| Augusta Waddington was born in Llanover of English descent, and was a most remarkable lady, rich, clever, determined and talented. She wrote a charming medley on Welsh cookery, she promoted the triple harp as she did Welsh dancing. She painted watercolours and executed landscape prints. She collaborated in producing a collection of Welsh airs, supported the publication of a Welsh dictionary and devoted time to a cause of temperance and her own brand of Protestantism. And very close to her heart were the aspirations and success of Llandovery College.
In 1823 she married Benjamin Hall, who enjoyed an active public life as Member of Parliament, becoming Commissioner for works in 1855. During his period of office the great clock of Westminster was erected – hence ‘Big Ben’. He was created a baronet in 1838 and a peer in 1859 assuming the title Baron Llanover. He strongly supported the use of the Welsh language in religious services in Wales, sharing such sentiments with his wife.
Augusta Hall’s influence (and that of her husband) in the circles of the local and wider nobility was to give the ‘Welsh’ cause enormous and prestigious support. |
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Lady Llanover played a vital role in the College’s foundation at Llandovery. She spared neither money or pains to promote the welfare of the school, and she participated actively and zealously in its affairs as a trustee. Among her fellow trustees her influence was considerable. Having made a gift of the land on which the school was built, she gave large contributions from time to time, including an annual donation for prizes in Welsh. She died in her ninety-fourth year, her connection with the school having extended for half a century. In 1989 a new girls’ house was opened by Viscount Tonypandy: it was appropriately called Ty Llanofer in honour of her memory. |
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