Elizabeth Roberts Ben D Williams Popular Books

Elizabeth Roberts Ben D Williams Biography & Facts

David Benjamin Rees (born Llanddewi Brefi, Wales, 1937) is a Welsh and English-language publisher, author, lecturer and minister in the Presbyterian Church of Wales since 1962. He is a leader of the Welsh community in Liverpool, and heads one of the city's five remaining Welsh chapels. His small publishing house, Modern Welsh Publications Ltd, was established in 1963 and from 1963 to 1968 it operated from Abercynon in the Cynon Valley of South Wales. Since 1968 it has operated from Allerton, Liverpool and is the only Welsh language publishing house still operating in the city of Liverpool. Early life Born on 1 August 1937, in Abercarfan farm by the river Teify, on the outskirts of Tregaron. His parents, Ann and John Rees, were Welsh speaking Presbyterians. His father served in the two world wars. The farm was in the ownership of his grandfather David Benjamin, and after his death in 1944, he and his parents moved to Llanddewi Brefi, where he attended the local primary school. Education Source: In the local primary school in Llanddewi Brefi he passed the 11+ (an examination that gave entrance to a grammar school), granting him access to entering Tregaron grammar school. Where he excelled as a public speaker, and came to know a number of friends who have seen success in their academic and business fields. Such as, Dr John Davies (Historian), and Dr Lewis Evans of Leicester Alliance. Here, he also was highly influenced by the headmaster, D. Lloyd Jenkins, and the history mistress Eirlys Watcyn Williams, whom instilled a love of the Welsh language and culture. In his proactive approach, he became a prominent member of the debating society called "Cymdeithas Grug Y Gors" (named after the local marshland of Cors Caron). During this time, he was also heavily involved in his local village, setting up a local football club, which is still active today and is known as, "Dewi Stars". In addition, he helped set up a branch of the scouts movement in the area. His involvement in politics began during this period. He joined the Labour Party at the age of 17. In 1955, he entered the University college of Wales Aberystwyth, where he studied 'History, Welsh and Education'. Finally graduation in Education. During his time at Aberystwyth, he was heavily involved in the Peace movement, and was one of the founding members of the local branch for the CND movement (Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament). Organiser of the local branch for the Anti-Apartheid movement. He also with help from a friend (Arfon Jones), revitalised the university Labour Party. Furthermore, he was chosen as the Welsh organiser of NALSO (National Association of Labour Students Organisation). Which meant travelling to all the colleges and universities in Wales, and to the monthly meetings in London. In 1957, he began to prepare himself for the service of the Presbyterian Church of Wales. Which entailed travelling and preaching all over Wales for Sunday services. In 1959, he was accepted into the United Theological College Aberystwyth, to study for a BD degree. Which in those days was equivalent to a Masters degree (Higher degree). During this time, he and W. I. Cynwyl Williams were awarded the Byrsgyll y Cymro (Best debating team in universities and colleges of Wales). The following year, this was repeated with D. Ben Rees being accompanied by Emlyn Richards. In 1960, he and Arfon Jones brought out a socialist student magazine in memory of Aneurin Bevan (founder of the National Health Service). Which was well received and attracted articles from well-known Labour politicians. Such as his widow, Jenny Lee, and the Transport and General Workers Union organiser, Huw T. Edwards. The magazine came to its termination when the editors left their colleges. Service in the Presbyterian Church of Wales Source: Ordained in October 1962. His first ministry was in the mining towns of Abercynon and Penrhiwceibr. During this time, he married Meinwen Llewellyn, daughtor of a local minister and a school teacher. He became active with a league of young people within Welsh Presbyterianism. In this he was involved in establishing a youth centre at Tresaith on the Cardiganshire coast. And in 1965 he took charge of another chapel in the Aberfan area. When the disaster of 21 October 1966, where 116 children and 28 adults died under the coal slurry, he became highly involved in comforting the families and organising the local Aberfan committee, along with other ministers. In 1968 he moved with his wife, mother-in-law and son Dafydd, to Heathfield road, Bethel, Presbyterian Church of Wales. An impressive building, with a large congregation catering for the Welsh and overlooking Penny Lane in Liverpool. In addition to the Mans (house for the minister), was the birth of his second son, Hefin Ednyfed Rees. In 1972 he and his wife were introduced to Queen Elizabeth at the opening of the Wallasey Tunnel in Liverpool. For in that year he had been inducted as the president for the Merseyside Free church council. This council invited him to be a chaplain at the Royal Liverpool hospital, where he served for 18 years. The local and the welsh media invited him often to numerous programs, such as Songs of Praise (a television program), and Radio Merseyside: From the valleys I came (Radio interviews). His role involved a great deal of travel within the city, and also arranging pilgrimages to Israel a total of 22 times, 5 times to the USA, as well as to China, Russia, Malaysia and various European countries. He kept alive the traditions of the Emigrẻ (Exiled Welsh), and established societies that would be assistance. Such as the Merseyside Chair Eisteddfod, the council of Welsh chapels on Merseyside, a charity with his son Hefin Rees (Generating Hope in Action), the University of Wales Guild of Graduates (Liverpool branch), and the local community newspaper (The Angor [Anchor in English]), which he has edited since 1979. In 2008 he officially retired. But due to the scarcity of ministers in his denomination, he remained part-time minister for the next 13 years. Until he handed over the responsibilities to his successor, Reverend Robert Parry in 2021. The following year he was congratulated at Wrexham in the North Wales Presbyterian Association, for completing 60 years as a preacher and historian of the missionary work of the denomination. Educator In the bustling city of Liverpool and its surrounding towns, Dr D. Ben Rees has been an inspiring lecturer for the University of Liverpool Extra Mural Department, for the Open University for the WEA (Workers Education Association) and the local historical societies. He was involved as a tutor, examiner, and a board member for the Greenwich School of Theology College, as well as at the North Western University of South Africa, where he was made a professor. Rotarian Dr Rees has been a Rotarian member in the Toxteth and Liverpool Rotarian clubs. As well as the present City of Liverpool Rotary club, where he .... Discover the Elizabeth Roberts Ben D Williams popular books. Find the top 100 most popular Elizabeth Roberts Ben D Williams books.