Eisteddfod 1901

Fishguard Chair Eisteddfod. A SUCCESSFUL GATHERING. INTERESTING COMPETITIONS. The Chair Eisteddfod, in aid of the Fishguard Intermediate School Building Fund, was held in a spacious marquee in the Swan Field, Fishguard, on Friday last, and proved a great success. The weather was all that could be desired—warm and delightful—and consequently enabled a considerable number of people from the surrounding neighbourhood to come into the town, and to enjoy what had been rightly described as “the event of the season.”

Early in the morning traps and waggonettes commenced to arrive, until,by mid-day, the town was crowded with visitors, all of whom evidently enjoyed the day’s proceedings. The marquee, supplied by Messrs Fred Morgan & Co., of Cardiff, had been erected on the previous day, and the general arrangements of the interior were really excellent. On the stage were a number of plants, which had been kindly lent by Mr J Worthington, of Glyn-y-mêl. The comfort and convenience both of visitors and competitors had been considered by the officials, so that the proceedings passed off without the slightest trouble, and with much enjoyment.

The morning meeting should have been presided over by Mr John Worthington of Glyn-y-mêl, the president of the eisteddfod, who had taken the liveliest interest in it, and had given it his support in every way, both financially and orally, as he invariably does in everything that is promoted for a good object. Unfortunately, he was unable to be present, and at the last minute the Chairman of the Local Governing Body, Mr J C Yorke, J.P., of Langton, whose interest in the school is too well known to need comment, took his place.

The programme was a most interesting one, although in a few of the items there was a lack of competitors. The chief events in the morning meeting were the singing of the Fishguard Juvenile Choir, and the really magnificent rendering of the beautiful ‘Lead kindly light’ by the Woodstock Choir. There was some very fine singing in the competitions on the baritone solo, and the winner, Mr John Jones, of Aberdare gave a spirited rendering of his beautiful song.

In the afternoon, the tent was well- filled. Mr James Thomas, J.P. of Rock House, Haverfordwest, presided, and was supported by the genial Squire of Glyn-y-mêl, both giving interesting addresses. The two choral competitions were the chief items, Three choirs competed for the Male Voice prize-Mathry, Cardigan and Fishguard—and the result rested between the first two. Cardigan, however, were declared the winners, and most rightly so, although this choir was not so large in number as the others, their singing was exceptionally good. The adjudication evidently met with general approval. In fairness, however, to the Fishguard Choir, which was led by Mr John Jones, of Aberdare, it might be said that they had only half a dozen rehearsals, and it is greatly to the credit of the singers and the conductor that they had the courage to face the contest considering the limited time they had at their disposal.

Three choirs had entered for the chief choral—Ambleston and Woodstock, Fishguard United, and Fishguard Harmonic. These three choirs sang well, but it was generally conceded that the result lay between the two from Fishguard. The winners were declared by the adjudictor to be the Fishguard United Choir, conducted by Mr John Evans. The scene following the result was a tumultuous one, for every supporter of and singer in Mr Evans’ choir was desirous of congratulating him on his success and he had to be “chaired” by his admirers.—The quaint ceremony of the chairing of the successful bard was a very interesting item in the afternoon’s proceedings. Dyfed’s adjudicaton was read by the Rev W. Rees  Harmony, and when the successful bard- the Rev S Glannedd Bowen —appeared on the platform to receive his honors, he was given a hearty reception.

The  chair was of solid oak, handsomely carved, and bearing an appropriate inscription. The cost of the chair was defrayed by subscrptions received from a few friends of Hermon Chapel.—The other events were exceedingly interesting, and much enjoyed by the large audience. The eisteddfod conductor was the Rev Dan Davies, of Hermon, Fishguard, and he performed his duties with equanimity, courtesy and geniality, keeping his audiences in the best of humour. He was supported throughout the day by the Rev W Evans, (vicar), of Fishguard, who ably assisted the conductor in his arduous but agreeable duties. The musical adjudcator was Mr R C Jenkins, of Llanelly, and his adjudications and criticisms met with full approval, and his remarks especially taken in good part, both by the successful and unsuccessful competitors. The Rev W Evans was the adjudicator of the essay, and, with the Rev Dan Davies, also adjudicated on the English and Welsh recitations. The accompanist was Mr F G Palmer, A.R.C.O, organist of St Mary’s, Fishguard, who discharged his duties with great skill, his valuable help being greatly appreciated. He was also the adjudicator of the pianoforte solos.—The secretarial work, in fact, the whole of the work and arrangements in connection with the eisteddfod were carried out by Mr T Lewis, chemist, and Mr L Evans, of the County Echo.”