Langland and Woking Connections

 So, what is the connection between Langland and Woking?

Let’s look at Langland first, and in particular Langland Bay Hotel.

During the mid-nineteenth century, built in the Scottish Baronial style building situated at Langland know as Llan-y-Lan, it was the summer residence of Henry Crawshay and his family.  It was later known as Langland Castle.

After Henry’s death, 1879, it would be the residence of his wife, Lisa Eliza until her death in 1887, after which the house was sold

The house, and its lands consisting of 77 acres, were brought by a Mr Ludlow, who along with other leading gentlemen formed a company who developed the house into a grand hotel. The Langland Castle Hotel, comprising of 50 rooms was opened 1889.

Alfred Sisley

One the cliffs, Langland Bay

1891, the Hotel changed its named to The Langland Bay Hotel.  The following year, the hotel and farm were up for sale.  However, it wasn’t sold and during August 1897 the French impressionist landscape painter, Alfred Sisley and his wife, Maria stayed at the Hotel. Whilst here Sisley produced 11 paintings.

The hotel was finally sold in or after 1904, to the Walters family.  It remained a hotel until 1922, when it was sold again.

1922 saw the hotel, being converted into the Langland Bay Convalescent Home, after it was purchased by Workingmen’s Club and Institute Union.  The Convalescent Home provided recuperation for many of the miners and other working men.  1974, it closed for alterations and finally 2004, the organisation who were suffering from financial difficulties closed the home.  The following year, the building was demolished, and numerous flats were built.

Woking Crematorium 

Let’s move on to Woking and in particular Woking Crematorium.  It is thought that it was the first purpose-built crematorium opening 1878.  The land at St. Johns, Woking was bought by the surgeon and Physician to Queen Victoria, Sir Henry Thompson. Thompson was the founder and the president of Cremation Society of Great Britain.

1903, saw the construction of the catafalque, a gift from Mrs Rose Mary Crawshay in memory of her son.

So, what is the connection between Henry and Mrs Rose Mary Crawshay?

Let’s look at Henry first. 

Henry born 1812,  was the son of William Crawshay.

William Crawshay

William born, 1788 was son of William, was the owner of Cyfathfa Ironworks, Merthyr Tydfil.  Having taken over his father's business, William became known as the the “Iron King”.  William was responsible for the building Cyfathfa Caste.  William died 1867 at his residence Caversham Park, Reading

William married three times.  By his first wife, Elizabeth Homfray, they had 4 children, including the aforementioned Henry.  By his second wife, Isabella Thompson, they had 7 children, including Robert Thompson, who married Rose Mary Yeates.

Henry Crawshay

Henry was known as the “Iron King of the Forest of Dean” was one of the largest ironmasters, and it was Henry who first constructed Llan-y-Lan at Langland.  Henry whom was also a JP  also lived at his other residence Oaklands Park, Gloucestershire.  He married Lisa Eliza Harris, and they were to have 7 children.  Henry died 1879.

Robert Thompson Crawshay

Robert Thompson was born 1817, like his half-brother was an ironmaster becoming the manager Cyfarthfa ironworks taking over the role after the death of half-brother, William 1839.

Cyfathfa Castle 

Robert married in 1846, 18-year-old Rose Mary Yeates, who became the mistress of 72 roomed Cyfathfa Castle.

Although the marriage was unhappy, they were to have 5 children.  Robert eventually had a stroke and was left deaf.  Robert died 1879.

Rose Mary Crawshay

Rose Mary Yeates who in her right was a philanthropist whom commissioned free libraries and creating the Byron, Shelley, Keats in Memoria Prize Fund to provide recognition for non-fiction women writers.  The first prize was awarded to Charlotte Carmichael Stopes in 1916 for her works “Shakespeare’s Environment”.

Rose Mary during 1872 helped form the Swansea Training College, the first place in Wales where women could train as teachers.  Rose died 1907.