stated that he felt it was his duty not to apologise, the examination was closed.

It would appear that, despite being a declared bankrupt, Rev Rees continued to be very active in the cause, to such an extent that, during September 1907, he was elected at the annual session of the English Grand Lodge of Wales, held in the Cory Memorial Temperance Hall, Cardiff, to represent Wales at the International Supreme Lodge of the Independent Order of Good Templars which was held in America during May 1908. At the time he was treasurer of the English Grand Lodge of Wales, treasurer of the Rhymney Valley and District, and Past District Chief Templar of the Rhymney Valley District.

During July 1908, following his return from America, he decided to accept an appointment in Anglesey.  

The following newspaper articles portray the conviction, energy and zeal of those who advocated total abstenance and “the evils of drink”, together with accounts of the slander action and bankruptcy of the Rev. John.A.Rees, Curate of Fochriw. These activities were at the time of the 1904 Religious Revival in Wales.

The last newspaper report that I have seen is that of September 1939, some sixty years on from the first report. Weekly meetings of the “Star of Fochriw” Lodge were held, initially at the Noddfa Chapel vestry and then at the Carmel Chapel vestry where talks on suitable topics were given, together with musical entertainment and associated competitions. Annual outings to Weston by steamer from Cardiff were very popular.

Other like-minded minded temperance societies also existed in Fochriw at the same time as the International Order of Good Templars, these being the Reccabites and the Church of England Temperance Society.

The Merthyr Express, through its pages, not only made the activities of the Fochriw I.O.G.T. well know in the locality, but, also abroad, as the ultimate newspaper report attests to, being from the Rorke’s Drift Lodge which was, at that time, stationed in Tientsin, China.

“Merthyr Express” 20 June 1903
Fochriw Curate and Constitutional Club: Institutions Denounced from the Pulpit   The Rev. John A. Rees, curate-in-charge of Fochriw, in the course of his sermon at Fochriw Church on Sunday evening, dealt with the question of the establishment of clubs in the mining districts. A large congregation had assembled in anticipation, it having become known that the reverend gentleman, who has initiated a crusade against the Fochriw Constitutional Club, intended to speak on the subject in the course of his address. Basing his remarks on Mark chap.10, v. 29, the reverend gentleman pointed out the duties of the truly God-fearing man and follower of Christ. Continuing, he said attempts were being made to introduce clubs into every hamlet throughout the parish of Pontlottyn, and the constituency generally. Institutions of this kind were never meant for small colliery districts, and those who thought they helped forward the Conservative cause by their establishment, were making a very serious mistake. Sensible men would either abstain from working for, or would vote against any candidate who, through his satellite, established and supported such institutions. A glance at the list of members showed that the best men, and the most respectable men of the district, were conspicuous by their absence. Respectable men looked askance at such clubs, the demoralising character of them being always apparent. Members of clubs had been seen pummelling one another in the streets and creating a commotion. The Fochriw Club only contained a drinking bar, and no books and periodicals, and only a couple of papers were provided, and scarcely any attempt had been made since its establishment to provide members with any mental or elevating recreation. It is true that care was taken for man's sporting proclivities, for a few childish games of the same character as the ring game and cards were provided. Surprise visits by the police might also prove instructive. He was told that the existence of these clubs depended almost entirely upon the quantity of drink consumed. If the success of