Smyglo

Smuggling

Cyflwyniad / Introduction

Mae Cei Newydd yn enwog am ei hanes cyfoethog o smyglo yn ystod y 17eg a'r 18fed ganrif.

Roedd y lleoliad ar hyd Bae Ceredigion yn ei wneud yn fan delfrydol ar gyfer dod a nwyddau anghyfreithlon fel gwin, gwirodydd, a halen i mewn o'r môr.

New Quay has a fascinating history of smuggling dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries.

The town's location along Cardigan Bay made it an ideal spot for the secret trade of smuggling contraband goods such as wine, spirits and salt.

West Wales was a key area for smuggling. Far from the main trade routes, West Wales had large numbers of secluded beaches and small coves suitable for smuggling. Goods such as wine spirits an tobacco were smuggled from the Isle of Man, France and Ireland.

Smuggling salt was common between New Quay and Fishguard. Smugglers clashed violently with customs officers in 1704.

William Owen smuggled brandy and salt from the Isle of Man to Cardigan Bay and the Llŷn Peninsula in the 1720s and 1730s. He was caught and executed in 1747.

Smugglers were often executed as a deterrent to others. However, as so few were caught it did not stop the problem of smuggling.

Our A.I. Images of smuggling in New Quay

Hiding the barrels in a cave near Dolau beach

Hiding the heavy barrels of whisky from the customs officers

Barrels of Brandy on the beach at Cei Newydd

In August 1704, customs officials discovered around 150 men with horses on the beach, loading contraband from three ships that had arrived with salt.

Smuggling was a well-coordinated effort involving many individuals rather than a single organizer.

One of the first shipbuilders at Traethgwyn was John Evans, who built the Eleanor in 1816, at 73 tons, the biggest sloop up until then.

Evans commanded her for several years, trading with Ireland. In 1816, the Eleanor was impounded at cardigan by revenue officers and found to be carrying contraband whisky and soap from Dublin to New Quay.

Capt Evans vowed that whisky was unobtainable, and that he had bought it `with a view not to defrauding His Majesty's Revenue, but rather for his employees `as an encouragement to the workmen to be careful, diligent and expeditious'.

He was found guilty, fined £30 and ordered to pay £80 costs.

Smuggling Gangs

Smuggling gangs were often 50-100 people, each with a specific role.

A Spotsman would direct the ship to the shore.

A Lander would arrange the unloading of the cargo.

A Tubsman carried the goods.

A Batsman protected the Tubsman.

Gangs would have to look out for Customs Officers.

Siôn Cwilt neu John White

The most famous of the local smugglers was 'Siôn Cwilt'. He lived in a cottage on land still know today as 'Banc Siôn Cwilt' near Synod Inn. He was responsible for the distribution of the smuggled goods. In the Llanina parish registers, his name appears as 'John Qwilt'. He was also know as John White. He was still alive when his wife was buried there in 1771.

Defnyddio A.I. i greu darlun o Siôn Cwilt

Using A.I. to create an image of Siôn Cwilt

Creating a Wanted Poster

Defnyddio A.I. i greu darlun o Siôn Cwilt

Using A.I. to create an image of Siôn Cwilt

Cyrhaeddodd Siôn Cwilt, a adnabyddir hefyd fel John White, blwyf Llanarth tua chanol y 18fed ganrif.

Daeth ei fwthyn o'r enw 'Sarnau Gwynion', yn ganolbwynt i weithrediadau smyglo.

Wedi'i wisgo mewn dillad carpiog, dywedwyd bod Siôn Cwilt yn cuddio'r tyllau yn ei ddillad gyda brethyn o bob lliw. Gelwir ef yn Siôn Cwilt oherwydd hyn.

Siôn Cwilt, also known as John White, arrived in the parish of Llanarth around the middle of the 18th century.

His residence, a humble cottage named 'Sarnau Gwynion', became the center of his smuggling operations.

Siôn Cwilt was said to patch the holes in his clothes with pieces of cloth in every color imaginable, earning him the nickname Siôn Cwilt.

