Celebrating William Williams

An event to celebrate renowned Llandovery hymn writer, William Williams, was the first to receive funding from Carmarthenshire County Council’s new support fund.

“Perthnasedd Pantycelyn”, which took place on Saturday May 20, was held in Llandovery College in the writer’s home town.

Organised by Capel Penuel in Carmarthen, the event marked the Year of The Legend, one of a series of themed years being spearheaded by Visit Wales to celebrate and promote our Country’s rich National heritage. 2017 also marks the writer’s 300^th birthday.

William Williams Pantycelyn as he is famously known, was born in the area in the 18^th century and went on to become one of Wales’ leading writers of poetry, prose and hymns, penning perhaps his most famous works “Arglwydd, Arwain Trwy’r Anialwch” which later became “Guide me Oh Thy Great Jehovah” or “Bread of Heaven”, a hymn which has resounded around rugby stadiums across Wales for many decades.

Visitors from around the country came to hear talks and take part in discussions about the writer’s work.

Event Organiser, Dafydd Eilir Jones said “William Williams Pantycelyn is one of Llandovery’s and Carmarthenshire’s most famous sons. A prolific hymn, poetry and prose writer, his works are famous the world over and we felt it was important to celebrate him on this, his 300^th birthday.”

“The event brought a host of visitors into Llandovery during what would normally be a relatively quiet time of year and we hope that this raised the profile of Llandovery as well as William Williams himself.”

The event received £500 funding from Carmarthenshire County Council’s new event support fund.

Applications for the fund can be made online by visiting www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk/organising-events

Applicants must be a member of the Carmarthenshire Event Organisers Circle in order to be eligible. Events must meet a set list of criteria.

For more information, e-mail marketing@carmarthenshire.gov.uk.