No. 36 WINTER 2019 www.dynevorrevisited.org.uk The Dy’vorian The magazine for all former pupils and teachers of Dynevor School

Kev Johns Pantomime Dame, Radio Presenter, Actor, and Dy’vorian

A Life in the Law Judge Stuart Batcup

Dynevor’s Picasso The Art of Adrian Davies

Egyptology David Jeffreys’ Work in Memphis Letter to the Editor

When 3N and 4N came to Dynevor

When the Secondary Technical I was eternally grateful to Mr. Mort for School in Swansea’s Somerset Place getting me through O-level. closed down in 1960, the students This is really an example of why it’s continued their education at Dynevor difficult for me to confirm the negative Grammar School. They became classes reactions of some of those making the 3N and 4N. move from the Tech. We enjoyed Our Scholarship marks were not quite excellent teaching, for example from good enough to merit a place at Dr Protheroe in Chemistry, Jop in Dynevor or Bishop Gore, but better Geography, Scruff in French and, of than those who were sent to Penlan course, from Iorrie Mort. Secondary Modern. Some of our Having dropped Geography for some masters at the Tech came with us, for reason, I was able to do O-level in the example Mr Sparky Hughes. Lower Sixth while doing the A-level The Tech was housed in the Old course. I eventually became a Geography Guildhall. I’ve often been down there teacher. I can only really say that the and have been amazed how near our “difficulties“ became less and less over classrooms were to the docks. Less than time. Perhaps it’s even true to say that a stone’s throw really. Dynevor was in the forefront of develop- Later, Mr. Norris, formerly at the ments in education which later became Tech, became Dynevor’s headmaster. the “comprehensive” movement. I remember him quite vividly: in my We remained intact as a form until second year at the Tech he hauled me 5N, and I think all of us did O-level before him for some silly stunt in the Technical Drawing and Metalwork. school yard. He promptly let me off Mr. Bob Davies came with us from the when he discovered I played for the Tech to teach TD and the subject was second year rugby team. offered later to pupils in other classes. I think there was some trepidation on I think 11-year-old pupils still have a both sides in the first months. In the case chance to get on, whatever the system, of 4N, some of the pupils were really not as long as the quality of teaching is suited to a grammar school. In the case there. Not very profound of course, but of 3N, there were two boys with a as far as I’m concerned our move from uncertain reputation, which they lived the Tech was a success story. up to, until Mr. Mort was asked to teach us maths. In his very first lesson one of Ian Mattey (1958-65) them got a justified “doughboy” (but extremely safely executed), and from that moment most of us knuckled down.

2 Contents

News...... Page 4

The Busiest Man in Wales...... Page 6 An interview with Kevin Johns MBE, actor, entertainer, stand-up comedian, charity volunteer, radio presenter and minister. Kev Johns (1973-78)

A Life in the Law...... Page 10 Stuart Batcup, District Judge Emeritus, relates his years at Dynevor were a foundation for his entry into the legal profession. By Stuart Batcup (1956-1963)

Dy’vorian Events...... Page 14 Rock Night and Balconiers’ Day.

My Work at Memphis...... Page 16 Dr. David Jeffreys delivered this year’s Annual Lecture on his work in Egypt. He writes about is involvement in excavation and survey at Memphis, just south of Cairo. By David Jeffreys (1966–1970)

Dynevor’s Picasso (Part 1 - Drawings)...... Page 20 Artist, Adrian Davies shares his work. In this first part of three, we look at his drawings. Parts 2 and 3 will feature Adrian’s painting and 3-dimensional work . By Adrian Davies (1954-59)

A Septuagenarian Remembers (Part 2)...... Page 24 Life in Dynevor in the mid-fifties and early sixties. By “A recluse from Vaucluse” - (1956-1962)

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Meet the President Landore born and Morriston bred, John attended Lon-las Welsh primary school before Dynevor. After training at Lampeter he was a curate at Pontardawe then at Brecon before becoming vicar of five country parishes in Breconshire. He was Vicar of Pontarddulais for 32 years, before retiring in 2015. One of the highlights of those years was the exciting discovery of medieval murals in the old parish church, and its consequent removal to St Fagan’s museum. Married to Anne, whose brothers are also Dy’vorians, John is proud that at least ten of his cousins are Dy’vorians too and also acknowledges his gratitude to staff and friends at Dynevor in the 1960’s. Living happily now by LA in the US (Lower ‘Afod in the Upper Strand) not far from their children, both he and Anne feel a sense of homecoming after their (albeit happy) exile in the Bont. John Walters (1961-69)

I n M e m o r i a m RIP Cyril Goldstone

William Ryland Whitlock 1932-

Cyril Goldstone 1934-39 ODA President (1968)

David Iorwerth Mort 1938-1944 ODA President (1976)

John Pickard 1946-1952 Paul Rowlands 1952-59 Philip Davies 1958-1965 In September, Cyril Goldstone, ODA President Keith Simpson 1961-68 in 1968 and well-respected Swansea solicitor, passed away aged 96.

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RIP Iorrie Mort Happy 101st Birthday, Miss Sims Many will remember Miss Jennie Sims in her office opposite the staff room at Dynevor, where she was the School Secretary for some twenty years in the 1960’s and 70’s. She remembers those years with fondness.

