Members at our 2007 BBQ

Cardiff
Naturalists' Society


Cymdeithas Naturiaethwyr
Caerdydd

 

 

Daniel Sibbering-Jones (1856-1931) 48th President


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We have an obituary of him in Volume LXIV of the Transactions

D. Sibbering-Jones. 1856-1931.

Daniel Sibbering-Jones from the Transactions

Daniel Sibbering-Jones from the Transactions

By the death of Daniel Sibbering-Jones on August 17th, 1931, the Cardiff Naturalists' Society has lost one of its most active and faithful supporters. Born at Merthyr in 1856, of a well-known South Wales family, he later came to Cardiff as a young man to join the firm of Trayes and Co., Timber Merchants eventually, in 1886, he entered into partnership with his brother-in-law, Mr. J. C. Meggitt, and established the firm of Meggitt and Jones, Ltd., Timber Importers, of Cardiff, Barry, and Gloucester.

Sibbering-Jones was a widely travelled man, visiting from time to time most of the countries of Europe, the United States, and Canada, as well as the West Indies and Central America.

He was of a quiet and unassuming disposition, with a kindliness and charm of manner that brought him a host of friends. He loved the country and was an enthusiastic Field Naturalist, and his skill as a trout fisher often led him into those sylvan surroundings in which his soul so much delighted.

He was greatly interested in the National Museum of Wales and, in 1925, became a member of the Science Committee, acting as Deputy Chairman in 1928-29 and Chairman for the year 1929-30. Whilst appreciative of the value to the public of all branches of museum work, it was perhaps in the Department of Botany that he took most interest, and was keen in helping forward the forestry section of the Department. He gave generous assistance toward field work in connection with the study of trees, and his advice on the utilization of timber was often sought, and always received with profit.

He was also an active Rotarian, and had represented the Cardiff Rotary Club in conferences on the other side of the Atlantic.

In 1897 he was one of the founders of the Barry Golf Club and was elected the first President of the Club, an office which he continued to hold up to the time of his death.

Sibbering-Jones joined the Cardiff Naturalists' Society in 1898 and was elected to the Council in 1906, President for the 1920-21 Session, Vice-President of the Junior Section on its formation in 1921, and President of the Junior Section for the Session 1927-28.

He also had a long and useful connection with the Biological and Geological Section, of which he was a member.

Following is a list of the Papers he read from time to time

Forest and other Trees." Chiefly relating to the Cardiff District-to the Biological and Geological Section on December 13th, 1906.

Presidential Address to the Society on "Trees and Timber," October 21st, 1920.

"Wild Life and Scenery in the American National Parks," to the Biological and Geological Section on January 4th, 1923.

A Trip to Ancient Greece," his Presidential Address to the Junior Section on November 11th, 1927.

he was also a member of other organizations such as the Barry Chamber of Trade and Improvement Association which he was president of

A Trip To Cheddar Via Weston  Barry Dock News 10th July 1896

A Trip To Cheddar Via Weston Barry Dock News 10th July 1896

Drinking Fountains for Barry, Barry Herald 17th July 1896

Drinking Fountains for Barry, Barry Herald 17th July 1896

As has been noted above he was a keen golfer and there are many references to his playing in the local newspapers, but it was not just golf there are articles about his Tennis and Cycling activities

Barry Golf Club. Mr D. Sibbering Jones Chosen Chairman, Barry Herald 23rd October 1908

Barry Golf Club. Mr D. Sibbering Jones Chosen Chairman, Barry Herald 23rd October 1908

Lawn Tennis, Evening Express 28th May 1906

Lawn Tennis, Evening Express 28th May 1906

In 1910 He hosted a visit of the Society to the steam sawing, planing, and moulding timber mills recently erected on modern lines by Messrs Meggitt and Jones at the East Moors.

Visit to a Cardiff Works, The Cardiff Times 11th June 1910

Visit to a Cardiff Works, The Cardiff Times 11th June 1910

There was a family relationship to Thomas William Proger 31st and 55th President. It is noted that both men were in the group of principal mourners in 1900 at the funeral of J G Proger and in a separate article relating to Sibbering-Jones business partner who was elected as a councillor in Barry, that

Mr. Meggitt was married to the elder daughter of Mr. J. G. Proger, of Cardiff, whose younger daughter is now married to Mr. Meggitt's partner, Mr. D. Sibbering Jones.

During World War I, in addition to continuing to run his timber business (which was doing war work) he served in a number of home based roles in relation to the war.

Barry Red Cross Men's V.A.D., Barry Dock News 23rd July 1915

Barry Red Cross Men's V.A.D., Barry Dock News 23rd July 1915

The Resignation Of Mr. D. Sibbering Jones, Barry Dock News 7th December 1917

The Resignation Of Mr. D. Sibbering Jones, Barry Dock News 7th December 1917



Back to the 150th Anniversary index

Before this... Principal Albert Howard Trow, D.Sc., F.L.S. (1863-1939) 35th and 47th President

Next up... Gilbert David Shepherd M.B.E, J.P., F.C.A., (1880-1958) 49th President

See our Full list of Presidents

These pages are part of the Cardiff Naturalists' Society 150th Anniversary celebrations and are about our history and are celebrating the people who developed our Society and helped build the city and the cultural heritage of Cardiff. You can read more about that using the links above

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