• Article |
• Discussion |
• Edit |
• History

.

With St David’s Day coming up, the thoughts of Derby’s ex-pat Welsh community will doubtless be turning to their homeland.

It was on March 4, 1929, that Welsh people living in the town decided to establish the Derby Welsh Society to help them keep in touch with their traditions, music, language and culture.

At an inaugural meeting, held in Ramsden’s cafe, in Market Place, they vowed to hold regular social events to remind each other there was a welcome waiting in the hillsides if they wanted to return home.

In the Depression of the 1920s, many Welsh people moved to the Midlands to find work. Some went into teaching, the police force and the Army.

Legendary Welshman Horatio Rawlings became Chief Constable of Derby in 1926, attracting an influx of his countrymen into the then Derby Borough Police Force. Three years later, he became president of the newly-formed Welsh Society.

Derby’s first Labour MP, J H Thomas, was a vice-president and Charles Forrest, the Scottish-born managing editor of the Derby Evening Telegraph, was a founder member.

Nearly 80 years on, the society still holds its traditional St David’s Day annual dinner and members still celebrate with leeks, lamb and Welsh cakes.

Do you celebrate St David’s Day? Why not tell us how you mark this special day?

FEEDBACK

Did you enjoy this article? If so, why not comment on it? Perhaps you disagree with something in it, or you know something the writer doesn't and can add some extra facts. You may want to ask a question about this article. Making a contribution is easy - either click 'edit' to insert more information or 'discussion' and then 'add comment.' This is your site. Please feel free to use it to the full and share your memories, thoughts and knowledge about Derbyshire with others.

If there is no 'edit' link showing it means the article has either previously been published in the Derby Evening Telegraph, or it has been protected by the site administrator and cannot be edited.'

County:  Derbyshire

Return to Gollancz,_Victor_-_Repton's_Loss_Was_A_Publishing_Gain