Kidwelly Celebrates
We recently received a message from Sarah Marsden-Hughes, forwarding a message on behalf of her father Dr. Howard Marsden-Hughes, regarding Kidwelly’s 1911 celebrations marking the Investiture of Edward, Prince of Wales. particular interest is the commemorative cup produced for the occasion, which was commissioned by Sir Alfred Stephens.
Upon looking into this request, it appears that Kidwelly celebrated the event on a truly grand scale — perhaps unlike anything seen before or since — thanks in large part to the leadership and enthusiasm of Sir Alfred. It seems that every schoolchild in Kidwelly received one of these special cups as a memento of the day. The intriguing question now is: do any of these cups still survive today?
What follows is the original message, together with an introduction outlining the wider Investiture celebrations across Wales, and a transcript of a detailed newspaper report from The Carmarthen Journal describing Kidwelly’s remarkable festivities in full.
Message received from Sarah Marsden-Hughes on behalf of her father…
“Good evening, I hope you can help me or point me in the right direction.
I have an abiding interest in ceramic commemoratives made to celebrate moments in the lifetime of King Edward VIII, latterly the Duke of Windsor (1894-1972). I recently came across a small earthenware mug made for Edward’s Investiture as Prince of Wales on July, 13th 1911. On one side is a portrait of the young prince and, on the reverse, the Arms of Wales below which is the legend “Kidwelly, Presented by A. Stephens, Esq., JP.” Such mugs were usually given to school children at a celebratory tea/fête to mark such an occasion. Is anyone in your society familiar with this item or might help me discover how Kidwelly celebrated the investiture; how many school children would have been eligible to receive a free mug? I assume that A. Stephens was mayor in 1913; did he act alone or in cooperation with the Council in commissioning the mug?
At the moment it is impractical for me to get across to south Wales, but I am more than happy to defray any reasonable costs which might be involved or make a donation to society funds. I look forward to hearing from you and if anyone can help me.
Dr Howard Marsden-Hughes”
Cultural Pride
The Investiture of the Prince of Wales in 1911 was not only a grand state ceremony but also a moment of deep cultural pride for the Welsh nation. In towns such as Kidwelly, the occasion was celebrated with enthusiasm and a strong sense of identity, as local leaders and clergy emphasized the importance of preserving Welsh traditions, language, and values. Contemporary reports capture the excitement of the day: children were encouraged to aspire to greatness, citizens took pride in their town’s history, and the celebrations were hailed as a reflection of Wales’s enduring spirit.
Edward’s Investiture
PRINCE OF WALES’ INVESTITURE
KIDWELLY CELEBRATIONS.
On the occasion of the Investiture of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales at Carnarvon Castle, on Thursday, the 13th inst., the worthy citizens of the borough of Kidwelly worked together in effecting one of the most remarkable celebrations in the history of the town. The inhabitants have every reason to be proud of the way in which they commemorated the Coronation of King George V. and Queen Mary, but that they were capable of “going one better” was demonstrated beyond dispute on Investiture Day. The town was lavishly decorated throughout, and most of the main thoroughfares were one blaze of flags, bunting, and garlands. Patriotic mottoes, emblems, and inscriptions were everywhere in evidence, some of them referring in endearing terms to Mr. Alfred Stephens, Broomhill, and to the members of his family. These eulogiums were evoked by Mr. Stephens’ generosity in volunteering to undertake the expense of the festivities, which included a tea and souvenir mugs for the children, a tea to the members of the friendly societies, and a grand display of fireworks to wind up the proceedings. The arrangements were carried out for Mr. Stephens by Mr. D.O. Jones, assisted by a strong committee, a body which threw itself into the work with an enthusiasm that deserved the success it undoubtedly achieved. The weather conditions were all that could be desired.
At 2.30 o’clock the most imposing procession ever witnessed in the town started from the Hillside. It was marshalled by Dr. T. Griffiths and Mr. D. Meredith. Leading the way was Squadron-sergeant Major Roberts, of the Yorkshire Hussars, mounted on a charger, the procession proper consisting, in the order named, of the Kidwelly Town Band, Naval and Military Forces, Boy Scouts, Postal Staff, Ministers of Religion, Borough Council, preceded by the mace bearers and headforemen, School Managers, the Schools, viz. Castle (boys), National (mixed), Mountain Silver Band, Hillfield (girls), Hillfield (infants), Mountain (mixed), and Llandilo Friendly Societies, viz. Bristol and West of England, Philanthropic, Kidwelly Benefit, the Rechabites, Kidwelly Ivories, Foresters, Mountain Ash, Druids, Oddfellows, Hearts of Oak, and the R.A.O.B. Buffaloes.
Mr. D.O. Jones acknowledged Mr. Stephens’ references to the committee, who had worked so whole-heartedly with the object of making the celebrations worthy of the unique and historic occasion, worthy of the esteemed gentleman who had made it possible to celebrate on such an extensive scale and worthy of the old town which they all so much loved (hear, hear). The committee would be amply rewarded if their work met with the approval of Mr. and Mrs. Stephens (hear, hear). Some appropriate verses were read by the local bard, Mr. James Jones, whose efforts met with appreciative applause. “God Save the King” concluded this part of the proceedings.
