Cylchgronau Cymru

JOHN CONWAY LLOYD was born on 19th April 1878, at Dinas, Brecon, and if there is anything in the belief that the landscape which the infant beholds for the very first time exercises a great influence upon its life, then it can be said of John Conway Lloyd that his first view of the world must have been as pleasant as anything anyone can ever wish to see. Dinas itself is not well situated, but the view eastwards from Dinas is very delightful. Between the wych-elms and the acacia on the lower lawn and the beech trees above the drive may be seen a vista of broad meadows, a flashing glimpse of shining water where the Cynrig joins the Usk, the Highgrove ridge beyond and, in the far background towards Talgarth, Mynydd Troed and the Darren. The immediate foreground is Henry Vaughan's country, although of course Vaughan viewed it from the other side of the Usk valley, from Scethrog. It is the country that Vaughan loved so well and which his American admirer, Miss Guiney, when she first saw it in 1895 described as being as lovely as Eden itself. J.C.L. knew this country and loved it with all his heart. This love which he had for the immediate neighbourhood of Dinas and Abercynrig was the beginning of the love which in time he was to bestow upon the whole county of Brecknock, a love that grew into an all-embracing passion so that he was never happy unless he was devoting himself wholeheartedly to its service. He was born in the more leisurely age of the horse drawn carriage with its limited radius of about fourteen miles, and it will surprise us, BRYCHEINIOG LT. COL. SIR JOHN CONWAY LLOYD D.L., M.C., M.A., J.P. Born 19th April 1878 Died 30th May 1954 A Breconshire Country Gentleman BY THE REV. J. JONES-DAVIES Vicar oj Llywel