THE WALDOISH EISTEDDFOD Y GARREG LAS

This year’s Eisteddfod Genedlaethol y Garreg Las at Llantwd was a very Waldoish eisteddfod in many ways on considering the exposure given to Waldo Williams.

On the first Saturday, in a session organised by the Centre of Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies, University of Wales, Elan Closs Stephens was in conversation with Archdderwydd Mererid regarding her drama, in the series Mewn Cymeriad, based on Waldo Williams’ life and work.

Perhaps, the most poignant comment made was the confirmation that those homes mentioned by Waldo in the opening line of his poem ‘Cwmwl Haf’, namely “Durham, Devonia, Allendale”, are in fact homes to be found along the Pembrokeshire coast.

There had been some speculation that they were names of houses Waldo had seen when living in exile in England. But, no, the names are to be seen in Solva, Goodwick and St David’s according to Mererid as she explained their significance. People who move from their native habitat have a tendency to give familiar names to their homes in exile. This is what the Welsh exile will do as well.

That was part of the key to understand the poem. But it still remains difficult to penetrate.

Later in the day the winner of the Review competition in the drama section was announced. In fact, the winning review was an appraisal of the theatrical composition which Mererid scripted for Ryland Teifi who portrayed Waldo. The winner was Hefin Wyn. The judge, Non Tudur, said of his entry under the pseudonym ‘Mwrcyn’ – “ an exemplary review . . . a capable and intelligent reviewer, who nails it from the first sentence: . . . a master of theatre production reviewing”.

Cymdeithas yr Hoelion Wyth organised a lecture by Emyr Llewelyn about Waldo, on the Sunday afternoon, concentrating on his humour. He shared his personal reminiscences of canvassing with Waldo during general elections. He mentioned how his gentle humour, laced with a tinge of hope, would be to the fore every now and again, especially if the prognosis was not too good. To hear him describe how he took Waldo for a drive during his last days, when conversation was difficult, was highly emotional.

Jason Walford Davies

Just when we thought there are no more books to be published about Waldo Williams, we were told by Professor Jason Walford Davies, in an enthralling lecture on Tuesday morning, in the Pabell Lên, that he has acquired enough material to publish at least three!

This on the basis of the Jâms Nicholas papers that are in his possession, including correspondence, unpublished poems and all sorts of notes, and a series of letters written by Waldo to his wife, Linda.

He mentioned in detail how much of Jâms’ poetry mirrors that of Waldo and emphasised their close relationship despite the twenty five years age difference. The lecture, organised by Cymdeithas Waldo, gave much food for thought to all those who were present.

And in Y Stiwdio on the Friday, Ryland Teifi gave two performances of his one man show ‘Mewn Cymeriad: Waldo.’ And not forgetting the rendition of ‘Y Tangnefeddwyr’ by the Crymych Mixed Choir during the Cymanfa Ganu on the Sunday evening.

Also during the week a hard back volume entitled ‘Adnabod Waldo’ was published by Y Faner Newydd magazine retailing at £15. It is valuable if only for Emyr Llywelyn’s sparkling analysis of Waldo’s poems which appeared in the magazine between 1997 and 2023. Another gem is the publication, for the first time, a lecture delivered by Waldo above the lime kiln in Cwmtydu at some point, where he compares the muse of Alun Cilie and Dic Jones. The lecture was testimony to the breadth of his knowledge.

SOLVA PLAQUE

Through the efforts of local author, Matthew Raggett and with the aid of Solva Community Council, a plaque was placed in memory of the short spell Waldo spent as a teacher at the old school. It was unveiled by Archdruid Mererid. As you go up the steep hill towards Upper Solva and past the war memorial a road turns to the left, and the plaque can be seen on the tall wall on the right.

Waldo Williams
Waldo Williams

1904 – 1971

Waldo Goronwy Williams is regarded as a mythical figure. No one who knew him bore a grudge towards him. Whoever spent time in his company would embrace him and treasure every meeting. Young children were always fond of him when he taught them.

Some would insist that he possessed the attributes of a saint. Indeed, he had strong convictions and an impish humour. Someone once said it had taken two thousand years of Welsh civilization to create a man such as Waldo. He had immersed himself in the history of his nation. On one occasion he stood as a Plaid Cymru parliamentary candidate.

Although he lost his deposit he won many admirers. To many Waldo was the greatest Welsh poet of the twentieth century. To others he was a pacifist who happened to be a poet. He was much admired for his insistence on serving two prison sentences for his refusal to pay income tax in protest against war and compulsory military service.

In his mid-fifties he joined the Quakers. He relished the inner stillness he would experience in the Meeting House. He dedicated his only volume of poetry Dail Pren (Tree Leaves) as a source of healing for his nation. We do not know of any other poet who made a similar gesture to his nation.

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