Lifelong Glamorgan member T. James Jones ("Jim") won the Chair on Friday during the final day of events at the National Eisteddfod in Llanrwst.
Born in Newcastle Emlyn, but resident for many years in Radyr, Jim was chaired at the final Gorsedd of Bards ceremony at this year’s National Eisteddfod - the second time he had won the Chair, following his success in Flintshire during 2007, besides winning the Eisteddfod Crown in Fishguard in 1986 and again in Newport two years later.
A passionate supporter of Glamorgan Cricket over many years, and a published poet, stage, radio and television dramatist, Jim was a member of the S4C commentary team which covered the Welsh county’s matches besides being one of the judges for Glamorgan Cricket's literacy activities in 2009 during the lead-up to the inaugural Ashes Test on Welsh soil, with the poet helping schoolchildren to create a piece of work to commemorate the first-ever Test match at Cardiff.
“Jim’s sage advice and wisdom helped the judging panel during 2009,” commented Andrew Hignell, the Club’s Heritage and Education Co-ordinator. “We were very grateful for his assistance, together with that of the late Dannie Abse, during the lead-up to such a prestigious event back in 2009. The winning poem benefitted from his wise council and we are delighted that his talents have been recognized once again at national level. We look forward at some stage in the future to reading further pieces by Jim with a cricketing theme!”