The Old Dy’vorian The Journal of the former pupils of Dynevor School www.dynevorrevisited.org.uk Number 24 January 2014 Appeal launched to save key part of our history

The school in 1913 on the eve of World War I. There were few Dynevor link photographs with Burt pre-war and Page 4 none during the war. Real gems among those scribblings! Lionel phone many good articles, stories, yarns, call shock By Roger Williams Page 6 arguments, and squibs on the staff YNEVOR School was and the sports teams. founded in 1883. By 1910 This is the sort of material for it had established the tra- which you would prick up your D ears when you hear it on the car dition of a twice-yearly school magazine, which it maintained radio, or which would grab your at- for sixty years through a period of tention in a newspaper. unparalleled economic, cultural The ‘big’ answer to the question is and political change in Britain, in that the magazines record the lives Rocker Ron and in . of all the generations before we en- honoured The Old Dy’vorians’ Association tered the working world and played Page 7 possesses an almost continuous our part in the social and industrial sequence of editions, with some changes up to the Thatcher era. gaps in the 1920s. These record the Take as an example Dynevor a events and activities and opinions century ago during WW1. which interested pupils over sixty How did the school’s Debating years. Society vote on conscription, or the Why would anyone in 2014 want wish to eliminate German from the to read the scribblings of school- school syllabus, or whether to sup- Big surprise boys of the last century? port relief for post-war starvation in for Fahima The simple answer is that, Germany? Page 8 amongst the mundane, there are > Continued on next page Let’s have a smashing turnout for the annual dinner - see Page 5

2. The Old Dy’vorian Magazines need to ‘live’ and be used > Side by side: This shows the change in the magazine cover in 1931, corresponding to the change of the school name from “The Swansea Municipal Secondary School: Boys’ School, Dynevor Place” to “Dynevor Secondary School Swansea”.

< From Page One firmly on the educational map of Wales. How were deaths in action of former pu- s there an alternative solution to creating pils reported, and did Dynevor produce a war Ian electronic record? Simply preserv- poet? ing the original copies in an old-fashioned Which future headmaster was strongly museum-like setting would hardly generate recommended for a DCM after he and his the wide interest and easy access which they men held a trench for 48 hours without food certainly deserve. It would probably relegate and water? Which vital national industry them to the category of “curiosities”, pre- required the voluntary labour of scores of served on dusty shelves. In any case, there is pupils and staff? The answers to all these no dedicated location in Swansea for storing questions are readily available in the school them and generating interest. magazines. The ODA has concluded that the maga- You can then move on to the jazz age, the zines need to “live” and be used, made avail- depression, World War II, post-war recon- able on the society’s web-site, and shared struction, industrial prosperity and conflict. with other institutions such as the National Dynevor functioned throughout, even during Library of Wales. the blitz. Its contribution to life in the Swan- The cost of digitising is around £1150, a sea area was enormous. modest sum considering the value created, his magazine record is a ripe candidate but a large item in the ODA’s annual budget Tfor preservation and use as an internet- and asset base. based collection which could be read and O the ODA is launching an ap- explored on the ODA website www.dynevor- peal to members to volunteer revisited.org.uk Scontributions. Please consider We have identified a commercial company, generously this one-off project and with experience of handling tightly-bound send contributions - however small, volumes, and a track record of working with however large - to our treasurer Steve former-pupils’ organisations. Our colleagues Way at 9 Croftfield Crescent, Newton, from Bishop Gore, Penlan, Llwyn-y-Bryn, Swansea SA3 4UL (Tel: 01792 361992, Glanmor and Mynydd Bach are almost cer- email:[email protected]). tainly not in a position to do so. Once the £1150 target is reached - yes, The importance of the project lies not only we’re being optimistic about this ven- in giving former pupils and staff access to ture! - Steve will close the appeal. Some our collective past, but in preserving this rich amounts have already been received, and entertaining material for wider audienc- and we hope to initiate and complete es – a gift to writers, broadcasters, historians the digitising of the magazines in this and others. It would put Dynevor even more first quarter of 2014.

