History of Bala

The historic market town of Bala sits at the head of Llyn Tegid, in south Snowdonia and plays an important part in Welsh history and culture. The Welsh word "bala" means the outflow of a lake, and Bala, Ontario, Canada was named after it in 1868. They have since become twin towns.

Bala was founded by Royal Charter around 1310 by Roger de Mortimer of Chirk Caslte. He was keen to establish the town as a means to taming the rebellious ‘Quakers’ of the Penllyn district (Penllyn being an area near to Bala, rather than Penllyn on the Llyn peninsula). These Quakers had gathered in Penllyn around a Puritan priest from Wrexham named Morgan Llwyd. He lived in Cynfal Fawr near Ffestiniog, and during his journeys between his home and Wrexham, would pass through Penllyn, and there began preaching at a house known as Bodwenni between Bala and Llandderfel. His sermons stressed the importance of listening to the ‘light within’ that we might today more commonly call our conscience. Morgan Llwyd died in 1659 and his followers at Bodwenni discovered a natural empathy with the teaching of the Quakers.

The town we see today is largely due to Roger de Mortimer’s street layout in the fourteenth century, which marked out a series of square courts. The main street running through the town, Stryd Fawr, being the exception. This was the place where markets were held, and continues to provide the civic focus. One of the earliest structures is the Tower of Bala or ‘tomen’, a tumulous or moat hill formerly thought to mark the site of a Roman camp (30 ft./9m high by 50 ft./15m diameter). Other notable structures and buildings include the large stone built Calvanistic Methodist theological college – ‘Coleg y Bala’ and the grammar school, founded in 1712. A statue of the Rev Thomas Charles (1755 – 1814) is also a key feature in the town. He was a renowned theological writer credited largely with the foundation of the British and Foreign Bible Society.

During the eighteenth century, Bala was known as one of the leading centres for the manufacture of flannel, stockings, gloves and hosiery. Many people in Bala made their living as ‘knitters’. Almost everyone knitted socks and generated income from selling them at the popular ‘knitters market’ which helped to make Bala’s name further afield. Today, the main local industries are farming and tourism.

Roman remains (Caer Gai and Llanfor) and Norman remains (Tomen y Bala) are found here. Statues in Bala town commemorate famous people from Bala who influenced religion, culture and nationalism in 18th and 19th Century Wales. The Victoria Hall (Neuadd Buddug) is a small old cinema, that previously was a community hall. There are several Chapels: notably - Capel Mawr and Capel Bach and the newly refurbished Eglwys Crist, Christ Church. The livestock market on Arenig street is still a regular event. Pick up a copy of 'Y Bala Tro Trefol - Town Walk' which guides you on a historical wander through the town.