MAYORS OF CARDIGAN.

Cardigan was first granted permission to have a “Mayor-escheator” in a Royal letter from King Richard II in September 1395, and in 1396 we hear of the first person to hold that position – John Herri. Herri was descended from Flemish wool traders who had lived in Cardigan for well over a century. His descendants were the Webley-Parry family of Noyadd-Trefawr who still have a few blood relatives in the area. Later medieval mayors included Owain Mortimer of Coedmore and members of the Blakeney family. In 1647 James Phillips of the Priory was given the gift of two silver communion cups which had belonged to Charles I. These were presented to him by Oliver Cromwell for supporting the Parliamentarian cause during the Civil War. He had them made into the maces which are still carried on ceremonial occasions in the town to this day.

 

 

 

On 9^th May 1653 the first Cardigan Borough Council was formed at a Court Leet held at Cardigan Castle. This body was designed to assist the Mayor, who would be elected annually from their number. Mayor-making took place in November for many years, before switching to May in the mid 20^th Century. For the next two centuries, the mayors of the town were members of the local gentry, many of whom lived a considerable distance away. Although these men were generous to the town and worked hard to improve it, there were inevitably complaints of corruption as the body was self-elected. The Reform Bill of 1832 and later acts saw them gradually lose control of town politics to the business classes and later, to anybody able to get elected by popular vote. Rather than new councillors being co-opted by the existing ones, there were proper democratic elections. Richard David Jenkins, a popular Cardigan solicitor who was raised in St. Dogmaels, lived for many years in the Priory, and retired to his family seat at Cilbronnau, occupied the position of Mayor no less than fourteen times! It was he who laid the foundation stone of the town’s Guildhall and Market complex in 1858.

 

 

 

Cardigan lost its’ Borough status in 1974 and Cardigan Borough Council ceased to exist. Cardigan Town Council was formed and decided to continue the Mayoral tradition. Cllrs Ivor Radley and Owen M Owen were amongst those who stayed from the old Borough days and served their terms as Mayor of the town. Re-elected in 1976 after a short break, having served on the Borough Council in 1972-4, was Cllr Gwynfi Jenkins – the longest-serving member of the present body, and himself made Mayor on three occasions.

The Mayors of Cardigan 

 

1396-1653 – Mayor-Escheators

 

John Herri (1395-96)

 

John Madog (1414)

 

John Smyth (1415)

 

William Blakeney (1416; 1423; 1444)

 

John Harry (1417)

 

Roger Mortimer of Coedmore (1418)

 

Philip Cole (1419; 1425)

 

Owain Mortimer of Coedmore (1421; 1431; 1434)

 

John Hywel (1422)

 

Jankyn Harry (1428; 1440)

 

John (Jankyn) Wareyn (1429)

 

Thomas Madog (1432; 1439)

 

William Burghill (1441; 1445)

 

Philip ap Maredudd (1448)

 

Owain ab Einon (1456; 1463)

 

Maurice Madog (1457; 1473; 1475)

 

William Harry (1465; 1472)

 

Thomas Fychan ap Dafydd ap Thomas (1466)

 

Jankyn Blakeney (1467)

 

Hywel ab Einion (1474)

 

Richard Mortimer of Coedmore (1480; ?1514)

 

Philip Tucker (1485)

 

Philip Bennayth (1486; 1492; 1514)

 

Dafydd Lewis (1492)

 

Llewelyn ap Gruffydd ap Hywel (1515)

 

John Mortimer of Coedmore (1525)

 

David Gwin (1586)

 

Richard Mortimer of ?Coedmore (1602)

 

David Scourlogge (1643-44)

 

1653-1974 – Mayors of the Borough.

