History
Our company was started in the early 1900’s by Griffith Roberts (of Griffith Roberts Emporium), a traditional, well – spoken Welsh gentleman. He was a cabinet - maker, joiner and Funeral Director, whose premises was situated behind Shraffts the jewellers in Amlwch. My Grandfather John Hughes was apprenticed to Griffith Roberts. He then moved away to work in the Liverpool dockyards for a company called Cammell Laird. Later he returned to work for Griffith Roberts, married my Grandmother, Ellen Hughes and moved to live at Britannia, 58 Machine Street, Amlwch, premises previously owned by my great Grandmother who had passed away.
My grandfather John Hughes (Britannia) then took over the business and built a steel covered workshop in the back of Britannia. He carried on the tradition of Joiner and Funeral Director and also served the community for 40 years on the Local Council – another true Welsh gentleman. My father John Griffith Hughes was born on July 6th 1948. He was brought up in the family business and after a successful education at Ysgol Syr Thomas Jones he joined his father, served his 4-year apprenticeship and worked alongside him till his father became ill and retired in 1967.
Dad carried on the family business, John Hughes & Son, and met my mother Phyllis in 1968. They met in the Catholic Church Hall where Dad organised a weekly Bingo session. Mam had moved to Amlwch with her mother and three sisters from Gellilydan to work at Wylfa. Mam and Dad were married in 1971 and lived with Nain and Taid in Britannia until Dad built their bungalow, Gernant, a stones throw away from Britannia. On August 5th 1972, their lives were changed forever when I was born, a healthy but noisy son. When I was three we moved to Gernant. In the meantime Dad had consolidated the business by building a larger workshop and took on another joiner, John Francis. Dad was now the local Funeral Director, Joiner and Glazier. He also played an active part in the community, serving as a Local Councillor, a Governor of both schools, on Committees of Amlwch snooker club and on many other committees.
Growing up I was always with Dad in the van or workshop, it wasn’t unusual for me to see Dad in his Black suit going to Funerals or meeting bereaved families, it was just normal. I had to earn my pocket money by washing the hearse and sweeping the workshops, both of which I actually enjoyed. My brother Ieuan was born on July 6th 1982; he was also a healthy and even louder baby boy.
After leaving School, I completed a 3-year apprenticeship in carpentry and joinery at College and joined Dad full time to maintain the family tradition. At the age of 22 Dad enrolled me on the National Funeral Association Diploma course. This Full Diploma in Funeral Direction took two Years.
The years passed until 2001 when, sadly, Dad was diagnosed with cancer. This changed all our lives. Mam, Ieuan and I took on a lot of the day-to-day chores, although Dad was still in control and refused to take it easy. He had numerous visits to the hospital and when he was there, or too sick to work Ieuan and I conducted the funerals. This lasted two years until Dad lost the fight and passed away on 19th October 2003. We arranged and conducted his funeral according to his wishes. We miss him still, but thanks to his guidance and friendship we are able to carry on the business of John Hughes & Son. Thus Ieuan and I are the 4th generation to serve Amlwch and Ynys Mon as Funeral Directors.
