Casgliadau Arlein

A rectangular piece of yellow card, folded in the middle, with lettering printed in black ink on front, back, and centre. This membership card records the subscription paid by a quarryman to Cyfrinfa’r Wyddfa, Llanbeis. The subscription contributions are recorded in the centre of the membership card, and records payment made between 1950 and 1953. On the back of the membership card there is a list of three main rules relating to the society.

The membership card belonged to Mr Goronwy Owen Williams, a quarryman at Dinorwig Quarry who worked at ponciau Hafod Owen and Harriet during the 1950’s. He worked in partnership with his father, Ifan Williams, and brother, Richard Williams.

Cyfrinfa’r Wyddfa was a branch of the Manchester Unity Friendly Society, also known as Oddfellows. The name Oddfellows refers to a number of friendly societies and fraternal organisations. These various organisations were set up to protect and care for their members and communities at a time when there was no welfare state, trade unions or National Health Service. The aim was to provide help to members and communities when they need it. The friendly societies are non-profit mutual organisations owned by their members. All income was passed back to the members in the form of services and benefits.