DAFYDD HUW JOHN
The Plaid Cymru History Society is grateful to Councillor Peter Hughes Griffiths for his tribute to the late Huw John, which appears in full on the Welsh language page of the website.
Remembered as a Welsh patriot, a friend to all, and for many years the organiser and leader of Twmpath Dances the length and breadth of Wales, Huw John died at his home at Maesglas, Peniel, Carmarthen on the 13th of August 2025 at the age of 86. He was fond of organising and taking part in traditional Plygain services across Wales, as well as non-stop activity on behalf of Plaid Cymru.
The Plygain at Capel Penygraig, where Huw served as a deacon and led the singing for over 30 years, has become an important fixture on the Plygain circuit since 2012.
Huw came from Crymych in north Pembrokeshire, and was the brother of Glanville and the late Peter John. He and his late wife Elonwy lived in the Neath area before moving to Parc-y-drysi, Cwmffrwd near Carmarthen with their daughters Eurgain and the late Siwan.
Huw worked as a lecturer in Technical Colleges before taking early retirement and turning to the manufacture and restoration of harps.
He worked tirelessly for Plaid Cymru throughout his life. He became a Plaid Cymru councillor in the Neath area, and then a Plaid County Councillor for the Llandyfaelog/St Ishmael Ward on Carmarthenshire County Council from 1995 until 2004. He served as a Cabinet member, with responsibility for Finance and Resources at a time when Plaid Cymru was supporting Independent councillors to run the council.
But he will be especially remembered in the Carmarthen constituency as the highly effficient organiser of Plaid Cymru placards for many elections for the Westminster Parliament and Senedd Cymru. On every occasion his tireless practical contribution proved crucial..
A Commemoration Service for Huw John took place on Thursday 4th November in Capel Penygraig, Croesyceiliog, Carmarthen, and a tribute appeared in the September 2025 edition of the Welsh language community newspaper Cwlwm, with a commemorative cywydd by Geraint Roberts, Cwmffrwd, the following month. The full text can be read on the Welsh language page of this website.
With thanks to Peter Hughes Griffiths