Llangeitho 1735-1935

300 years of Methodism were celebrated across Wales in 1935, particularly in Llangeitho, heartland of preacher Daniel Rowland (1713-90).

August 1935: Over 10,000 people descended on Llangeitho for a 3-day commemoration of the 1735 religious revival and the birth of methodism in Wales. The contribution of, amongst others, Llangeitho minister Daniel Rowland (1713-90), was celebrated, his marble replica having stood in the town since 1883. Communion was received, meetings attended and trainees, as the local paper reported, were urged by a senior minister “to be simple, honest and brief in their sermons”.

Filmed by Cardigan-born Goronwy [Ronw] Moelwyn Hughes (1897-1955), a son of Presbyterian minister, poet and hymn writer J G Moelwyn Hughes and his wife Mya (née Lewis). Ronw achieved first class honours in law at Cambridge, becoming a barrister in 1922. He started his political career as a Liberal, standing unsuccessfully in two general elections (1929 and 1931). He switched to Labour (as did his father) in 1934 and was unsuccessful as candidate for Cardigan in the 1935 general election. Nothing daunted, he stood at a by-election for Carmarthen in 1941 and won, holding the seat until 1945. He married Louise [Lulu], only child of F A Greer, a judge, who was the eldest of the 14 children of a Manxman and his wife.