Mae'r rhai pobl lleol yn dyfalu bod yr enw 'Cwilt' yn dod o’r gair ‘gwyllt’ ac yn ddisgrifydd addas i ddyn a a oedd yn mynd i gwrdd â llongau smyglwyr yn y tywyllwch. Mae eraill yn credu ei fod yn tarddu o'r cotiau neu'r clogynnau lliwgar wedi'u haddurno â chlytiau amryliw yr oedd Siôn Cwilt yn honni eu bod yn eu gwisgo.

Some locals think that the name cwilt could be a corruption of the word ‘gwyllt’ meaning wild, an apt description for a man met smuggler ships under the cover of darkness.

Others believe it may have originated from the colorful coats or cloaks with multi-colored patches that Siôn Cwilt wore.

From various records we have learnt that New Quay became known as a haunt for smuggling, and in the "Cambrian Register" of 1795 we learn that it was a place that offered shelter to ships for smuggling purposes.

The Penwig side of Church Street was at one time a network of caves dug out to hide contraband goods - mostly brandy and tobacco.

These caves were known only to the French smugglers until a much later time, when the houses were built.

Many stories that have been handed down of daring adventures by night where mysterious looking ships would creep into the bay and land their contraband on the local beach.

Many stories are told about the daring adventures of "Aaron Bach" of Tregaron, who carried contraband goods and was often caught red handed. "David Richard" and his mysterious cave by Banc Bach yr Wyn, and "Tommy'r Plas", a coastguard and a romantic character is also talked about in this area.

CREU FFILM / CREATING A FILM

Cafodd ein ffilm sef ‘CONTRABAND’ ei ffilmio yn ardal Cei Newydd. Fe wnaethom ymweld a’r traeth, yr eglwys a’r dafarn er mwyn ail greu hanes cyffroes y smyglwyr dewr a oedd yn glanio halen, te a brandi ar y traeth yn ystod y nos.

Gwyliwch i weld a fydd swyddogion y gyfraith yn dal y trefnydd sef cymeriad cyfrwys iawn o’r new - Siôn Cwilt.

Our film 'CONTRABAND' was filmed in the New Quay area. We visited the beach, the church and the pub in order to recreate the exciting story of the brave smugglers who landed salt, tea and brandy on the beach during the night.

Watch to see if the law officers catch the organiser who is a very cunning character named - Siôn Cwilt.

Our film – ‘CONTRABAND’ takes us back to 18th century Ceredigion, where brave and daring smugglers challenged the authority of the Crown.

By day, the seaside town of Cei Newydd is quiet and full of hardworking locals going about their business as usual.

But by night, it transforms into a hotbed of secret activity.

The relentless and unforgiving excise officers, patrol the rocky shores and secluded coves, determined to stamp out the smuggling.

Despite their efforts, John White known locally as ‘Siôn Cwilt’ remains a mysterious and elusive figure, always one step ahead, with his exploits growing more legendary with each passing night.

Let’s see if the excise officers manage to catch Siôn Cwilt and put a stop to the smuggling activity once and for all. Sit back and enjoy – ‘CONTRABAND’.

PRODUCING THE FILM

The inspiration for producing this film came from our thematic study of the rich history and heritage of our village - Cei Newydd, which is situated on the Ceredigion Coast of West Wales.

In particular, we were captivated by the legends and tales of 18th century smugglers, hidden contraband, secret tunnels, and daring escapes from customs officers.

Dadlwytho'r 'Contraband'

Unloading the 'Contraband'

Swyddogion y Goron yn chwilio am wybodaeth.

The Customs officers searching for information.

Siôn Cwilt yn mynd i guddio'r bareli.

Siôn Cwilt and his men hiding the barrels

The idea of portraying bold characters, such as ‘Siôn Cwilt’ the legendary leader of the smuggling gang and the customs and excise men, in a dramatic way, certainly excited us.

We were fascinated by the storytelling, the dressing up, and the excitement of playing out dramatic scenes.

Ye Eglwys - lle da i guddio'r Contraband!

The Church - A great place to hide the Contraband!

