Isalaw (John Richards) Memorial Cross, Glanadda Cemetery Bangor

THE LATE ISALAW. At a meeting of the subscribers to the fund of the late Isalaw (Mr John Richards) held on Friday, under the chairmanship of Councillor Owen Owen, it was announced that ample funds had been raised for the placing of a Celtic cross over his grave in the Glanadda Cemetery. The design was entrusted to Mr Harold Hughes. F.I.B.A. the honorary architect to the Roval Cambrian Academy. [North Wales Express 5 December 1902 page 16]

MEMORIAL TO A WELSH COMPOSER. At Glanadda Cemetery, Bangor, on Wednesday the Venerable Arohdruid of Wales, "Hwfa Mon," unveiled a memorial to John Richards ("Isalaw"), a Welsh composer who was closely connected with the National Eisteddfod The memorial w a Celtic cross, similar in design to the ancient crosses found in Anglesea. A committee formed at the Bangor National Eisteddfod organised a subscription fund for the purpose, and the designing of the cross was entrusted to Mr. Harold Hughes, the architect. The stone used is Anglesey granite, and the cross bears an inscription in Welsh: "Isalaw," 1843-1901. A mark of the esteem of his friends." On the north face there appears the score of the music of Bydd Melus Gofio," one of "Isalaw's" best known anthems. Mr. Westlake Morgan, organist of Bangor Cathedral, presided over the gathering, which included many leading musicians and North Wales bards. The Archdruid, after unveiling the cross, spoke in appreciative terms of "Isalaw," and said they had come to pay homage to the memory of one who would live in the hearts of his countrymen and whose beautiful natural compositions would last even after that monument had crumbled into dust. A mixed choir, led by Councillor John Williams, sang several of Isalaw's compositions during the ceremony. [Weekly Mail 26 September 1903 page 6] 

THE ISALAW MEMORIAL UNVEILING CEREMONY AT BANGOR. Mr Westlake-Morgan, the organist of Bangor Cathedral, presided over the unveiling ceremony of the Isalaw memorial at the Glanadda Cemetery on Wednesday. Despite the fact that the Bangor Corporation declined omciaUv to1 attend, some thousands of the Bangor residents congregated around the grave of the deceased musician to pay their tribute of respect to one who did' so much for the music of Wales, and among those present were Hwfa Mon, the Veneiable Archdruid, Mr Ellis Jones Griffith, M.P., Rev J. T. Job, the chaired bard, and a host of the lovers of Welsh institutions. A choir, under the leadership of Councillor John) Williams, also attendee, and sang several of Isalaw's best known compositions over his grave, the accompanist being Mr R. W. Parry, the energetic secretary of the memorial fund. In the course of his opening remarks, the Chairman said they had met to do honour to one whom Providence had endowed with exceptional musical talents. The recollection of Isalaw car- riedJ the. eye of the memory back to last year when the Royal National Eisteddfod of Wales was held in the Cathedral city. Isalaw took a prominent part in making preparations for that very successful festival, as the vice-chairman of the musical committee, but he was snatched away before the Eisteddlfod1 took place, and laid to rest midst the sorrowing lamentations of his many admirers. A committee was formed, consisting of many prominent musicians in the neighbourhood, and he (Mr Westlake Morgan) was asked to accept the chairmanship. Sub- sciipticns were gathered and much good work done in forwarding the object they had in view, but though they were unveiling the memorial that day they were yet ten or fifteen pounds short of the necessary funds. He deemed him- self fortunate that it was his privilege to occupy this position as a representative of music in the city, and to add a personal tribute to the memorial, and to meet their venerable and' venerated Archdruid, in paying a respectful and loving homage to the talents of Isalaw, whose memory was deservedly reveTed and so indelibly stamped! on the musical life of the nation. Those whose privilege it was to be acquainted with hiro would: ever cherish his memory and he could never forget his genial good humour, his winsome smile, and the expansive greatness of his mag- nanimous heart.  .....

Mr Harold Hughes, who designed the cross, then described it, and said: As especially appropriate as a memorial to Isalaw, the Welsh composer, the Celtic cross was determined on by the Welsh Committee. Up and down the country, in Scotland, the North of England, the Isle of Nan, and Ireland are to be found crosses, of pre-Norman date in most cases. There is evidence that these were memorial crosses, erected to the glory of God and in memory of and over the graves of some holy or noted person. The crosses of the different districts have distinct characteristics. Those in Wales differ specially from those in Ireland in the smallness of the head. The circular ring has an insignificance never to be found in the Irish crosses. Of all existing Welsh examples, the large cross at Penmon is the most beautiful in outline. The general proportions of the Isalaw cross are founded on those at Penmon. The head containing - the small cross with slightly extended arms, enclosed with a circular ring in the arms of the main cross projecting slightly beyond it, is to be found in the two Penmon examples. The spaces between the arms and the cross are filled with a triangular looped ring pattern. A key pattern is worked on the ends of the cross arms In outline all the faces of the shaft are worked with entasis, that is to say, the lace of the stone is slightly curved from the bottom to the top- The faces of most modern crosses are too much in one plane, and to this, in a large measure, is due their unsatisfactory appearance. Rolls, as generally found in Celtic crosses, are carried down to enclose the shaft. The front and back faces contain a panel filled with four-cord plait work, the cords being double. In the front or east face the plaits are closely worked, and cover the ground. On the west face the cords are of less diameter, and the pattern resembles rather triangular loops than plaits. Interlaced work is prominent with dragonised heads. The monument does not-strictly follow any one ancient example of the Celtic design. The base on the east face, contains in raised characters, “Isalaw, 1843-1901." On the north face is a score of music with the words, "Bydd melus gofio.” and on the south face is the inscription “Arwydd o serch ei gyfeillion.” .

Messrs Jones Brothers, of Garth, Bangor, have carried out the work. [Carnarvon and Denbigh Herald 25 September 1903 page 6]