 

David Morgan (1652-53)

 

James Lewis of Coedmore, Llechryd (1653-4)

 

Thomas Parry of Plas Newydd, St Dogmaels (1654-5)

 

Rees Gwyn of Cardigan (1655-6); (1660-2)

 

Hector Phillips of Tregibby (1656-7); (1666-7); (1677-8)

 

Abel Griffine (of Manian Fawr, St Dogmaels???) (1657-8); (1663-4)

 

Robert Lloyd, St John’s Hold (Angel Hotel), St Mary Street (1658-9); (1673-4)

 

Hugh Bowen of Crugbychan, Ferwig (1659-1660)

 

Richard Johnes (1662-3)

 

John Morris (1664-5); (1674-5); (1684-5); (1687-8); (1694-7)

 

Thomas Lewis of Crugmore (1665-6); (1675-6); (1678-9)

 

Reynolds Jenkins of Blaenpant, Llandygwydd (1667-8)

 

Matthew Griffiths (of Manian Fawr, St Dogmaels???) (1668-9); (1681-2)

 

Bartholemew Young of Tregaman, Nevern (1669-1670)

 

James Lloyd of Cilrhue (1670-2); (1679-80)

 

Arthur Bateman (1672-3)

 

Henry Thomas (1676-7)

 

Richard Lewis (1680-1)

 

Hector Morgan of Plas Aberporth (1682-3)

 

John Bowen of Crugbychan, Ferwig (1683-4)

 

Henry Steadman of Strata Florida (1685-6)

 

David Howells (1686-7); (1707-8)

 

William Parry (1688-9)

 

Charles Lewis (1689-90)

 

Henry Davies, No. 2 High Street (1690-1); (1698-1700); (1704-5); (1711-2)

 

Richard Owens of Rhiw Saeson (1691-2)

 

John Knolles of Ynyshir (1692-3); (1703-4)

 

Samuel Hughes of Crugmore (1693-4)

 

Edward Phillips of the Priory and Tregibby (1697-8); (1701-2); (1706-7); (1715-7)

 

David Jones of Cardigan (1700-1701); (1705-6)

 

James Steadman of Glandovan and Strata Florida (1702-3)

 

John Parry of Noyadd Trefawr, Llandygwydd (1708-9)

 

Walter Lloyd of the Priory and Coedmore, Llechryd (1709-1711); (1714-5); (1718-9); (1720-22)

 

Thomas Knolles of Wenallt (1712-3)

 

Lewis Pryse of Gogerddan (1713-4)

 

Stephen Parry of Noyadd Trefawr (1717-18)

 

Abel Griffiths of Pantybettws (1719-20); (1725-6)

 

Thomas Pryse of Gogerddan (1722-3); (1726-7); (1728-9); (1735-6)

 

Thomas Lloyd of Coedmore, Llechryd (1723-4); (1729-30)

 

William Parry (1724-5)

 

William Jones of Cardigan (1727-8)

 

Richard Pryse of Gogerddan (1730-1); (1732-3); (1737-8); (1739-40); (1742-3)

 

John Lewis of Tredefaid, Llantood, or Llwyngrawys, Llangoedmore (1731-2)

 

James Lewis of Gellidywyll (1733-4); (1740-1); (1744-5)

 

Thomas Davies (1734-5); (1736-7)

 

Richard Davies (1738-9)

 

Thomas Lloyd of Bronwydd (1741-2); (1749-50); (1752-3); (1754-5)

 

David Lewis of Dolhaidd (1743-4)

 

David Parry of Noyadd Trefawr, Llandygwydd (1745-6); (1747-8)

 

John Lloyd of Coedmore House, St Mary Street (1746-7); (1748-9); (1750-1); (1759-60); (1761-2);

(1763-4); (1765-6)

 

Walter Lloyd of Coedmore, Llechryd (1751-2); (1766-7); (1770-1); (1772-3); (1776-7); (1781-2)

 

George Bowen of Llwyngwair, nr Newport (1753-4); (1758-9); (1760-1)

 

William Morgan (1755-6); (1757-8)

 

John Davies (1756-7)

 

John Pugh Pryse of Gogerddan (1762-3); (1769-1770)

 

