Gordon Parry, Baron Parry
Encyclopedia
Gordon Samuel David Parry (usually Lord Gordon Parry) (30 November 1925 – 1 September 2004) was a Welsh Labour politician. He was created a Life Peer
as Lord Parry of Neyland on 21 January 1976 by the Prime Minister Harold Wilson
.
The son of Reverend Thomas Lewis Parry and his wife, Anne Parry, Lord Parry's early childhood days were mostly spent around his father's church, Molleston Baptist Church in Pembrokeshire
. His university education was at Trinity College, Carmarthen
.
Lord Parry was a schoolteacher prior to going into politics, standing as a Labour Party candidate in the Pembrokeshire constituency. but before then, as a young teen, he was a regular at Bethesda Baptist Chapel, Neyland
, where his father was then pastor, and where today young Parry's name is preserved in the form of graffiti scratched into one of the pews.
Lord Parry was very active in travel and public works until the end of his life. His efforts reached around the world and today he is still fondly remembered in such far away locals as Macon, Georgia
, USA, where he was highly important in the early years and ultimate success of the Macon International Cherry Blossom Festival
.
Among numerous other accolades, Lord Parry was presented with The Welsh American Heritage Medallion by the National Welsh American Foundation during formal ceremonies in September 2001 at Philadelphia, USA.
BBC News presenter Jamie Owen
provided a tribute to him at his funeral at Bethesda Baptist Chapel. His funeral procession took place in Neyland
and for the event the town was closed to traffic. The procession was led by a full contingent of Welsh Guards, the streets were lined with silent well-wishers, and the Royal Air Force paid homage by a missing-man flyover
at the cemetery.
He was predeceased by his wife, Lady Glenys Parry, and is survived by his daughter, Cathy Parry Sherry.
Life peer
In the United Kingdom, life peers are appointed members of the Peerage whose titles cannot be inherited. Nowadays life peerages, always of baronial rank, are created under the Life Peerages Act 1958 and entitle the holders to seats in the House of Lords, presuming they meet qualifications such as...
as Lord Parry of Neyland on 21 January 1976 by the Prime Minister Harold Wilson
Harold Wilson
James Harold Wilson, Baron Wilson of Rievaulx, KG, OBE, FRS, FSS, PC was a British Labour Member of Parliament, Leader of the Labour Party. He was twice Prime Minister of the United Kingdom during the 1960s and 1970s, winning four general elections, including a minority government after the...
.
The son of Reverend Thomas Lewis Parry and his wife, Anne Parry, Lord Parry's early childhood days were mostly spent around his father's church, Molleston Baptist Church in Pembrokeshire
Pembrokeshire
Pembrokeshire is a county in the south west of Wales. It borders Carmarthenshire to the east and Ceredigion to the north east. The county town is Haverfordwest where Pembrokeshire County Council is headquartered....
. His university education was at Trinity College, Carmarthen
Trinity College, Carmarthen
Trinity University College was a university college in Carmarthen, Wales. In 2010, it merged with the University of Wales, Lampeter to become the new University of Wales, Trinity Saint David.- History :...
.
Lord Parry was a schoolteacher prior to going into politics, standing as a Labour Party candidate in the Pembrokeshire constituency. but before then, as a young teen, he was a regular at Bethesda Baptist Chapel, Neyland
Neyland
Neyland is a town in Pembrokeshire, Wales, lying on the River Cleddau and the upstream end of the Milford Haven estuary. The nearby Cleddau Bridge crosses the river, linking Neyland to Pembroke Dock.-History:...
, where his father was then pastor, and where today young Parry's name is preserved in the form of graffiti scratched into one of the pews.
Lord Parry was very active in travel and public works until the end of his life. His efforts reached around the world and today he is still fondly remembered in such far away locals as Macon, Georgia
Macon, Georgia
Macon is a city located in central Georgia, US. Founded at the fall line of the Ocmulgee River, it is part of the Macon metropolitan area, and the county seat of Bibb County. A small portion of the city extends into Jones County. Macon is the biggest city in central Georgia...
, USA, where he was highly important in the early years and ultimate success of the Macon International Cherry Blossom Festival
International Cherry Blossom Festival
thumb|250px|Cherry Blossom FestivalThe International Cherry Blossom Festival is held in Macon, Georgia every spring. As Macon is known as the "Cherry Blossom Capital of the World," 300,000 Yoshino Cherry Trees bloom around downtown, college campuses, and the neighborhoods of Macon in late March...
.
Among numerous other accolades, Lord Parry was presented with The Welsh American Heritage Medallion by the National Welsh American Foundation during formal ceremonies in September 2001 at Philadelphia, USA.
BBC News presenter Jamie Owen
Jamie Owen
Jamie Owen is a Welsh radio and television presenter best known for presenting Wales Today.-Background:Owen was born in Withybush Hospital Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire. His father was a Pembroke Dock Solicitor, James Meyrick Owen and his mother was a health visitor and midwife. Jamie also had two...
provided a tribute to him at his funeral at Bethesda Baptist Chapel. His funeral procession took place in Neyland
Neyland
Neyland is a town in Pembrokeshire, Wales, lying on the River Cleddau and the upstream end of the Milford Haven estuary. The nearby Cleddau Bridge crosses the river, linking Neyland to Pembroke Dock.-History:...
and for the event the town was closed to traffic. The procession was led by a full contingent of Welsh Guards, the streets were lined with silent well-wishers, and the Royal Air Force paid homage by a missing-man flyover
Missing man formation
The missing man formation is an aerial salute performed as part of a flyover of aircraft at a funeral or memorial event, typically in memory of a fallen pilot. The missing man formation is often called "the missing man flyby"...
at the cemetery.
He was predeceased by his wife, Lady Glenys Parry, and is survived by his daughter, Cathy Parry Sherry.