Preece Family Tree

Presentation to Mr. Gwilym Lewis, Mardy.

An interesting event took place in the Workmen's Hall, Mardy, on Friday evening last, before a crowded audience, Mr. G. Lewis, who for twenty years had been headmaster of the local schools, being presented with handsome tokens of respect and appreciation of his services during his long residence in the town.

Councillor H. E. Maltby, M.E., occupied the chair, and was supported by Mr. T. W Berry (Director of Education for the Rhondda), Dr. S. Glanville Morris, Rev. Joseph Evans, Miss C. E. Davies (headmistress), Mr. D. L. Williams (the new headmaster), Mr. W. Lavis (late chief mechanic of the Mardy Collieries), Rev. J. Hope Evans, and Mr. Alfred Evans (Royal Stores).

After the Chairman in a very able manner had opened the proceedings, he called upon the Rev. Joseph Evans, who, in eulogistic terms, spoke of the very kind and willing manner Mr. Lewis had rendered yeoman services in the social and musical functions held for the benefit of the different religious denominations, irrespective of sect. Mr. Lewis was always natural. He was always himself and nobody else. He was always modest - too unassuming, and never pushed himself anywhere. He (the speaker) wished him prosperity and happiness in his new sphere of work.

Mr. T. W. Berry (Director of Education) paid a tribute to Mr. Lewis' personality and long service. He pointed out that Mr. Lewis had rightly construed his duty in living amongst the people, and thus gaining their sympathy and respect. He said Mr. Lewis was very genial, and his bonhomie disposition was a great asset in his difficult work. As a musician of considerable ability he had made an impression in Mardy which would never be obliterated. His work as trainer, organiser and conductor of the oratorial concerts had had a great uplifting influence as well as an educational effect of great value. There was not a church in Mardy that had not directly or indirectly benefited by his labours, while many had received substantial monetary advantages from his concerts. Though he had had his own distinct religious tenets, he was nevertheless most catholic in his conceptions, and always willing to give a helping hand when called upon to do so, or when he saw a deserving opportunity. Mr. Berry said it was not an infrequent event in school-life for a master to have to give the children the cane, but this was a complete reversal of that custom, for the children of his late school now presented him with a stick - a beautiful walking-stick. The children could well afford to choose the stick, because they knew that Mr. Lewis was one who used the cane in school very sparingly.

The Director referred to the case of the Patriarch, who, after seven years' faithful service, received Leah as his reward and a further seven years brought him Rachel, whereas twenty years' service in Mardy had brought neither Leah nor Rachel for Mr. Lewis. Where were the ladies of the Rhondda to allow such a generous man to toil alone? Perhaps it was his excessive generosity which placed marriage beyond his reach. He congratulated Mr. Lewis on his appointment to the headship of Rhondda's largest school and the school of his apprenticeship. Of course, his departure would be a loss to the Technical Evening Classes, a loss to the churches and the musical society of Mardy, but Llwynypia should gain as a result. Mr. Lewis would be missed by the parents with whom he worked, well enjoying their goodwill. As an old pupil of Mr. Tom John, M.A., one would expect him to have caught the infection of good-natured administration. In conclusion, he wished Mr. Lewis every success in his new sphere of influence.

Miss C. E. Davies then, on behalf of the teachers, gracefully presented Mr. Lewis with a silver-mounted dressing case. She spoke of the cordial relations that had always existed between her and Mr. Lewis, and wished him all success.

Mr. D. L. Williams (the new headmaster), on behalf of the scholars, presented a silver-mounted walking-stick, saying that he had known Mr. Lewis for twenty years, and he wished to follow in his footsteps, and hoped with the same success.

Councillor Maltby, who presented the purse of gold, spoke of Mr. Lewis' sterling qualities, and the loss Mardy would sustain after his departure.

Dr. Morris presented the illuminated address, and recounted some of the good work done by Mr. Lewis, adding that he was over-generous - generous to a fault.

His remarks being enthusiastically received by the audience. The address read as follows:-

"AN ADDRESS Presented to Gwilym Lewis, Esq., Mardy.

"Dear Sir, - On behalf of your many friends in Mardy, we ask you to accept this address, together with the accompanying purse of gold, as a small token of the respect and high esteem in which you are held amongst us.

"For the last twenty years you have occupied the position of Headmaster of the Mardy Schools, and, in this capacity, have always taken such a great interest in the welfare of those under your charge, that you have gained their affection, and the regard and esteem of the parents.

"You have, on every possible occasion, generously given your great musical abilities to assist any good cause, regardless of sect, and thereby earned the gratitude of all interested in the welfare of the locality. In this connection, you have produced some of the most important works of the great masters of music, and we would particularly refer to the brilliant performance, given in 1909, of Mendelssohn's "Elijah" by the Mardy Musical Society under your able conductorship.

"Whilst we greatly regret your departure from our midst, we sincerely trust your future may be prosperous and happy, and that in your new position as Headmaster of the important Schools at Llwynypia, you may be, as you have been at Mardy, successful in securing the goodwill and respect of all who come in contact with you.

"Signed on behalf of the Committee:- H. E. Maltby, chairman; S. Glanville Morris, treasurer; Alfred Evans, secretary. December, 1913."

The address contained the photographs of the recipient and the signatories, the schools, and a general view of Mardy.

Mr. Lewis, amidst hearty applause, thanked the various donors for their very great kindness. He said that he had always found Miss Davies and Mrs. Humphreys splendid colleagues, and that he had never had a cross word with either of them. He asked Mr. Williams to convey to the lads his warm thanks for the walking-stick, adding that although he had had occasion to use the cane, which the boys deserved, they had now retaliated by giving him the stick, which he did not deserve. He said that although he and Councillor Maltby differed on many important questions - they had had many hot arguments, but had never come to blows. He did not, for instance, agree with the Councillor on the question of Home Rule for Ireland, but all would agree that women the world over should be home rulers. He confessed that he had not yet mustered sufficient courage to subject himself to home rule in a matrimonial sense; he would strongly recommend his bachelor friends to try the experiment. He knew that all would quite understand how highly, how sincerely he appreciated and felt their kind expressions, and he reciprocated their good wishes. He would make new friends, but would keep the old. We must remember that as it takes two to make a quarrel, so it takes two to make a friendship. It is not a one-sided arrangement. To them as friends, much of his happiness was to be ascribed, and he would never forget them. He ended by saying, "Chwi wyddoch beth ddywed fy nghalon." [You know what my heart says.]

An excellent miscellaneous programme was given during the evening, including penillion by Miss Gwen Williams (Trebanws) and Mr. W. D. Evans, accompanied on the harp by Mr. John Lewis (Trebanws); songs by Mr. David Rees, Mr. Tom Jones, Mrs. Clayton Jones, and Mrs. Tegwen Lavis; and recitations by Mr. Phil. Lewis. All the items were vociferously encored. Mrs. D. Roberts read some original complimentary verses. Mr. Henry Jones ably presided at the piano.

The usual votes of thanks were rendered to the chairman and the artistes, and specially to Mr. Alfred Evans, who had worked so hard as hon. secretary in making the movement such a splendid success.

The Rev. J. Hope Evans announced that on Sunday afternoon, May 24th next, the "cymanfa ganu" [singing festival] will take place at Siloa Chapel, when the church will make a presentation to Mr. Lewis, who has officiated there as precentor.