15-Minute Heritage: Caerphilly’s Memorials and Parks
Historic Figures From Caerphilly
Evan James - Birthplace Memorial Plaque
A plaque located on Caerphilly Workmen’s Hall, north-west of the castle, commemorates the birthplace of Evan James. It was erected in 2006 by Caerphilly County Borough.
Evan James Memorial Sculpture
The memorial sculpture that commemorates Evan James is located near the Twyn car park and was installed in 2020 by Caerphilly County Borough Council and was designed by artist Rubin Eynon. It comprises a bronze cast combining the forms of Welsh Dragon and Welsh Harp with the soundbox formed from the words of the anthem. The sculpture is installed on a block of natural Pennant stone.
Tommy Cooper Statue
The statue of Tommy Cooper located south-west of Caerphilly Castle was erected by the Tommy Cooper Society who raised £45,000 to pay for the statue. The 9ft bronze statue, which stands on a 4ft plinth was sculpted by James R. Done. It was unveiled by the Tommy Cooper Society’s Patron Sir Anthony Hopkins in 2008.
Dafydd Williams Park, Obelisk Memorial
Dafydd Williams Park named in his memory is located south of Caerphilly Castle and offers great views of the castle and moats.
The memorial dedicated to Dafydd Williams located in the park consists of a pale grey marble obelisk with a pyramidal top. It stands on a square base, the top edge of which has ogee moulding and a small pediment in the centre of each side. The memorial inscription to Dafydd Williams is on the south face of the base. Fixed to the obelisk above is a bronze-plated cast bust of David Williams. The base is on a 5-tier sandstone platform.
It was erected in 1911 as a result of fundraising activity by a memorial committee, chaired by Lord Tredegar.
Gorsedd Stone Circle
The Gorsedd Stones located in Dafydd Williams Park are a group of standing stones constructed for the National Eisteddfod of Wales which was held in Caerphilly in 1950. The stones are an integral part of druidic Gorsedd ceremonies of the Eisteddfod. The earliest Gorsedd of Bards was held at Primrose Hill, London in 1792 by the antiquarian, poet and stonemason Iolo Morganwg who wanted to emphasise the fact that the culture and heritage of the Celts were integral parts of Welsh history.
Find out more about the Gorsedd of the Bards and National Eisteddfod of Wales here
Morgan Jones Park
Morgan Jones Park located west of Nantgarw Road is dedicated to his memory. It opened to the public in 1934 and includes a children’s play area, football pitch, grass maze, bowling green and splash pad. In 2015 Morgan Jones Park retained its prestigious Green Flag Award and is recognized as one of the top parks in the UK.
More About our Famous People
Evan James
Evan James was born in Caerphilly in 1809 in a cottage called Bryn Golau near the present location of Caerphilly Worksmen’s Hall.
Evan later moved to Pontypridd with his family in 1847 and became a weaver. According to legend in 1856 while taking a walk on the banks of the River Rhondda, Evan’s son James James came up with a melody which he gave to his father who composed lyrics for the song.
This song would become increasingly popular after being sung at the 1858 Llangollen and 1874 Bangor Eisteddfods; 'Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau' would become the National Anthem of Wales.
Tommy Cooper
Tommy Cooper was born at 19 Llwyn-on Street in Caerphilly in 1921. His family moved to Exeter in Devon when Cooper was 3 years old. From a young age he had great interest in magic and later became a member of the Magic Circle in 1947.
Cooper would later rise to national fame appearing on TV variety shows on London Weekend Television and Thames Television throughout the 1960s and 1970s. He was instantly recognizable being 6ft 4in tall and wearing a fez when performing.
In 1984 Cooper collapsed from a heart attack in the middle of a live TV broadcast while performing at a variety show at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Westminister, London. Despite attempts to revive him, he later died in hospital.
Dafydd Williams
Dafydd Williams was an ordained minister, theologian and political philosopher of the enlightenment period of the 18th century. He was born in Waun Waelod near Caerphilly in 1738.
Williams wrote a series of political works and founded the Royal Literary Fund in 1790 which is a benevolent fund that helps British writers in financial difficulties. Throughout its history, it has helped a number of prolific writers such as Joseph Conrad, D H Lawrence and James Joyce.
In 1792 Williams was invited to Paris and became a citizen of France. Williams assisted in the drafting of the Girondin constitutional project during the French Revolution. He left France and returned to Britain after the execution of King Louis XVI in 1793. Later he took up residence at the Royal Literary Fund Headquarters on Gerrard Street in London and he died there in 1816.
Morgan Jones
Morgan Jones was born in Gelligaer in 1885 and attended Lewis School, Pengam and later University College, Reading. He became a teacher by profession and was later elected a Labour Party councillor for the Gelligaer Urban District in 1911.
In World War I he was imprisoned as a conscientious objector. He became chairman of the South Wales Anti-Conscription Council and after the war he was elected to Glamorgan County Council.
In a 1921 by-election he was elected Member of Parliament for Caerphilly. He was the first conscientious objector to be elected to Parliament after World War I. He became Parliamentary Secretary to The Board of Education in 1924 and 1929. He would hold his Caerphilly Parliamentary seat until his death in 1939.
