Cwmamman Parish Magazine 1913-1914

The Cwmamman Parish Magazine was a monthly publication and contained a variety of items such as Baptisms, Burials and general news regarding church events within Cwmamman Parish. The churches covered by the Cwmamman Parish Magazine for the years 1913-1914, were Christchurch, Garnant; St. Margaret's Church, Glanamman and Llanfair Church, Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen. There were also references made to the building of a new church at Tairgwaith. Each monthly edition contained a list of the church and Sunday School officials and a calender of the months events. Fundraising and other financial information was also published.

As well as local news, there were also numberous other articles that related to the Anglican Church from all over the world. There were articles written by various Anglican ministers with such titles as "What I have learnt from Football", by the Rev. K. R. G. Hunt; an English International and "The Ideal Wife", by the Bishop of Sodor and Man (Isle of Man). Fictional works were also included, with the stories continuing with each new monthly issue of the magazine. Other articles included in the magazines were Hymns, "Prayers for every month" and instructions for making such items as "Sunday Clothes". Fun items, included a prize competiton entitled "Bishops of our church: Who are they?", where the reader was encouraged to post off the names of the Anglican bishops in the photographs. Prizes for the best lists were a guinea each. Other quiz type items included a series of questions on the prayer book or bible.

General news from the Anglican Church included articles with such titles as "The Oldest Lady Chorister" and "Bishop mistaken for a Butler." This latter story related the tale of the Bishop of Truro (Dr. Burrows) who in his younger days would wear a white tie. When he visited a certain Bishop at Rochester, the butler opened the door and before the Dr. Burrows had time to present his card, the butler looked him up and down and told him that he was too late. He had been given the job yesterday!

The January 1913 edition of the Cwmamman Parish Magazine gives the following information:

Clergy -

William Williams: Vicar.
Evan Davies: Curate.
D. Pugh: Curate

Christchurch, Garnant.

Church Officials -

Churchwardens: Messrs. John Rees and J. J. Philpott.
Lay Electors: Messrs. Johnnie Rees, J. J. Philpott and W. J. Grey.
Choirmaster: J. J. Philpott.
Organist: Mr Edgar Rees.
Organ Blower: Mr David James.
Sidesmen: Messrs. Thomas Price, John Rees, Thomas Madge, David Davies, J. J. Philpott, John Rees, Azariah Bevan, William Evans, Lewis Davies, William Owen, Gilbert Davies, Haydn Thomas, Stephen Thomas, William J. Grey, John Bevan, William H. James, David E. Thomas, John Morgan, Fred Chatterley, Richard Madge, John Price, James James, Ernie Thomas, Fred Evans, David Evans, Tom G. Thomas, Evan Thomas, Morgan Parry, Richard Davies, Tom Bevan, David Bevan, Tom Morgan, John Madge, Fred Owen.
Secretary: Mr John Price.
Caretaker: Mr James James.
Sextons: Messrs. David Roberts and David Davies.

The Church Council is formed of all the Church Officials.

Collectors of Offertories -

September: Messrs. Evan Thomas, D. E. Thomas, William Evans, Fred Evans.
October: Messrs. Lewis Davies, John Bevan, T. Madge, Tom G. Thomas.
November: Messrs. Thomas Price, Haydn John Rees, Tommy Thomas.
December: Messrs. Johnny Rees, John Price, Azariah Bevan, Gilbert Davies.
January: Messrs. W. Owen, Ernest Thomas, W. H. James, Morgan Parry.
February: Messrs. D. Davies, David Evans, James James, Fred Owen.
March: Messrs. Richard Madge, Evan Rees, W. J. Grey, J. Morgan.

Sunday School -

Teachers: Mrs Williams, Vicarage; Mrs Rowlands, Mrs Evans, Miss Annie Bevan, Miss Clara Bowen, Miss Florrie Thomas, Mr W. Owen, Sergeant Roberts, Mr John Rees, Mr T. Madge, Mr J. J. Philpott, Morgan Parry, Mr Evan Thomas, Mr James Randall, Mr D. Evans, Mr D. J. Jones, and the Vicar.
Superintendents: Mr T. Madge and Mr William Evans.
Treasurer: Mr James James.
Secretary: Mr Fred Owen.
Assistant Secretaries: Mr David Madge and Bertie Owen.
In charge of the Children: Mr Evan Thomas, Mr David Evans and Mr Fred Evans.
Waifs and Strays' Secretaries: Mrs Evans and Mrs Bevan.
Church Defence Secretary: Mr J. J. Philpott.
C.E.M.S. Secretary: Mr W. Owen.
Magazine Secretary: Mr Evan Thomas.
Distributor: Miss Clara Bowen.
Mothers Union Secretary: Mrs Grey.
G.F.S. Secretary: Mrs Williams.
Boys' Scouts: Messrs. E. Thomas, Coombs & Williams.