3. The Old Dy’vorian More ramblings from the editor’s chair ... When the Boys in Blue came round like a shot! ELL, one issue of TOD under N Old Dy’vorian, who asked to re- my belt and I haven’t got the main anonymous, contacted me a sack - so here we go again. Awhile back to tell me an embarrass- WFirst I’d like to wish all Old Dy’vorians ing little tale. and their families a happy and healthy 2014. He said he was walking home through a Hope it’s a good ‘un. part of Swansea late one night and, since he Actually my wife and I spent a few days hadn’t had anything to eat since breakfast, over Christmas with one of our sons and his he was feeling a bit peckish. family ‘Oop North’. But his spirits rose when he saw this sign And, as is my habit, being an old hack, I outside a fish and chip shop: picked up a copy of the local newspaper. And I had to chuckle when I read the fol- TONIGHT’S lowing Letter to the Editor written by some- body called Tony Gladstone: SPECIAL ‘Going to bed the other night, I noticed people in my garden shed stealing things. Buy one Fish & Chips I phoned the police but was told no one for the price of two was in the area to help. They said they would send someone over as soon as possible. and get a SECOND I hung up. A minute later I rang again. ‘Hello’, I said, ‘I called you a minute ago Fish & Chips because there were people in my shed. You don’t have to hurry now because I’ve shot ABSOLUTELY them.’ Within minutes there were half-a-dozen po- FREE! lice cars in the area, plus helicopters and an armed-response unit. They caught the bur- Well, this fella confessed he’d fallen for it glars red-handed. hook, line and sinker - and it was only after One of the officers said: ‘I thought you said he arrived home that he realised he’d been you’d shot them.’ sold a pup. To which I replied: ‘I thought you said Easy to understand, isn’t it, why he asked there was no one available.’ to remain anonymous?

HANKS to the readers who contacted those involved. Mind you, nothing serious. me to offer constructive comments af- Remember what I said back in Septem- Tter the publication of TOD23. Much ber’s magazine: please keep the ideas com- appreciated. ing and contact me if you have a article in There were, I have to say, just a few hic- mind. cups, for which I take full responsibility. I And do let me know if any Old Dy’vorians know only too well, after more than 40 years are in the news or doing something interest- in the newspaper business, that the buck ing - after all, I live 170 miles from Swansea well and truly stops with the editor. so I’m a long way away from ‘where it’s at’. I’ve put the record straight in separate lit- My contact details, along with those of tle pieces in this edition - so apologies to other committee members, are on Page 20.

