Welsh Journals

THE HISTORY OF PRINTING IN MONTGOMERYSHIRE 1789-1960 (Continued from Vol. 72, 1984) THE PRINTERS OF LLANIDLOES — 1827-1960 J. lORWERTH DAVIES. F.L.A. Llanidloes, swyn yr oesau yw ei meib, A thra mawr eu doniau Llanidloes i'n hoes sy'n hau Rhif o ddilwfr feddyliau Llanidloes was formerly a manufacturing centre of some repute and became well known for its yarn which was woven into fine wool. Some derelict mills remain in the area as a reminder of a more affluent past. A flannel market was established there in 1836, but it never attained the importance of Newtown1, another of the 'Factory towns' of the early nineteenth century which, like Llanidloes, retained its essentially rural character.' There has not been any marked fluctuation in the former Borough's population between 1831, when it was 2,562 to the present day when the number of inhabitants living in Llanidloes is in the region of 2,500. During the early part of that century the town became known as 'Llan Llenorion' or village of writers because of the vigorous literary activities of its young people3. It was also one of the most able figure was David Jenkin Hughes, a master printer4. The Chartist riot of 1839 at Llanidloes is one of the most notable landmarks in the town's history5. After this incident, enlarging the circulation of their compositions'. The literary andmusical tradition has not entirely died out at Llanidloes and dramatic and musical societies still flourish and one gathers the impression that the town is a centre of considerable intellectual activity. The 19th century Chartists in the town also had a literary side and favourite works read at their meetings were those of Thomas Paine and the Weekly Despatch The Chartist secretary and most able figure was David Jenkin Hughes, a master printer4. The Chartist riot of 1839 at Llanidloes is one of the most notable landmarks in the town's history (5 After this incident, however, nothing more is known about Hughes and, if he did return to Llanidloes, he does not appear to have been in business on his own. The comparative remoteness of Llanidloes probably accounts for the late arrival of printing there. It was the last town in Montgomeryshire to establish a printing office and its introduction came by accident rather than to fulfil any particular local need. WELSH WESLEYAN METHODIST BOOKROOM, 1827-1836 In 1827, after printing the October issue of Yr Eurgrawn Wesleyaidd, the committee of the Welsh Wesleyan Methodist Bookroom decided to move its printing press, 'Ashton, O. R. Chartism in Mid-Wales, in Montgomeryshire Collections, vol. 62, 1971.p.11. 2vHamer, E. A parochial account of Llanidloes in Montgomeryshire Collections, vol. 5, 1872.p. 18. 3Edwards, O. M. Llanllenorion, in Cymru, vol. 335, 1908.p.107. 4Ashton, O. R. op.cit.p.22. Hbid. pp.334.335.