As we were going to press, we learned that Iorrie Mort passed away on 2nd November, aged 93. Iorrie would figure most prominently in any list of those who have given the greatest service both to Dynevor School and to the Old Dy‘vorians Association. We are planning President, John Walters, presents Miss Sims a tribute to Iorrie in the next edition. with a rose plant.

Professor Iwan Davies Still living in the family home at Winch-wen, Jennie celebrated her 100th birthday last year. Before coming to Dynevor, she taught music in Somerset and worked for the Education Department at Swansea. A talented organist, she has accompanied many local choirs including Morriston Orpheus, and has been organist at Salem Capel y Cwm in Bonymaen for 71 years. We wish her well for her 101st Professor Iwan Davies has been appointed as birthday in December. Bangor University’s Vice-Chancellor. He will become only the eighth Vice-Chancellor, or Penblwydd hapus a llongyfarchiadau Principal, in the University’s 135 year history. Miss Sims! Professor Davies attended Dynevor 1969-1976.

5 The Busiest Man in Wales? Kevin Johns MBE (1973-1978)

Kev’s bio is impressive — actor, entertainer, stand-up comedian, charity volunteer, for which he received an MBE, and radio show presenter. That’s just for starters. There’s more. Kevin is also a minister and Swansea City club chaplain.

It has been said that, at this time He was active in the community in of year, you are the busiest man local politics, started the Plasmarl in Wales. What makes you so Youth Football team with my Uncle busy? Arthur and also found time to drive the The obvious answer is that there is community ambulance for the Swansea lots to do and I’m not very good at just MS Society. sitting around. What I do is not difficult. My hours can My dad was my role model! He taught sometimes be long— I rehearsed a me, what I like to call that “Welsh musical recently and we worked out that Working Class Work Ethic.” the company were rehearsing 80 hours Dad worked hard ­­— he was a tanker a week, plus the four hours I did driver for BP and did all the things than Monday to Friday on air — but its not dads do! manual work — I love what I do!

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How did you get into Panto, Kev, As a minister, is it ever difficult and how many have you done? to balance your love of the stage I think this year will be my 28th Panto with your love of the church? in total, and my 22nd at the Swansea The only thing I ever wanted to do as a Grand Theatre. youngster was to be an actor. My plan, My first was at Porthcawl in 1992 but my dream, was to go to drama school. I never got to play Dame until 2001. But just weeks before that was due to Panto has opened many doors for me. happen, I felt it was right to go into the I’ve played the comedy role in a ministry. I surprised everyone, number of Shakespeare plays and including God, by applying for a bible worked with both the Wales Theatre college in London. From the age of 12 or Company and The National Theatre 13, the Christian faith had been a huge of Wales. part of my life. I’ve also been cast in Under Milk- I was supposed to be at college for two wood and Dylan Thomas’ Return years but, after a year, I decided it was Journey; and an amazing tour of not for me. I went performing and spent Doctor and the Devils, which was a a year building up a comedy-magic film script written by Dylan. show. But I then went back to the same course, this time at the Elim Bible Were you involved in the theatre College in Capel, Surrey. I finished there when you were at Dynevor? and went to a ministry in Garston, I owe it all to Dynevor! Music teacher Liverpool. John Morris and an amazing English As well as my pastoral work, I spent teacher, David Taylor, cast me in a time working with heroin addicts and number of shows, and I sang with prostitutes. There were some scary John’s choir and Madrigal Group. moments! I learned so much from them. I pioneered a number of churches John Morris also persuaded me to around the UK and then, for a number join the West Glamorgan Youth Choir of years, I had an itinerant role, at one of the best periods in its history travelling, around the UK and Europe and, today, I still rely on what I learned starting youth groups and Sunday there. schools. I do love Panto though – It’s one of I had a young family and we were the only times in the theatre when up struggling a bit financially, so I got back to five generations of a family will come into performing. together and is often the first introduc- That took over again. Now I sit tion that young people have to theatre. comfortably between both worlds. It’s I’ve been blessed to play all of the big my acting and broadcasting that pays Dame roles, but Widow Twanky in the bills, but am proud to be involved in Aladdin remains my favourite! Sport Chaplaincy.

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You received the MBE from Her You “perform” in front of Majesty the Queen for services to thousands of fans at the Liberty charity in Wales. What was it like Stadium. How did this come about? to meet the Queen? I’ve been a Season Ticket holder for When the letter came, I thought it was years. I was at the Swans’ games at the from the Tax Man! “On Her Majesty’s Vetch week in and week out. Service.” I was always involved in National It was a very proud moment. I’m a Football Promotion with Coca-Cola, working class boy from Essex Terrace in MacDonalds and Worthingtons hosting Plasmarl and there I was, in Buckingham family events and football forums all Palace, with some incredible people. over the UK. I was very glad to have the company of I was hosting a five-a-side game at lovely Vicky Michelle, an old friend, as Wembley during a Worthington Cup they split you up from your family as Final and the PR company sent a press soon as you enter the Palace. release to the Evening Post who wrote a The Queen was lovely and knew story about me being involved with half exactly what I did —I recently met time entertainment in the Cup Final. Prince Charles and he also knew. The Swans got in touch and asked why I was very proud that day. It was also I never did that for them. an important day for my family, who “You never asked,” I said. have supported me so much. “We’re asking now,” they replied. “Okay,” I said. You have received many awards. “We don’t have any money,” they replied. Which are you most proud of? “Fine, let’s do it anyway!” I said. There are two that I’m very proud of. I love the club and am proud to serve I received a Lifetime Achievement them in any capacity including Award from Swansea City at the “Player Chaplaincy. of the Year Awards” during our time in the Heroes have become friends and it’s a Premier League — I‘d had no idea, and great club to be a part of. I was comparing the evening. The other was an Honorary Fellowship from the University of Wales Trinity St David. That was very special as when I graduated from Theological College my graduation was more of a commissioning service, so to step on the stage of the Grand Theatre in academic robes meant the world to me.