4. The Old Dy’vorian Sir John steps up to take a chance EADING Welsh chemist Sir John Meurig Thomas will give this year’s annual Swansea Metropolitan LUniversity/Old Dy’vorians’ Lecture on April 30 - entitled Unpredictability and Chance in Science and Technology. Sir John (pictured right) was born and brought up near Llanelli, where his father and brother were miners. His interest in science was In 1991 he was knighted of Wales and a Member of aroused when as a teenager “for services to chemistry its inaugural Council. he heard his physics teacher and the popularisation of Since 2011 Sir John has at Gwendraeth Grammar science”. been a member of the Scien- School talk about the life The mineral Meurigite, tific Advisory Committee for and work of Michael Fara- a hydrated potassium iron Wales. day. phosphate, is named after The annual lecture, the Later in life, Sir John, who him. seventh since its inception in was born in 1932, would be- The recreations he lists in 2008, will take place at the come the Fullerian Professor Who’s Who include ancient Dynevor Campus of Swan- of Chemistry at the Royal civilisations, bird watching sea Metropolitan University, Institution of Great Britain, and Welsh literature. starting at 7pm. in London, a position held In 2003, he was the first It is expected that, as by Michael Faraday, who scientist to be awarded the usual, a sizeable audience of has remained one of his sci- Medal of the Honourable Old Dy’vorians, university entific heroes. Society of Cymmrodorion staff and students, and mem- He has written more than (London) for services to bers of the general public one thousand scientific -ar Welsh culture and British will attend. ticles and is the recipient of public life. Let’s hope so - it certainly many awards and honorary He is also a Founding Fel- sounds like an interesting degrees. low of the Learned Society evening. Burt’s (OK, tenuous!) link with us ELIEVE it or not, Hollywood ‘great’ Burt Lan- caster has something in common with every- Bbody who was taught at Dynevor. Born Burton Stephen Lancaster in November 1913 in New York, he attended the academically-highly-rat- ed De Witt Clinton High School for Boys in Harlem. And the school’s motto was, and still is: Nihil Sine Labore. How about that for a bit of useless trivia? Burt joined the circus when he was 19 and later served in the army during World War II. He decided to pursue acting after the war and in 1945 he appeared in Desert Fury, which was the first of a film career that lasted until 1991. He retired and died in 1994. Burt Lancaster playing the title He won his only Best Actor Oscar for his role in role in Elmer Gantry, for which Elmer Gantry (1960) but many film buffs thought he he won his only Best Actor Oscar deserved another for The Birdman of Alcatraz in 1962.

5. The Old Dy’vorian Sir Alan’s our Roger puts the record straight special guest ROGER Brown’s fascinating ISTINGUISHED three-part series A First Year businessman and At Dynevor, as many of you computer engineer Sir Alan will have seen, ended in Sep- D Thomas: Sir Alan Thomas will be tember’s The Old Dy’vorian. guest speaker at the ODA’s a director But a spanner got in the old 2014 reunion dinner at of London editorial works - and a number Swansea University on Fri- Welsh of sentences got mixed up. day, March 28. RFC since Roger (1953-60) emailed TOD Sir Alan, a patron of mu- 1997 quick as a flash to put the sic and rugby, was at Dyne- record straight: vor from 1954 to 1961. ‘Morgan Lloyd never rode The 76th annual get-to- Since then numbers have a motorbike and was not a gether will see Professor dropped off a bit - but Welsh Nationalist. But Mop Dudley Sinnett (1959-66) hopefully this year we’ll Lloyd was thought to be and inducted as president in be celebrating another ter- to possess a transmitter in succession to Kevin Johns. rific attendance. And it promises to be the days when the Welsh Ticket price has been Nats were interfering with another excellent night of held at last year’s £28, good food, good company the BBC broadcasts, though which includes entry to the I’m not certain now of the and good entertainment. raffle, and there’s an excel- Turnout at the dinner exact details. lent menu in the offing. reached an all-time high I didn’t get on with Sandy back in 2011 when 354 So make sure you fill- Morgan, rather than John people came along to hear in the booking form Richards, with whom I inserted in this maga- the then-Archbishop of became quite friendly at zine and return it to Canterbury, Dr Rowan Dynevor and beyond.’ Williams, speak at his ac- David Dickinson by February 21. Editor’s note: Not Roger’s cession to the ODA presi- mistake. Mea culpa! dency See you there! AGM fixed for eve of dinner THE Old Dy’vorians’ annual general meeting will take place in Lecture Theatre 1 at the Dynevor Campus of Swansea Metropolitan University on the evening of Thursday, March 27. Full details, including an agenda and last year’s AGM minutes, together with starting time, will appear on our website shortly after the next ODA committee meeting on February 13. This, of course is the night before the annual dinner at Swansea University and the Golf Day at Clyne. And the day after the dinner it’s Swansea City v Norwich City at the (kick-off 3pm) - let’s just hope and pray Michael Laudrup’s boys are closing in on that crucial 40-point Premier League safety target by then. If any Old Dy’vorians from afar wish to stay down for one or more of these events, by the way, it’s worth mentioning that Clyne can offer overnight accom- modation on a bed-and-breakfast basis. Anybody interested can contact Clyne GC general manager John Hollis, him- self an Old Dy’vorian, on 01792 401989 or at [email protected]

