When Wales banned beer
BY David Edwards
21 May 2026
On May 21st, WEA Llanelli held the final event in its 2025/6 programme of talks, with a gratifyingly large audience. It was preceded by a very positive AGM at which current Chair Richard Talog Jones summarised progress made in recent months.
In late 2024, the future of the Association had been in some doubt. The situation now looked much more positive. The organising committee had gained five new members and the paid up membership was 48 with many more regular visitors to the website. Work was being done to strengthen finances and it was agreed to become registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation.
The AGM was followed by an entertaining talk from David Timbrell-Hill, whose award winning Beer Park in Dafen is 'the biggest beer shop in Wales'.
David explained that in the nineteenth century the consumption of weak 'small beer' had been widespread, partly due to the lack of a safe domestic water supply. There were many more pubs than nowadays: in 1895 Llanelli, with a population of 20,000, had 105 pubs (and many chapels). Poor quality housing often meant that the pub was an attractive and sociable place to spend time but many people were concerned that there was a growing lack of sobriety. Organisations such as the South Wales Temperance and Band of Hope Union were set up: in part to encourage productivity in the many factories of Wales.
The then popular Liberal party adopted a moralistic approach to politics and in 1881 the Welsh Sunday Closing Act was passed in Parliament: the first Act applying only to Wales and seen by some as a precedent for Home Rule. The Act prohibited the sale in Wales of 'fermented and distilled liquors during certain hours of Sunday'.
A subsequent Royal Commission into the matter found that the Act brought 'a real benefit to the working class' but local constabulary contradicted this which brought an element of doubt into its findings. There were numerous cases of beer (and other alcoholic drinks) being banned on Sunday on the Welsh side of the road in a border town, and freely available over the border in England.
Things changed in 1961 when a new Licensing Act allowed counties receiving a petition from 500 of their electors to set up a referendum on Sunday drinking. Most of South Wales went 'wet' in the first vote on November 8th 1961 but some places held out - Llanelli until 5th November 1975. Dwyfor was the final area in Wales to change, in 1996.
David’s talk prompted a lively discussion in the audience, with many reminiscences being exchanged including tales of groups from Llanelli heading over the border at Pontarddulais for a drink when that town was 'wet' and Llanelli still 'dry'.
WEA Llanelli chair Richard Talog Jones thanked all members for their attendance, contributions and work over the year and welcomed new committee members elected at the AGM.
Particular thanks were expressed to Chair of Llanelli Rural Council Cllr M Donoghue and her consort Stephen Donoghue for their personal support throughout the year and that of the wider Llanelli Rural Council where members rounded off the evening with a glass of beer, buffet and good discussion.
Members can look forward to a revitalised WEA Llanelli when the 2026/7 programme starts in September and if you have not already joined you can easily do so via the website, which also explains how we have worked with the local community since 1914.
