:Mechell, Anglesey

Mechell's settlements are all on inland situations, although a narrow strip of land reaches up as far as the north coast of the island, east of Cemaes Bay, in Llanbadrig Community. To the east is Cylch-y-Garn Community, and to the south is Tref Alaw and Rhosybol.

There are three wards within the Mechell community council area, with a total of 10 councillors representing Llanfechell, Mynydd Mechell and Carreglefn, plus a chairperson.{{cite web |author=Menter Mechell |url=http://llanfechell.info/page13.html |title=Community Council |website=Llanfechell.info |accessdate=2016-06-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304003205/http://llanfechell.info/page13.html# |archive-date=2016-03-04 |url-status=dead }}

Prior to the 2012 Anglesey electoral boundary changes Mechell was an electoral ward for the county council. It is now part of a new Talybolion ward.{{cite web|url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/wsi/2012/2676/pdfs/wsi_20122676_mi.pdf |title=Isle of Anglesey (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2012 |website=legislation.gov.uk|publisher=The National Archives |accessdate=2017-12-06 }}

{{OSM Location map

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| mark-description1=Group of three prehistoric standing stones thought to date to the Bronze Age, at Llanfechell, Anglesey

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The oldest of the settlements appears to be Llanfechell, named, as is the larger community, after the 6th century saint Mechell, reputedly a Breton missionary. Tradition has it that he is buried in Llanfechell.{{cite web|author= Cymdeithas Hanes Mechell|url=http://www.cymdeithashanesmechell.co.uk/church.html |title=Llanfechell Church |website=cymdeithashanesmechell.co.uk |date= |accessdate=2016-06-18}} The large number of prehistoric sites attest to human habitation across the Community since well before that.

There is a very detailed account of daily life in the Mechell area during the 18th century, within the diaries of William Bulkeley, (1691-1760). He lived at Brynddu, a house on the edge of Llanfechell, and kept a daily record of Anglesey life from 1734 to 1760.{{cite web|author= Cymdeithas Hanes Mechell|url=http://www.cymdeithashanesmechell.co.uk/diaries.html |title=Brynddu and the Diaries of William Bulkeley |website=cymdeithashanesmechell.co.uk |date= |accessdate=2016-06-18}}

The land of Mechell Community is a settled agricultural landscape, with a network of small farms. The longstanding importance of arable agriculture is shown by the remains of four watermills and three windmills in the Mechell area: Meddanen Water Mill and Melin Mechell Windmill (also known as Minffordd Mill and Melin Maen Arthur) are close together so could have been worked by the same miller, utilising water and wind as available. Further south is Pant y Gŵydd, the second windmill. To the west, along the Afon Cafnan, was a series of mills, including the Cefn Coch Water Mill and Windmill, the Pandy Cefn Coch (a fulling mill), and Cafnan Water Mill at the mouth of the river.{{cite web|url=http://www.cymdeithashanesmechell.co.uk/mills.html |title=Llanfechell Mills|website=Cymdeithashanesmechell.co.uk |date= |accessdate=2016-06-18}}{{cite web|url=http://www.anglesey.info/mynydd-mechell-windmill.htm |title=High resolution images and the History of Mynydd Mechell Windmill (known as Melin Mechell) on Anglesey |website=Anglesey.info |date= |accessdate=2016-06-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306044229/https://www.anglesey.info/mynydd-mechell-windmill.htm|archive-date=2019-03-06|url-status=dead}}{{cite web |last1=Kovach |first1=Warren |title=Windmills of Anglesey |url=https://www.anglesey-history.co.uk/windmills/index.html |website=Anglesey History |access-date=15 December 2022}}{{cite web |last1=Kovach |first1=Warren |title=Other Mills on Anglesey |url=https://www.anglesey-history.co.uk/other-mills/index.html |website=Anglesey History |access-date=15 December 2022}}

Wylfa Nuclear Power Station, close to the Community boundary's northern tip, was the only substantial employer in the immediate neighbourhood, on the coast, {{convert|3|km|miles}} northwest of Llanfechell. It was the only Nuclear Power Station in Wales after Trawsfynedd shut down. The site produced electricity from 1971, and ceased at the end of 2015.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-35158939 |title=Wylfa: Last day for Anglesey nuclear plant |publisher=BBC News |accessdate=2016-06-18}} Proposals from Horizon Nuclear Power to build 'Wylfa Newydd' are under consideration.{{cite web|url=http://www.horizonnuclearpower.com/wylfa-newydd |title=Wylfa Newydd - About Our Site |website=Horizonnuclearpower.com |date= |accessdate=2016-06-18}}

