28/07/2026
Wembley, 32-31 and other things…
🚇 Today’s stop on our journey through the history of the London Welsh is Metroland. Historian John Jones tells the story of how a thriving methodist cause took root in Wembley. All aboard!
🌳 Historically, Wembley formed part of Harrow and was a leafy, rural area. The arrival of the railways transformed it into one of London’s expanding outer suburbs, bringing new housing, industry and, with it, a growing Welsh community.
🏛️ Following the First World War, the British Empire Exhibition was held at Wembley Park in 1924. The original Wembley Stadium was built for the exhibition but few realise the prominent Welsh contribution. There was an exhibition of the Welsh Women’s Peace Petition, the famous Caerphilly Castle steam locomotive was one of the centrepieces and visitors could even explore a replica coal mine.
🏅 In 1948, Wembley again found itself in the international spotlight when it hosted the first Olympic Games after the Second World War – the famous “Austerity Games”.
🏠 Between these two landmark events rose Gwalia Hall, the home of the London Welsh community in Wembley. Built in 1929 on London Road, the site was first spotted by local tailor Jordan Jones, but the driving force behind the project was the consultant surgeon Dr Tudor Edwards. His wife officially opened Gwalia Hall in 1929.
👨👩👧👦 By then, Wembley already had an active Welsh Society and non-denominational Welsh Sunday Schools were held in the hall. Later that year, a Welsh methodist cause was established with 34 founding members.
⛪ During the war years, the legendary Rev. John Thickens of Willesden Green took charge of the Gwalia Hall mission. After the war, responsibility passed to the Rev. W. T. Phillips of Hammersmith Welsh Chapel, originally from Llansteffan.
📜 The Wembley cause came to an end in 1972 following a compulsory purchase order to allow the neighbouring telephone exchange to expand. Although it still had around 70 members, the congregation decided to unite with the Welsh chapel at Willesden Green.
🏉 Of course, Wembley Stadium also occupies a special place in Welsh rugby folklore. In 1999, with the Millennium Stadium still under construction, Wales stunned England 32–31 at Wembley thanks to Scott Gibbs’ unforgettable late try and Neil Jenkins’ match-winning conversion - a victory that denied England the Five Nations title and became one of the sport’s most iconic moments. 🤪
Photo (from City Mission: The Story of London’s Welsh Chapels): Mrs Tudor Edwards opens the Gwalia Hall (1929)