6. The Old Dy’vorian ‘My first thought was how proud my mother would have been’

The Rev Lionel Hopkins, chaplain for the Royal British Legion, at a Remembrance Day service. He is wearing the medals of his late father, who served in the Royal Navy in World War II Picture: Evening Post When Lionel got the call that stunned him HE protocol for being named in the During more than four decades of ministry New Year’s Honours sounds pretty he was parish vicar in communities includ- straightforward: you get a letter ing Pontarddulais, , Waunarll- T wydd, Llangyfelach and Sandfields before in the post from the Cabinet Office dur- ing the preceding November - and you’re becoming chaplain in the jail, as well as obliged to keep schtum until the embargo chaplain for veterans and cadet forces in- is lifted at 10.30pm on December 30. cluding the Royal British Legion. But that didn’t happen in Lionel Hop- “What gave me great pleasure was the kins’s case - because they got his address wording of the MBE citation,” said Lionel. wrong. “It wasn’t about institutions like the Church It wasn’t until a fortnight later in Decem- and the prison - it was about people. ber that Lionel got a telephone call from a “It highlighted my services to staff and lady called Natalie in the Cabinet Office prisoners at the jail - and about my work asking why he hadn’t replied. with people in the various communties I When he explained he hadn’t received an- served in the Swansea area. That means a lot ything, Natalie apologised and simply told to me. It makes me really proud.” him he was to become an MBE.. Lionel, who was at Dynevor from 1959 to “It came right out of the blue,” he said. 1966 and was ODA president in Millenium “I was absoluely stunned. Shocked. And, Year, said his serious kidney problem, which of course, very proud. And I immediately surfaced in November 2012, is now stable. thought how proud my late mother would It forced him to miss last year’s annual have been too.” dinner - but he’s certainly planning to be Lionel, who lives in Tirdeunaw, was the there this time on March 28. We fancy he chaplain at Swansea Prison for 17 years un- could set a record for getting congratulatory til ill health brought about his retirement last handshakes and pats on the back! July. Jeff Humphreys

7. The Old Dy’vorian

Still rocking after

>Those were the Rocker Ron is days ... flashback to Ron in happy yet sad the sixties OCKER Ron Griffiths, whose Ron said: “The day in Swansea was bril- 60s band was liant. To see your name on a blue plaque like signed to the same record label that, I was absolutely gobsmacked. I don’t as The Beatles, was honoured think any of us realised something like this Rin 2013 with a blue heritage plaque at was ever going to happen. “But, at the same time, the day was very High Street station in Swansea. moving. All our names are inscribed with- Bassist Ron, 66, joined the band’s original in that tablet and I have to admit I was so line-up in when it was known as The Iveys proud, but also sad. I only wish all the boys - named after Ivey Place, site of the Grand could have been alive to see it. Hotel opposite the station. “It is mainly to commemorate Front-man was legendary songwriter Pete as a songwriter, but also the band which Ham, perhaps best known for co-writing spawned him.” Without You, famously covered by Harry Once they were signed to , Nilsson and Mariah Carey. Ron and the band had one of their best hits The unveiling of the commemorative with Come And Get It, written for them by plaque was followed by a Grand Theatre Paul McCartney. tribute concert to Ham and Badfinger gui- But Ron, who continued to play in bands tarist , who both took their own in Hemel Hempstead after his departure, lives. had not performed for 13 years before the Drummer Mike Gibbins died of a brain concert at the Grand. aneurysm in 2005, so Ron is the only mem- He said: “The gig was great. I was on ber of the original recording line-up still stage and did six tunes. We hadn’t had much alive. of a rehearsal so it was a bit nerve-wracking, In 1970 Ron, with a wife and baby to but it must be like riding a bike, because you think about, decided the rock’n’roll life- never forget. style was not for him and left Badfinger and Ron, a member of the ODA who has at- moved to Hemel Hempstead, where he has tended a few of the annual dinners, was at lived ever since. Dynevor from 1958 to 1966. If at first you don’t succeed, try doing it the way your wife told you