Mechell Community has 4 Church in Wales buildings in the Bangor Diocese and Bro Padrig Deanery,{{cite web|author=|url=http://www.churchinwales.org.uk/structure/places/parishes/?id=2046|title=Bro Padrig B230 In the benefice of Bro Padrig |publisher=British Listed Buildings |date=1970-12-05 |accessdate=2016-06-18}}

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

;St Mechell's Church, Llanfechell: (Grade II* listed). 12th century church with 19th century rebuild. SH369913 {{coord|53.3930|-4.4536|type:landmark_region:GB_dim:500|display=inline|name=St Mechell Church}}.{{cite web|author=|url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/wa-5383-church-of-st-mechell-mechell |title=Church of St Mechell - Mechell - Isle of Anglesey - Wales |publisher=British Listed Buildings |date=1970-12-05 |accessdate=2016-06-18}}

File:Eglwys St Fflewin Church, Llanfflewin, Mynydd Mechell.jpg

;St Fflewin's Church, Llanfflewin: (Grade II listed) in Mynydd Mechell. Documentary records from 1254, but the oldest extant fabric appears to be 18th century, extensively restored in the 1930s. SH350890 {{coord|53.3724|-4.4822|type:landmark_region:GB_dim:500|display=inline|name=St Fflewin's Church}}.{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/wa-5355-church-of-st-fflewyn-mechell |title=Church of St Fflewyn - Mechell - Isle of Anglesey - Wales |publisher= The Church in Wales |date=1970-12-05 |accessdate=2016-06-18}}

File:St Mary's Church Bodewryd east window.jpg

;St Mary's Church, Bodewryd: (Grade II listed). The present structure is from the 16th century or earlier, and on a much earlier site. The original dedication was to St Gewryd. SH400906, {{coord|53.3878|-4.4071|type:landmark_region:GB_dim:500|display=inline|name=St Mary's Church, Bodewryd}}.{{watprn|coflein|43616|title= Bodewryd Church}}

File:St. Peirio's Church. - geograph.org.uk - 332210.jpg

;St Peirio's Church, Rhosbeirio: Grade II listed, now disused. SH391917. {{coord|53.3980|-4.4213|type:landmark_region:GB_dim:500|display=inline|name=St Peirio's Church, Rhosbeirio}}.St. Peirio's Church, {{watprn|coflein|43640}}

;Capel Anhunedd-y-Pran: There is a redundant (or decayed) medieval chapel at Clegyrog. By 1796 it was in use as a cowhouse.{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=p9wuAAAAMAAJ&dq=Anhunedd-Y-Pran&pg=PA286 |title=Cambrian Register |author=William Owen Pughe |page=286 |year=1799 |accessdate=2016-06-18}} SH388903, Coordinates:{{coord|53.3849|-4.4252|type:landmark_region:GB_dim:500|display=inline|name=Capel Anhunedd-Y-Pran, Clegyrog}}.Capel Anhunedd-y-Pran, {{watprn|coflein|43548}}

;Cappel Newsaint: An unlocated medieval chapel stood somewhere in Mynydd Mechell. SH3590. {{coord |53.381|-4.4821|type:landmark_region:GB_dim:500|display=inline|name=Cappel Newsaint}}.Cappel Newsaint, {{watprn|coflein|309971}}

There have been least nine non=conformist Chapels in the Mechell area, dating to the nineteenth and early 20th centuries:-

File:Capel Libanus Chapel - geograph.org.uk - 1263315.jpg

;Libanus Chapel, Llanfechell: Methodistiaid Calfinaidd, Welsh Calvanistic Methodist Chapel on the village square. Founded in 1832, rebuilt in 1903.{{cite web|url=http://www.pictures.walesdirectory.co.uk/Libanus-Chapel-Llanfechell-p-1314.html |title=Picture of Libanus Chapel Llanfechell |website=Pictures.walesdirectory.co.uk |date= |accessdate=2016-06-18}} SH369912. {{coord|53.3927|-4.4542|type:landmark_region:GB_dim:500|display=inline|name=Libanus Chapel, Llanfechell}}

File:Ebenezer, Capel yr Annibynwyr, Llanfechell- Ebenezer Congregational Chapel, Llanfechell - geograph.org.uk - 1255225.jpg

;Ebenezer Chapel, Llanfechell: Welsh Independent chapel near the School, on Mountain Road. Built 1862, replacing a Chapel built soon after 1800.{{cite web|url=http://www.cymdeithashanesmechell.co.uk/chapels.html|title=Llanfechell Chapels|author= Cymdeithas Hanes Mechell |website=cymdeithashanesmechell.co.uk |date= |accessdate=2016-06-18}} SH365909, {{coord|53.3896|-4.4598|type:landmark_region:GB_dim:500|display=inline|name=Ebenezer Chapel, Llanfechell}}

