{convert|49|yd|m}} across.{{Coflein|num=300840|desc=Llifad|fewer-links=yes|access-date=28 November 2016}} It is a possible defended settlement a few hundred metres south of Pen-y-Morwydd Barrow, on the same hill, towards Carreglefn. Location: {{coord|53.3915|-4.4302|name=Llifad enclosure|region:GB_type:landmark_dim:1km}}, {{gbmapping|SH384910}}

In addition to the scheduled sites, a range of other archaeological and historic sites are known:

;Hilltop enclosure at Carog: This has Neolithic settlement evidence with a circular defensive ditch dated to 800BC. Also 800-900AD house and domestic artifacts, excavated in 2010.[http://www.cymdeithashanesmechell.co.uk/Cropmarks.htm Llanfechell History Society: Cropmarks] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120303072751/http://www.cymdeithashanesmechell.co.uk/Cropmarks.htm |date=2012-03-03 }} Accessed 5 May 2012 Location: {{gbmappingitem|SH373922|53.4012|-4.4491|name=Hilltop enclosure at Carog |type=landmark|dim=1km}}

;Burial chamber at Foel Fawr: or Stones near Cromlech Farm (It may just be a 'suggestive natural feature').{{Coflein|num=302680|desc=Foel Fawr|fewer-links=yes|access-date=28 November 2016}} Location: {{gbmappingitem| SH360920| 53.3993| -4.4675| type= landmark| dim= 1km| name=Foel Fawr Burial Chamber}}

;Mynydd Groes Earthwork: a field enclosure, largely cleared.{{Coflein|num=401868|desc=Mynydd Groes|fewer-links=yes|access-date=28 November 2016}} Location: {{gbmappingitem|SH351915|53.3940|-4.4818|name=Mynydd Groes Earthwork |type=landmark|dim=1km}}

;Pen-y-Morwydd Pillow Mound:a medieval constructed rabbit warren. Up to 7 are recorded at this site, most no longer visible.{{Coflein|num=24374|desc=Pen-y-Morwydd Pillow Mound|fewer-links=yes|access-date=28 November 2016}} Location: {{gbmappingitem|SH385912|53.3927|-4.4304|name=Pen-y-Morwydd Pillow Mound |type=landmark|dim=1km}}

;Enclosure: north-west of Llanfechell, roughly square, 16 yards across.{{Coflein|num=86847|desc=Square enclosure|fewer-links=yes|access-date=28 November 2016}} Location: {{gbmappingitem|SH364917|53.3967|-4.4622|name=Square enclosure |type=landmark|dim=1km}}

;Tai Hen Cropmark Enclosure: An irregular rectilinear enclosure some 50 yards across{{Coflein|num=86848|desc=Tai Hen Cropmark Enclosure|fewer-links=yes|access-date=28 November 2016}} Location: {{gbmappingitem|SH384915|53.3957|-4.4325|name=Tai Hen Cropmark Enclosure |type=landmark|dim=1km}}

File:Melin Mechell.jpg

;Pont-y-Plas Bridge: a road bridge with square headed arches and steps to the water.{{Coflein|num=23730|desc=Pont-y-Plas|fewer-links=yes|access-date=28 November 2016}} Location: {{gbmappingitem|SH36889135|53.3937|-4.4546|type=landmark|dim=500|name=Pont-y-Plas}}

;Meddanen Water Mill and Melin Mechell Windmill: (also known as Minffordd Mill and Melin Maen Arthur). Location: {{gbmappingitem|SH362902|53.3832|-4.4642|type=landmark|dim=500|name=Melin Mechell Windmill}} (these two Medieval mills are close together so could have been worked by the same miller, depending on wind or water supply). The windmill fell out of use in the early 20th century and was converted into a house in the late 1970s.[http://www.cymdeithashanesmechell.co.uk/mills.htm#MechellWindMIll Menter Mechell History Society: Windmills]

• Saint Mechell, the 6th century founder and first abbot of the monastery of Llanfechell
• William Jones (1675–1749), a mathematician, said to have introduced the symbol for the mathematical constant π, attended school in the village.
• William Bulkeley (1691–1760) a minor Welsh landowner and meticulous diarist; born in Brynddu in the parish of Llanfechell

• Mechell, Anglesey
• List of Scheduled Monuments in Anglesey

{{Reflist|2}}

• [http://llanfechell.info/index.html Lanfechell village Website]
• [http://ysgolllanfechell.org/eng/index.html Llanfechell School Website]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20120219034422/http://www.cymdeithashanesmechell.co.uk/house.htm Menter Mechell History Society ]

{{Anglesey}}

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Category:Villages in Anglesey

Category:Prehistoric sites in Anglesey

Category:Mechell, Anglesey