The Testimony of Tom Pitt – A foundary man and his family
Tom Pitt was born into a large family in 1886. He was brought up in Custom House Bank, Seaside, Llanelli, and attended the Copperworks School.He was popular because he had a tenor voice; with it he entertained people in the local pubs. Nonetheless, he was dissatisfied with this way of life.
One evening during the 1904-05 Revival, Tom was walking home from the Cornish Arms (now known as the Bucket and Spade) in Seaside. As he did so, he stopped to listen to the singing in the loft of Custom House Bank Mission Hall. A Children’s Meeting was in progress; for no apparent reason it lasted longer than usual so the parents who came to collect their children joined in the singing. As he listened, someone encouraged Tom to come upstairs. He was converted there and then. Tom’s life was instantaneously altered as a consequence. On his arrival home Tom’s sister witnessed him emptying his pocket of all his cigarettes. However, no one in his family at that time followed his example.
People soon noticed a vast difference in his behaviour. For example, he made new friends at the Mission Hall. In January 1905 he was baptised and became a member.There, for thirty years, he was a faithful Sunday School teacher. In February 1916 he became an Overseer along with Tom Phillips, Robert Richards and William Samuel. He proved to be a good open-air preacher. He participated in the weekly Open-air Services on Sunday evening at the Atheneum Square and latterly in Broadway. His strong voice could be heard from Thomas Street when the wind was blowing in a certain direction and when. the traffic was not so hectic. During the summer months Tom would accompany others of the Evangelistic Hall in a bus in evangelising West Wales with literature and placards.
Poetry was another way through which Tom expressed his faith. (See below).His appreciation of the Crucifixion of Christ, Divine protection and perseverance of Christians are the major themes.
In the shot-blasting shop of Glanmor Foundry Tom worked for over fifty-five years. The job was dangerous for as an annealer he was exposed to a tremendous amount of heat and fumes from the furnace. He only had a wet cloth over his mouth for protection; masks were not used in those days. However, Desmond Thomas the storesman did supply him with items such as a helmet and gloves.
In High Street the Pitt family lived. Elizabeth Jane his wife bore Tom five children: Leslie, Bernard, Glenys, Mair and May. Leslie joined the Army and was drafted to the Middle East during the Second World War. For many years he was in the bakery business. Bernard lived in Canada for a number of years. Afterward he returned with his family to Llanelli before moving to Milton Keynes where he ended his days.
Ivor Welch was Tom Pitt’s cousin through marriage . Ivor was born in November 1898. His grandfather, James, was a master taylor. John,Ivor’s father, was a blacksmith who was indentured at the Glanmor Foundry in 1880 and worked most of his life in the Gors Works. Ivor became a light weight boxer with the Y.M.C.A. prior to World War One. (The photograph was taken just before the War; Ivor is in the second row, third from the right ).During the War the Royal Navy posted him to H.M.S. Sulfolk After it he,too, became a blacksmith in Dafen. Howard his son was employed at the Glanmor Foundry. He did manual work for several years but finished up as being the Chief Cashier. Howard’s wife, Margaret Taylor, came from Cliff Terrace in Machynys.
Ivor was converted after the Great War. Tom’s cousin Gladys Brierly became his wife and they faithfully attended the Evangelistic Hall in Arthur Street. They loved each other dearly, so when Ivor passed away in November 1977, Gladys was heart-broken. She prayed that her life would be terminated soon. Her prayer was answered when she passed away in March 1978.
As for Tom he passed away in 1960. Robert Ricahards a great friend of his wrote a tribute to him in The Llanelli Star:“Here, surely, was an out-and-out Christian who will be long remembered by all who came into contact with him”
Tom Pitt’s Poems
“And, lo, I am with you alway”.
(Matthew 28:20)
“ When the winds are all contrary,
And the sun in darkness hides,
You should never be discouraged –
I am there whate’er betides;
In the darkness, in the sunshine,
In the storm and in the calm,
May you ever hear the promise,
There is none can do you harm.
“I will never, never leave you,
‘Tis the Saviour’s voice we hear,
Sounding forth the precious promise,
Every day throughout the year;
Be courageous and go forward
With one purpose in your heart,
That you magnify your Saviour
And resolve to play your part.
“Always think of what He suffered
There upon Golgotha’s tree,
When He drank the cup of judgement
And our guilty souls set free.
Then be patient and endure,
For your work is not in vain,
And a full reward be your’s
When the King comes back to reign.”
A Triple Not
Fear Not – Isaiah 43:5
“Fear not for I am with thee,
When clouds are hovering o’er;
When sun and moon and starlight,
Are seemingly no more.
The Lord Who stilled the tempest,
Is now enthroned on high;
All things will at His bidding,
Unveil a cloudless sky”
Fret Not – Psalm 37:1.
“Fret not when evil tidings,
Converge upon thy soul;
But let the peace of Heaven,
Your heart and mind control.
Assured that your Saviour,
Above the din and strife;
Will keep you in all danger,
Throughout this mortal life.”
Faint Not – Galatians 6:9
“Faint not when adverse powers,
Their opposition raise,
When all things seem against you
You find it hard to praise.
Thy Great Redeemer liveth,
The Lord Whose strong to save,
He’ll comfort and sustain thee,
In all you’re called to brave”.
(Sources: Obituary in the Llanelli Star – “Death of a Well-known Seaside Character” by Robert Richards a founder of the Evangelistic Hall. Centenary of the Work at the Evangelistic Hall, Llanelli. 1882-1982 by Herbert Board; Howard Walsh; Leslie Pitt; Desmond Thomas).