Letter sent to Llanelli Star

I write in response to M Edwards, of North Cornelly, who asked in last week’s Star Letters for the origin of the name Capel Als in Llanelli.
There appears to be no definitive answer, but the best suggestion was made by eminent Llanelli historian John Edwards in his book ‘Llanelli: Story of a Town’ (published, incidentally, by the Llanelli Star).
I quote from what is an excellent work of reference –
‘It was during the ministry of Evan Davies (his home was Gelli Farm near Llanelli) that the first Independent Chapel was established in 1780. That chapel was Capel Als. It is claimed that the name, derives from a cottage called Ty Alys which previously stood on the spot where the chapel was built.
‘Alys apparently sold water from a well which was still there until 1852 when it was filled in during the building of an extension to the chapel. The word ‘als’ in Welsh means rock cliff (compare the Gaelic, Ailsa Craig) and if one ventures to the vestry behind the chapel one is faced by a steep rock face. The chapel could conceivably have been named after this feature. That is my own personal theory, for what it is worth, but I have never known the word Alys or Alice shortened to Als.’
Robert Lloyd,
84 New Road,
Llanelli,
SA15 3DT