Welsh Journals

Royal Mint photo. THE NEW PRESIDENTIAL INSIGNIA A new President's Insignia has been acquired during 1998. It was worn for the first time by our President, Mr R.C.Hastie, at the indoor events of the Jubilee weekend at Clyne Castle in July. The new silver medallion follows an initial design by Gordon and Beryl Howe incorporating motifs relevant to Gower, including ears of corn; a cockle-shell; a twin-towered gateway and the badge of the Lordship, with the words "Cyfeillion Gwyr". The casting was carried out by the Royal Mint, from a plaster original made by Emma Noble, who had studied at the Swansea Institute of Higher Education where she graduated in 1997 with first class honours in General Illustration. Her work and the service provided by the Royal Mint were both of the highest standard and the new Presidential Insignia can be worn with pride by our Presidents for many years to come. THE CHAIRMAN'S JUBILEE In his article at the beginning of this volume of Gower, Malcolm Ridge, our Chairman, has outlined many of the wide range of celebratory activities which have marked this special year. In that account he pays tribute to the members who have helped to make these events such a memorable success. Characteristically, his account says little of the major role which he has himself played in co-ordinating and participating in so many events, indoors and out, ranging from the impressively formal to the truly informal. His article pays due tribute to the work of others, but here we happily put on record his own major and unstinting contribution to what has been in every way a memorable year.