Collections for December 1912

Under the title "Christmas Day", the Parish Magazine reported that the Services were attended "fairly well".

St. Margaret's, Glanamman.

Church Officials -

Churchwardens: Messrs. W. A. Hay and John Harries.
Sidesmen: Messrs. Rees Morgan, J. Walters, J. S. Evans, J. Walters, D. J. Evans, H. Fuller, A. J. Williams, W. J. Trussler, Lewis Jones, C. White, D. Morgan, B. Ward.
Church Council: The above to also form the Church Council.
Choirmaster: Mr David Morgan.
Deputy: Mr B. Ward.
Organist: Miss Daisy Price.
Deputy: Miss E. Morgan.
Secretary: Mr D. Morgan.
Caretaker: Mrs Edwards.

Sunday School -

Superintendent: Mr J. Harries.
Secretary: Mr D. Evans.
Treasurer: Mr W. Walters.
Teachers: Rev. D. Pugh, Messrs. D. Morgan, A. V. Ollison, Mrs Harries, Miss Rigden, Mrs Pugh, Mrs Richards, Miss H. Griffiths.
G.F.S: Mrs Pugh.
Secretary: Miss H. Price.
C.E.M.S. Secretary: Mr B. Ward.

Collections for December 1912

Under the title "Christmas", the Parish Magazine reported that the attendance at the Services and at the Holy Communion were "disappointing" and hoped for better attendances during the coming year. The following exerpt was included in the same article:

"In the afternoon of Christmas Day a very good proportion of our Sunday School Scholars met in the Church. We hoped to see more of the parents present. The children sang selections of songs with pleasant effect. The recitations were good and well delivered. At the close of the Service every child received a Christmas Gift and an Orange."

Also listed were the names of those who donated towards the "St. David's Diocesan Fund" and the amount which was donated by each person. Four collectors each had their own area and the total amount which they collected for the fund is shown below:

Mrs James, Glynglas, Twyn: £1 17s 0d.
Miss Clara G. Bowen, Springfield Terrace, Garnant: £1 4s 7d.
Miss Annie Bevan, Godrewaun and Miss Myra Thomas, Stepney House: £1 10s 6d.
Mrs Jones, Castell and Mrs Griffiths, Shop: £1 18s 6d.
Rev. Evan Davies: £0 12s 0d.

Collection boxes for "The Church of England Society Providing Home for the Waifs and Strays" were opened on the 2nd of December, 1912 and the holders of the boxes were listed in the magazine. The total amount raised for the fund was £4 9s 2d.

Llanfair Church, Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen.

Church Officials -

Churchwardens: Messrs. E. S. Strange and W. Lewis.
Choirmaster: Mr W. E. Baker.
Organist: Mr Tom Jones.
Caretaker: Mr George Payne.
Sidesmen: Messrs. D. Renowden, M. C. Davies, Ernest Bisby, Rees Jones, W. Austen Davies, William Lewis, W. H. Lawrence, Ernest Perrett, W. Evans, John Eldridge, Thomas Davies, George Payne, Harry Evans, Willie Davies, Willie Renowden, Ben Davies, Ben Jones, W. E. Baker, Daniel Booth, Tom James, E. S. Strange, H. Phillips, David Jones, W. Price, R. Hughes, D. W. Davies and S. Booth.

Sunday School -

Superintendent: Mr Isaac Jones.
Secretary: Miss M. A. Thomas.
Treasurer: Mr John Eldridge.
Teachers: Mrs E. Davies, Miss M. A. Thomas, Mrs Rees, Miss Rosie Davies, Mr Daniel Renowden, Rev. Evan Davies, Mr W. E. Baker and Mrs Evans.
Brook Terrace Superintendent: Rev. Evan Davies.
Secretary Sunday School Fund: Miss Cissie Augustus.
Treasurer: Miss Lizzie Blanche Davies.
Teachers: Messrs. David Jones, Daniel Booth, Evan Harris, Misses Fowler, Cissie Augustus, Lizzie Blanche Davies and Mr Sam Booth.

