Wales is mourning a writer and broadcaster hailed as the Welsh language’s chief journalist of the 20th century.

John Williams, (90), who lived near Caernarfon, was a broadcaster with Radio Cymru until last month.

He began his career in journalism with Yr Herald in Caernarfon before moving to Y Cymro [The Welshman] in Oswestry, where he was appointed editor in 1945.

He stayed in that role for 17 years, turning the paper into a popular and authoritative broadsheet, increasing circulation to around 28,000, though to be the highest for a Welsh language paper in modern times.

He got his views over in a witty column under the pseudonym John Aelod Jones, and revelled in the pretence that he was not the author.

He left in 1963 to join the short-lived television company Teledu Cymru as head of news, before joining the BBC in Cardiff where he worked until retirement in 1976, becoming head of news for the BBC North Wales department.

During retirement he published his autobiography Yr Eiddoch yn Gywir [Yours Sincerely], and was working with a group of younger journalists to publish a daily newspaper in Welsh, due to be launched next year as Y Byd [The World].

He was honoured as a fellow of Bangor University last year for his contribution to the Welsh language.

His weekly five-minute slot on Radio Cymru was broadcast without a break for almost 28 years.

Several volumes of his Dros Fy Sbectol talks were published by the BBC and are regarded by his followers as valuable to the Welsh language, covering many aspects of Welsh life and giving a viewpoint on world affairs.

Former BBC controller in Wales, Geraint Stanley Jones paid tribute, telling radio listeners: “John was a very careful and observant journalist, a writer of distinction who had a very special style.”

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