John Williams

Background

Williams was born in Llanddeiniolen, Caernarfonshire, on 20 August 1924, and was from a farming family.

Career

In his youth, he was a keen football player, and he also worked as a teacher. His activism started when he campaigned against the refusal of Brewer Spinks, an employer in Blaenau Ffestiniog, to permit his staff to speak Welsh. Williams also joined Plaid Cymru.

He was a long-serving councillor on Gwynedd County Council, and was twice the party"s candidate for Anglesey, at the 1970 and 1979 United Kingdom general elections.

Williams later worked at Bangor Normal College, lecturing in Welsh. He wrote a number of books, on history, the Welsh language, and also his autobiography.

Achievements

• This inspired him to become a founder of Undeb y Gymraeg Fyw, and through this organisation was the main organiser of Sioe Gymraeg y Borth (the Welsh show for Menai Bridge using the colloquial form of its Welsh name).

Works

More photos

• book

  • Rare Welsh Bits