Collections for December 1912

The list of collections for Llanfair Church in 1913 is available on a separate webpage.

Under the title "Entertainment", the Parish Magazine reported on a very successful Entertainment held at the Church Hall in connection with the local branch of the Young Helpers League. The children who took part did their work remarkably well and the excellent attendance resulted in a "good sum" being raised, which was to be handed over to Dr. Barnardo's Homes. At the end of the concert, Mr H. Scruton proposed a "hearty vote of thanks" to all those who had taken part.

Other exerpts from the Cwmamman Parish Magazine

From the February 1913 edition:

"Tai'rgwaith New Church. -Tenders for this Church were opened at the School on January 10th, as follows:-

The Tender of Morgans Bros. was unanimously accepted. The building is to be completed by the end of June next. A Church is urgently needed in the district, as the population is now large, and is rapidly growing. We wish to impress upon each and all their duty to help to the best of their ability to make the Building Fund the success it deserves to be. The appeals will be out soon.

Church Army Van. -In the month of March we are expecting a visit from Captain Morris, of the Church Army. He has promised to stay with us from March 10th to the end of the month, and possibly longer. He will hold Services at Gwaun cae-gurwen, Garnant, and Glanamman. We hope and pray his coming among us will be fruitful of much good to the glory of God. Captain Morris is making a tour of South Wales. He comes to us from Ammanford."

Also from the February 1913 edition, regarding the area under Llanfair Church, G.C.G.:

"Scarcity of Houses. -It has become a general complaint that the demand for houses in this district enormously exceeds the supply. It is quite evident that local speculators and builders are unable to cope with the difficulty. Few days ago, Prof. Jevons, M.A., Cardiff (who is considered an authority on the "Housing Question") along with Sir Stafford Howard, paid a visit to Cwmgorse with a view of putting in operation the scheme of the Co-operative Garden Society. We have been made to understand that in the course of a few days a Public Meeting will be addressed by Mr. Jevons, who is a representative of the Society, who among other things, will explain how the working classes will be able to become owners of their own houses within a certain number of years. We may say that Sir Stafford Howard is prepared to do everything in his power to bring about its success."

From the March 1913 edition:

"CHURCH ARMY VAN.

Captain Morris and his Colleague will start their work at St. Margaret's Glanamman, on Monday Evening, March 10th. Meetings will be held every evening during the week and on Sunday. From Glanamman they will come to Garnant on Monday, March 17th, and then they will proceed to Gwaun-cae-gurwen. We wish to draw particular attention to the following:-

THE DIOCESAN CHURCH ARMY VAN IS COMING.

It is one of sixty-six such Vans dedicated by the
Bishops for Evangelistic work.

The Evangelists are trained members of the Church of England, who, with the sanction and licence of the Bishop of the Diocese and approval of your Clergy, will visit this Parish to preach the simple truths of the Gospel, and to try and win men's souls to Christ and His Church.
They will visit you in your homes to invite you to attend the Services and also to supply Bibles and useful and wholesome books, text cards, etc., at popular prices.
During the visit a Lecture will be given, explaining the work being done in our great cities to help the unfortunate and fallen who are in Prison, Workhouses, etc.

HOW YOU CAN HELP.
First. -By your prayers, that God may bless the effort, followed by attending the Meetings yourself, and inviting your friends to accompany you.
Second. -The Evangelists live in the Van, and would be delighted to accept any gifts for the table, or an invitation to partake of your kind hospitality.
An opportunity will be given from time to time during the Services to assist in carrying on this work...."

"CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

A Deputation is expected on Sunday, March 30th, on behalf of the above Society, when the Offertories will be devoted to Foreign Missions."

From the April 1913 edition:

"Sewing Class. -We are glad that the Class is growing in numbers. We shall have to work hard until the Bazaar is over. Arrangements will have to be made soon in connection with the Bazaar. It is now time to fix the date. We hope to clear a big sum."

"Confirmation. -We went to Brynamman this year. Several Candidates failed to turn up owing to the inconvenience of the time when the Service was held...."
(The event was scheduled to take place at Brynamman Church, on March 13th, at 3. o'clock in the afternoon).

