Bron Dirion was built in 1842 for a Doctor and Magistrate who
came from Aberdovey in Mid Wales. There is a slate stone ever the front door which has
this information on it ,and also the number of a psalm 127 - " Unless the Lord builds
the House, it's builders Labour in vain "
In 1872 the second part of the House was built, adding three extra bedrooms,
these were later used as the maids' quarters.
After the First World War in 1918 a Colonel Christian and his wife bought the
House, his Wife's maiden name was Hornby - the family that were the maker's of Hornby
Trains. For a while, Colonel Christian was the Chairman of Governors at Brynaerau School.
One of their children, a son called Edgar Christian and
his cousin Jack Hornby were adventurers, and went to explore the Canadian outback. They
lived like trapper's in the Wild, but when a really bad Winter struck and Moose which they
would normally have killed for food, to last them through the Winter, never arrived they
were in trouble. They were snowed in a Woodman's hut with no food and slowly starved to
death.
Edgar Christian kept a diary of his journey and final
death and hid it in a metal stave that was in the hut. Later when their bodies were found
the diaries were handed to his Father Colonel Christian who had them made into a book
called " Unflinching ". In the book Edgar says, when he is starving to death
" I wish I was back in Bron Dirion again ".
During the Second World War the Christians had evacuees
from Liverpool to stay, and the land was cultivated for food for the War effort by
Land girls, they were known as the Land Army.
After the Second World War finished in the late forties the Christians left
Bron Dirion and went to live near London, Mrs. Christian lived until she was 99 years old.
Just a few months short of her 100th Birthday.
In 1968 Bron Dirion changed into a Hotel.
Not far away from Bron Dirion is another interesting place called Coch y Bug.
Kirsten