Owen Brigstocke of Blaenpant, Llandygwydd (1764-5); (1771-2)

 

John Lewis of Llanllear (1767-8); (1773-4); (1780-1)

 

Thomas Lloyd of Cwmgloyne, Pembs. (1768-9); (1775-6); (1777-8); (1784-6); (1789-90)

 

Thomas Colby of Rhosygilwen, Cilgerran (1774-5)

 

William Lewes of Llysnewydd, Henllan (1778-9); (1783-4); (1790-1); (1794-5); (1811-2)

 

James Bowen of Llwyngwair, nr Newport (1779-80); (1782-3); (1786-7); (1793-4); (1805-6); (1807-08)

 

David Edward Lewis Lloyd of Dolhaidd and Plas Llangoedmore (1787-88)

 

William Owen Brigstocke of Blaenpant, Llandygwydd (1788-9); (1815-6)

 

Llywellyn Parry of Gernos, Llandysul (1791-2); (1795-6)

 

John Davies, surgeon, Cardigan (1792-3)

 

Colonel Owen Lloyd of Abertrinant (1796-7); (1798-9); (1803-4); (1810-11)

 

Thomas Lloyd of Coedmore, Llechryd (1797-8); (1802-3)

 

John Bowen of the Priory (1799-1801); (1804-5); (1806-7)

 

Essex Bowen of Berry, Newport (1801-2); (1814-5)

 

George Price of Pigeonsford, Llangrannog (1808-9); (1812-3)

 

John Vaughan of Tyllwyd (1809-10)

 

Griffith Jones (1813-4)

 

Thomas Lloyd of Cilrhue (1816-7)

 

Thomas Lewis of Clynfiew (1817-8); (1834-5)

 

Thomas Lloyd of Coedmore, Llechryd (1818-9); (1822-3).

 

William Henry Webley-Parry of Noyadd Trefawr, Llandygwydd (1819-1820)

 

David Arthur Saunders Davies of Pentre (1820-1)

 

Thomas Bowen of Llwyngwair, nr Newport (1821-2); (1824-5); (1830-1)

 

William Owen Brigstocke the younger of Blaenpant, Llandygwydd (1823-4)

 

William Lewis of Llanerchaeron (1825-6)

 

James Richard Lewis Lloyd of Dolhaidd, Henllan (1826-7)

 

Thomas Howell of Glaspant (1827-8)

 

John Lewes of Llanllear (1828-9)

 

John Vaughan Lloyd of Tyllwyd (1829-30)

 

George Bowen Jordan Price of Pigeonsford, Llangrannog (1831-2)

 

Herbert Vaughan of Plas Llangoedmore (1832-3)

 

Thomas Lloyd of Bronwydd (1833-4)

 

Oliver Lloyd, Solicitor, Coedmore House, St Mary Street (1835-8)

 

Thomas George Nugent, surgeon, Pendre (1838-9)

 

Patrick Brown, Merchant, Tintern Cottage (Imperial House), Church Street (1839-40)

 

David Jenkins, gentleman, High Street (1840-1); (1842-3); (1845-6)

 

Richard David Jenkins, solicitor, Priory and Cilbronnau, Llangoedmore (1841-2); (1843-4); (1846-7);

(1849-50); (1855-60); (1863-4); (1865-6); (1867-9); (1884-5)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

David Davies Castle Green (1844-5)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

William Phillips, Spirit Merchant, Cross House, High Street (1847-8)

 

Thomas Windsor, Bank House, 6 High Street (1848-9); (1851-2)

 

Thomas Edwards, sail-maker, Bridge-End. (1850-1)

 

Thomas Davies Merchant, Bank House, High Street (1852-3); (1860-3); (1885-6)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

William Griffith George, solicitor, Parcypratt (1853-4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John Davies M A, Bank House, High Street (1854-5)

 

Dr. William Lane Noott, Judge’s Lodgings, High Street (1864-5); (1866-7)

 

John Thomas, surgeon, 58 Pendre (1869-71); (1878-9)

