Welsh Journals

In olden days the Aberaeron Bridge was a notable landmark. It is not on record when the first bridge was built and- its exact location is not known. It is generally believed that in the year. 1800 the bridge that crossed the Aeron was situated more or less on the site of the present structure. The first mention of the old bridge I found in the Quarter Sessions records. Here is a minute from the proceedings on 13 July 1773. Ordered that Henry Jones, Lewis Gwynne and Philip Pugh Esquires or any two of them be desired to fix upon a proper place for rebuilding Aberayron Bridge, presented to be out of repair, the old bridge being built in an inconven- ient place and that they do also contract with proper persons for rebuilding the same and certify such contract at the next General Quarter Sessions of the Peace to be held by the said County, etc.' It is therefore seen that the bridge in 1773 was in an inconvenient place and, according to local tradition, was situated some 15 yards higher up the river than the present one, with a sharp bend close to the pine end of Y Bont (a thatched cottage) which made it difficult for horse-drawn vehicles to gain access to the bridge. To the credit of Lewis Gwynne, Henry Jones and Phillip Pugh they soon got to work for on 12 July 1774 they reported that they had contracted with David and William Richard of St. Dogmaels to erect a new bridge in consideration of a sum of £ 185, 'the said Dd. Richard and Wm. Richard having entered into a Bond with sufficient security for the due performance thereof, and keeping the said bridge in repair for 7 years.' I The Cardi could drive a hard bargain even as long ago as 166 years. But what became of it? On 23 April 1781 a sum of £ \o was paid David Richards for repairing both ends of the bridge. No explanation is given as to why the new bridge was not built. The bond and security must have been weighing heavily on the two Richards. Some further repairs were carried out in 1781 by Dd. Richards. At the Quarter Sessions in January 1783, Lewis Gwynne of Mynachdy complains that the bridge was IAn address given at Aberaeron, 25 June, 1949.