Montgomeryshire through photographer’s lens

A fascinating exhibition showing Montgomeryshire through the lens of a renowned local character and keen photographer will be showcased throughout the summer.

John Davies Knatchbull Lloyd was born on April 28, 1900 at Plas Trefaldwyn in Montgomery. He went to Winchester School and attended Trinity College, Cambridge before returning to Montgomeryshire.

During his lifetime he held a number of important posts in local administration including Justice of the Peace in 1934; Mayor of Montgomery from 1932-1938 and again 1961-1962; High Sheriff of Montgomeryshire in 1940; chairman of several important committees within Montgomeryshire District Council from 1948-1974, and Deputy Lieutenant of the county of Montgomeryshire in 1960.

But his main interest was in history, especially the 18th and 19th centuries and he was a dedicated supporter and contributor to a number of historical organisations including the Council for the preservation of rural Wales, Archaologia Cambrensis, the Historic Buildings Council for Wales and the Society of Antiquaries.

He was also heavily involved in local research and organisations especially the Powysland Club, where he was Honorary Secretary from 1937-1967 and contributed to the Club’s annual publication “The Montgomeryshire Collections” with over 50 articles.

In 1955, he donated Dolforwyn Castle to the Welsh Ancient Monument Board (later Cadw). In 1957 he was awarded a CBE. J.D.K.Lloyd died on December 13, 1978 in his home Bron Hafren at Garthmyl.

Photographs taken by Mr Lloyd are being shown at Powysland Museum, Welshpool; Newtown Textile Museum, Llanidloes Museum & The Old Market Hall in Llanidloes until August 17.

The photographs, taken in the late 1940s, show a large number of buildings in Montgomeryshire, some of which have since been demolished. The photos were organised into Boroughs as well as Rural and Urban Districts.

In all venues the exhibited photographs are relevant to the town and surrounding district.

The displays at the Powysland Museum in Welshpool will include photos from the town, the villages around it as well as from the Llanfylllin area.

The photographs form a unique snapshot of buildings in Montgomeryshire in the late 1940s and some of the smaller houses and farms had probably never been photographed before apart from what may exist in private collections.

It is hoped that visitors will be interested in visiting all four venues in order to see all these photographs on public display for the first time ever.