The purchase of Parc Cefn Onn

The undated note which follows relates to the purchase of the upper section of Parc Cefn Onn, called The Dingle, from Donald S. Prosser and was almost certainly written by William Nelmes senior, who was at the time Cardiff's Director of Parks.

Brief Notes on Parc Cefn Onn

The area of land comprising the Dingle, Golf Course and adjoining hill side (altogether approx. 160 acres) was acquired by Mr. Prosser - who was Manager of the old Ryhmney (or Taff Vale?) Railway before amalgamation with the GWR system. This was in the early part of the century, before the first world war.

Most of the established exotic trees and the older rhododendrons and azaleas (e.g. the azaleas bordering the long walk) were planted immediately before the first world war and during the 1920's.

It was intended to build a house in the field (where the cafe' now is situated) but both Mr. Prosser and his only son died before the 2nd war (dates?) so this project was never carried out. Mr. Prosser lived at Llanishen.

During both wars the Dingle was very much neglected due to labour shortage and particularly so during the latter part of the 1930's and up to 1944 when the property was acquired by the City Council. The property had been left to Mr. Prosser's nephew who found it very difficult to maintain and eventually decided to sell it.

On a Saturday evening in 1944 Mr. Tom Jenkins who had been in charge of the Dingle for many years (during later years single handed) telephoned me and said that Mr. Prosser had that day been to see him and had told him that he had reluctantly decided to sell. Tom said that he was certain the Llanishen Golf Club would be interested (particularly in purchasing the Gold Course, Club House & Pro's Bungalow) but he wondered if the City Council might be interested in buying all or part (eg Dingle) of the property.

Knowing the value of Cefn Onn, horticulturally and as part of the green belt I decided that prompt action was necessary and on the next day (Sunday) I waylaid Ald. Hill-Snook (Chairman of Parks Committee) on his way to Church and Ald. Sir W. R. Williams (Chairman of the Finance Committee) who was preparing to go to Chapel! and took them to inspect Cefn Onn. Both were much impressed with the place. On the Monday Morning I took up Alderman George Williams (Chairman of Estates Committee) who was unable to join us the previous day.

Alderman George Williams that same day went down to the Estate Agents and bought the property (privately) for the sum of £7,500.

On the next day a joint meeting of the appropriate Committees was held (Members contacted by telephone) and Ald. G. Williams said "Gentlemen here is the receipt for the money I paid yesterday for the property, I will sell it to you for the same price" (or words to that effect!). The acquisition was unanimously approved.

Subsequently an additional area of approx 40 acres of woodland toward the top of the hill was purchased from the Plymouth Estate and parts of two small fields to provide a car park and entrance on to the Cherry Orchard Road.

During the past ten years or so the lower woodland has been developed by extending the planting of Rhododendrons, Azaleas and allied shrubs also appropriate trees and Primulas, Meconopsis etc on the bank of the stream and in moist spots.

Within recent years the lease of the Golf Club has been extended and this allayed their fears that it might become a municipal course.

Probably no public park in South Wales is so popular in "rhododendron time" as Parc Cefn Onn.