The Lloyd George Museum

David Lloyd George remains a popular subject with writers

The Lloyd George Museum in Llanystumdwy is one of the very few museums in Britain which celebrates the life of a former Prime Minister.

After his death in 1945, David Lloyd George's second wife, Frances, gathered his papers and put them on show in the village before leaving some land to build a permanent memorial to her husband.

After deliberating between an agricultural college and a library, the decision was finally taken to build the current museum.

In 1990, the museum was extended to include a theatre and library.

"Some of the books in the library are David Lloyd George's and some have been donated by the public, "said Nest Thomas from the council's department for museums.

"His life remains a very popular subject; we're always adding new books because people keep writing about him."

The museum draws attention to two particular events in Lloyd George's career which had an effect on both Britain and the world.

The first is the story of Thomas Thomas from Corwen, the first man to receive the old age pension in Wales, known as 'Lloyd George's crown' (five shillings).

There's also Lloyd George's personal copy of the People's Budget, dedicated to his uncle, Richard Lloyd.

As chancellor, to finance the pension he introduced this bill to the House of Lords, where it was soundly rejected.

"Before," said deputy curator Emrys Williams, "the Lords had the power to vote down any legislation. As Lloyd George was proposing to tax land - and they were mostly landowners - they were worried they'd lose everything."

With the threat of appointing far more liberal lords, they capitulated and the Liberals passed the Parliamentary Act which stops the Lords from blocking measures introduced by the House of Commons.

There is also Lloyd George's personal copy of the Treaty of Versailles.

The laurel wreath which was thrown into the King's car at the end of WWI

"We have his draft copy which was given to the Germans in May 1919," said Nest.

"This agreement changed Europe completely, but Lloyd George was worried it would sow the seeds of another war as he didn't agree with being so heavy-handed towards the Germans."

The seal he used to stamp the document is also on show.

"When he went to Paris, he realised he'd forgotten his seal," said Nest. "So he made Frances go out and buy a new one and get his initials carved onto it."

Another memento of Versailles is the laurel wreath which was thrown into the King's car when Lloyd George accompanied him on a celebratory drive through London.

"The King told Lloyd George to keep it," said Nest. "Frances looked after it for years and even though it's very fragile now, it's still in one piece."

Lloyd George Museum, Llanystumdwy, Criccieth, Gwynedd, LL52 0SH, tel [phone]. Open May, Monday-Tuesday; June, Monday-Saturday; July-August daily; September-October, Monday-Friday.