Also f rom the April 1913 edition under the heading: "St. Margaret's Church, Glanamman":

"Mission Van. -For the first time in the history of St. Margaret's the Church Army Mission Van visited our district from Monday, March 16th, till the following Monday. Captain Morris, who is in charge of the Van, and his colleague held services every night in Church. These services were illustrated by beautiful Lantern Pictures. The attendance at these services were by no means well attended. Yet we hope that much real and lasting good was done. We are certain that those who listened to the earnest words of the Missioners were greatly edified."

"Good Friday. -We are sorry to have to complain of the attendance at the Services in Church on this most solemn day in the Christian Year. It is very discouraging to find such indifference on the part of so many Churchpeople in keeping the solemn days and festivals of the Church. Let us endeavour to be more faithful in the future. The allurements of the world are such nowadays that we cannot, without great injury to our spiritual progress, neglect the means our Church places before us to keep us to advance in holiness and pureness of living"

"Easter Day. -Notwithstanding the early date of this festival this year, the weather was fine. The attendance of the early celebration was fair, and the congregations at the other Services were fairly large. Though a good percentage availed themselves of the duty of partaking of the Holy mysteries, many failed to do so...."

From the May 1913 edition:

"VESTRY.

The two Wardens for the present year are Mr. Thomas Price, Cefnforest, and Mr. William Evans, Stepney Road. The old Church Council was re-elected with some new names added to it. Two Auditors were appointed to prepare the accounts for printing. The two are Mr. William Owen, The School, and Mr. Haydn Thomas, Post Office. The Three Delegates are Messrs. Thos. Madge, John Price, and Haydn Thomas. Church Secretary, Mr. Thomas Thomas.

Clergy Fund and Magazine. -We want a Secretary and Treasurer to take charge of the above. Who will volunteer to take this? We would be greatly obliged if some two would do so. District Visitors were appointed. We hope that the ladies will kindly undertake the work. The duties will be very light. The main portion will be to report to the Clergy any cases of illness, or the coming in of new Churchpeople to the Parish. The ladies appointed were:-

Twyn District.-Mrs. James, Mrs Price, and Mrs. Morris.
Glanyrafon District.-Mrs. Price, Miss Lewis, and Miss Jenkins.
Ceidrym.-Mrs. Davies, Mrs Rowlands, and Mrs. Harries.
Main Road, from Half-Moon to Station Road -Mrs. Davies, Mrs. Rowe, Mrs Slocum, and Mrs. Williams.
Station Road and Coronation Road. -Mrs. Lewis, Mrs. Madge, and Miss Mary Jones.
From Station Road to Raven. -Mrs. Ross, Miss M. Jones, and Mrs. Hughes.
Dynevor Road.-Mrs. Morgan and Miss E. Thomas.
Stepney Road.-Mrs. Evans and Mrs. Bevan.
Cowell Road.-Mrs. Wilde and Miss Hughes.
From Raven to Globe.-Mrs. Mortimer, Mrs. J. Rees, and Miss A. Bevan.

With the help of those ladies we hope to obtain information on the matters already mentioned at the earliest possible convenience."

Again from the May 1913 edition:

"Cantata. -We are not yet in a positon to say what the proceeds are, but one thing we know, and that is the thorough success of the Cantata. It is the general verdict that a better performance has not been witnessed in the valley. We do not wish to single out any of the performers, because everyone did his or her part so exceedingly well. But, of course, we must mention the name of the Conductor, Mr. D. Evans. He worked hard, perseveringly, and successfully. He enterred into the work with his heart and soul, and was well supported by the Choir and Orchestra. We feel extremely grateful to one and all. Heaps of thanks to all concerned."

The Balance Sheet for the performance of the Cantata; "Gipsy Queen" was printed in the August 1913 edition of the Cwmamman Parish Magazine.

Also from the May 1913 edition under the heading: "Llanfair Church, Gwaun-cae-gurwen.":

"Operetta. -On May 10th, 11th, and 12th, the Operetta entitled "Spring-Tide Holiday" was performed by the Llanfair Church Juvenile Choir at the Public Hall. It was well patronised, especially the last evening........."
The article also praised the performance: ....."It was the unanimous opinion of several musical critics who have had a long experience in the training of children that the rendering of the Operetta was a highly creditable performance throughout."