;Calfaria Chapel, Mynydd Mechell: Welsh Baptist chapel built in 1897 to replace an earlier building of 1815. SH361900 {{coord|53.38113|-4.4663|type:landmark_region:GB_dim:500|display=inline|name=Calfaria Chapel, Mynydd Mechell}}

File:Jerusalem-Jerwsalem (MC), Mynydd Mechell - geograph.org.uk - 1253340.jpg

;Jerusalem Chapel, Mynydd Mechell: Methodistiaid Calfinaidd, Welsh Calvanistic Methodist chapek.{{cite web |author=Menter Mechell |url=http://llanfechell.info/page9.html |title=Chapel/Church |website=Llanfechell.info |accessdate=2016-06-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304050027/http://llanfechell.info/page9.html# |archive-date=2016-03-04 |url-status=dead }} SH358897, {{coord|53.3783|-4.4709|type:landmark_region:GB_dim:500|display=inline|name=Jerusalem Chapel, Mynydd Mechell}}

File:Capel Bethlehem, Carreglefn - geograph.org.uk - 1322420.jpg

;Bethlehem Chapel, Carreglefn: Welsh Calvinistic Methodist chapel.Bethlehem Chapel, {{watprn|coflein|43548}} SH383891, {{coord|53.3744|-4.4318|type:landmark_region:GB_dim:500|display=inline|name=Bethlehem Chapel, Carreglefn}}

File:Capel Seion, Glanrhyd, Carreglefn - geograph.org.uk - 1332681.jpg

;Seion Chapel, Carreglefn: Independent Chapel.Seion Chapel, {{watprn|coflein|8846}} SH394895,{{coord|53.3778|-4.4164|type:landmark_region:GB_dim:500|display=inline|name=Seion Chapel, Carreglefn}}

File:The former Capel Hephsiba, Rhosbeirio - geograph.org.uk - 1300563.jpg

;Hephsibah Chapel, Rhosbeirio: Former Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Chapel, converted into a house in 1985.Capel Hephsiba, {{watprn|coflein|8839}} SH394913, {{coord|53.3943|-4.4164|type:landmark_region:GB_dim:500|display=inline|name=Hephsibah Chapel}}

;Capel Bethania, Tregele: The Calvinistic Methodist cause at Tregele began in 1810. The Chapel was rebuilt in 1906 and closed in 1973{{cite web|url=http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/rd/N13950413 |title=pew rents book | The National Archives |website=Discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk |date= |accessdate=2016-06-18}} and is now a house.

All four extant medieval churches above are given the legal protection of Listed Building status. Below are the other listed buildings within the community,{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/wales/isle+of+anglesey/mechell |title=Listed Buildings in Mechell, Isle of Anglesey, Wales |publisher=British Listed Buildings |date= |accessdate=2016-06-18}} plus some other notable buildings and structures:-

File:The historic Plas Bodewryd - geograph.org.uk - 1309585.jpg

;Plas Bodewryd: (Grade II* listed mansion). A 15th/16th century Hall house at Bodewryd, with substantial additions in every century following.Plas Bodewryd {{watprn|coflein|15803}} SH40019082, {{coord |53.3899|-4.4073|type:landmark_region:GB_dim:500|display=inline|name=Plas Bodewryd mansion}}.

File:Colomendy Bodewryd Dovecot - geograph.org.uk - 1298982.jpg

;Bodewryd Colomendy or Dovecote, Bodewryd: Grade II listed late 17th C. dovecote in the grounds of Plas Bodewryd. Stone walls incorporate around 400 nests. SH40019082, {{coord |53.3899|-4.4073|type:landmark_region:GB_dim:500|display=inline|name=Bodewryd Colomendy or Dovecote}}.Bodewryd Colomendy, {{watprn|coflein|31059}}

;Lychgate at Church of St Mary, Bodewryd: Grade II listed building. SH40119057, {{coord |53.3877|-4.4057|type:landmark_region:GB_dim:500|display=inline|name=Lychgate at Church of St Mary}}.

