1876 – A significant year in Wrexham’s history
Several significant events happened in Wrexham during the year 1876. The National Eisteddfod visited the county for the first time, the Football Association of Wales was formed at the Wynnstay Arms on High St and the Cambrian Ironworks were established by the Powell Brothers on Garden Road next to Wrexham General.
The business developed and become ‘Powell Brothers and Whittaker’ exporting their machinery across the globe. Their world’s best horse drawn potato picker was exported as far as New Zealand, such was their good reputation.
During the First World War the factory’s close proximity to Wrexham General Train station made it an ideal location to produce mortars for the war effort.
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Post war, during the early 1920’s the Powell factory branched out into motorcycle design and production with these machines again being exported worldwide, as well as appearing at the famous Isle of Man TT Races.
John Evan Powell took a great interest in public affairs. He was appointed first Chairman of the Governors of Grove Park County School for Boys, advisor for the Welsh Intermediate Education Act Justice of the Peace and Treasurer of ‘Seion Calvanistic Methodist Chapel.
Raising money for Eisteddfod funds
This fascinating chapter in Wrexham’s manufacturing history is captured in “The Story of Powell Brothers and Whitaker – Cambrian Ironworks Wrexham by Gwynfor Williams. The Hardback book features 180 pages of of information in text, photo and original artworks and designs from the factory.
The extremely well researched book contains a treasure trove of adverts, photography and information not available anywhere else and is a fascinating read for those with an interest in the history of Wrexham, right through to engineers and those who have a scientific knowledge of machinery.
Author Gwynfor Williams has kindly donated 50 of his books, available at the special price of £10 (RRP £24.95) to raise money for the Wrexham 2025 Eisteddfod-with all monies raised going towards the Eisteddfod fund.
You can pick up your copy for this very special price and support the Eisteddfod fund by visiting Siop Siwan located at Tŷ Pawb.
A little about Gwynfor
Gwynfor was born on a farm in Pwllglas during the Second World War and from an early age was surrounded and fascinated with agricultural machinery. He went on to have a long career in teaching and lecturing and is an honorary member of the Association of Lecturers in Agricultural Machinery (ALAM) and is held in high regard as an authority on Welsh Agricultural Machinery.
Gwynfor’s first book The Jones Baler Story came about after he was approached by a member of the Jones family with a view to share the fascinating history of the Rhosesmor and Mold business that proudly displayed the Welsh Dragon on their machinery that sold worldwide.
‘The John Williams Story’ was Gwynfor’s second book documenting in great detail the fascinating story of the Phoenix Iron Works on the banks of the River Clwyd in Rhuddlan.
Gwynfor’s third book, The Story of Powell Brothers and Whitaker-Cambrian Ironworks Wrexham was published in 2018, and much like the products of the factory, it has also gone to sell worldwide.
Gwynfor is a regular Eisteddfod goer and a member of the Preston Welsh Clwb Siarad (Welsh speaking club) near where he now resides and has kindly donated books in order to support this year’s Wrexham Eisteddfod.