The July edition of the Cwmamman Parish Magazine showed the Balance Sheet for the performance of the Operetta.

From the July 1913 edition, regarding Christchurch:

"SUNDAY SCHOOL EXCURSION.

This event is fixed for Saturday, July 26th. Swansea Bay is the place selected this year again. The fare will be 1s. 6d. for adults, and 9d. for those under 14 years of age. As usual we shall endeavour to give the Sunday School Scholars who are under 14 a free ticket. A collection will be made in Church on Sunday, July 20th, in aid of the Sunday School Fund. We hope that a good amount will be realized. We shall require £5 or £6 to meet the expenses of the trip. We trust that the weather will be fine. Swansea Bay is an ideal spot for a Sunday School trip."

From the July 1913 edition under the heading: "Llanfair Church, Gwaun-cae-gurwen":

"Excursion. -The date of the Annual Excursion for the scholars of the two Sunday Schools, and also members and adherents of the Church, has been fixed to take place on Saturday, July 19th. The selected place this year is Ferryside; return fares, adults, 1s.6d.; children, 9d. All of our children who belong to the Sunday School and are under 14 years of age will have their railway expenses free."

From the August 1913 edition, regarding Christchurch:

"The addition to the Churchyard. - We are looking forward to having this new piece consecrated. When the Bishop can come here for the purpose we are not yet in a position to say. We should like to see him paying us a visit this month, but very likely it cannot be convenient for him before October or November."

Also from the August 1913 edition:

"CLERGY FUND.

Let us give you the present state of this fund.

The two assistant clergy receive £120 each a year. We wish they had more. We receive in grants towards this amount £120 from the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, and £60 from the Church Pastoral Aid Society. Thus we have to find, locally, for the salaries, £60 a year, and £20 to be returned to the Church Pastoral Aid Society for their grant of £60. In all we have to collect in the parish £80 a year towards the assistant clergy, a small sum indeed between the three churches. But how do we stand? The following sums were collected in the various churches during the years 1911 and 1912:-

The reason for the smallness of the amount is that so many of our Communicants do not contribute. A small proportion faithfully give every time the quarter comes round, and for them we have a big word of praise and thanks. May we appeal to those who forget this part of their duty to be kind enough to remember Joseph in future, and so help to bring him out of the debtor's prison. We shall have, no doubt, to make some new arrangements in order to keep the fund free. The Church Council, we hope, will take the matter up and find a solution to this problem."

Again from the August 1913 edition, under the heading: "Llanfair Church, Gwaun-cae-gurwen":

"Excursion. -On Saturday, July 19th, members of the Llanfair and Brook Terrace Sunday Schools went for a day's outing to Ferryside. The weather in the morning was anything but favourably. However, it cleared up fine in the afternoon, and all spent a most enjoyable day. The expenses of the children were paid from the Sunday School Funds."

From the September 1913 edition:

"A Word of Thanks. -We cannot let this month pass by without expressing our gratitude to Mr. William Evans and Mr. Thomas Madge. Mr Madge has been good enough to paint the iron and woodwork outside the Parish Church free of cost, with the exception of the cost of the paint. He has been busily handling the brush for days, and the Church looks much better as the result. Mr. Evans is giving his time and labour for nothing in putting on the coping on the Churchyard wall. This means several days of work and the saviing of money to the Church. The wall will look tidy when the work is completed. We hope to see all the rubbish cleared out by the Churchyard. When everything is finished the place will look vastly improved. The two good friends who have given their work gratis for the love of the Church deserve our heartiest gratitude. Diolch yn fawr i chwi eich dau am eich caredigrwydd."

From the September 1913 edition, regarding Tairgwaith Church:

"The New Church at Tai'rgwaith.-We hope to see this Church opened before the end of the year. Several things are wanted for the Church, for example:-A Communion Set, Offertory Dishes, Communion Linen, Table Covering, Kneelers, etc. Who will be good enough to give these requisites? We need them, but who will come forward to supply them? It would be a great favour if gifts of these could be made by good, kind friends."

