WELSH rugby legend David ‘Dai’ Watkins MBE recalled his try-scoring exploits for about 40 fellow countrymen at the first meeting of the Oxfordshire Welsh Society.
For a number of years, there was no society for Welsh exiles living in Oxfordshire – until now.
John Prout, 70, from Abingdon, a former chairman of the Oxford Welsh Male Voice Choir, helped to establish the new society.
Last month, about 40 people attended its first meeting at Jesus College — known as Oxford’s ‘Welsh’ college — and the group is now seeking new members.
Mr Prout, whose business provides specialist products for the disabled, said: “In the 1920s and ’30s there was a society called Oxford Welsh Exiles, after lots of Welshmen migrated to Oxford to work at the car factory.
“Then, after the war, there was a Welsh society, but that has been defunct for many years, so we thought we would try to create a group for Welsh people living here who have a range of interests — not just singing in choirs.
“Until January, I was chairman of the Oxford Welsh Male Voice Choir, but I thought it was time to set up a new society catering for all sorts of cultural interests.
“The first meeting at Jesus College went very well and we have had some amazing feedback — we now have about 80 names on our database.”
Kelvin Bryon, 71, who runs a chemical company in Abingdon, invited Mr Watkins to give the talk at the college last month.
Mr Bryon, a former chairman of the London Welsh Rugby Club, said: “Dai captained the British Lions at rugby union and the Great Britain rugby league team and is a rugby legend, although he is very modest about it.
“He was happy to come along and discuss his life on and off the field and everyone enjoyed the talk.”
Mr Watkins is an ex-Newport and Wales rugby union and Salford and Wales rugby league player.
He is the only player to have captained both Lions codes — leading the union team in Australia and New Zealand in 1966.
The Oxfordshire Welsh Society plans to meet every three months to enable Welsh exiles and their friends to maintain an interest in all things Welsh.
For information call John Prout on 07836 599255 or Colin Edwards on 07859 316611 affrench@oxfordmail.co.uk
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