Prichard, Rowland Hugh

Composer

b Graienyn (or Craienyn) nr Bala, Merionethshire, N Wales 1811, d Holywell, Flintshire, N Wales 1887. (His name is often given as ‘Pritchard’ but the shorter spelling now seems better authenticated.) A valued chapel precentor in Bala with a good voice, at a time when choirs were unusually scarce in the neighbourhood, he found that his love of music constantly interrupted his other work in his home town. As a result, at the age of 69 he was compelled to start as a loomtender’s assistant at the Welsh Flannel Manufacturing Co at Holywell Mill, who later paid for his funeral. He wrote several hymn tunes and anthems, some published in contemporary Welsh journals, as well as versified lessons for children in Y Fasged gerddorol (‘the Musical Basket’). In 1844 Cyfailkl y Cantorion (‘The Singer’s Friend’) consisted mainly of his own tunes; the one most celebrated, as included here, was composed when he was about 20. No.34=483.