THE life story of a semi-retired clergyman with strong connections in the Aberystwyth has been launched at a special event in Lampeter.

A native of Glamorganshire, Canon Aled W Williams moved as a young boy with his parents to Llanbadarn Fawr in 1957.

Brought up in a bilingual home, he attended Ysgol Gymraeg Aberystwyth and Ardwyn Grammar School, prior to enrolling at the then University College of Wales in the town, graduating in 1969. During this time he served as chorister, Sunday School teacher and organist at St Padarn’s Church, under the guidance of vicars Lloyd, Parry and Davies.

Following theological training in Cardiff, he was ordained in 1971 to a curacy in Llanelli, subsequently moving to a first incumbency in North Pembrokeshire.

Returning to Cardiganshire in 1981, he was inducted to the parish of Llanddewi Brefi, thence to Lampeter in 2001, serving also as Area Dean and as Canon of St. David’s Cathedral.

Retiring from full-time ministry in 2011, he and his wife Eirian, a native of Llanilar, moved to Llanllwni in Carmarthenshire, retaining, at the same time, family links with the Aberystwyth area.

Aled, it might be said, could be described as something more than the conventional vicar.

His love of rugby saw him play for one of the town’s teams during his short spell as a curate in Llanelli.

He was later able to indulge his interest in agriculture, rearing store cattle and keeping a flock of sheep while living in vicarages with small parcels of land.

See this week’s south editions for the full story, in shops and online now