The 150th anniversary of the birth of one of Gwynedd’s most famous sons will be marked with two special events.
David Lloyd George, former British prime minister and MP for the old Caernarfon boroughs, was born exactly 150 years ago. Those interested in the Welsh Wizard’s history will have a unique opportunity to see some of the family’s historical artefacts and to listen to a historical lecture.
On Thursday, 17 January – Lloyd George’s birthday – between 11am and 2pm members of the public will have the chance to see Earl Lloyd-George of Dwyfor’s collection of heirlooms and mementos from the political life of the last Liberal to serve as British PM at the Lloyd George Museum in Llanystumdwy.
At 3pm there will be a service at the graveside and afterwards tea will be served at Llanystumdwy village hall in the company of DL Carey-Evans, the Earl Lloyd George of Dwyfor; Elfyn Llwyd MP and pupils from Ysgol Llanystumdwy.
On Friday, 18 January at the museum from 6pm there will be a further opportunity to view the family collection, followed by a lecture at 7.30pm entitled “Keeping the wolves of hunger from the door: Lloyd George’s National Insurance Act 1911” by Dr Steven Thompson, of the University of Aberystwyth’s History and Welsh History department. Admission £5, or free to Friends of the Museum.
Philip George, Lloyd George’s great nephew, said: “It never ceases to amaze me that a boy who was brought up in Llanystumdwy and received little formal education reached the highest public office in the land and that the impact of his achievements, for instance the welfare reforms he generated and the principles behind his 1909 People’s Budget, are still with us today.”
Councillor John Wynn Jones, Gwynedd Council’s Cabinet member with responsibility for heritage, said: “I hope that the events organised at Llanystumdwy will be a fitting tribute to Lloyd George and will be an opportunity to learn more about the man and his career.
“He is best known as the leader of the coalition government during the Great War and also as the man who introduced the British welfare system. But there is always more most of us could find out about him and I would urge people to take advantage of these events to learn more.”
For more information about the Lloyd George Museum in Llanystumdwy, and all Gwynedd Council Museum Services, visit the website www.gwynedd.gov.uk/museums
