Bettws-y-Coed - Fairy Glen Prior to 1908. And the Toxicologist Sir Thomas Stevenson.

pepandtim posted a photo:

The Postcard

A postcard bearing no publisher's name that was posted in Newport, Monmouthshire using a ½d. stamp on Monday the 27th. July 1908. It was sent to:

T. E. Townsend Esq.,
81, Lewis Street,
Local.

The message on the divided back of the card was as follows:

"Dr. E,
A card to wish you a
very Happy Birthday
from
Audrey."

Conwy Falls

Conwy Falls is a waterfall on the River Conwy at Bro Garmon in Conwy County Borough in Wales. The falls and surrounding area are a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The nearby cafe is an interesting example of the work of the Welsh architect Clough Williams-Ellis, of Portmeirion fame.

-- The Falls, Woodland and Wildlife

The falls are located in the last gorge section of the River Conwy at a point where it plunges 50 feet (15 m) into a deep pool. The falls are accessible via natural paths through the preserved woodland of the SSSI. Polecats and other wild animals, including 32 species of bird, inhabit the surrounding woodlands, which extend to approximately 9.5 acres (38,000 m2).

-- The Salmon Ladder

The River Conwy is a salmon river, and there are two salmon ladders at the falls. One is a disused Victorian wooden ladder that was destroyed by a storm soon after being built, and incorporating steps hewn into the rock.

The second is a modern ladder, built in 1993 at a cost of nearly £1m, which can detect and count every fish that enters. This ladder—not visible to the public—consists of some 30 pools set in a zig-zag pattern within a piped tunnel.

There is a water gauging station at the falls, measuring the flow into the fish pass. When low levels are detected, the flow is diverted over the falls, rather than through the pass, to ensure that flora in the gorge is protected.

-- The Café Building

The first café at the falls was simply a wooden hut. In 1938 the Welsh architect Clough Williams-Ellis was consulted with regard to the design of a new building, the original design being for a building perched on the rocks above the falls, but this was never built.

The current building dates from the 1950's and, although rather different from Williams-Ellis' design (drawings of which are displayed in the café's main room), is nevertheless a good example of his style, the cafe being provided with a pediment in the Georgian style and an open loggia on the upper level.

-- The Proposed Hydro-Electric Scheme

In 2016 a planning application was submitted for the construction of a 5MW hydro-electricity generating plant at Conwy Falls and the Fairy Glen. An earlier application had been rejected, and the new proposal involved construction of a weir above Conwy Falls, and 1 km of tunnels and buried pipelines. It elicited strong objections from groups concerned with biodiversity, and the application was again rejected.

The Sinking of the Ying King

So what else happened on the day that the card was posted?

Well, on Monday the 27th. July 1908, the 1908 Hong Kong typhoon sank the passenger steamer Ying King, causing 421 crew and passengers to drown.

As a result of the catastrophe, additional safety measures were undertaken, including the construction of a second typhoon shelter in Hong Kong harbour.

Sir Thomas Stevenson (Toxicologist)

The day also marked the death in Streatham, London of Sir Thomas Stevenson.

Thomas, who was born in Rainton, Yorkshire on the 14th. April 1838, was an English toxicologist and forensic chemist. He served as an analyst to the Home Office and as an expert witness in many famous poisoning cases. These included the Pimlico Mystery, The Maybrick Case, the Lambeth Poisoner, and the George Chapman case.

-- Thomas Stevenson - The Early Years

In 1857 Stevenson became a medical pupil to Mr. Steel of Bradford. He entered Guy's Hospital Medical School in 1859 and graduated MB in 1863, and M.D. in 1864. He won several gold medals whilst still a student.

-- Thomas Stevenson - The Later Years

Thomas became MRCP in 1864 and FRCP in 1871. Stevenson became demonstrator in practical chemistry at Guy's in 1864, and was lecturer in chemistry, 1870–98, and in forensic medicine, 1878–1908.

He also served as the President of the Institute of Chemistry and of the Society of Public Analysts.

Thomas is notable for being the scientific mentor of the Nobel Prize winner Frederick Hopkins.

Stevenson died at the age of 70 of diabetes on the 27th. July 1908 at his home in Streatham High Road, London and was laid to rest in West Norwood Cemetery.

Thomas was a man of deep Christian faith, as was his wife, Agnes. All their seven children followed in their parents footsteps. Mabel trained as doctor and became a medical missionary in India before returning home and becoming a nun at the House of the Epiphany in Truro.

Another daughter, Alice later joined this order too as a nun.

The British Medical Journal obituary, besides detailing his notable career, noted his Christian faith and service:

‘He was a diligent student of the Bible;
indeed, his character and life were the
direct result of his constant and abiding
faith in God, every act being simply and
solely done for His glory.’