8. The Old Dy’vorian Fahima makes history AHIMA Ali didn’t know it at the time. In fact she wasn’t aware of Fit until TOD telephoned her some weeks later. She simply had no idea that on October 10 she had made history! For that was the night when 26-year-old Fahima became the first-ever former pupil of Dynevor School to receive one of the an- nual ODA/Swansea Metropolitan University awards to students at the university who have worked through adversity to achieve aca- demic excellence. “I was so happy and so honoured to re- ceived the award,” she said, “And when I found out I was the first person who had studied at Dynevor to receive it, I felt very honoured.” Actually her two elder sisters, Najma and Nileema, both went to Dynevor too. Fahima Ali: So happy, so proud Anyway, it was back in 2005 that SMU in Social Policy and Criminology at Swan- - which has now changed its name to the sea University. University of Wales Trinity Saint David Now Fahima is doing a postgraduate cer- (UWTSD) Swansea - completed a refurbish- tificate in education (PGCE) at UWTSD. ment of the former school site which is now And there can be few more derserving win- home to the university’s Faculty of Art and ners of these prestigious awards, which are Design. funded from the annual surplus of the ODA. And it was then that these annual awards, Both Fahima’s parents, who were born which underline the close relational between in Bangladesh and went into the restaurant the old school and the new university, came business over here, have been unwell for into being to reward UWTSD Swansea stu- some time. dents who have combined hardship with high Her mother was diagnosed with lung can- achievement during their first year of study. cer several years ago and her condition has Fahima first lived in Port Tennant and at- deteriorated; her father suffers from diabetes tended Danygraig Primary School before her and kidney trouble, and is partially blind. family moved near to the city centre. Fahima, who will always be grateful for She started at Dynevor in 1998 but when the way they encouraged her when it came the school closed she was off to boarding to education, helps care for them. school in Blackburn - but homesickness And she has a job too - as a welfare ben- brought her back and she completed her ‘A’ efits advisor with Swansea City Council. levels at Swansea College before graduating > Continued on next page By Bus to School - Page 10; By Ferry to School - Page 14

9. The Old Dy’vorian

Awards Day smiles ... (from left) Professor Andrea Liggins, UWTSD Swansea, Alex Wilkie, Amy Stead, Fahima Ali, Natalie Burgo and Dudley Sinnett, who presented cheques for £350 to the four winners < From previous page ism student Natalie Burgo from Chile. Fahima has been with the council since Caroline Jones, Advertising and Brand last May and she says: “I love my job and I Design Programme Director, revealed the love the people I work with.” reasons for nominating Amy Stead for the So it’s working, studying and caring. And prize. if that’s not enough, this amazing young She said: “We always have very colour- lady also does voluntary work at the Minor- ful characters on our programme and Amy ity Ethnic Women’s Network in Swansea. has stood out for many reasons. She is very Fahima, who also has two brothers, even hard-working, attends every lecture and she manages to fit in time for hobbies such as approaches all of her work with commit- calligraphy and arts and crafts. ment and a positive attitude. So next time you hear somebody say there “Because she is such a good student she aren’t enough hours in the day, just tell them makes us, as lecturers, strive to be better about Fatima. teachers. She’s an ideal student.” But what about her career ambition? Abi Summerfield, Motorsport Programme “Well,” she says, “After I finish my post- Director, announced Alex Wilkie as an graduate certificate I’d really like to go into award recipient. teaching.” She said: “I was really pleased to nomi- Education lecturer Caroline Usei said : nate Alex. Not long after he arrived it was “Fahima is a fabulous student and lovely evident that he had some health issues and girl. She is committed to the programme and his university work became a sideline to his is a pleasant member of the group. everyday problems. “She contributes within lessons and helps “Despite this he passed his first year with- her fellow students when they need it. She flying colours and we could also see that he has overcome some adverse conditions was coaching some of his fellow students.” within her personal life and she looks after Leigh Jenkins, Dean of Business and her parents.” Management, presented Natalie Burgo with Cheques for £350 were presented by ODA her award. vice-president Professor Dudley Sinnett to He said: “Last year Natalie experienced the four deserving students who were nomi- some difficult circumstances but despite that nated by their lecturers. she consistently produced distinctions and Together with Fatima, these were adver- always had a smile. tising and brand design student Amy Stead “She had no problem with attendance and from Port Talbot, motorsport engineering was an inspiration to the other students and student Alex Wilkie from Andover and tour- staff in the Faculty.”

