Nantlais

Qualities: Determination

                 Leadership

                 Confidence 

Chosen Charity: Joseph's Smile. For more information, click here.

Named in memory of: The Reverend William Nantlais Williams 

Born: 1874, Pencader       Died: 1959

Family: Nantlais was the youngest of ten children. He had to leave school aged 12 when his brother died to take up an apprenticeship as a weaver.

Occupation:  He started to preach at the age of twenty and became a minister at Bethany Chapel in Ammanford in 1900. He was minister there until his retirement in 1944.

He was a poet and  well sought after speaker at conferences all over Wales and his Welsh language poetry won him various prizes including several bardic chairs and the Chair of the National Eisteddfod in 1902.

He was an important writer and hymn writer, particularly hymns for children. He also published a number of children's songs, as well as other musical works. He was awarded for his work by the University of Wales when he received an honorary MA in 1958.

News: Congratulations to Nantlais for raising over £1000 for Joseph's Smile after the highly successful Go Green for Joseph's Smile Day on 9th April. A few photos of the day can be viewed below.