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Did you play football in school? Tell us about being a disc jockey I was never a great player at school. on Swansea Sound. I played for Plasmarl and Hafod Junior Radio has always been good to me. Comp but never put on a Dynevor shirt. It was the industry that I became To take O Level RE with Mr Morgan attracted to when I was a London I had to skip games afternoon and take student. I did some religious broadcasts RE instead! for LBC and was offered a place at the Mind you, I made up for it when I was London School of Broadcasting. a college first year in London. I played I think I lost my parents support when football and rugby for the college and they saw that it was in Soho surrounded for a local club. by strip clubs and massage parlours! My dine-out story is than I had a In the early 90’s I did an interview on trial for London Welsh and was Radio Wales and as a result picked up offered a game (way down in the 4ths) a series of my own and a Christmas but Richmond was a long trip so I Day Special on Radio 5. played for Pinner in Middlesex. Eventually I joined That was two rugby matches and a Swansea Sound for one football match every week — and weekly show which became a year without academic success! two, then six shows a week, which I present now, including the Weekday Breakfast Show. Swansea Sound has opened many doors for me. Kev plays Mrs Smee in Peter Pan 13 Dec 2019 - 12 Jan 2020 Swansea Grand Theatre Singleton Street, Swansea.

9 A Life in the Law (Part 1) Stuart Batcup (1956-1963) District Judge Emeritus

Stuart’s full time appointment as a District Judge of the High Court and the County Court was confirmed on 23 December 1992. At that time he was the only old Dy’vorian to have been made a judge of any sort. There have been others since.

It all began exactly Sixty years ago, at his bench wig. Alongside him, dressed in the end of Summer term, 1959. Class 3C his finery, with a sword, was the High had finished exams and everyone was at Sheriff. We had a ringside view not only a loose end waiting for the Summer of them and of the gowned Clerk of the Holiday to begin, so a few of us decided Court, and of the shorthand writer, but to ‘mitch off’ to the Law Courts at the also of the jury, the press and the backs of Guildhall. If my memory serves me the heads of the barristers, and the correctly, it was Peter Quacko Quick, Dai accused in the dock with two warders. Steele, Stuart Radcliffe, David Dance and We were hooked and came back again me who trekked along St Helen’s Road in and again to watch the progress of that the sunshine. trial, and some less serious ones being When we got to the Law Courts, the held in Court 2. By the end of term, gowned Usher allowed us to go into the we were running a book on whether the upstairs gallery of Court No 1 as long as defendants would be found “guilty” or we were quiet and behaved ourselves. We “not guilty,” and as bookie, Dai Steele did, as there was a murder trial going on seemed to do the best out of it. before a High Court Judge clad in his red I fell in love with the drama of it all and robes with ermine, and topped off with was particularly taken by the advocacy

10 The Dy’vorian skills of the barristers in their black gowns miner as “He didn’t have the Latin to and wigs. I was usually rooting for Tom become a Judge!” Glanville-Jones, a young terrier who The next step on my legal journey was generally defended. I was smitten and to select my subjects for ‘A’ Levels. Law decided then that the Law was for me. was not on the curriculum then, so I With no background at all in the law, chose English, French and History even I discussed this with my Dad who was a though I had scored better in Sciences at commercial traveller, and an old ‘O’ Levels. So I went on to the Lower Dy’vorian, who had not had the chance. Sixth Arts in September 1961. He was enthusiastic and helped me find There were about twenty in the class, out what was involved in becoming a including Gerald Neddy Neave and lawyer; either a barrister or a solicitor. John Isaac Johnnie Ike who had been a We found that the process was going to year ahead of me but having originally be long and that becoming a barrister opted for Science were re-doing their was going to be more difficult than lower sixth year in Arts. They were the becoming a solicitor, so armed with other two in the class who were material from the Law Society, I decided interested in a career in the law. on the solicitor route. Life was very different in the Sixth Form The trouble was that as well as needing as the teachers seemed to treat us the usual ‘O’ level passes in English and differently. We were made to feel more Maths, I also needed Latin, which I hated! ‘grown up’ and encouraged to achieve. Undeterred, I chose Latin amongst the My teachers were Bryn Cox Crinley Box other options and proceeded to Form 4D and John Bennett for English, with dear George Hounsell as my Form RB Rubbo Morgan and Horace Scruff Master and Latin teacher who followed Griffiths for French and CliffordBunny me, with the Latin, into Form 5D. Evans for History. We also did something Although we became lifelong friends, called ‘General Studies’ with Graham George must have despaired of me at Gregory which did not lead to any exams, that time as I really struggled with Latin. but we did enjoy his ‘mad professor’ Not even Virgil’s Aeneid or Caesar’s teaching style. I did get to understand Gallic Wars inspired me. My parents atomic theory from him which figured even paid for me to have some additional later in my professional life. tutoring by Frank Buzzer Beese, the The Lower and Upper Sixth Arts were Latin Master at Bishop Gore School. difficult. Living in Mumbles and Was it all worthwhile? In 1961, I scraped subject to many distractions such as a pass, and was on my way! I can’t think scouting, singing, swimming, cycling, that Latin made much difference canoeing and girls; the social life took afterwards, but recently the Master of the precedence over study and this spilled Rolls was reflecting on Peter Cook’s into the classroom with our weekly character E.L. Wisty who became a coal Goon Show debriefings. Neddy Neave,

