Former home of preacher and broadcaster IB Griffith

slate-plaque

Link to Welsh translationFormer home of preacher and broadcaster IB Griffith

Photo of I B Griffith writing at his deskThis corner house was once the home of broadcaster and preacher Ifor Bowen Griffith. He had preached for the first time in Capel Peniel, Mynydd Llandegai, when he was just 17 years old. He continued preaching throughout his life.

“IB”, as he was known to many across Wales, was born on 22 January 1907 in Tregarth, near Bangor. Part of the family home was a doctor’s surgery. Ifor went from school to the university college in Bangor, studying Welsh under Professor Ifor Williams. For seven years from 1930 he taught at a boys’ school in Lewisham, London, then became headmaster of Ysgol y Sarnau in Meirionnydd.

He married Mary Rowena Cadwalader from Porthmadog. They had a son and daughter. In 1944 Ifor was appointed as organiser of the newly formed county youth service for Montgomeryshire, based in Newtown. The family moved to Caernarfon in 1946 when he took the same post for Caernarfonshire, organising youth clubs and activities.

Portrait of I B GriffithHe broadcast on television but preferred radio, where he provided the first Welsh-language commentary on a cricket match! In 1970 he began to present Rhwng Gwyl a Gwaith, a documentary programme which went out every Sunday evening for 20 years.

His literary talents won him many eisteddfod prizes, including a National Eisteddfod medal while he was still a school pupil. He edited his college magazine in Bangor and later contributed to various Welsh newspapers. He chaired the National Eisteddfod’s local organising party twice, when the festival was held in Caernarfon in 1959 and 1979.

David Lloyd George inspired him as a youth, and he joined the Liberal Party. Later he joined Labour, remaining with the party for the rest of his life. He was a town and county councillor, and mayor of Caernarfon several times. Housing was one of his main interests.

He died on 5 May 1990 and was buried in Llanbeblig cemetery.

With thanks to Sara Oliver (Ifor’s daughter) and Caernarfon Civic Society

Postcode: LL55 2RG    View Location Map

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