Pwllheli Regatta 1894 (researched by Tom David February 2019)
Maurice Jones A man of this name, an ironmonger, lived at 14 Salem Terrace in 1901. Perhaps he was a partner in the prominent business of Davies and Jones, Madoc Buildings, New St.
Cledwyn Owen (c1852-1910) Solicitor, for about 36 years magistrates’ clerk, &c. His father, Owen Owen, was magistrates’ clerk before him. Mayor of Pwllheli in 1898. He lived at Llwynhudol, and was for upwards of twenty years leader of the Conservative party at Pwllheli.
What the Paper said:
PWLLHELI. Fair weather and plenty of wind made the Pwllheli Regatta a grand success on Bank Holiday. Thousands of people came to see the interesting events of the day. The yacht races were most exciting, and Captain Rees Williams is to be complimented on the victory of his yacht over some of the known crack boats in the race. The programme was a capital one, and Mr W. Maurice Jones, the secretary, was heart and soul in the work, and never grew tired in his effort to make the regatta a success. He was ably assisted by a practical committee.
The grand success of this year’s proceedings ought to convince the committee of the wisdom of going in for another regatta next year. The regatta over, the committee were photographed on board Captain Rees Williams’s yacht.
The following is a list of the prize winners:—
YACHTS AND SAILING BOATS. Yacht race, for yachts of any tonnage 1, silver cup or value, £10, Westward Ho, 18 tons, Captain Rees Williams, Pwllheli; 2, £5, Blodwen, 11 tons, Mr David Morris, Portmadoc; 3, £2, Nell, 3 tons, Captain D. Elias, Carnarvon. Sailing boat race, boats with keels 30 to 40 feet: 1, £5, Star, Mr Edward Jones, Pwllheli; 2, £3 Kangaroo, Mr T. Hughes, do; 3, £2, Merton, Mr W. Thomas, do. Sailing boat race, keels 22 to 30 feet: 1, £5, Scud, Mr F. Morris, Barmouth; 2, £3, Gwladys, Dr R. H. Griffith, Abersoch. Sailing boat race, keels 17 to 22 feet: 1, £3, Swallow, Dr Edis, Llanbedrog; 2, £2, Richard Young, O. Griffith, Abersoch; 3, £1, Annie, D. Evans, Criccieth. Sailing boats, under 17 feet: 1, £3, Kitty, H. Lea, Abersoch; 2, £1 10s, Kingfisher, Captain S. Jones, do.; 3, £1, Lady Bach, Lewis Evans, Pwllheli.
ROWING BOATS’ RACES. Four-oared boats: 1, Anna Maria, Pwllheli Rowing Club; 2, Wave, Owen Jones, Pwllheli; 3, Mary, do. Pair-oared boats (two oarsmen and cox): 1, Lilly, Owen Jones, Pwllheli; 2, Daisy, do. Pair-oared boats (one rower and a cox): 1, May, Owen Jones 2, Lucy, R. Wright. Pair-oared boats (one rower without cox) 1, Owen Jones; 2, R. Wright; 3, W. Thomas, Canoe race: 1, O. Jones; 2, O. W. Jones; 3, Peter Davies.
SWIMMING. First class: 1, R. Baxter, Pwllheli; 2, J. O. Jones, do.; 3, A. Bamford, Criccieth. Second class: 1, T. O. Ellis, Pwllheli; 2, T. B. Bracken, Criccieth; 3, W. James. Diving 1, A. E. Le Paton (who gave the prize of 10s 6d to the regatta fund).
ATHLETIC SPORTS. Hundred yards flat race: 1, R. Owen, Pwllheli; 2, James Jones, do. Hundred yards flat race for boys 1, W. Williams; 2, J. Thomas; 3, W. Mason Roberts. Putting the weight: 1, W. Maurice Jones 2, A. E. Le Paton. Tug of war: 1, Pwllheli Town Band. There were also several minor events, including sack, three-legged, &c., races, climbing the greasy pole, &c. In the evening the committee and friends sat down to a sumptuous dinner in the South Beach Hotel, the proprietors of which establishment catered splendidly to the satisfaction of all present. Mr Cledwyn Owen was the chairman of the evening, in the absence of Major Lloyd Evans. The Chairman, in proposing the toast of the evening, “Success to the Pwllheli Regatta,” said that somebody had remarked that Pwllheli was not a fit place in which to hold a regatta, but he was proud to say that Pwllheli had proved itself to be one of the best places for such a purpose. The town certainly had drawbacks, but in time these would be done away with, and Pwllheli would become the Brighton of Wales.
Carnarvon and Denbigh Herald and North and South Wales Independent 10th August 1894 p5.
This page was updated 27th February 2019