Vandalism, nuptuals and accidents
1844 – Wagon Accident at Llandinabo
John Price, a workman employed by Mr. Lane, was taking a barrel of water down a lane on a wagon drawn by a mare.
The horse shied at something and knocked John over, and immediately the wheels of the wagon went over him. There were bruises on his temples, and his stomach and blood was pouring from his mouth.
He was taken to a nearby cottage, but died within minutes.
1855 – Mindless Vandalism Near Llandinabo
In February, just before dawn on a Sunday, the Hereford-Gloucester mail coach was en route and was just outside Llandinabo when it had a very narrow escape.
Some idiots with no thought for the safety of horses or people, had laid three field gates at intervals across the road, and in the dark the horses fell over the first one and became entangled. Fortunately they were none the worse for wear, and by the time that the mail coach set off again the coachman was able to see the subsequent two gates in time to stop.
1862 – Fire at Llandinabo
One night in late December, people in Hereford could clearly see the reflection of a huge fire from the direction of Llandinabo and the city police, expecting at any minute to hear that the fire engines would be required, collected the fire brigade and got everything ready, including harnessing the horses to the engines.
They waited and waited – from midnight until 3 in the morning, but no messenger arrived so they unharnessed the horses and everyone went home.
Apparently the fire was on the farm of Mr. Bosanquet at Llandinabo, and was supposed to have started when sparks from a boiler fire set fire to something in the outbuilding. Ricks, stacks, outbuildings and many animals were destroyed.
I wonder why he didn’t call for the fire brigade.
1864 – Refusal to Obey Affiliation Order
Thomas Andrews of Llandinabo was sentenced to two months hard labour for disobeying an order of the Justices to contribute to the support of Hannah Seaborne’s child.
Thomas admitted liability to the extent of £2 5s 6d for arrears and costs.
1867 – Nuptual Festivities at Llandinabo
It was pleasing to read of this happy event, because ten years earlier the bridegroom William Matthews had a fit whilst driving his gig home from Hereford, and fell onto the road, badly damaging his head.
In November 1867 one of the principal inhabitants of Llandinabo, William Matthews of Whitewell Cottage married Miss Sier, the only daughter of Joseph Sier of Llanwarne.
William was part of an old established family of timber merchants, who had grown exceptional wealth – a feat that they partly put down to treating their employees well.
The church was full for the wedding, mostly with family and friends but also employees of the two families; after the ceremony the wedding breakfast was served in a huge marquee, and then the happy couple set off to Cheltenham for their honeymoon, being showered with old shoes as was the practice at the time.