10. The Old Dy’vorian < A “Silver Bus”, not on the 85 from Blackpill to Uplands, but on a 71 approaching its Exchange terminus on a hot day. Quite a common sight in Swansea from around 1959 to 1966, there were 13 of these unpainted buses. This experiment in saving painting costs was tried out by some oth- er operators in Britain, but Swan- sea had most (and probably the harshest climate). Unfortunately panels replaced after accident damage created a patchwork quilt effect, as seen in the picture Smitten by silver By Sholto Thomas Sholto was at Dynevor from 1963 to HERE’S no doubt that the first buses 1966 before his family moved to Scot- taking me to school instilled an inter- land. After leaving Heriot-Watt Univer- est in them and eventually led to a ca- sity, he joined his local bus company in T Edinburgh as a conductor and driver, reer in the industry. They were South Wales Transport’s “Silver later rising through various management Buses”. positions at bus companies in the East My original primary school at Blackpill of Scotland. He retired from the post only taught the first three years. So at the age of Operations Director for Stagecoach of seven I embarked on trips to Craig-y-Nos Cheltenham and Gloucester in 2011 and now lives in the village of Hucclecote in School in Uplands’ Eaton Crescent, on South Gloucestershire.This article - part two Wales Transport’s service 85. will be in TOD25 - is a revised version The 85 was always operated by the Silver of one which appeared in the book By Buses - unpainted front-entrance double-deck- Bus To School produced by Ian Allan ers registered SWN 992-6 which were almost Publishing Ltd in 2009. new at the time. They had very musical gearboxes and en- when there was a relief bus right behind us) gine exhaust brakes to add to the aural delights and scraping through the overhanging trees. (who remembers the triangle on the back of After about a year, we felt bold enough some South Wales buses with this feature?). to try other routes, and with a longer walk I was smitten. down to the Slip in the afternoon we could Accompanied by another pal and his old- catch the United Welsh 64 route heading for er brother from our small housing estate in Pennard. Mayals, we felt quite superior to our school- That got us nearer home, saving an uphill mates who used common-or-garden red SWT walk at the Mayals Road end. or United Welsh buses to get to school. In those days, the 64 had a fine variety of Opposing buses on the 85 always seemed to vehicles, many originating with Swan Mo- meet at the blind corner in the narrowest part tors of Bishopston. of Derwen Fawr Road, near the Bible College. Some even managed the steepest bit of This then involved occasional reversing Mayals Road without a down-change from back (even more fun when there was a relief third gear to second, though one day we bus right behind us) and scraping through the came to a standstill on the hill with much overhanging trees. > Continued on next page

