There was a tangible air of expectancy as I walked into the awe-inspiring setting of Howell’s School, Llandaff for the last lecture of the millennium. Gareth, Lord Williams of Mostyn had kindly agreed to deliver what proved to be a highly informative capsule history lesson and many thoughts on ‘unfinished business’.
With a full attendance, the Hall settled down to 50 minutes at the hands
of this Life Peer, QC, Parliamentarian and University mogul. Lord Williams of
Mostyn felt that Ken Young’s introduction was rather like ‘reading one’s
obituary whilst still alive’ but it certainly did justice to this academic.
The lecture turned out to be a socio-political lesson and gave a fascinating insight into the Reform Acts, the Secret Ballot Act, Devolution, the Human Rights Act and made very real the immediacy of the House of Lords Reforms which have of course subsequently occurred. He spoke of the ‘bizarre debates’ which occur in these opulent surroundings and the need to avoid delay at a time of a state of positive evolution in a variety of institutions. It was very interesting to be in close proximity to someone who is right at the heart of this evolutionary process of modernisation and development and to realise that even in the then House of Lords, there existed the human and humorous touch.
I was particularly interested to hear his opinions of the National Assembly for Wales. His inclusion of Mr Ron Davies’ view that we are living through a ‘process’, was an astute one which we should all take on board. As Lord Williams said, Wales now has an Assembly, a Parliament and if we, as a nation, do not make it work, we ourselves are to blame. In a few short sentences we were informed of the Assembly’s coverage remit and along with our Guest Speaker, I am sure that the audience as a body agreed that there exists a ‘significant menu’ with which to start.
This was a highly rational speech – structured, academic and to use a soundbite ‘audience friendly’. We were made aware of very real situations such as the fact that 2/3 of young men in prisons cannot read or write with the result that 96/100 jobs are unavailable to them. These people want to work and there is a ‘social dynamic’ but it is yet to be recognised by high profile individuals. Quite a telling indictment of the ‘powers that be’.
I had a very enjoyable evening and was aware that we were listening to a novel and perceptive analysis of society in the raw. In my opinion, Lord Williams proved himself to be a socio-economic historian of some note and made all members of the audience, regardless of age and gender, actually sit up and think. As a country we have come a long way but the process is still in its infancy. I trust that Lord Williams will find another slot in his diary to speak to us again.
This was the last lecture in a series organised by Dilys Wynne Lloyd. She started to organise these lectures back in 1987 with her ever watchful eye on Aber’s Centenary Celebrations and they are still as popular over 12 years later. They have become a prestigious event in the calendar and attendance has always been high due to the venue, the high quality of Guest Speakers, and most importantly, Dilys who believed in holding such events and who maintained the quality over the years. She will be a hard act to follow but am confident that Cardiff Branch will keep up the good service.
Alison Edwards - Aber 1983-8