On Friday 19th August, Member of Parliament for Clwyd South, Simon Baynes MP, visited the Ceiriog Memorial Institute in the Ceiriog Valley to learn more about the work of the Institute, particularly in cataloguing the full history of its collection and exhibiting the items to the public.
Opened on May 25th 1911 by David Davies MP (later Lord Davies of Llandinam), the Institute was erected by public subscription and founded by Sir Alfred T Davies. The Institute is a Grade 2 listed building, erected in memory of the renowned poet John ‘Ceiriog’ Hughes, who adopted his bardic name from Ceiriog Valley, as well as Huw Morus and Robert ‘Cynddelw’ Ellis.
The hall of the institute forms the heart of the community holding meetings, concerts, debates and social functions. The Ceiriog Memorial Institute museum has been refurbished and consists of a display area for the many unique exhibits which have been donated to the Institute since 1911. There is a plaque paying tribute to Sir Thomas Jefferson presented in 1933 by the Consul General of the United States of America.
Other exhibits include:-
- Collection of Ceiriog’s work and a collection of the works of Islwyn Ffowc Elis.
- Unique collection of stained glass windows.
- Portraits and sculptures of local interest, including pieces relating to the Myddleton family of Chirk Castle.
- Quarter size copy by F Richards of ‘St David for Wales’ by Sir Edward J Poynter (Original in the Central Lobby of the Houses of Parliament).
- Oil painting by Sir Robert Jones – eminent orthopaedic surgeon.
- Collection of objects relating to the industrial heritage of the valley.
David Lloyd George (Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1916 to 1922) described the Institute’s collection as “the best of its kind that I know anywhere.”
Following his visit, Mr Baynes said:
“It was a great privilege to visit the Ceiriog Memorial Institute and to learn more about the history of the building as well as to view its impressive collection. I took a great interest in the exhibits on the work of John Ceiriog Hughes and other poets, which are beautifully presented and tell a wonderful history of the Ceiriog Valley. I would encourage anyone with an interest in the history of our area to arrange a visit to the hall and learn more about our rich cultural heritage.”
