He popularised ‘Butterfull’ cake products
1891-1960
Abercwmboi’s “Butterfull” Cakes are well-known to discriminating housewives in many parts of Wales, the Midlands, and the West of England.
The past week saw the death of one who played a leading role in building up the “Butterfull” firm and popularising its product. He was seventy-year-old Mr. David Thomas Evans of 36, Bronallt Terrace, Abercwmboi, originator of the word “Butterfull.”
Each day for many years he chalked a witty slogan publicising “Butterfull,” of course on blackboard which he displayed in one of the windows of the firm’s premises in Abercwmboi.
These slogans limericks, quips, etc., were quite a feature of Abercwmboi life in those days.
With the Pontypridd and Cardiff buses stopping directly outside the shop the slogans, each of them reflecting Mr. Evans’s humour and poetic genius, captured the imagination of hundreds of Valley people. Indeed, regular users of these buses made a special point of watching for them.
Mr. Evans’s other big interest was Bethesda Welsh Baptist Church, Abercwmboi, where he had been a deacon for many years.
A music enthusiast, he was a most capable violin player He gained the A.C.V. and A.T.B.C., awards in music examination. In his younger days he was associated with many of the concerts and cantatas held in the village. He had also composed some music including several hymn tunes.
The funeral took place to Glyntaff Crematorium.
Cremation was preceded by a service at Bethesda, which was attended by a large congregation.
“The Rev. Morgan Price read Scripture and, prayer was offered by the Rev. Dudley Morgan (Penrhiwceiber). The hymns suns were “Yn dy waith y mae fy mywyd,” “Y dy law fy anwyl Iesu,” (“Hyfrydol”), and “The Lord My Shepherd,” (“Crimond”). Mr. Bron Rees played the “Dead March” from “Saul” and “Finlandia.”
The service at the house and crematorium were conducted by the Rev. Meredith Morgan (Heol-y-felin). At the crematorium, the hymn tune “O fryniau Caersalem” (Crugybar”) was sung.
Before the committal “The Dead March” (“Saul”) and the hymn tune “Kimnel” (composed by Mr. Evans), were played on the crematorium organ by Mr. D. M. Rees.
Bearers: Menara D, Watkins, Morlais Jenkins, and T Roberts (deacon at Bethesda) Messrs. A. Jones, C. E. Evans, and D. Thomas (members of the staff of Butterfull Cakes Ltd).
Deacons of Bethesda present were: Messrs., M. Rees, Joseph Jones, and David and John Morgan (who were also cousins of the deceased).
Bethlehem Congregational Church deacons present were: Messrs. J. Rees, D. Isaac, I. Coles, J. Williams, and J. Ll. Evans.
Friends present Messrs. T. Evans, E. Moore, Jos Davies, W. Bevan, Gwynfa and Cledwyn A. Jones.
Present at the crematorium were: Messrs. D. R Davies, Swansea, D. M. Girdler, Caerphilly, B. E. Smith, Jones (Mountain Ash) and A. Cooke, Cardiff.
Mourners: Miss M. Evans, daughter, Mr. G. Evans, son, Maud, Noel and Keri Ellis, niece, and nephews; J. Parry and B. Daniel, brothers-in-law, O. Parry and B. Daniel nephews; K Harris, cousin.
At the house Widow: Mrs. G. Evans, daughter-in-law Mrs. Evans, daughter-in-law, Mrs. E. A. Ellis, sister, Mesdames J. O. Parry and B. Daniel, sisters-in-law; Miss Ray Evans, Miss Jane Morgan, Mesdames D. Thomas, William Evans and P. Harris, cousins; Mrs. M. Evans, Mrs. M. E. Williams and Mr. and Mrs. H. P. Richards, Caerphilly, friends.
Floral tributes were confined to members of the family. The flowers in the church were given by the staff of Butterfull Cakes Ltd.
Funeral arrangements were by Messrs. D. T. and E. Jones, Abercwmboi.
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