Oonagh’s story

by Oonagh Wilkinson
(Macclesfield)

Dear Wil

We started visiting Anglesey when I was about 8 or 9 years old and stayed at Ma Evan’s campsite (Tyddyn Uchaf) in those days. Their house has now been converted to a huge ‘building' on the beautiful headland between Porth Swtan and Porthwen.

Then, we were introduced to the most wonderful family, the Richard Brothers of Orsedd Goch, in between Llanfairyghornwy and Rhydwyn

Jack is the only remaining member of the original family that we knew, and has been like a father to me over my life. I love him to bits!

There were 7 in the family originally and oh! what characters! What a privilege to have been befriended by them! The stories are just AMAZING!!

Going back to their childhood! Living in the tiny little croft cottage, all of them! I remember going there as a child to have breakfast with them before they milked the herd, when their mother was still alive.

Jack, until quite recently, would drive down in his pick up truck and sit outside the Mr and Mrs Williams house at the entrance to Church Bay, socialising, with everyone at the weekend after Sunday lunch or on a Summer’s evening! I know he really misses doing that, but he wont let me take him down there anymore!

I also remember Rosa and the Beach Ponies, and still see Wally on his bike!

I remember Mr and Mrs Williams at the Wavecrest café too. The rest hasn’t really changed has it? And that’s what’s SO wonderful about it!

I remember Robin Top Shop, and the butcher in Rhydwyn, Gwylym the Vicar, Ishmael in the Church Bay Hotel on a Saturday night, and his wife, who sadly was murdered.

I saw the programme 'Coast', and Jack has told me all about the Bone Setters and Ivor who lived at Cae Llwyd near Orsedd Goch, which was run at times, like a small hospital, mending animals' and folks' bones with pitch and brown paper when needed.

Jack said, ‘There was a penny to be had for finding a dead body on the beach!’ I think that was during WW2!

SO many more tales to be told!

I love the Skerries! And was devastated when its beam was cut down in power! I used to be able to see it right across the island when I was driving over to Church Bay!

I wish I could live there now.

I will never find anywhere on earth as precious as that little corner. And will never meet such wonderful characters as those who live there.

Best wishes to all

Oonagh