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Roger Tancock, Roger Hillman, Dai at weekends. History essays had to be in Steele and I were usually at the heart of at 9am on Mondays, and my essays the nonsense, which we were able to get always done between 8am and 9am as I away with. Detentions or canings were came into town with my father, who unheard of for sixth formers. never knew why I was so keen to be in On top of all that, C&A Modes had early on Mondays. opened a menswear department in its My academic progress in the Sixth Swansea store in September 1961 and my Form was only average. Indeed, when it Dad suggested that I look there for a came to our mock A Levels, my History Saturday job. I was successful and result was abysmal. Bunny was a force to enrolled as a Saturday salesman at the be reckoned princely rate of fifteen bob a week plus with, and I am commission! I became quite deft at eternally grateful taking an inside leg measurement and to him for thoroughly enjoyed working there. hauling me up in I also worked at the Mumbles Pier front of the Class Hotel, as a cellarman and barman and comparing during the longer holidays. With the me with the benefit of hindsight, I realised some ‘amiable ass’ in years later, that I had acquired far more The Rake’s ‘people skills’ from doing those jobs Progress. and interacting with all kinds and Clifford “Bunny” Evans conditions of folk than I ever would have He pointed out that my behaviour was, from academia alone. like that of the ass, not only affecting my I also had some decent pocket and work but that of those around me. This petrol money to help me pursue my gambit worked and I did pull my finger lovely Liz ,who I had met in 1962 at the out to achieve a Grade ‘B’ in History, Swansea Senior Scouts and Guides HYP which helped pave my way to the Club. This group met at the Railway- University College of Wales Aberystwyth men’s Club near the Palace Theatre every to study Law. Saturday night and involved another During this time Law was very much in close group of scouting friends including the background. Indeed, it was limited to Alan Clewett and David Dance, two other looking out of the window of our old Dy’vorians. It seems to have been classroom above the Headmaster’s study Swansea’s first marriage bureau, as over De la Beche Street to Graham amongst a number of others, Liz and I Meager’s Solicitors Office. Graham was an did marry in 1967 and have been old Dy’vorian sole practitioner who had a together ever since. busy practice. With his comings and Needless to say, all this activity meant goings in his smart suits and umbrella, that I didn’t have any time for homework I wondered if I would end up like him.

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My Father, who never missed a trick, was working his way up. The other was noticed an announcement in the an Aber Law graduate. I was a little Evening Post by the Swansea County disappointed, but as I was getting ready Borough Council seeking applicants for to leave, the Town Clerk’s Secretary the post of solicitors’ articled clerks to gathered me up and took me back in! the Town Clerk. The post was only open To my surprise, I was told why the to residents. In those days you could get successful candidates had been selected into the profession with just ‘O’ Levels and that I had been a very good candidate. and five years articles, so on the basis of I was also told that as the scheme was only ‘nothing ventured nothing gained’ available to residents of the Borough, the I applied from the Lower Sixth. best advice was to stick to my studies, get I was selected for interview and turned my ‘A’ levels and degree, and apply again up, with about five others, in my new in a few years. Little was I to know then C&A suit and taken to the Town Clerk’s that the die had been cast. grand panelled conference room to wait Having got the necessary grades at ‘A’ with the other candidates. I didn’t have Level, I went to Aber in October 1963. to wait long as the list was dealt with However, fairly early on I explored the alphabetically. Gothic pile which is still the ‘Old College’ The Town Clerk’s office was on the building. I climbed the winding staircase corner frontage of the Guildhall with up the main tower to find, not surprising- windows looking both ways. The room ly, that the door to the roof was locked. was more opulent than any I had However, carved deeply into the plaster- previously encountered (including the work alongside that door were the words Headmaster’s study which I had only “HORACE J GRIFFITHS 1923” in letters been in for canings in the Fourth Form), about two inches in height. but I did not feel intimidated. The What a find! When I visited Dynevor, at interview was being conducted by the Christmas, I was looking forward to Town Clerk, Iorwerth J Watkins and the confronting Scruff with this ‘gotcha’ leader of the Council and Chairman of revelation, as I was sure it must have been the Finance and General Purpose him. I had been as much in awe of him as I Committee, Alderman Percy Morris. was of Bunny Evans and perhaps more As a former MP, he was the ‘power’ in the intimidated as he was also Deputy Council at the time and, fortunately for Headmaster, but I was no longer a pupil. me, an old Dy’vorian. He confirmed that the carving was made The interview went tolerably well, and by him, and that if I went up the stairs to I had to wait for the outcome, when I the roof of Padarn Hall in the Town learned that two appointments had Centre I would find another! It was been made. One was of the Mayor’s reassuring to know that the masters to secretary who was in his thirties and whom we had been in awe, were also had joined the Council from school and guilty of ‘nonsense’ in their youth.

