Recently Mr. Haydn Lewis, trustee of Whitland Memorial Hall, welcomed the vice-chairman of the Carmarthenshire County Council, the Mayor of Whitland, the Mayor and Mayoress of St Clears, the Mayor and Mayoress of Laugharne and Mr. Gerwyn Williams in the presence of representatives of many of the Whitland groups and organisations to the exhibition ’A Glimpse into Whitland’s Past’.

Mr. Gerwyn Williams was then asked to ‘cut the ribbon’ and declare the exhibition open.

All generations were present at the opening, young and old, even some from Victorian times!

A Glimpse into Whitland’s Past had exhibits covering several aspects of Whitland’s past: Iron Age, roman times, Cistercian Abbey (past and present), railways (GWR, Cardi Bach, Teifi Valley), agriculture, creamery, William Mathias, Whitland Week and Carnival, shops and Chamber of Trade, Hywel Dda, etc. as well as displays showing the history of groups as the Whitland Male Voice Choir, Cylch Meithrin, Merched y Wawr, Hoelion Wyth, etc.

There were also a few interesting short and informal talks and storytelling sessions. Mrs. Ivonne Evans talked about her family and her connections with Whitland, Mr. Len Shipton spent some time entertaining his audience with amusing stories, Mr. Roger Penn spoke about his father Dr. G. K. Penn and his years as a GP in Whitland and there was also a chance to meet the daughter of the author of the book ‘Broth Again For Dinner’.

The exhibition, held at Memorial Hall in celebration of Whitland’s nomination as the 2019 Carmarthenshire Town of Culture, had different exhibits from local private collections of photographs, artefacts and memorabilia, which gave it a much loved personal and unique feel.

Gabriela Poore, Memorial Hall co-ordinator, said: “It was very gratifying to see so many people enjoying meeting friends they had not seen in many years.  For example, a couple from Fishguard heard about the exhibition and decided to come over because the husband was from Whitland. 

“People came in, spotted something that triggered a memory, went back home and came back with an addition to the exhibits.  Some ‘popped in’ for a quick browse and two hours later they were still there, many of them coming back the next day to carry on where they left it the day before.”

Amanda McDonald said: “I would personally like to to thank all the people who responded to the call for collections and memorabilia about Whitland and came forward to make this exhibition possible.  Once more the success was due to the people and the stories they tell. I have such a long list of people to thank that it is not possible to name everyone here, but would like to give particular thanks to Mrs. Margarette Hughes, Mr. Gerwyn Williams, Mrs. Anne Bowen, Mr. Dai Davies, Mr. Roy Harverson, Mr. Robert John and Mr. Ron Jenkins MBE for their contributions and help throughout the week.”