Welsh Journals

FOREWORD READERS of Brycheiniog Vol. I will recall these words from the last paragraph of the Foreword: 'Any survey of the growth of interest in local history within the county inevitably brings to mind the name of the late Col. Sir John Lloyd, who through the first half of the present century never wearied in reminding us of the wealth of our inheritance and of our obligations in respect of it.' They will also recall how Brycheiniog, making its first appearance, gave pride of place to an appreciation of John Conway Lloyd by Major-General G. T. Raikes. It was evident from this, as well as from much besides in that first volume, that Brycheiniog was looked upon as the natural outcome of Sir John Lloyd's pioneering work and the realization of one of the most cherished of his desires. As Major-General Raikes expressed it in his appreciation, 'It was largely due to his vision and advocacy that the idea of a publication, such as the present Brycheiniog, was fostered'. It is not surprising, therefore, that from the very beginning there was the desire to devote a later volume of this publication to the commemoration of Sir John Lloyd's life and work. To some extent, that desire is now fulfilled in this present volume. The words 'to some extent' are used advisedly, for it has not been possible to accomplish all that had been planned. There is the consolation, however, that what failed to be completed in time for the present volume is now coming to hand and will appear in future volumes. We thank the Rev. J. Jones-Davies for the biographical sketch. He was given no easy task for, as all who knew him realize, Sir John Lloyd was such a many-sided figure in the life of our county. His interests were here, there and everywhere. It is difficult to think of any cause, movement or interest in the first half of this twentieth century in Brecknock without the active participation of Col. Sir John Lloyd. Dr. Savory, in his article in this volume, indicates Sir John's interest in archaeology; Dr. North, in those paragraphs which he contributed to the biographical sketch, refers to his interest in the river pattern of the county, and one could go on adding interest to interest. Only recently, our attention was drawn to a long list, carefully compiled under their respective parishes, of Welsh field-names-those beautiful names of which Brecknock is so richly blessed and of which it should be so proud. Sir John had copied them with care, and it must have meant hours of devoted effort. It is quite clear, from the notes which he had appended in many instances, that