The great, great, great, grandson of the maker of the Black Chair currently on display at Wrexham Library, has made a special visit to Wrexham Library this week, to sit in the chair made by his great, great, great grandfather in 1876.
Ten year old Ivor Roberts from Cardiff will be continuing his family’s tradition – each generation of the family gets to sit in the unique chair, made by John Roberts from Llangollen for the National Eisteddfod of Wrexham in 1876.
Ivor’s mother, Mrs Hilary Roberts, said: “Ivor is delighted to be sitting in a chair made by his great, great, great, grandfather – it’s a very special occasion for us as a family and we’re very proud to be associated with such an important part of our heritage.”
The large oak chair became known as the Black Chair when the winner, Taliesin o Eifion, also from Llangollen, died shortly before it was awarded to him. During a very sombre ceremony at the huge Eisteddfod pavilion in 1876, the chair was draped in black cloth and it soon became known as the ‘Black Chair’ – the first ever in Wales. Indeed, this is one of only two black chairs in existence, the second being the famous chair won by Hedd Wyn in 1917, whose story was made into an Oscar-nominated film that can be viewed at Wrexham Library’s Mediatheque.
The chair has been loaned by Denbighshire Heritage Services and will be on display at Wrexham Library until the end of August.
