Roberts and Daughter

Roberts and Daughter Hi
We are a father and daughter partnership looking at making life a bit more manageable in very difficult times for us all.

We are taking a hobby a step further and can offer photographic, video, drone and editing services with a difference. The main difference being that we will not be pricing our work in line with other service providers. All our prices are negotiable, and we will consider all your budgets. If we can help you to record your memories for posterity without breaking your budget, we will certainly try.

6 weeks in to the steels going up and here is your weekly photo dump.
17/06/2026

6 weeks in to the steels going up and here is your weekly photo dump.

Ty’n-y-Capel in Minera (Wrexham) is a historic Welsh country inn and restaurant dating back to 1250 AD. Originally servi...
16/06/2026

Ty’n-y-Capel in Minera (Wrexham) is a historic Welsh country inn and restaurant dating back to 1250 AD. Originally serving as a monks' retreat on the pilgrimage route to Valle Crucis Abbey, the site sits in the Clywedog Valley and is steeped in local industrial and community history.

The origins and history of Ty'n-y-Capel are defined by several key eras:

Monastic Origins (13th Century): The original stone building was constructed around 1250 AD as a retreat for monks traveling between religious sites in North Wales.

Industrial Era: Located in an area known for extensive lead mining and limestone quarrying, it sat at the centre of a bustling, tough industrial community.

Community Ownership (2013): After closing in 2011, the pub was saved from permanent closure when local villagers formed a cooperative, purchased shares, and reopened it in 2013. This effort even gained national attention when celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal visited the village to help raise awareness.

Recent Developments: Following changes in ownership and a brief closure due to rising costs, the historic venue was revitalized and is reopened under new management, featuring an outdoor Wrexham Lager bar, a pizza oven, and stunning views of Minera Mountain.

Local Landmarks: Located directly opposite St Mary's Church, the pub is a popular hub for walkers exploring the Clywedog Valley, the old lead mines, and local family history

16/06/2026

With it celebrating it's 100th birthday this year, I thought I'd share a short two minute video of our visit to Portmeirion a few years back.

Portmeirion is a magical Italianate tourist village in North Wales, located on the estuary of the River Dwyryd near Porthmadog. Designed and built by architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis between 1925 and 1976, it was created as a lifelong experiment to prove that natural sites can be developed without spoiling them.

Key Background

The Vision: Williams-Ellis bought the wilderness estate in 1925 for just £20,000 and designed it to echo the vibrant, picturesque aesthetic of the Mediterranean in a Welsh setting.

Home for Fallen Buildings: To save them from demolition, Clough salvaged decorative facades, colonnades, and entire structures from various locations and pieced them together on-site, giving the village an eclectic, curated feel.

Two Phases: The first stage (1925–1939) established the village's Arts and Crafts layout. The second stage (1954–1976) introduced contrasting Neo-Classical and Palladian styles.

Cultural Impact

The Prisoner: Portmeirion achieved global fame as the mysterious "Village" in the 1960s cult sci-fi television series The Prisoner, starring Patrick McGoohan.

Charitable Trust: Today, the village is owned by a registered charity, ensuring the preservation of its Grade II* listed gardens and unique architecture.

Portmeirion Pottery: The world-famous pottery brand was founded on-site in 1960 by Williams-Ellis's daughter, Susan. The success of the pottery business and the architectural village remain intrinsically linked

The Railway Inn Rhosddu (located at 11 Railway Road, Wrexham, LL11 2DL) is a cherished, traditional community "boozer" w...
16/06/2026

The Railway Inn Rhosddu (located at 11 Railway Road, Wrexham, LL11 2DL) is a cherished, traditional community "boozer" with a rich local heritage tied to Wrexham’s industrial past and the arrival of the railway in the mid-19th century.

Historical Background & Area Heritage

The Railway Boom: The Rhosddu area began rapid residential and commercial development around 1856, following the arrival of the railway network and goods sheds in Wrexham.

The Coal Era: The local population boomed further with the opening of the Wrexham and Acton Colliery in the late 1860s, turning the once rural area into a bustling hub for railway and colliery workers.

The Pub's Roots: Like many traditional "Railway" inns across the UK, the establishment initially served as a watering hole and vital social hub for railroad crews, colliery workers, and early residents of Stansty and Rhosddu.

Present Day: Today, the Railway Inn operates as a beloved, family-friendly local pub, retaining a warm, community-focused vibe.

Features & Atmosphere: It is highly rated for its cozy interior, welcoming locals, and inviting log-burning fire.

Entertainment: The pub features three large TVs showing live sports (including Sky Sports and BT Sports), as well as traditional pub games like pool and darts.

Food & Drink: It serves reasonably priced drinks and a menu of fresh, simple pub baps and snacks. It also boasts both indoor and outdoor seating.

Work has begun on the upper tier at Wrexham AFC
16/06/2026

Work has begun on the upper tier at Wrexham AFC

The upper tier?We've just had a peek at The Kop and spotted these two huge lumps of steel. Is it possibly the first pie...
16/06/2026

The upper tier?

