GREGYNOG FESTIVAL 2019: VISION

Aberystwyth takes centre stage as Gregynog Festival celebrates the vision of Gwendoline, Margaret and David Davies for a better world rooted in culture and peace following the First World War. The season is inspired by two centenaries - the appointment of Henry Walford Davies as first Gregynog Professor of Music at Aberystwyth University and the foundation of the Department of International Politics - all funded by the Davies family in 1919. 
The closing concert also takes place in the town with Meirion Wynn Jones giving a recital on the fine Frederick Rothwell organ at Bethel Chapel in Baker Street (Sunday, 30 June, 2.30pm). 

Meirion’s programme includes music by composers with Aberystwyth connections such as William Mathias, David de Lloyd and Walford Davies himself. Sir Walford gave the inaugural recital on Bethel’s organ on 24 March 1924, while de Lloyd’s composition ‘Er Cof’ (In Memoriam) was written for the service on 16 March to dedicate the instrument to the memory of the eleven Chapel members killed in action in the First World War.

As an Aberystwyth alumna who returned to live here last year, it has been ideal to curate this Festival on the spot. It was really exciting to trace the manuscript of ‘Er Cof’ to the University Archives and then to discover Mathias’ ‘Prelude, Elegy and Toccata’ in the National Library of Wales. This is an early work that Mathias wrote when he used to help out on the Bethel organ as a student, and it was premiered at Gregynog by the famous Aberystwyth organist Charles Clements in 1955, so it is perfect to hear it as part of this year’s Festival. 

A piece called ‘Aria’ was written by Firmin Swinnen, a refugee organist and composer from Antwerp who gave recitals at several Aberystwyth chapels in August 1915 before emigrating to make a celebrity career in America. The recital concludes with the world premiere performance of Meirion’s own composition ‘Diptych (on themes of Walford Davies)’ which is the 2019 Gregynog Festival commission.

A native of Rhewl, Llangollen, Meirion Wynn Jones was educated at Wells Cathedral School, before winning a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music in London. As a student he held organ scholarships at Winchester Cathedral and Westminster Abbey, working with David Hill and Martin Neary respectively. Having held organist posts at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral, the Birmingham Oratory and Brecon Cathedral, Meirion now pursues a freelance career as a composer, accompanist and teacher. He was for many years a staff accompanist at the International Eisteddfod in Llangollen, and at the National Eisteddfod of Wales. 

His choral and vocal works have been recorded and broadcast on BBC radio and S4C, and in 2011 he was awarded the Musician’s Medal (Tlws y Cerddor) for composition at the National Eisteddfod. Recently-commissioned works include Amryw o Wanwynau for Elin Manahan Thomas and Gŵyl Gerdd Bangor, Ffrindiau Bach a Mawr for Côr Heol y March, and the anthem Beloved, let us love for the John S. Davies Singers, marking the fortieth anniversary of their founding. 

Tickets and full programme details are available from

https://gwylgregynogfestival.org/30-june-aber

01686 207100

and at the door.

gregynogfestival.org

meirionwynnjones.com

https://soundcloud.com/meirion-wynn-jones

https://www.facebook.com/MeirionWynnJones/

Blog by Dr Rhian Davies, Artistic Director, Gregynog Festival

The Y.M.C.A in Aberystwyth - Part two

On 12th of Oct. 1917 The Cambrian news published the following :

EVENING CONCERT
LADY LISBURNE OPENS NEW HALL

On Friday afternoon the Countess of Lisburne, Crosswood Park, opened a new Y.M.C.A. hall at Aberystwyth in the presence of a large company of townspeople. Captain Doughton, proceeding to the opening Ceremony and presenting a silver key to the Countess of Lisburne, said he had the honour on behalf of the Committee to present her ladyship with the key of the new Y.M.C.A. Hut at Aberystwyth and to request her Ladyship to open the door and declare the institute open. Principal Prys,  who presided, in his opening address, expressed great satisfaction at having the Countess of Lisburne present to open the rooms. He was sure the company had not attended to hear an address, but were present to express good wishes to the Y.M.C.A. and to hope that the Institute at Aberystwyth would be a success. On behalf of the Committee he expressed satisfaction that the movement had so far prospered that they were able to provide what they regarded as a temporary building. The provision of that building involved considerable work which had been a labour of love to several friends who had taken active part in the movement.

Owen Prys, 

The idea of a Y.M.C.A. for the town was not a new one. Soon after he came to Aberystwyth eleven years ago some effort was made, but the promoters were daunted by difficulties which though perhaps imaginary to some extent then appeared to be insurmountable. Nevertheless the idea was never quite abandoned. It was always felt that something ought to be done and some of them had an uneasy conscience and felt that the difficulties ought to be overcome. Since then the great war had changed everything, changed their general estimate of the value of things and of movements. The world henceforth would never be the same to them; and in regard to that particular movement the war had made several revelations. 