Cuddio'r Contraband mewn ogof.

Hiding the Contraband in a cave.

Swyddogion y Goron.

The Customs and Excise Officers.

The filming on our local beach, in wooded areas along with the church and local pub, added an authentic feel and proved to be a real adventure.

Rhwyfo'r bareli Brandi i mewn o'r môr

Rowing the barells of Brandy in from the sea.

Eglwys

Church

Swyddogion y Goron yn chwilio'r Eglwys.

The Customs Officers search the Church.

We benefited from developing numerous skills such as collaborating on ideas and script writing, directing, acting and editing.

Siôn Cwilt yn y 'Llew Du'

Siôn Cwilt in the 'Black Lion'

Swyddogion y Goron yn ymweld a'r 'Llew Du'

The Customs Officers visiting 'The Black Lion'

Siôn Cwilt yn gadel Cei Newydd am y tro olaf.

Siôn Cwilt leaving Cei Newydd - never to be seen again.

We also loved the process of preparing props such as the brandy barrels and going to sea in a small rowing boat.

We also gained an insight into 18th-century life, trade, and the risks the smugglers were willing to take.

These are the VOICEOVERS we created for our Film - 'CONTRABAND'

START – Film of the sea and waves in the background

In the windswept landscape of 18th century Ceredigion, the rugged coastline hides a world of secrets and shadows.

By day, it is a land of quiet villages and hardworking locals. But by night, it transforms into a hotbed of secret activity, where the daring and the desperate challenge the authority of the Crown.

As the sun sets behind jagged cliffs and crashing waves, a concealed operation begins to stir. Smugglers, driven by the temptation of untaxed riches, navigate the perilous waters under the cover of darkness.

Customs Officers Scene

The relentless and unforgiving customs and excise officers, patrol the rocky shores and secluded coves, determined to stamp out the smuggling that robs the Crown of its precious revenues.

Yet, despite their efforts, John White known locally as ‘Sion Cwilt’ remains a mysterious and elusive figure, always one step ahead, with his exploits growing more legendary with each passing night.

END – Siôn Cwilt walking away. The waves crashing on the rocks.

As dawn breaks over the rugged Ceredigion coastline, a hush falls over the village.

The sea whispers secrets to the shore. One morning, Siôn Cwilt, the legendary smuggler, vanished without a trace. But the truth remains as elusive as the man himself.

For as long as the sea crashes against the Ceredigion cliffs, the story of this daring smuggler will be told, a testament to the spirit and adventure of Siôn Cwilt.

Smuggling Report

On August the 5th 1704 it is said that 7 ships were heading for New Quay with salt on board. A Customs official names Bevan and 7 other officers tried to stop the boats.

They saw 3 boats with 150 men and 200 horses unloading the salt on the beach ar 3 o'clock in the morning.

They were attacked by the locals and hit by stones and sticks.

They fired guns and one local man was seriously injured.

'Twnel smyglwyr' cyfrinachol o dan siop Cei Newydd

Secret 'smugglers' tunnel' found under New Quay shop

David Edwards, Perchennog siop Ocean Blue yng Nghei Newydd, wnaeth ddod o hyd i'r twnel.

The owner of New Quay's Ocean Blue shop, David Edwards, made the discovery after his basement store room flooded.

David Edwards was told about the "secret tunnel" as a child.

It could have been used in the 17th and 18th Century, when the trade of illegal goods such as wine and spirits was rife along Cardigan Bay.

During a clean-up of the basement after the flooding, the removal of an old blocked doorway and debris led Mr Edwards to an underground passage.

"I thought I was going to find a pot of gold and retire but unfortunately not. It is eerie to go along the tunnel but also exciting," said his wife, Karina.

The tunnel leads to the beach, where contraband, wines and spirits were stored and traded in caves.

One historian maintained it was just part of a drainage system leading to the sea, but another historian, Roger Bryan, said many locals were involved in illegal trades.

"It would be great to be able to see if the tunnel could be cleared all the way to the beach, but at the moment it's just great to make this discovery and it's already got all of New Quay talking," he added.