13 Rock Night

The Somethings had the crowd up on their feet dancing.

The inaugural “Generation Rock” The Somethings, on last, played two music event took place on 11 October sets, the first getting the crowd dancing. 2019. About one hundred Dy’vorians In the second, they were joined by some and guests were treated to a great night of the Dynevor Scratchers for an at The Hyst on Swansea’s High Street. impromptu jamming session. Three great acts had the venue rocking At the start of this second set, we had a with favourites from the 60's to the further highlight of the evening. With a present. little encouragement, Paul Henry pulled First on was leading Swansea vocalist out his harmonica and gave the Diane Jackson with a mix of well- audience a fantastic rendition of Skull & known ballads as well as some country Bones Blues. and western music, all delivered with a The “Generation Rock” night proved unique and exciting presentation. to be a fantastic addition to the Next the Dynevor Scratchers took Dy’vorian calendar and it is hoped that the stage and we were treated to a this will become another annual event, one-off performance from Dy’vorians giving the opportunity for pupils and Kevin Harwood, Paul Henry, Ron staff of all generations to catch up with Griffiths, Keith Morris, Peter O'Sullivan, old friends and enjoy live music in a Rob Stevens and Jeff Symons, along convivial atmosphere. with Ron's brother Phil Griffiths and Thanks and congratulations to Jeff Elliot, the drummer from The Vaughan (year of ’58) for all of his hard Somethings. They all played amazingly work in organising a successful night. well after only two rehearsals!

14 Balconiers’ Day at St Helen’s

Balconiers' Day took place at St Helen's on 12 June 2019 , day two of the County Championship match between Glamorgan and Derbyshire. As in previous years, there was a sizable party of Dy’vorians and friends who enjoyed an excellent day. The cricket was very entertaining with Glamorgan amassing a total of 394 runs before Derbyshire replied with 221 for 2 wickets before light stopped play. At lunch, we were given a very interesting and informative talk by Stephen Hedges, son of former Glamorgan player Bernard Hedges. ODA Organiser, Ken Sharpe, was Stephen gave a fascinating illustrated thanked for again organising, in insight into the cricketing career of collaboration with The Balconiers, Bernard and also talked about his another very successful social event father’s achievements on the rugby field which is now firmly established as an where he played for Pontypridd and important day in the Dy’vorian Swansea RFCs earning a final Wales calendar. trial in 1950.

82nd Annual Reunion Dinner 2020 £29 Village Hotel Club Swansea Langdon Road, off Fabian Way, Swansea, SA1 8QY

On Friday, 24th April, 2020 at 6.00pm for 7.30pm Full booking details appear on the Booking Form enclosed with this copy of The Dy’vorian

15 My Work at Memphis David Jeffreys (1966 – 1970)

Dr. David Jeffreys, Egyptologist, delivered the Annual Lecture in the The Samuel Roberts Lecture Theatre at Dynevor on 21st November.

I am very pleased, and indeed flattered, respect for, the past. At the same time to be asked to give this short account of I developed an interest in practical my career over the past half century. archaeology and, largely through I came to Dynevor in my third year of George’s good offices, attended secondary schooling, having started it excavations at the Roman and medieval in Manchester (my father was in the sites at Loughor/Llwchwr. Since then, civil service and we moved about quite a I have been immersed in field bit), although I am Welsh by birth, archaeology (I thought I might have a parentage and early upbringing. Due to talent for philology, and followed a the vagaries of the British education degree in Hebrew and Egyptian at UCL, system, and being an August birth, but this was clearly not my forté). After I found myself one year behind in some graduating in 1975 I spent ten years as a subjects when I got here (mostly kind of fair-weather archaeologist, science, and I am afraid I never caught doing fieldwork in the near east (Syria, up) but ahead in others, especially Jordan, Egypt) over the winter and in Latin. So I was perhaps naturally the UK (London, Lincoln, Caernarfon) inclined towards George Hounsell’s over the summer to save some money, classes: he taught me more Latin, and but decided to concentrate on Egypt tried to teach me some Greek, but and, after a series of scholarships and chiefly awoke in me an interest in, and bursaries, finally got a proper job at

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UCL. Since 1975, I have been involved Upper Egypt (the Nile Valley) and in excavation and survey in Egypt, and Lower Egypt (the Delta) were politically especially at the site of Memphis, just unified in around 3000 BCE. Its south of Cairo. geographical location therefore was Memphis was the real capital of crucial and inevitable: being at a pharaonic Egypt. Everyone knows bottleneck at the head of the Nile delta, about the ‘southern capital’ of Thebes, it commanded the approaches to the with its well-preserved temples (Luxor, country from the Mediterranean, but Karnak) and royal and elite tombs also the cross-desert routes to the Red (famously, of course, that of Sea in the east and the Saharan oases in Tutankhamun). But Memphis, with a the west. Long before and long after the much longer history than Thebes, has political life of Thebes, Memphis was been largely neglected. It was the continuously occupied and is indeed administrative and religious power the ancestor of modern Cairo. The centre of the country from the time that name of its chief temple (of Ptah),

Excavation under way on the earlier levels (fifteenth century BCE) at Memphis.