;Brynddu, Llanfechell: Grade II listed 18th Century larger Anglesey house. Home of the Bulkeley Family. SH37329119 {{coord |53.3924|-4.4479|type:landmark_region:GB_dim:500|display=inline|name=Brynddu}}.Brynddu, Llanfechell, {{watprn|coflein|15590}}

;Pont-y-Plas, Llanfechell: Road Bridge with square headed arches and steps to water. SH36889135||{{coord |53.3937|-4.4546|type:landmark_region:GB_dim:500|display=inline|name=Pont-y-Plas}}.Pont-y-Plas, {{watprn|coflein|23730}}

File:Crown Terrace facing the square at Llanfechell - geograph.org.uk - 1253751.jpg

;Crown Terrace, including Crown House, Llanfechell: Grade II listed row of three terraced buildings with a shop/bank. SH369912, {{coord |53.3924|-4.4542|type:landmark_region:GB_dim:500|display=inline|name=Crown Terrace, Inc.Crown House}}.Crown Terrace, {{watprn|coflein|15676}}

;Old Rectory, Llanfechell: Grade II listed, 17th Century Rectory, with 18th C additions. SH36989128, {{coord |53.3931|-4.4531|type:landmark_region:GB_dim:500|display=inline|name=Old Rectory}}Old Rectory, Llanfechell, {{watprn|coflein|15772}}

File:The Llanfechell War Memorial and Eglwys St Mechell - geograph.org.uk - 1256352.jpg

;War Memorial, Llanfechell: Grade II listed memorial to the fallen of the Great War, in the village square and incorporates a clock. SH37029120||{{coord |53.3924|-4.4525|type:landmark_region:GB_dim:500|display=inline|name=War Memorial}}

;Ffynnon Ddygfael, Mynydd Mechell: Well shaft close to a pool. SH35119050||{{coord |53.3855|-4.4808|type:landmark_region:GB_dim:500|display=inline|name=Ffynnon Ddygfael}}.Ffynnon Ddygfael, {{watprn|coflein|32159}}

;Llanddygfael-groes, Mynydd Mechell: Grade II listed building. SH35149059||{{coord |53.3863|-4.4804|type:landmark_region:GB_dim:500|display=inline|name=Llanddygfael-groes}}.

;Cae Mawr, Tregele: Grade II listed late 18th century farmhouse. SH34929088||{{coord |53.3889|-4.4838|type:landmark_region:GB_dim:500|display=inline|name=Cae Mawr, Tregele}}.Cae Mawr, Tregele, {{watprn|coflein|405485}}

;Cefn-Coch, Tregele: Grade II listed ||17th century central hall type house, with pointed internal doorways and 17th C. balusters. SH34259072 {{coord |53.3872|-4.4938|type:landmark_region:GB_dim:500|display=inline|name=Cefn-Coch}}.Cefn-Coch, Tregele, {{watprn|coflein|15637}}

;Groesfechan, Tregele: Medieval domestic remains. SH351917||{{coord |53.3963|-4.4815|type:landmark_region:GB_dim:500|display=inline|name=Groesfechan}}Groesfechan, Tregele, {{watprn|coflein|15699}}

File:Ty'n y Felin and the remains of the old wind mill - geograph.org.uk - 1259192.jpg

;Melin Cefn Coch (Ty'n y Felin), Tregele: Grade II listed building. SH34319139, {{coord |53.3933|-4.4932|type:landmark_region:GB_dim:500|display=inline|name=Melin Cefn Coch}}.Melin Cefn Coch, {{watprn|coflein|40365}}

;Cottage at Pant-y-Gist, Carreglefn: Grade II Listed Building, SH39358967, {{coord |53.3794|-4.4167|type:landmark_region:GB_dim:500|display=inline|name=Cottage at Pant-y-Gist}}.

;Hen Bont, Carreglefn: Grade II listed building. SH38408907||{{coord |53.3737|-4.4306|type:landmark_region:GB_dim:500|display=inline|name=Hen Bont}}.

;Pant-y-cryntach, Carreglefn: Grade II listed building. SH38808967, {{coord |53.3792|-4.4249|type:landmark_region:GB_dim:500|display=inline|name=Pant-y-cryntach}}

;Ty Newydd, Carreglefn: Grade II listed building. SH38408907, {{coord |53.3737|-4.4306|type:landmark_region:GB_dim:500|display=inline|name=Ty Newydd}}.

;Y Stryd, Carreglefn: Grade II listed building. SH38398906, {{coord |53.3736|-4.4307|type:landmark_region:GB_dim:500|display=inline|name=Y Stryd}}

;Twll-y-clawdd, Llanfflewyn: Grade II listed building. SH35638861, {{coord |53.3687|-4.4719|type:landmark_region:GB_dim:500|display=inline|name=Twll-y-clawdd}}.

There are five Scheduled monuments within the community area, all of them dating to prehistory, and a further 10 sites are also listed by the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales. All the sites are in open country within the community aea, so cannot be said to be in any one of the settlements. The 'settlement' column is there to give a guide as to which part of Mechell Community it is in.

Other Archaeological sites in Mechell:-

• List of Scheduled Monuments in Anglesey

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Anglesey}}

{{Communities of Anglesey}}

Category:Former wards of Anglesey