Volume Six - Pre-Victorian to the Present Day - Select Aspects - A closer look at the Cogan Pill . . .

Above are a few maps repeated from the description of Cwtch-y-Cwm to indicate the location and extent of the Cogan Pill. The most notable local building I believe is “Cogan Pill House”, an ancient mansion, built and inhabited by the Herbert family; William Herbert being Sheriff of the County of Glamorgan in the period 1551-1556. The mansion was purchased by the Earl of Bute in 1793 and the house exists today as a restaurant named the Baron’s Court

As a final year apprentice during 1969 - 70, I was seconded back to Penarth from Barry to work in the drawing office, I often partook of a liquid lunch accompanied by a freshly made cheese and pickle onion sandwich at Harry’s place, the Cogan Arms, (or Cogan Hotel) often in the company of a few fellow apprentices. left - Julie's sketch of the Cogan Arms [124]

In the evenings, Julie and I often dropped in for a drink and a chat with the locals, Harry and his lady wife and to listen to the juke box. Julie and Judith were well known as the “Twins” in Cogan and there was a great deal of warmth toward their parents, Morgan and Gwen Thomas from all the locals.

One lunch-time, I ordered a bottle of stout and my mate ordered a pint of bitter. The barrel ran off as it was being pulled. “No bother Harry” we’ll wait until you fit another barrel. “Sorry lads, beers off.” “Yes Harry, I know but I’m thirsty!”