The Llandrinio Connection

The 1993 John Clare Bicentenary Celebrations

1793 - 1864

and its Llandrinio Connections

On the front cover of the 'Llandrinio Bridge' are the words "By, for and of the People of Llandrinio" and, although the John Clare Bicentenary Celebrations took place as far afield as Peterborough and Lincoln, there are close links tying it with local Llandrinio families.

John Clare's second son, was also called John Clare (but more usually known as Jack), was born on the 16th June 1826.  He moved to this area in the 1840's and found work on the Cambrian Railways and later became Foreman of the Bridge Carpenters being responsible for many bridges, including the beautiful bridge over the Barmouth Estuary.  He worked in this capacity for many years, even as far south as Somerset.  He married Margaret in St. Agatha's Church, Llanynynech and lived for many years in Four Crosses, he and his wife had six children.  He is buried in Llandysilio Church Yard.

The Bicentenary Festival, organised by the flourishing John Clare Society took place from the 9th to the 10th July 1993, but the highlight of it for the Landrinio branch of the family was on the Sunday afternoon of July 11th when a Commorative Evensong was held in Peterborough Cathedral, and the Reverent Richard Jones, B.E.M., from Rhos Common, who is a great-great-grandson of John Clare, was invited to preach at this service.

To stand in the pulpit of an enormous Cathedral and preach to a congregation who had travelled from America, Canada and even Japan for these Bicentenary Celebrations was no doubt a daunting task, yet there was the comforting knowledge that the family from Llandrinio had made a grand effort to be there too.  George & Jean, Glad, Peggy, Rosemary & Brian, Lossie from Pentre, Doreen (nee Clare) & Brian from Shrewsbury and their children Roger and Janet.  How satisfying to know that the "People of Llandrinio" were represented at this important Festival and that through them the links with the "Northamptonshire Peasant Poet" and the Landrinio area will be kept alive

Jean M Clare &

Judith Corfield

There are many of the Welsh-Clare families members of the John Clare Society and John Clare Poet  facebook page.

---oOo---