It was hoped that the movement would be a truly educative movement. They hoped to provide lectures by some of the ablest men of the county, as well as classes of various kinds. He had said that the war had revealed possibilities in the institution and in their young men. It had also revealed possibilities in the people. He doubted whether before the war it was ever dreamt that the people of this country were capable of making the sacrifices they were making to-day and were making without much grumbling. They were putting up with restrictions of all kinds and were giving up luxuries and to some extent necessaries and were doing so, as he had said, without much grumbling. It showed that British people could be inspired with self-denial in a great crisis. They had realized that wealth was of less value than human welfare. They had also realized that the education of the people must be perfected at whatever cost. He felt that that movement to establish a Y.M.C.A. at Aberystwyth would be supported because it was intended to serve the higher interests of their young people. The young men deserved it all. The nation owed them a debt it could never pay. The promoters of the movement felt that they must make the institute a success in order that the youth of the town would not go astray because there was no provision for their social needs.

Cambrian News 12th Oct. 1917:
A meeting of the Aberystwyth Y.M.C.A. General Committee was held on Wednesday evening when gratification was ex- pressed at the successful opening ceremony. It was resolved to fix the following fees:— Juniors (16 to 18), 2s. per annum; Seniors (18 and upwards), 2s. 6d. It was also resolved that the billiard table should be at the free disposal of wounded soldiers between the hours of ten and twelve, two and four on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, and on Wednesdays and Saturdays between ten and twelve. A letter was received from the Association of Discharged Soldiers and Sailors with regard to the appointment of caretaker and a reply will be sent stating that each had the careful consideration of the Committee.

Cambrian News 13^th April 1917 

Correspondence.

Sir,—Mr. R. Rowlands, The Pioneer, North- parade, deserves every encouragement in the excellent step he has taken to provide a Y.M.C.A. for the town. A branch is badly wanted, and I am particularly glad, for the sake of the lade serving their country, that Mr. Rowlands has taken the initiative in this matter. It will be a great boon to our brave boys when they return home and they will know how to make the best use of it. The Y.M.C.A. deserves the town's support for the admirable services it has rendered on the field and at every training centre. Many letters I receive show clearly that the Y.M.C.A. is a centre of healthy life morally and physically, and when our boys come back, as I hope they soon will, nothing I feel will give them greater pleasure than to be able to keep in touch with an organization that has done so much for them.—Yours etc.

                                                                                      T. R. FEAR RSM

Blog by Ruby Radwan, project volunteer

Notes below by William Troughton, Archivist, NLW

It seems that initially the YMCA was housed in what had previously been called the Temperance Hall at the corner of Queens Road and North Parade, demolished to make way for houses many years ago. Kelly's Trades Directory 1920  gives 'North Parade' as the address of the YMCA, with T .L. Old and R. Rowlands as joint Honorary Secretaries. Photo albums 1385 and 1392 both contain photos of the interior and exterior of the Temperance Hall. These albums are located on the open shelves in the South Reading Room. 

By 1923 the address for the YMCA was Chalybeate Street, possibly the premises now occupied by Mikeys Cafe / Bar. Incidentally T Lewis Old was a plumber/ironmonger - his name can still be seen on many manhole covers in Aberystwyth. He was Mayor in 1941. Principal Prys was involved in many aspects of public life.  He was the first Principal of the United Theological College in Aberystwyth in 1922 and president of  Y.M.C.A in Aberystwyth in 1917.

The Y.M.C.A. in Aberystwyth

This article, to be posted in two parts, focuses on the establishment of the Y.M.C.A. in Aberystwyth during the First World War, as reported in the Cambrian News and Merionethshire Standard.

Summary

On the afternoon of Friday the 5th of October 1917  at three, the new building at 1-n North Parade was formally opened by the Countess of Lisburne and  was the first official beginning of Y.M.C.A. in Aberystwyth. Mr. R. Rowlands, North-parade, took the initiative in this matter, in the form of a letter advocating a branch in the town. This attracted much attention and a response from Y.M.C.A. offering all assistance. RSM Thomas Richard Fear supported the initiation and assisted the further steps to build up the Y.M.C.A. The Institute was situated at the corner of North- parade and Northgate-street, adjoining Shiloh Chapel, and was originally occupied by Mr Owen Daniel of Tywyn as an auction room and subsequently used as a newspaper office.

The following reports all appeared in the Cambrian News in 1917:

Friday 25th of May 1917 :
The first meeting of subscribers to the Y.M.C.A. at Aberystwyth was held at Owens Restaurant, North-parade, on Friday evening by kind permission of Mr. D. W. Teviotdale. Principal Prys occupied the chair, and Mr. R. Rowlands, North-parade, through whose initiative the movement was started, read a short statement on the work which had been done. The Chairman said that the first resolution was that the meeting decided to form a Y.M.C.A. in the town, and he called on Professor Levi to move it. Professor Levi said he was glad to propose the resolution and to state what he understood to be a Y.M.C.A. for Aberystwyth.