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Hwt-ka-ptah, Hikuptah, gives us Greek Aigyptos, Latin Aegyptus, and thus the modern name of the country. Its decline can be traced from the foundation of Alexandria in the fourth century BCE, but even after that it served as a sort of ‘twin’ capital, and is described with wonder and respect by travellers such as Herodotus and Strabo. Memphis was the city that inspired the building of world-famous sites such as the Old- and Middle-Kingdom pyramids at Giza, Abusir and Saqqara, and is in theory a Unesco World Heritage site; the settlement however is very much the poor relation to the sites of the necropolis, and receives almost no funds or effective protection from modern building, military activity and farming. It is certainly less well preserved than Thebes; but paradoxically this is a sign of its greater importance: it was constantly and intensively occupied, and was plundered for building materials for Cairo, and for its rich topsoil for agriculture and in the nineteenth century for saltpetre to make Possible locations of the Nile over the last 5000 gunpowder. years. Rivers are drawn for every 500 year interval, Our work at Memphis has in fact been with suggested islands shown, Settlements and pyramids are shown for orientation. largely concerned with the environ- mental changes that have taken place over the past six thousand years: the partly due to the dynamics of the river valley floor has risen with sediments itself, and partly due to the dumping of deposited by the annual flooding of the vast quantities of desert sand as the Nile, but has also shifted course climate changed and the Sahara dramatically, migrating from the expanded. The city of Memphis, which western desert edge to where it is now, like all Nile settlements, was dependent along the very eastern edge. This is on the river, followed this movement

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New signage is mounted at the entrance to the Open Air Museum at Memphis. over time. Our work has involved stand the underlying ecology of the site different techniques: ground survey, and the broader trends affecting its including topographical mapping and development. non-intrusive geophysical survey; We were fortunate to have been working sediment coring to record the buried at the site during the 1980s and 90s layers beneath the present ground when it was possible to accomplish level; desk-based assessments using the something worthwhile: since then the available aerial and satellite imagery; entire site has become almost unrecog- archive research; and formal set-piece nisable, and many visitors find it excavation – but only as a last resort. difficult, if not impossible, to under- We have come under some fire from stand and appreciate. people who would like to see us digging Our latest project has been to attempt up all the famous Memphite temples, to remedy this, with marked walkways known so far only from the written linking the visible sites and new and sources; but our view is that this would improved signage, in the hope that be grossly irresponsible, since even the instead of being where the tour buses few ancient buildings so far uncovered stop for half an hour (if at all), Memphis (usually by accident) cannot be properly will become not a detour, but a protected. Much better to try to under- destination.

19 Dynevor’s Picasso The Art of Adrian Davies (1954-1959) Part 1: Drawings

I have, for some time, been aware of Adrian’s talents as an artist, so I asked if he would share some of his work with fellow Dy’vorians. When he sent me examples, I was surprised to see the diversity in his artwork. A regular Picasso! To do full justice to his work, we decided to divide his article into three parts; Part 2: Paintings and Part 3: Three-Dimensional Art will appear in the next two issues. (Editor)

Drawing, in both its widest sense, Adrian himself had recovered from and most specific act, should begin diphtheria and pneumonia. The loss of alongside the “core” subjects at the his father and the absence of his earliest age in human development. grandfather, Bob, working farther Families surviving the second world afield, impacted significantly upon his war forged their way out of adversity. young life. Sam had been a painter and Adrian Davies remembers his tubercu- decorator and had left behind his losis-stricken father, Sam (who had painting materials and tools in a soldiered with the Royal Welch wooden box, along with a blow lamp. Regiment in North Africa and in the Bob regularly communicated by letter, invasion of Sicily in 1943) struggle to and always with a special page filled his eventual death in 1947. Talk of with drawings for young Adrian. Catania, Etna and starving children A bleak, harsh period but emotionally dominated his memories, as did the stimulating the wretchedness of that death (through meningitis in 1941) of time, and drawing particularly became his sister, Gloria. By seven years of age, both a refuge and an exploration.

20 The Dy’vorian

R T Gabe - 64cm h x 51cm w oil pastel/pastel on paper ,1989. Study for a painting commissioned by Llangennech Rugby Club. Gabe played for Wales circa 1904, and scored a try against the All Blacks.

