Charles Vachell

Charles Vachell (c.1783 – 19 January 1859) was a businessman and local Whig politician who twice became mayor of Cardiff in Glamorgan, Wales. He was also an alderman and Chief Magistrate of the town.

Background Vachell's father had been a naval surgeon and came to Cardiff when Charles was a small child. Vachell senior opened a chemist's shop in Duke Street in 1790. Charles later took over the running of the chemist's shop, subsequently opening an ironmongers next door.

Vachell was a Wesleyan and a teetotaller. He married and had six sons and one daughter. In March 1849, when planning Cardiff's new drainage, Charles Street was described as the town's "principal street" (though Vachell, being a member of the street commissioners, was criticised for having a conflict of interest).

Politics and public service Vachell was one of the original town councillors to Cardiff Town Council when it was created in December 1835. He was elected as Mayor of Cardiff in 1848 and again in 1855. He was also elected as Cardiff's Chief Magistrate. He had a private funeral seven days later.