Welsh Journals

Newport & Monmouthshire Literary Club Primrose. Hockey In January 1947, the then Mayor of Newport, Alderman Tyack, received a letter from Messrs. Foyles, booksellers, of Charing Cross Road London, suggesting that Newport might be interested in following the lead given by other large towns, in forming a Literary Club. This firm would assist in supplying lecturers from their own Literary Club Agency which enrolled, amongst others, authors whose books they had published. Alderman Tyack approached two prominent citizens, viz. Messrs T. J. Webley, the Principal of the Caerleon Teachers' Training College, and George Hoare, then Editor of the South Wales Argus. After some consultation the Argus advertised a public meeting to discuss the proposition. This was held in the old Town Hall of Newport under the chairmanship of Mr. T. Webley. It was well attended, and it was unanimously decided that Newport should have a Literary Club, but that a dinner club was preferable to a luncheon club. Mr Webley was appointed chairman, Mr G. Hoare deputy chairman, Mrs Iris Webley honorary secretary, Mr. C. T. Walters honorary treasurer and Miss Dorothy Lloyd Davies minute secretary (which position she held until her untimely death in 1985). Volunteers formed a committee, and it was decided that a number of prominent people should be invited to become officers of the club. Before long the Lord Lieutenant of Monmouthshire, the Lord Raglan, had become Patron of the society, and the Mayor, Alderman Tyack, had accepted the office of President. These two offices have been held by the successive Lords Lieutenant and Mayors.