Also from the September 1913 edition:

"The Sunday School.-We appeal again for more teachers for our Sunday Schools. Who will volunteer? The need is very pressing. The children suffer from want of teachers. We must confess that we never experienced so much difficulty in finding helpers for the Sunday School. We are extremely grateful to the friends who are so faithful in their efforts with the children. It is work that will pay well, and not only that, but it is a great privilege to teach immortal souls."

Sunday School Trip.-The day was Saturday, July 28th, and the place chosen this year was Swansea Bay, as in previous years. The day was an ideal one, and a large number took advantage of the opportunity to spend a day on the sea coast. We are glad to see such a large number and that everything proved so thoroughly enjoyable. A most pleasant day was spent. We believe that Swansea Bay cannot be beaten as a place to take Sunday Schools. There is a wide stretch of sand and no rocks about."

From the October 1913 edition:

"BAZAAR.

This event came off in the Garnant School on Thursday and Saturday, September 18th and 20th, 1913. On Thursday the bazaar was opened by Lady Dynevor, and on Saturday by Mr. F. Gilbertson, on behalf of Mrs. Gilbertson, who was unable to be present owing to indisposition. Mr. Gilbertson was accompanied by Miss Gilbertson. A beautiful bouquet was presented to Lady Dynevor by Miss Hay, and to Miss Gilbertson by Miss L. Evans."

The Receipts and other information was also given in the Cwmamman Parish Magazine.

Also from the October 1913 edition, regarding St. Margaret's Church, Glanamman:

"The New Curate.-Mr Oliver Davies has commenced at Glanamman as our new curate. We are very glad that he has come among us. He comes with a very good report from his native parish of Llangennech. We hope that he will like the place, and that the place will like him. He has, we are glad to say, made a good beginning. Signs of improvement are already visible. We know that he will receive a warm reception by the kind-hearted Glanammanites. He needs the whole-hearted support of one and all, and we feel convinced that he will get it. May the Father in Heaven bless his advent to the parish for His own eternal glory, and please do not forget to pray for him and for us all."

From the November 1913 edition:

"Harvest Festival - These services were held on Sunday and Monday, October 12th and 13th. The preachers were the Revs. Thompson Jenkyns, Manordeilo; T. Geler Jones, Llangennech; and R. Roberts, Llandilo. The sermons delivered by the three were excellent, full of the gospel, and inspiring. The congregations were good, especially so on Sunday evening, when the Church was overcrowded........"
The article continued......"The offertories were for the Church Pastoral Aid Society. We receive an annual grant of £60 for the stipend of the Cwmgorse Curate from this admirable Society upon the condition that we return to it £20 a year......"

"English Services.-It is our intention to start English Services in the evening in Garnant School soon. There are a large number of Englishmen and English women in this district who seldom or never go to any place of worship. Their excuse is that they have nowhere to go. Now, when these services are commenced we hope that they will be supported by one and all of our English friends. This additional service will naturally entail extra labour on the clergy, but they are prepared to do all they can in the matter. When these services are started the evening service in the Parish Church will be entirely in Welsh. This will be a great gain to the Welsh portion of the district. The bilingual services at their best ar unsatisfactory, and if the two languages can be separated it should be done. With the help of both the Welsh and the English section this new departure will be a thorough success. We appeal to all to aid us in this matter, for our only object is to benefit both parties. May God be with us in our efforts, and then they are bound to turn out well."

"Senghenydd Relief Fund.-The collections at St. Margaret's on Sunday last were devoted to Senghenydd Relief Fund. We are glad to be able to inform our readers that the collections amounted to £1 13s. 8d."

Figures published in the December edition of the Cwmamman Parish Magazine showed that £2 8s. 11d. was also collected at Christchurch and £1 13s. 2d. was collected at Llanfair Church. for the Lord Mayor of Cardiff's fund (Senghenydd Relief Fund).

From the December 1913 edition:

"ST. DAVID'S MISSION CHURCH,
TAIRGWAITH

This new Mission Church will be open on Monday next, December 11th, by the Lord Bishop of St. David's. The order of services will be as follows:-

2.30 p.m. The opening service by the Bishop.
6 p.m. Service and Sermons by the Revs. A. Britten, Gorslas, and R. Williams, Llandilo.