The National Diploma in Design beckoned Adrian to the Swansea College of Art in 1961. Aware of his shortcomings, he made moderate progress. In 1963, lecturer George Little organised a visit to the University of Swansea, where they screened two films featuring the work of Pablo Picasso and Ceri Richards. This made a profound impression on the nineteen year old Davies and also made him aware of Ceri Richards’ love of the French composer Claude Debussy, whom he continues to admire. Improving greatly during that

Five studies - 24cm h x 18cm w Hendy Pit - 24cm h x 18cm w ink on cartridge paper 1982 ink, pencil on cartridge paper 1982

21 The Dy’vorian academic year, Adrian was encouraged to make application for a place in the School of Painting at the Royal College of Art upon completion of the NDD. Though successful in obtaining an interview in 1965, he was not offered the opportunity to study. Disappointed, he was asked by Principal, Kenneth Hancock, to stay at Swansea as Technical Assistant and make further application the following year. Tragedy struck in 1966, when Adrian’s future father-in-law Tom (former R.E.M.E.) a fireman in Pontarddulais Colliery, was killed underground. The recovery period was lengthy but with much encouragement from his now wife, Frances, in 1969 Adrian gained a place at the University of Leicester. Welsh Icon series - 60cm h x 44cm w “pitt”black chalk/pencil on cartridge paper In 1970 he was awarded his PGCE and 1980/82 (series approx. 40 made) ATD (Art Teachers’ Diploma) with Distinction. He was offered a post at deployed in helping students become King Edward VII Upper School, Melton more rigorous in their observation and Mowbray, where he had undertaken his more disciplined in their concerns for final period of teaching practice. structure and control. Without reference Designing his own programmes in and skill development how might one be educating through visual practice, imaginative? Work improved, students’ enabled students to produce stirring expectations were more demanding and bold images. He vowed that his art Then in 1974, Bob died. Davies studio would, and should, be the most responded with an intense and exciting venue in the school! After three emotional outpouring of large drawings successful years he obtained a post at which attempted to “realise” Hereford College of Higher Education. transcendence from our transitory There, students were training to teach existence. This concentrated turbulent art at both primary and secondary levels body of work would become a “hallmark” of education. Adrian had already in his future development. realised from previous experience that In 1978, following closure of the drawing seemed to be a forgotten institution (a general cut-back in teacher commandment. “Plumb-lines” and training throughout the UK) Adrian and other devices were immediately Frances departed for Reading, Berkshire.

22 The Dy’vorian

Tom “Budgie” Burgess (Gymnastics) and “Dick” Evans (Geography) - 30cm h x 20cm w acrylic/ crayon on cartridge paper 2005

In 1977, Adrian had made successful application to study for two years full-time on the Masters Degree in Fine Art programme at Reading University. He had been interviewed by Sir Terry Frost and Professor Martin Froy in October 1977. Following a very busy summer of 1978, Adrian was able to access his University studio before term officially opened. Buzzing with anticipation and immediately ‘in production’ he received an unexpected visit from Sir Terry Frost, who instantly dubbed him the “Welsh Wizard!” Terry Frost was a most positive influence with a very direct manner (a commando and POW after capture on Crete Island during WW2). At Reading Adrian was revelling in the luxury of trying to make real, those thoughts, those questions : Who am I? The Intellectual - 30cm h x 20cm w Why painting? What is painting?...and pencil/ink/china marker/"gold"pen 1985 more drawings began...

23 A Septuagenarian Remembers Part 2

I spent three years with most of these boys before we were split up into Arts or Sciences. I am not in the photograph, I must have been absent that day.

The air was filled with excitement as gabardine blazers. Looking back, it we gathered in the school yard on the made no difference to the students as to first day at our new school — Dynevor. who wore what, but I’m sure that those There were boys from all areas of without blazers felt stigmatised! Swansea looking excited but also lost, On the first day, we were allocated our frightened and confused. form masters, houses and classes (1A to Whilst there wasn’t an obligatory full 1D) . To some extent, those allocations school uniform, most of us had blazers changed destinies in terms of with embellished with the school badge on whom we built friendships, some of the breast pocket. The blazers came in which would last a lifetime and others two standards , the more expensive was would disappear like ships in the night. made of gabardine and cost a lot more We made friends with boys we had never than the standard version. That first day met before and its hard to say what seemed to be a separation of the classes instigated the relationships. (not the school classes). There were I suppose common interests, dress, three categories; the first being the few appearance and humour may have with no blazer at all, the second - in the played a part —as well as hygiene. There majority - with a basic standard blazer were some students you just had to keep and thirdly, those with the expensive a distance from!

