The Smithy

This was one of the busiest industries in llanfair. During the last century and up to the twenties there were two smithies operating in the village - Pen Llan and 'Efail Isa' behind the Black Lion. ( Efail Isa was demolished after the flooding in 1976 ). The blacksmith's main task was shoeing the big shire horses and William Davies was second to none in making a shoe. The cost would be about 5/= for a round of new shoes' with 2/6 charged for resetting.
The blacksmith also would repair all kinds of metal implements such as the harrow and the plough. Every now and then he would have to place a circular metal band around a cart wheel and if this work was to be successful the blacksmith had to know about the properties of that particular metal. The wheel had to be carefully measured and the metal cut so that the circumference would be a little smaller. The metal band was then heated on the fire of ash and when it was white hot ( consequently expanded ) it was placed around the wheel. Gallons of cold water would then be poured over it and as it contracted it would fit very tightly around the wheel. This feat would always create much interest around the village.
Pen Llan Smithy is still a thriving business but the nature of the work has changed. The horse shoeing has disappeared from the scene having been replaced by modern machinery used to erect sheds, and manufacture all kinds of metal work.
Behind the Pen Llan Smithy there was a slaughter house where Hywel Roberts the Post used to kill local beasts for William Jones, Tan Bodran. There were numerous butchers' shops in the village, 'buy local' was the slogan in those days! Isaac Owen carried on his business at Isgaer wheile Wmffa Lloyd operated from Farifield, this shop was eventually taken over by Gruffydd Williams, Dolau, who after a while transferred the business to its previous owner.