The Services will be continued on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday by the Rev. Canon William Williams, Jeffreyston. The order of the Services will be:-

Sunday, December 14 -10.30, Service and Sermon; 2 p.m., Address to Sunday School; 3.15 p.m. Men's Meeting; 6 p.m., Service and Sermon.
Monday, December 15 -10.30, Women's Service at Cwmgorse; 6.30, Service and Sermon at St. David's Mission Church.
Tuesday, December 16 -10.30, Women's Service at St. Margaret's Church, Glanamman; 6.30 p.m., Service and Sermon at St. David's Mission Church.
Sunday, December 14 -8.15 a.m., Holy Communion at Christ Church, Garnant and address by Canon Williams.

Canon Williams may be able to stay over Wednesday. In that case there will be a service at St. David's Mission Church at 10.30 for women, and at 6.30 service and sermon. The services althrough will be as far as possible in English and Welsh. We earnestly hope that constant prayer will be made for the blessing of God to rest upon all the services."

Again from the December 1913 edition under the heading: "St. Margaret's Church, Glanamman."

"Sewing Class. - The sewing class is going ahead and work is now in full swing. These classes are being held at the Parsonage every Thursday evening at 6.30..."
The article also paid tribute to the caretaker: "Our thanks are also due to Mrs. Edwards, our caretaker, who sees to the cleaning of the room and the lighting of the fires, etc...."

"Choir Practices. -It is encouraging to think that the practices on Wednesday and Sunday evenings are now being well attended. On a Sunday evening we have as many as fifty and on a Wednesday evening they number between twenty and twenty-five. We can assure you that our Choir Master (Mr. David Morgan) is highly pleased and we are glad to hear that the appeals made by our Curate have not been in vain. Signs are not wanting to prove that the singing at St. Margaret's will soon be of a high standard."

"Savings Bank.-We wish to draw the attention of the readers of this Magazine to the inauguration of a "Savings Bank" in connection with our Sunday School. This scheme will come into force on the first Sunday in January. Every member of our Sunday School will be at liberty to procure a card at the nominal charge of one penny, and this will entitle every such member to deposit any desired sum. The money deposited will be returned a few days before Christmas, 1914. This scheme, besides teaching us the important lesson of thrift, will, we believe, instil punctuality and regularity of attendance."

From the January 1914 edition, regarding the new church at Tai'rgwaith:

"OPENING OF THE CHURCH

This important event came off on Monday, December 11th, 1913. The Lord Bishop of St. David's performed the opening services in the afternoon, and delivered an appropriate sermon. The Bishop was very pleased with the Church, which he thought was well planned and constructed. In the evening the Revs. A. Britten, Vicar of Gorslas, and R. Williams, Vicar of Llandilo, preached in Welsh and English respectively. Mr. Tom Jones presided at the organ, and Mr. Baker was in charge of the singing. Between the afternoon and evening services the kind ladies of Tai'rgwaith provided a splendid tea for the visitors at the Federation Hall which was lent for the occasion by the committee in charge. We thank the Committee for their kindness. The ladies, of course, deserve our thanks for all the work they did to make the tea and everything else a success. On Sunday, Monday and Tuesday following, the services were continued by the Rev. Canon William Williams, Rector of Jeffreyston. Canon Williams also gave addresses on Monday and Tuesday at Garnant, Cwmgorse, and Glanamman. The services throughout were very well attended, and the presence of God was with us. We hope and pray that this new Mission Church will be the means of saving many a soul to life eternal."

The names of the officials at the new St. David's Church at Tai'rgwaith are listed on a seperate webpage.

Also from the January 1914 edition:

"CHRISTMAS DAY

Services were held in the Church at 8.30, 10.30, and 6 o'clock. The attendance was unsatisfactory. The majority of the Churchpeople in the valley think nothing about keeping the day when the Saviour of the world was born, as the Universal Church has always meant it to be kept. The day is given up almost entirely to secular pleasure -to football and other pleasures. No real Churchman would turn his back upon the services of the Church on such a day, and devote his time to worldly enjoyment, innocent enough, in themselves, no doubt. No one believes in physical recreation more than we do, but this must be kept, like everything else, within proper bounds. Surely the Saviour of the World deserves to have this day kept to His memory. The slackness in attendance at places of worship on such a day is, we suppose, one of the signs of this materialistic age. We deplore the indifference. The Church was prettily decorated by Mrs. Evans, Mrs. Rowlands, Miss Williams, Messrs. Edgar Rees and George Williams."

From the August 1914 edition:

"THE WAR.

