The work of one of Britain's greatest sculptors of the early part of the 20th century is represented at St. Brynach's Church, Llanboidy - namely William Goscombe John (writes Bob Innes). Cardiff-born, his work can be seen at the National Museum of Wales, most notably his magnificent bronze of St. John the Baptist, and at George Square in Glasgow, where his bronze of Prime Minister William Gladstone can be viewed. In 1891, John's marble lady 'Grief' was commissioned as a funerary monument to the Carmarthenshire MP, Walter Rice Powell. It was carved in London from a single block of imported Italian marble. The marble very probably came from the Southern Appenine region of Italy. At present, the monument is in very poor condition and it is very awkward for the church and its congregation to maintain the piece. The Rev. Jeffrey Gainor has written to institutions about funding restoration of this genuinely great work with no luck. When approached about the restoration of the sculpture in Llanboidy, there was a negative response from the National Museum of Wales, but the keeper of art, Oliver Fairclough, admitted that William Goscombe John's role was very important in the history of the national museum and said that he would contact the Llanboidy Parish Council with some information to the value of piece. Sir William Goscombe John donated many of his works to the National Museum of Wales and helped the national collection acquire many other works by other artists. It may be argued it is one of the great permanent displays of a single sculptor's work in European museums.