Friday 15th of June 1917: 
THE ELECTION OF OFFICERS 
At the Town Hall, on Wednesday evening, his Worship the Mayor (Alderman C. J. Williams) presided over a meeting of subscribers to the Y.M.C.A. which it is proposed to establish in the town. The Mayor reported that he and the Chief Constable secured the building for £35 per annum, the owners to renovate it. Proceeding to the election of officers, his Worship proposed the name of Principal Prys saying that he had no need to refer to the interest that gentleman took in all religious and good movements. This motion was seconded unanimously, carried, and Principal Prys took the chair, promising to do all in his power to make the movement a success. As joint secretaries Mr. R. Rowlands and Mr. T. Lewis Old were chosen, on the motion of Councilor Barclay Jenkins, and Mr. G. R Phillips, L. and P. Bank, elected treasurer.

15th of June 1917 :
The Y.M.C.A - WHAT IT IS DOING. Speaking at Aberystwyth last week on the work of the Y.M.C.A. Mr. F. S. Higman, divisional secretary for Wales, said that in August, 1914, the Association was faced with a great problem. They wondered whether they dared ask the public for £25,000. They, however, took courage and did so. "When I tell you," he continued, "that the public have responded to the tune of a million and a quarter and that it has cost three and a half millions you have some idea of the magnitude of the work." Nearly all had had letters on Y.M.C.A. letter paper with the red triangle in the corner from all parts of the war area. That note- paper was costing over £1,000 a week, and when they realized how much could be got for sixpence they had an idea of the consumption. We say it has an ethical and moral value, for because if we can keep the boys in touch with home and their beloved ones they are not so easily inclined to go crooked. "Have you ever tried to write a letter on the top of a bucket?" he proceeded, "or on your hat, or on another man's back. If you have you will appreciate what it means to the men when they can go into a hut and secure games, tables, ink, and all they require with a quiet corner for the quiet ones or a piano for the musical ones." The Association had been founded eighty years ago and for twelve years it had been carrying on work in the camps with the volunteers. After the Association had shown what it was capable of there came the time when Lord Kitchener, who was always loyal, opened the door, and now the men had the Red Triangle at every halt they made.

YMCA insignia c WW1

5th of Oct. 1917 :
Y.M.C.A. CONCERT
As will be seen by an advertisement the Y.M.C.A. concert will be held on Friday evening at the Coliseum. In the afternoon, at three, the new building 1-n North-parade will be formally opened by the Countess of Lisburne. 

Blog by Ruby Radwan, project volunteer
Sources: The Cambrian News

A review of our May events

Last month saw two very successful project events, the performed reading of the 'Dot and Billy' letters in Canolfan y Celfyddydau Aberystwyth Arts Centre, on 16th and 17th May,  and 'Songs and Music of the Great War,' in the Coliseum Theatre, Amgeuddfa Ceredigion Museum, on 22nd May. 

The Dot and Billy letters, which number some 170, have been kindly made available to the project and have already featured in several of our publicity notices and talks.  Written between 1915 and 1917, they are a moving and often very humorous exchange between two people trying to make sense of and deal with their growing feelings for each amidst the turmoil of the Great War.  

The letters were dramatised by Richard Hogger and Tom O'Malley. Richard directed and Tom produced the performance. Calista Williams played the part of Dot and Patrick Kavanagh that of Billy, both with sensitivity and understanding.  The intimate setting of the Round Studio was perfect for the telling of the story and the simple, yet atmospheric set, allowed the audience to really absorb and reflect on the words being spoken.  Both nights were full, with the Friday completely sold out, and the performance was also filmed, providing a lasting legacy to this wonderful piece and also a future learning resource.

Calista and Patrick as Dot and Billy, meeting up in August 1917 when Billy was on leave

The 'Songs of the Great War' concert organized by the Ceredigion Music Service was also full to capacity and the Ceredigion Museum was a perfect place to showcase the talents of the Aberystwyth Youth Brass Band and the Plascrug School Choir. The brass band was set out in the auditorium and the choir on the stage, and the repertoire ranged from 'Colonel Bogey' to 'Ar hyd y Nos' and 'Men of Harlech to 'Mellow Mood' and Cruella Deville. The children of the choir sang WW1 related songs like 'It's a long way to Tipperary,'  'Pack up your Troubles' and 'Keep the Home Fires Burning.' The penultimate item was 'Abide with Me.' during which two of the Plascrug pupils read out the names of the Abersytwyth fallen, and the 'Last Post,' played by conductor Aiden Hassan, was a haunting finale to a very entertaining and excellent evening. 

Many thanks to Canolfan y Celfyddydau Aberystwyth Arts Centre and to Amgueddfa Ceredigion Museum for providing these venues free of charge and to all the staff involved on the nights, and during the preparations, that made these two events very special. And thanks as always to the players of the National Lottery for making the project possible.