We wish to say one word about this deplorable and terrible catastrophe which has befallen our country and the whole of Europe. Our churches will be open during the war for private prayer. We hope many will take advantage of this opportunity to go to God's House to pray on behalf of our country and the world generally. More can be done by prayer, if we believe, than on the field of battle. Let us all fight on our knees for the success of our country and her allies, and that the conflict will soon be put an end to by God, Who rules over all things. We also appeal to one and all to keep cool during this most serious time, and do nothing for which we shall afterwards be sorry. May everything result in bringing us all nearer to God in our hearts and lives."

From the September 1914 edition:

"St. Margaret's is now the proud possessor of a surpliced choir. The choristers wore the surplices for the first time on Sunday last, and already there has been a decided improvement in the singing."

From the November 1914 edition:

"Sewing Class. -The ladies are working hard now with a parcel for the St. John's Ambulance Society. They have already sent good parcels for the Red Cross Society, and for the families of the soldiers and sailors in the county. The ladies in connection with each of the Churches have been busily knitting for the same object. We thank them all most heartily for their labour of love."

Also from the September 1914 edition:

"The War. -May we again urge upon all Churchpeople the duty of prayer. Prayer has accomplished mighty things, and will do so again. We are happy to be able to say that Churchpeople do more than pray in defence of our Country. Eighty per cent of our brave sailors, and nearly 80 per cent of our noble soldiers are Churchpeople. Where are our Nonconformist friends? Fifty years of preaching against war, we are afraid, has made them lukewarm in their patriotism. They must either buckle up, or else give up singing, "Mae hên wlad fy Nhadau," etc."

From the October 1914 edition:

An article on Parochial Church Finance, showing how the scheme of the St. David's Diocesan Board of Finance affects the Parish.

From the November 1914 edition:

"CWMAMMAN CHURCH CYCLING CLUB.

President -Mr. Wardlaw.
Vice-President -Mr. Beanland.
Treasurer -Mr. J. Powell.
Secretary -Mr. B. Ward

The above Club was formed at a meeting held at the Parsonage, Glanamman, on October 20th, when officials were appointed, and the object of the Club generally discussed. It is intended that the C.C.C.C. shall be a Goodfellowship Brigade of Pedallers, and runs will be arranged for Saturday afternoons to old Churches and various places of interest in the surrounding country. Special facilities will be afforded for members to view the Churches and learn any interesting historical facts connected therewith. The Club is open to all cycling parishioners, and it is hoped that many will join at once to ensure a strong Brigade by next spring, when a fixture card and a strong programme will be published. The first run will be on Saturday, Nov. 7th (weather permitting), to Llandilo-Talybont Church (Pontardulais). The Vicar, the Rev. W. Morgan, B.A., will conduct the party through the Church. Start from the Square, Glanamman, at 3 o'clock prompt. Tea in Pontardulais. All are invited, to make the initial run a success.
-B. Ward, Sec."

From the December 1914 edition

"SOCIAL.

May we call attention to this event, which is to come off in Garnant School on the evening of New Year's day next. The tickets are out and are being sold well. The proceeds will be given to the Clergy Fund. We feel very grateful to those who have taken this matter up. The Fund is in debt, and special efforts will be made to wipe this off before Easter next."

Also from the December 1914 edition, regarding Christ Christchurch, Garnant:

"CHRISTMAS DAY.

Order of Services. -6.30 a.m., Welsh service; 10.30 a.m., English service; 6 p.m., Sunday School gathering in School, when prizes will be given for the best attendance."

From the December 1914 edition, under the heading: "St. Margaret's Church, Glanamman":

"Services for Christmas Day.

We would draw the attention of our Church people to the Services for Christmas Day:-
Plygain at 6 a.m.
Matins and Sermon at 11 a.m.
Evensong at 6 p.m.

We also hope to have a "Watch-night" Service on December 31st (New Year's Eve), at 11 o'clock. It is to be hoped that all will make it their duty to be present at some of these services."

The Disestablishment of the Church in Wales

The Cwmamman Parish Magazine for 1913 and 1914 contained several articles regarding the controversial disestablishment and disendowment of the Church in Wales from the Church of England.

Thanks to Kevin Madge for allowing me to borrow his 1913-14 edition of the Cwmamman Parish Magazine, which may now be the only one in existance.