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Besides learning the various subjects I suppose you could sum up the two as with which we were presented, we also Powell being strict but gentle, whilst had to learn the nicknames of our new Hughes was strictly strict! teachers. That came a lot easier than The changeover took place within a learning the subjects! An easy one to short while of us entering the school remember was Holy Joe, for the and, for some reason, the new “strict” religious instruction teacher! Others headmaster was sent off somewhere for included Mop for the science teacher, a period of time during which the deputy who, needless to say had a mop of curls head, Horace Scruff Griffiths, took over and a hairstyle that could have got him as headmaster. into the Jackson Five, had his skin been Each school day began with assembly, a different colour! The music teacher´s which was held in Mount Pleasant physical appearance lead to him being Church, which we entered from the called Porky. Tojo looked a little school yard through a back door. Japanese while Scruff was always However, about a dozen of us, Catholics immaculately dressed, so I don’t know and one Jew, had to wait in a classroom where that one came from. Most of the until the religious part ended. When I teachers were what we’d term “gentle asked a protestant friend what they did folk” as long as you didn’t step too far while we waited for entry, he replied, out of line but some were a little “We say some prayers and sing some “rough.” Sandy Morgan, the art hymns.” teacher, was one that was The monotony of learning was particularly tough. If you occasionally interrupted by misbehaved in the art room, rumours that there was to be a you got the edge of a fight outside school after the bell. wooden ruler brought Everyone would gather around, sharply down on the top like a mini Caesar’s Palace, to of your head. It really watch what would usually turn hurt! Needless to say, out into a few slaps, punches, the most students were odd kick and very quick finale! well-behaved in the art Those who could, avoided school room. lunches and persuaded their As if we didn’t have mothers to provide sandwiches enough to worry about, we instead. This allowed for various discovered that adventures during lunch time. High headmaster, Glan Powell, was Street station for train spotting and about to retire and was to be the docks to look at the ships were replaced by Meredith Hughes, particular favorites, although for who had a reputation for older boys, the Castle Street Billiard being very stern and strict. Hall was very popular.

25 The Dy’vorian

One lunch time, a friend and I decided Every fortnight, we were bussed off to to take a walk to Swansea Beach. The the “luxurious” swimming pool at tide was out as far as it would go, which Bishop Gore School for swimming is a long way. We decided that we would lessons. There was usually a chorus of walk out to the sea. Before getting there, boos from our rivals as we filed by the we encountered a thick black mud. windows of their classrooms. Before we knew it, our feet were sinking Time passed slowly with few changes into the mud like quick sand. My friend, until, on entering the third year, we were who was ahead of me, sank down to his given the choice of specialising in knees. I managed to pull him out, but science or arts. These disciplines would one of his shoes was left behind and is steer us, hopefully, towards our destined probably still buried there for some career. On reflection, age thirteen may future archaeologist to discover. have been a little early to make this Whilst we didn’t have a sports ground important decision. at the school, every week, we were given Students who lived more than two the privilege of using a field in Mayhill— miles from the school, were given free The Ganges. We shared the field with season tickets for the bus, irrespective of other schools including Glanmor girls family income. The fifties were not an school. Needless to say, their changing era of affluence, so those students who rooms were at the opposite end to where lived nearby, and didn’t get a free bus we changed. The braver boys would slide pass, had to cycle or walk to school! away from the watchful eye of the Students who lived around the teacher, circumvent the field and peer Mumbles area would have the short into the girls’ changing room in the lived pleasure of catching the Mumbles excited hope of a glimpse of the navy Train, which was sadly put to rest in blue knickers which seemed to be the January 1960. The closure caused an fashion of the day. uproar with local residents, who saw the train as part of the Swansea heritage. A funeral procession was organised to march behind the final train as it headed into the station for the last time. The line was originally built in 1804 to move limestone from the quarries of Mumbles to Swansea and the markets beyond. It then became the world’s first fare-paying railway passenger line in 1807. In 1887, horse power was replaced by steam locomotion, and was,

© Eric Karklins in 1928, finally converted to electric Sports Day at the Ganges. power. It used the largest tram cars ever

26 The Dy’vorian built for service in back if he punched me again. The Britain. It was whole class was chanting “hit him!” indeed a sad loss, but I refrained and was taken to see and I’m sure Scruff, the deputy head. After motorists stuck on hearing both sides of the story, he the Mumbles told us to leave. Road in the I later found out that the teacher Summer wish that was told to apologise to me, the train was still although, in fact, he made the running. One of apology to another bewildered the original trams student, who looked a lot like me. can still be seen in I never did get my apology. the Waterfront In those days, physical abuse was Museum at the Marina. accepted, while today even milder Whilst poverty was still prevalent, corporal punishment would result in a strangely, crime was not — a stolen bike teacher´s suspension, not to mention was never heard of. Where has society possible prosecution. In some ways, the gone wrong? It was an era when drugs threat of corporal punishment was a were never seen, heard of or even great deterrent to infringements of the spoken about, and the worst scandal school rules and certainly helped to that came to light was “Johnny boy” instill discipline in most of us! being caught smoking a woodbine Fourth and fifth form lessons prepared behind the bicycle shed! us for the second most important exam I was in the fifth form when Swansea in our young lives, namely the General Technical College closed down and some Certificate of Education, the GCE. of the teachers and students relocated to Whilst the Eleven-Plus had been the first our school. This this resulted in one of turning point in our education, that was my worst experiences in Dynevor. only a stepping stone to what was going One of these new Tech teachers asked to be the exam. The exam which would whether I was joining the class that he determine whether some of us, who was about to enter. I answered “yes” and wanted to go to university, actually got suddenly he violently dragged me into there. the classroom and started punching me Generally, most students achieved as he lectured about respect. This was their goals, although there were, because I had not addressed him as “sir” inevitably, some failures, but that was in the corridor. no fault of the brilliant teachers and the I was on the verge of tears, but after high level of education we received at taking enough, I grabbed the teacher by Dynevor. the throat, pinned him against the A Dy’vorian (A recluse from Vaucluse) blackboard and told him I would fight - (1956-1962)

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