Papers of Miss Mai Roberts

The collection consists of letters, reports, minutes and accounts relating to Cymdeithas Alawon Gwerin Cymru (Welsh Folk-Song Society), 1922 - 1931. Also, papers of a similar nature relating to Y Gyngres Geltaidd (The Celtic Congress) which also include papers given at various meetings by notables such as Saunders Lewis, Sir Percy Watkins and E. T. John, 1924 - 1947.

There are files containing material relating to Plaid Genedlaethol Cymru, its members in Caernarfonshire and, in particular, regarding the incident known as the Fire in Lleyn in 1936 when Saunders Lewis, D. J. Williams and Lewis Valentine committed a token act of arson on building materials assembled for the construction of an RAF bombing school at Penyberth, Caernarfonshire.

There are addresses by Saunders Lewis made during his 1931 and 1942 General Election campaigns for the University of Wales seat.

Also, letters and papers relating to the establishment of the Folk School of Pant y Beiliau, 1933 - 1942. Correspondence regarding the National Playhouse of Wales in 1934. And, letters written to Mai Roberts from various correspondents, 1924 - 1964.

There are references for Mai Roberts when applying for posts, 1928 - 1941 and an address by her when standing in the Local Council Elections as the Plaid Genedlaethol Cymru candidate for Upper Llanddeiniolen, Caernarfonshire in 1967.

The papers of E. T. John consist of letters to him, copy letters written by him, and drafts of addresses and newspaper cuttings, 1910 - 1931.

Miss Mai Roberts was the private secretary of E. T. John, M. P. Following her time as his private secretary, she worked in various fields and became the organiser of events such as General Elections, The Celtic Congress and Cymdeithas Alawon Gwerin Cymru. Mai Roberts was also a prominent member of Plaid Genedlaethol Cymru.

E. T. John was a Liberal Member of Parliament for the constituency of East Denbighshire between 1910 and 1918. In 1918 he stood as a Labour candidate for the other part of the shire, but failed. He was also unsuccessful in Anglesey in 1922. Throughout his political career he remained supportive of Home Rule for Wales and collected statistical information to strengthen the economic debate behind self-government. He was also the president of the Peace Society from 1924 until 1927.

Arranged according to subject.

Open to all users.

Description compiled by Elen Wyn Hughes, September 2001

An item level typescript catalogue is available at the Department of Manuscripts of the University of Wales Bangor. Reference numbers : General Collection of Bangor Manuscripts 20406 - 20462

Usual copyright conditions apply. Reprographics are made at the discretion of the Archivist.

Also held at the Department of Manuscripts of the University of Wales Bangor, amongst the papers of Williams Jones M.P., are further items, letters, written by E. T. John. Reference numbers : General Collection of Bangor Manuscripts 5470 (87, 109), 5476 (6) and 5479 (5)