 

John James Jones grocer and ironmonger, 3 Bridge Parade (1871-2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

William Williams Smith, solicitor, 8 St Mary Street (1872-3)

 

Levi James, ironmonger, 40 St Mary Street (1873-5); (1886-7)

 

Asa Johnes Evans solicitor, 3 Green Street and Penralltcadwgan, Cilgerran (1875-7)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

James Williams, ironmonger, 5 Priory Street (1877-8)

 

William Woodward Manger of Cardigan Brickworks and Foundry, Caerleon House, Pendre (1879-80)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lewis Evans, chemist, 17 High Street (1880-1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dr J M Phillips Priory Street/Bank House, 6 High Street (1881-2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert E Rees, grocer, High Street (1882-3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joseph Rees, chemist, High Street (1883-4)

 

Jacob Trollip, landlord Black Lion Hotel, High Street (1887-8)

 

Rev. William Jones, Calvinistic Methodist preacher, 6 Castle Street (1888-9)

 

O Beynon Evans house decorator, 46 Pendre (1889-90)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

David Davies wine and spirit merchant, The Ship, Pendre (1890-2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Evan Caredig Evans, chemist, 11 High Street (1892-3); (1910-11)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John Conwynson Roberts, printer and stationer, 10 High Street and Eben’s Lane (1893-4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ivor Evans, solicitor, 3 Green Street and Penralltcadwgan, Cilgerran (1894-5); (1911-2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Benjamin James, carriage-builder, Bath House (1895-6)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

William J Williams, solicitor, 1 High Street (1896-7)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Charles Evan Davis Morgan-Richardson, solicitor, Noyaddwilym, Llangoedmore (1897-1900)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

David Ivor Evans, Netpool Farm (1900-1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arthur Clougher, stationer and bookseller, 18 High Street (1901-2); (1916-7)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Captain T Howell Williams, 21 Northgate Terrace, North Road (1902-3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edward Mathias, draper and tailor, ‘Bon Marche’ 12/13 High Street (1903-4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John Daniel, cabinet maker, 19 High Street (1904-5); (1914)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thomas Watkins, Rocklands (1905-6)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Evan Bowen, grocer, Tea Exchange, Guildhall Square (1906-7)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John Evans, auctioneer, High Street and Castle Green (1907-8); (1917-20); (1931-2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Samuel Young M A, Bronwydd House, 9 St Mary Street (1908-9); (1921-2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John Davies, Hill-side, Bridge End (1909-10)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

R W Picton Evans, Argoed (1912-4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Griffith H Mathias, Company Secretary of Cardigan Gas Co., 7 Priory Street (1914-5)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

D T James, ironmonger, Gwalia House (1915-6)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Benjamin O Gwynne, grocer, 7 Castle Street (1920-1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dan Williams, Y Bwthyn, Park Avenue (1922-3); (1936-7)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

David Davies, solicitor, 25 Quay Street (1923-4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

David Charles cabinet-maker, 1 Lion Terrace (1924-5)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John Evans Jones Siop Penbont Bakery, 26 Castle Street (1925-6); (1938-9); (1956-7)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John Evans C M, Mainstone, North Road (1926-7); (1940-1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Captain James Davies, Craiglee Park Place (1927-8)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

William Charles Davies, J P, Hyfrydle, Gwbert Road (1928-9)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tom Jones Trebarred (1929-30)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hugh Ladd auctioneer, Belmont, North Road (1930-1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

David Williams, Garth, Park Place (1932-3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

David Benjamin James, Hazelhurst (1933-4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

David Jenkins, Hill-Side, Ropeyard Hill, Bridge-End, Cardigan (1934-5)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

James Thomas, landlord, ‘Commercial Hotel’, Pendre (1935-6); (1953-4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arthur Howell Thomas, Ealing Dene, North Road (1937-8); (1957-8)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jack G Jenkins, tailor, 54 Pendre (1939-40)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