The sports, in which the spectators evinced great interest, attracted numerous competitors. The officials were: Starters, Dr. T.R. Griffiths and Scoutmaster F. Sheppard; clerks of the course, Messrs. T. Jones, D. Thomas, and Jos. Thomas; and judges, Messrs. Daniel Meredith and W.E. Anthony, whose valuable assistance was given by the Boy Scouts. During the progress of the sports, the Llanelli Band discoursed various selections. Games were also indulged in, the memorable day concluding after the distribution of prizes to the winners in the carnival held in the town during the evening, with a fine display of fireworks let off by Messrs. Morgan Bros.
The Souvenir mugs are of a superior kind, and bear, besides the portrait of H.R.H. The Prince of Wales, the Arms of Wales and an inscription which reads: “Kidwelly. Presented by A. Stephens, Esq., J.P.”
The Kidwelly, Mynyddgarreg, and the Llanelli Bands were refreshed at the Hillfield School, Morfa Vestry, and the Town Hall respectively, and the Boy Scouts at the Castle School.
The Boy Scouts were in luck’s way on Investiture Day, for in addition to the bugle presented to the troop at Broomhill, they were the recipients of another bugle, the gift of a Kidwelly boy, viz., Squadron Sergt.-Major Roberts, of the Yorkshire Hussars. The troop are proud of the instrument, and are loud in praise of the kind donor.
A carnival organised by a committee, of which Dr. T.R. Griffiths was chairman, and Mr. John Morgan, Priory-street, hon. sec., was held in the evening and proved a very successful affair. The judges were: Mrs. H.E. Stuart, Mrs. H. Gwynn Thomas and Miss May Griffiths, and Messrs. H.F. Bowen, J. Thomas, and D. Mitchell. Several prizes were awarded, and for the dancing competition the music was supplied by Mr. Tobin, Castle Hotel.
The route was as follows:—Station-road, Causeway-street, Pinged Hill, Alfred-street, Abbey-street, Lady-street, Bridge-street, New-street, Water-street to Broomhill. Here the processionists were received by Mr. Stephens, at whose invitation they entered the grounds, the school-children being massed in front of the mansion. The spacious grounds presented a spectacle of animation and gaiety which cannot fail to leave a lasting impression on the minds of those privileged to behold it. When at last all were in, the children sang an English and Welsh verse of “God Bless the Prince of Wales” under the conductorship of Alderman J.G. Anthony, who at the close called for cheers for the Prince of Wales and the members of the Royal Family, and then for Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Stephens and family. The response was of the heartiest, the surrounding country, resounding with the shrill voices of the children mingled with the deeper notes of the men. An interesting interlude was here enacted, Mr. Stephens presenting the local troop of Boy Scouts, on behalf of an anonymous donor, with a bugle. The head of the procession then passed out into the roadway, and the children, filing under the verandah past the front entrance of the mansion, were handed their cups by the little Misses Audrey and Violet Stephens, who performed their task with a delightful charm of manner. The whole company re-formed and the children marched to their respective schoolrooms, the Mountain scholars being entertained in the Morfa Vestry, and the friendly societies in the Town Hall. An ample supply of tea, with all usual accompaniments, was provided for all, adults being also treated to a liberal supply of “smokes” in the form of cigarettes.
During the progress of the teas, Mr. Stephens drove round to the various centres, being accorded a hearty reception at each.
After tea an adjournment was made to a field adjoining Broomhill grounds, where the children and others assembled in front of a platform. Ald. J.G. Anthony presided and also conducted the massed choir of children. At the outset he said that they had been called together to celebrate the Investiture of H.R.H. The Prince of Wales. He reminded the children that this was the first Investiture of its kind ever to take place in Wales. The present ceremony, he said, was the result of the advancement of education and the fruit of the great awakening of the nation. The Investiture was the Prince’s first step to the Throne, his first step to become the ruler of the grandest nation in the world (hear, hear).
The Rev D. G. Owen argued that there was no necessity for speaking in English. He said that it was a Welsh day. The Prince was speaking in Welsh. He proceeded in the vernacular, stating that it was a great day for the Welsh nation. The Prince was invested to a great extent in Welsh. Speaking to the children he urged them to do their best to become great men like the two illustrious Welshmen who were figuring prominently at the Investiture—the Chancellor and the Archdruid (applause).
The Vicar, the Rev. Griffith Evans, B.D., congratulated the children on their splendid appearance. The Investiture was something deeper than the actual ceremony. He wanted the children to see the golden opportunity to lift the Welsh nation, so that the name of a Welshman will stand as high as the name of any man of another nation (hear, hear). Chorus—“Hen Wlad fy Nhadau.”
The Rev. D. E. Thomas, curate, who spoke next, wondered why Kidwelly had not put forward a claim for the Investiture. Cardiff based its claim on the fact that the first Prince of Wales had been born in its castle. Kidwelly at least had a castle its loyal citizens and its loyal children (applause). The Investiture was a great honour to Wales. It was a sign that the traditions of Wales would live for ever and that the Welsh language would never die out (applause).
A hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr. Stephens and family on the proposition of Mr. G. Anthony, seconded by Mr. R. H. Isaac, who thanked Mr. Stephens for his great kindness. He had done everything to make the people happy. They were glad that our little town turned out so well (applause).
Mr. Stephens, replying, stated that he was exceedingly pleased to see all joining in the celebrations. It was not a question of Wales, but of Wales as the greatest nation in the world (hear, hear). Kidwelly had celebrated the event right loyally. Kidwelly’s turnout was a credit to the country. He wished to thank the friendly societies for turning out en masse, and indeed the public for their lavish decorations. He also thanked the committee who worked so hard and the excellent brass band, which had made a great success of the day towards making the day a great success (loud applause).