Welsh Journals

eanerE fiDagastnc No. 9. Vol. i. SEPTEMBER, 1893. Price One Penny. LLANIDLOES. In Memoriam of William Davies, Parish Clerk, died June oOth, 1893. The sad tidings of the death of the Parish Clerk only reached us as we were going to press for our July issue, and the pressure on our space last month crowded out all Llanidloes notes. Though late, we niust put on record the universal esteem and affection *n which he was held. Mr. Davies was appointed Parish Clerk as far back as 1862, and thus served Under many vicars, by all of whom, we believe, he was held in great respect. He was a devoted churchman, and though he held many offices, and tilled them worthily, he allowed nothing to interfere with his duties as Clerk. Very quiet and undemon¬ strative, he did all his work thoroughly and well, and adapted himself readily to the many changes that have passed over church life in Llanidloes during his thirty years' tenure of office. He regarded the °hurch bells with, something like personal affection, and often spoke of them during his last illness. Ah! " he said to one "visitor, " perhaps they don't mean much to you, but to me they seem to speak of heaven." The attendance at the Parish Church when he was buried on July 3rd was very large, and much feeling was shown at the grave, even the ergy, who have to steel themselves against emotion xn their performance of their sad office, being almost too overcome to read the service. The Vicar has nominated his son, Mr. John Davies, as Ms successor, but the nomination awaits the con- uvinatir n of the church wardens5 on -whom, in these ^ays when official fees have declined, &c, both the aPpointment and salary really depend. Mr. Davies, "esides being Parish Clerk, was a] so Registrar of births and deaths, and assistant overseer (1868), and cWk to the School Board and Burial Board. July might not inappropriately have been called he wedding month, for, during its course, Llanidloes twice gave itself up to marriage rejoicing:;. On July 6th the town was en fete lo celebrate the wedding of the Duke of York and Princess May. A considerable sum of money had been collected, and a tea was given in Penrhiw Barn to all the old people and the school children of the town. The children met at the Gland wr Schools, and marched in procession through the town and up the hill. Probably no one had quite realized before how many olive branches the Llanidloes stock could boast of. A most enjoyable day was spent. The fact that Mr. Edmund Hamer had supplied the mutton for the Royal table had a good deal to do with the en¬ thusiasm shown, and many were the congratulations offered him. On Jul_y 19th the town was roused to even greater animation by the marriage of Mr. J. I). Davies, Town Clerk, to: Miss Beadnell, Tyddyn Hall. Mr. Davies is universally popular, and great was the disappoint¬ ment when it became known that the wedding was to be a very cpiiet one and was to be celebrated a^ Llandinam. Probably if it had been at Llanidloes no efforts on the part of .the principal people con¬ cerned could have made it a quiet one. However* short of having the bride and bridogroom with us" we did all that could be done. The church bells rang out merrily during the day, and in the evening everyone remotely connected with Mr. Davies and the family celebrated the happy event in truly British fashion, i.e., by eating and drinking. At Severn Side Mills there was a very large gathering comprising the employes of the Company and others, when Mr. Jenkins made an interesting speech reviewing the history of the flannel trade in connection with his family for the past 100 years. Other gatherings took place at the Elephant, Britannia and Trewythen Arms. The burden of the speeches at each place was the same •< Health, long- life and prosperity to Mr. and Mrs. Davies," a sentiment we cordially echo.