James T Davies (‘Jimmy Shell’), Court Hope, Feidrhenffordd (1941-2); (1955-6)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

William James Morgan, Headmaster of Cardigan Board School, Board School House, Pendre (1942-3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rosina Davies, 38 High Street (1943-4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thomas Evans Headmaster of Cardigan County School (1944-5)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tom James, Queen’s Bakery, Pendre (1945-6)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rowland Ll ‘Rowly’ Peregrine, Headmaster of Cardigan National School (1946-7)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jenkin Richards, Police Inspector, Cardigan Police Station, Priory Street (1947-9)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aneurin James, Stepside (1949-50)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

J R Daniel, T. M. Daniel’s, Priory Street (1950-1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lieutenant-Colonel E Harewood-Williams, Penrallt, Aberporth – not a Councillor (1951-2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fred Lewis, Fishing Tackle Shop, 10 Pendre (1952-3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Griffith John James, Finch Square (1954-5)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cyril ‘Bunny’ Lloyd, accountant, Priory Street  – lived at Cnwcydintir (1958-9)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

L Cliff Roberts, Tenby Road (1959-60)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Albert ‘Bertie’ Hallam Priory Café, Priory Street (1960-1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ivor Radley proprietor ‘Queen’s Bakery’, Pendre (1961-2); (1967-8); (1974-5); (1980-2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

D W ‘Willie’ Lloyd, Manager of Cardigan Mercantile Company Yard (1962-3)

 

Olwen M Adams, Napier Street (1963-4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

William G Jones, SWEB, Mayor of Carmarthen several times (1964-5)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

William A Jenkins, Managing Director, Cardigan Mercantile Company (1965-6)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Britt Griffiths, publican, The Ship, Pendre (1966-7)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rev. Percy Griffiths, Greenland Meadows (1968-9)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thomas T Lloyd, Feidrfair (1969-70)

 

D Terry Thomas, schoolmaster, Cardigan County School (1970-1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Miss Sara R Owen, Bodowen, North Road (1971-2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

J G Watts, Y Bwthyn, Park Avenue (1972-3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Berwyn Williams Hardware Stores, 14 Pendre (1973-4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mayors of Cardigan Town 1974-

 

Owen M Owen, milk deliveries, Maesglas shop (1975-7); (1989-90)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hugh Morgan, chemist, 20b High Street (1977-8)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aneurin Jones, artist, North Road (1978-9)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

H Gwynfi Jenkins, schoolmaster, Cardigan County School (1979-80); (1987-8); (1990-1); (2013- 14 )

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Frances Mason, bookseller, formerly 1 High Street (1982-3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

J B Evans, Gotrel estate (1983-4); (1986-7)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Llwyd Edwards, architect, The Old Stables, St Mary Street (1984-5); (1999-2000)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eileen Lloyd-Jones Glenroy, Bridge Street (1985-6); (1992-3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sandra Williams, Warren Farm (1988-9)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Barbara Myers, The Gas Shop, Pendre (1991-2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Neville Williams, Warren Farm (1993-4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dai M B Davies, Penlan (1994-5)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derek Gadsby, Clos-y-Graig, Mwnt (1995-6)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Julian Beynon-Lewis, Caemorgan Mansion (1996-7)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mair Morris, Lwyniod (1997-8); (2010-11)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

David Grace, The Laurels, Gwbert Road (1998-9)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trefor T Griffiths, Yr Hen Reithrdy, Llangoedmore (2000-1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John Adams-Lewis, Feidrhenffordd (2001-2) (2005-06)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Linda Grace, The Laurels, Gwbert Road (2002-3) (2004-5) (2008-09)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. David Lloyd Owen, Trewindsor, Llangoedmore (2003-4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wynne Evans (2006-07)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

T Melfydd George (2007-08)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mark Cole (2009-10)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Catrin Miles, Brecon Terrace, St Dogmaels Road  (2011-13)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Graham Evans (2014-

 

(c) Glen K Johnson 15/04/2014