A New Face At Trefeca
The Treasury welcomes Rhys Bebb Jones as a member of staff at the Presbyterian Church of Wales. Rhys is a part time Training Coordinator and Trefeca Development Officer in the Training and Candidates Department and the Trefeca Department. He started his new role at the end of March so our first question to Rhys is:
What exactly is your new post?
Part of my role is working with Delyth Oswy-Shaw, PCW’s National Training Co-ordinator, organising, promoting and developing PCW training opportunities in Mid and South Wales. The other part of the post is working with Mair Jones, Manager at Trefeca, to develop and promote the use and enjoyment of Trefeca near Becon in the Brecon Beacons National Park. We hope an increasing number of visitors will enjoy the comfortable conference and training facilities and its rich Christian heritage.
It sounds interesting – what are your priorities as you undertake your new job?
I’ll be focusing on Trefeca during the first weeks. It’s an opportunity to work with Mair Jones and her team and the Trefeca Trustees, in particular the Revd Trefor Lewis and Joanna Wright-Thomas (Trustees’ Secretary and Head of Strategic Support at PCW).
It’s been a challenging and difficult year due to the effects of Covid-19 and lockdown restrictions. We look forward to welcoming visitors back to Trefeca once lockdown restrictions are eased. This is the historic home and museum of artefacts relating to Howell Harris and the Methodist Reformation. There are also other remarkable collections of artefacts relating to the Christian history of Wales at Trefeca.
Tell us a little bit about your background?
I enjoyed my career in librarianship and information. I was Head of Collections Support and Storage at the National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth until my retirement in October 2020. Prior to that I worked in public libraries on Anglesey, in Gwynedd and Clwyd. I was attracted to librarianship to provide a service, and to help others find what they are searching for. This post enables me to continue that work and contribute further to what I already undertake as an Elder and Treasurer at Capel Shiloh, Llanbedr Pont Steffan (Lampeter). I’m a Lay Preacher, commissioned in 2019 to administer the Sacraments of Communion and Baptism. The training I’ve received and continue to undertake provides me with the knowledge and skills required to serve my chapel and local community. This post gives me opportunities to organise and promote training to assist others to serve their chapels and communities.
You live in Llanbedr Pont Steffan – tell us more about yourself?
I’m one of four children, born and raised in Bangor, Gwynedd. I was baptised at Capel Tabernacl by the late Revd Professor Harri Williams and was confirmed at Capel Twrgwyn, Bangor by the late Revd Dr Elfed ap Nefydd Roberts. Educated at St Pauls and Friars Schools, Bangor, I graduated in Welsh from St David’s University College, Llampeter followed by a Postgraduate Diploma in Librarianship at the College of Librarianship of Wales, Aberystwyth. I worked in public libraries between 1983 and 2002 when my wife Shân and I moved to work at the National Library of Wales.
I’m a member of Capel Shiloh (CM), a Town Councillor and sing tenor with Côr Meibion Cwmann. I also contribute to the work of Cadwyn Teifi, Christian Aid, Eisteddfod Rhys Thomas James Pantyfedwen, Papur Bro Clonc (monthly local newspaper) and Rotary. I enjoy the outdoors helping on the family farm and relax by listening to music, walking and travelling.
Thank you Rhys. We wish you well in your new post with the Presbyterian Church of Wales.