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.
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| 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
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