We've just had a peek at The Kop and spotted these two huge lumps of steel. Is it possibly the first pieces of the upper tier? They're definitely different to anything I've seen so far.

Check out Fanzone's videos later as he usually has answers to my questions.

The Park Street cottages in Ruabon, Wrexham, were built around 1840 as estate worker housing for the historic Wynnstay E...
15/06/2026

The Park Street cottages in Ruabon, Wrexham, were built around 1840 as estate worker housing for the historic Wynnstay Estate. These Grade II listed buildings feature unique sandstone rubble construction and octagonal chimneys, and represent an important piece of 19th-century Welsh village heritage.

Historical Background

Origins: Built in approximately 1840, the cottages on Park Street were constructed in four distinct blocks, originally serving as estate housing for the powerful Williams-Wynn family of Wynnstay.

Layout: The original blocks consisted of smaller "one-up, one-down" units on the sides and slightly larger "two-up, two-down" units in the centre, which were accessed from paired street-level doors.

Estate Connection: Park Street connects directly to the impressive Wynnstay Park estate. Residents were deeply tied to the estate’s fortunes and maintained front yard banks for flowers and small backyard plots for livestock.

Listing Status: Because of their historical integrity, the blocks are now designated as Grade II listed buildings and sit within the protected Ruabon Conservation Area.

Wynnstay Estate Decline: Following a devastating fire at the main Wynnstay Hall in 1858 and the financial strain of death duties after WWII, the Wynn family gradually relinquished parts of their hold on Ruabon, allowing the cottages to transition into community housing.

Architectural Highlights

The cottages are highly noted for their specific architectural character, which includes:

Construction: They feature roughly coursed and squared sandstone rubble walls paired with dressed stone quoins.

Roofs & Chimneys: Hipped slate roofs capped with distinctive double octagonal stone chimneys that vented the original corner fireplaces.

Windows & Entries: Central paired entrances that share a unified stone canopy, as well as period-appropriate window designs that are protected under conservation rules.

Today, the cottages are preserved as part of the distinct architectural fabric of Ruabon, and local councils frequently carry out restoration work on them using traditional tradespeople to keep the historic structures intact.

The Ruabon Roundhouse (also known as the "Old Clink") is a historic late 18th-century village lock-up located on Bridge ...
15/06/2026

The Ruabon Roundhouse (also known as the "Old Clink") is a historic late 18th-century village lock-up located on Bridge Street in the village of Ruabon, Wrexham, Wales. It is one of only three surviving temporary prison structures of its kind in North Wales.

Key Facts and Architecture Purpose: Built as a temporary, single-cell overnight jailhouse to lock up drunkards, rioters, and minor criminals before they could be seen by a magistrate.

Design: It features a circular design constructed from squared, pecked sandstone blocks, an ashlar cornice, and a domed roof with a central opening. Small side windows are secured with heavy iron bars.

Local Folklore: Beyond the functional architecture, local tradition suggests it was built circular because of an old belief that the "Devil hides in corners"—by eliminating corners, you kept the Devil away.

Heritage Status: It is officially recognized as a Grade II listed building by Cadw.

Location & Context: The structure is located on the north side of the B5605 Bridge Street, right next door to The Vaults public house. Historically, it sat within walking distance of up to 12 public houses. Its close proximity to several local pubs made it a highly practical facility for managing rowdy weekend patrons

After many years of trying, we finally made it to Rug Chapel, near Corwen. WOW!!!!!Rug Chapel is an exceptionally rare,...
14/06/2026

After many years of trying, we finally made it to Rug Chapel, near Corwen. WOW!!!!!

Rug Chapel is an exceptionally rare, unaltered 17th-century private chapel near Corwen, North Wales. Built in 1637 by Royalist Colonel William Salesbury, its remarkably ornate interior—featuring a richly painted ceiling, carved wooden angels, and whimsical beasts—stands in stark contrast to its plain, unassuming stone exterior.

History and Origins
Founder: Colonel William Salesbury (affectionately known as Hen Hosanau Gleision or 'Old Blue Stockings') built the chapel in 1637 as a place for his family’s private worship.
Religious Defiance: Salesbury was a staunch Royalist who opposed the Puritan trends of his era. He decorated the interior in the vibrant "High Church" Anglican style favored by King Charles I, ensuring it remained an exuberant celebration of traditional worship.
Civil War Aftermath: Salesbury notably defended Denbigh Castle against Parliamentarian forces for six months. He lived to the age of 80, surviving just long enough to see the Restoration of the monarchy in 1660.

Design and Interior Features
The "Angel" Roof: Beneath a seemingly simple exterior, the chapel is a riot of color. The hammerbeam roof is covered in intricate, intertwining rose and vine motifs and guarded by four carved, cut-out wooden angels.
Whimsical Carvings: The family pews, altar rails, and bench ends are covered in fantastic, highly detailed carvings, including scaly dragons, serpents, and other whimsical beasts.
Memento Mori: Counterpointing the opulent colour scheme is a striking and macabre wall painting of a recumbent skeleton, serving as a visceral reminder of human mortality.

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