MADAM,
The beauty of the town of Monmouth is only exceeded by the warmth and friendliness of its people.
We would like to thank all those people of Monmouth who helped us on our recent visit to your town (September 26th-29th) when we incorporated my 60th birthday with my husband's quest to find out more information about his roots and more particularly his great great great grandparents, Robert and Maria Stroud.
From the information we already had we knew that they ran a fishmonger's shop in Monnow Street, they lived in St John's Street, where they raised eight sons, and that Robert Stroud died in the Almshouses at the grand old age of 93 on July 10th, 1895. What we thought was quite significant was that he was trumpeter to Her Majesty's Judges at the Assizes for 64 years.
We are hoping to visit and photograph the places where they worked and lived and even more hopefully to find a photograph of Robert Stroud in all his regalia. Unfortunately, we were unable to do any of this as no records existed locally, although we did find their grave in your local cemetery. As we gradually cleaned away over 100 years of dust and grime from the stone, his work as a trumpeter at the Assizes was proudly revealed on it - this we did photograph.
Thanks you to the following: When we arrived in Monmouth I asked a local man for directions to St John's Street and the Almshouses, telling him why I wanted to locate these streets. He quickly gave us directions as he was off to the dentist. After his dental appointment he tracked us down and asked us how we were doing.
The man at the gate office to the Haberdashers' School took us into the school to show us the photograph of how the Almshouses used to look and photocopied a map of how to reach the cemetery.
The groundsman at the cemetery who, in the pouring rain, took us to photograph my grandparents' grave (all we had was a grave number).
The Ladies at the Museum and the Library for all their time and effort in photocopying for us, running up and downstairs looking for historical books on Monmouth and general information given with a smile when they were obviously very busy.
The curator of the Military Museum at the Castle who assisted with regard to the son of Robert Stroud who fought in the Crimean War and gave us addresses and information to follow up.
The WPC at your local police station who must have spent at least 30 minutes with us explaining the geography of the town and how the streets had changed over the years.
Last, but by no means least, Mr Keith kissack, your local historian, whom we met at the council offices purely by chance. He took us to the actual Assizes where my grandfather would have worked alongside the Judges. He also told us about the history of the courts.
All of these people gave us their valuable time without hesitation and with such enthusiasm. It has made my 60th memorable and my husband, who was born in the Rhondda Valley, an even prouder Welshman that he already was.
Thanks you one and all for your spontaneous warmth and help - what a team!
Sheila M James,
Leveret Close,
Leavesden,
Watford