Hywel Harris underwent a religious conversion on this day, 1735 while listening to a sermon by the Rev. Pryce Davies in Talgarth parish church. Harris then became one of the main driving forces of the Welsh Methodist revival in the 18th century.

Harris, who was born in Talgarth, Breconshire on January 24th 1714, had become a local schoolteacher and while listening to Pryce Davies's sermon, he came to the conviction that he had received mercy through the blood of Christ and converted to Methodism. Then, when failing to be accepted for ordination in the Church of England, he became a travelling preacher in mid and south Wales. William Williams, Pantycelyn was a follower of his.

He was a determined man of unshakeable beliefs, who was viewed as challenging the established order and provoked hostility, he and his fellow Methodists required considerable personal courage to carry on their ministry in the face of intimidation and violence, with one Methodist, William Seward being stoned to death at Hay-on-Wye in 1740.

Harris was effectively regarded as the founder of the Presbyterian Church of Wales, also known as the Calvinistic Methodist church and when he died, in 1773, twenty thousand people are said to have attended his funeral. Throughout his life, Harris kept a detailed diary, seen as a first eye witness of the Welsh Methodist revival, which is kept at the National Library of Wales. Coleg Trefeca nr Talgarth is a museum and conference centre dedicated to his memory.

Methodism is a branch of Protestant religion that originated in 1739 with the teachings of John Wesley. While studying at Oxford, Wesley and his brother Charles were instrumental in forming a group devoted to study, prayer and evangelistic preaching. They were given the name Methodist, because of their methodical approach to their religious affairs.

Because of their evangelistic methods, the Wesley brothers were  barred from preaching in most  Church of England churches, so they preached in homes, farm houses, barns and open fields and soon Methodism spread and eventually became an established religion.   

On 30th March 1555, Rawlins White was burned at the stake on St Mary Street, outside Bethany Church. (Now part of the James Howell department store, where there is a plaque to his memory) for refusing to denounce his protestant faith. 

Rawlins White was a fisherman from Cardiff who had become a devout Protestant in his late 50's and despite not being able to read and write, he had learnt large sections of the bible and begun to preach openly in Cardiff.  However when Mary became Queen in 1553, Protestantism was suppressed and White who refused to stop preaching was arrested by the Bishop of Llandaff and sentenced to death by burning.

White who was determined to die bravely, broke down on his way to the stake when he saw his wife and children weeping uncontrollably.  However, he regained his composure and struck his breast in defiance.

White then helped arrange the wood and hay for the fire, so he have a quick death and as the flames consumed him he shouted out to the large crowd, not to listen to a priest who was speaking the words of the liturgy and asked the Lord to receive his soul.

On 30th March 1555, Robert Ferrar, Bishop of St David's was executed by burning at Carmarthen.

Robert Ferrar, originally from Halifax, was an Augustinian monk at Nostell Priory, who because of the Augustinians policy of sending, at least, one monk from each of their houses to receive an education, became a student at Oxford University.

It was while at Oxford that he came under the influence of reformers and the works of Tindale. He was made prior of Nostell on his return, but still had sympathy for the protestant reformation, so that when the monastery was dissolved in 1539, he received a pension, eventually married and had three children. He was appointed the chaplain to Edward Seymour (the Lord Protector) and then Archbishop Cranmer.

Then in 1549, he was appointed as Bishop of St David’s, but came into conflict with his parishioners over his over-zealous policies and was imprisoned until Mary Tudor came to the throne.

Ferrar was now in difficulty as not only was he regarded as a protestant but also because he was married. Mary refused to recognise the legality of Ferrar’s marriage and he was deposed of his see. He was tried for heresy and found guilty. He refused to recant and was burned at the stake at Carmarthen on 30th March 1555. It is reported that he met his end with fortitude.

Born this day, 1973 in Cardiff

Mathew Pritchard, professional skateboarder and co-founder of the Dirty Sanchez crew.  

Born this day, 1966 in Pontycymer, Bridgend

John Devereux, former Wales and Lions rugby union international and Wales and Great Britain rugby league international.