OVER 200 people turned out to a special concert in Pwllheli to commemorate one of the town’s most famous people.

Sculptor John Meirion Morris was commissioned by the town council to create a bust (below) of Albert Evans-Jones, known more commonly within Wales by his bardic name of Cynan, who was born in 1895 and raised in Liverpool House.

A special evening was held on Friday, 29 January, at Neuadd Dwyfor to unveil the bust to the community which included performances by pupils from Ysgol Glan y Môr and Ysgol Cymerau, Côr Meibion Dwyfor and Seimon and Ann.

He first made a name for himself with his war poems on the pages of Welsh outlook. In 1921, he won the crown with the Mab y Bwthyn – the most popular poem ever to win that prize, in the opinion of many – and published his first volume of poems, Telyn y Nos, later the same year.

Cynan was joint secretary of the National Eisteddfod Council and the Gorsedd Recorder, he also played a key role in reforming its constitution and modernising its ceremonies.

He was Archdruid twice, the only person to have been elected to the position for a second term.

Town councillor Mici Plwm, who led the evening, said: “The event was a huge success with over 200 people buying tickets to attend.

“We had some of Cynan’s family there on the night and it was great to see children from the primary and secondary schools involved. It was a very successful evening and I hope we can organise something like this again.

“A huge thanks to everyone who attended.”

Cllr Plwm said he was delighted the event could have been held at Neuadd Dwyfor and stressed his disappointment following the news that the building could be closed by Gwynedd Council as it was reported in the Cambrian News that it had been placed on a possible list of service closures.

He said: “I am extremely saddened to hear Neuadd Dwyfor could possibly be closed by the council under proposed service cuts to the future.

“Neuadd Dwyfor is a very important part of the community of Pwllheli and the surrounding area; it is also very popular with tourists who visit during the busier season.

“The bust will also be kept inside Neuadd Dwyfor so we hope it will bring more people to use the venue but if the council choose to close it we will have to look at moving it elsewhere which will be extremely disappointing as the building is very central in the town with easy access for people.

“Pwllheli is the ‘pearl of Pen Llyn’ and is on the up with the opening of the Pen Cob, new sailing academy and Venu – the last thing we need now is to lose an important asset like Neuadd Dwyfor in the town.

“I do hope Gwynedd Council will not go ahead and close Neuadd Dwyfor and I will do everything I can to work with the great staff that run the building and make sure its doors remain open for the public.”