11. The Old Dy’vorian < From previous page crunching of gears while the Remember the ‘Townhill Bus’? driver sorted things out. Sadly during my first year’s infatuation with the Silver Buses, the Mumbles Trains had finished, otherwise this too could have featured, sub- ject to the walk at both ends, though that would probably have resulted in a parental inquisition as to the delay in getting home. Indeed while waiting for the 85 one morning in Many Dy’vorians of a certain age will have travelled Blackpill, we saw the last on this bus up to Games. There were eight of them, introduced in 1955, and they ground up Mount Mumbles Train loaded on Pleasant daily until the mid-sixties before being the morning goods train to replaced by newer, and larger, vehicles. These were Shrewsbury, its top deck on among the first in the country to have semi-automat- one wagon, the bottom deck ic gearboxes with no clutch pedal, easing the driver’s on another. It was heading job, especially on Pen-y-Graig Road, which is the for the enthusiast-run Mid- steepest hill in Britain to have such a frequent bus dleton Railway in Leeds but service. The bus in the picture is seen at the bomb- was sadly wrecked by van- site near Dynevor where the Townhill services left for dals a few years later. many years until Orchard Street was completed. Around the time I sat the St Mary’s Square, a good bit 121 route coming down via 11-plus exam, our family further for little legs to walk Cwmllynfell and Ystalyfera. moved to Ynystawe. from Eaton Crescent. All services combined to Now for a term or so, ac- And so to Dynevor in Au- provide roughly a bus every companied by a younger tumn 1963. ten minutes into town, but brother, it was a two-bus trip I was provided with a sea- my regulars were the SWT to the Uplands in the morn- son ticket from Ynystawe 18 from Brynamman in the ing and an afternoon walk to the town centre, valid morning which fielded an down to the United Welsh on South Wales Transport, elderly lowbridge double- bus station in Singleton United Welsh and James of decker (remember them Street to catch a 19 heading Ammanford services, and as well? – long seats and for Craig Cefn Parc. although the latter had been a gangway at the side up- In those days the South absorbed by SWT the pre- stairs). Wales and James buses go- vious year, its fine livery But now and again buses ing up the valley left from was still to be seen on the > Continued on next page Website still a work in progress FOLLOWING the resignation of Eric Karklins as Webmaster, a sub-commit- tee has been set up to explore ways of improving content for members, giv- ing the site a much more up-to-date ‘feel’. It will comprise Keith Evans, Dave Tovey, Keith Morris, Phill Davies and Jeff Humphreys and will get together in the weeks ahead. Eric has also stepped down from the ODA committee due to other commitments and Jim Waygood will replace him on the annual dinner sub-committee. Meanwhile any possible content for the website should be sent to TOD editor Jeff at [email protected] or on 01827 830198.

12. The Old Dy’vorian Welcome to 14 new boys - and time to end annual Directory Membership Update NEW members who joined during the By Keith Evans year are Peter Clement (1963), Kel- vin Howells (1962), Terry James he second edition of the Old (1948), Gareth Jones (1967), Paul Dy’vorians’ Directory of Mem- Killa (1957), Peter Palmer (1943), Paul Tbers was published in August Phillips (1966), Clifford Picton (1950), 2012 with the intention of publishing a Hugh Picton (1958), Tudor Price new edition annually. (1958), Barrie Roberts (1958), Paul Since then, however, the Association Sidey (1950), Ray Thomas (1957) and has seen the successful launch of its new John Wright (1946). website with a dedicated Members’ Area, which contains a regularly updated Direc- Specifically in relation to changes over the tory. past 12 months, ODA membership num- Accordingly, as members are now able to bers have increased marginally. Eleven Old access details online, it has been decided to Dy’vorians have been removed from the discontinue annual publication of the Direc- Directory as they resigned or are sadly no tory of Members - although a new edition longer with us - and there are 14 additions. may be printed periodically - and, instead, Should any member identify further poten- provide a regular printed summary of chang- tial Old Dy’vorians who may be interested es to the membership in TOD. in the Association, please suggest that they In future, on joining the ODA members contact our Membership Secretary, Ken will be provided with the most recently- Sharpe, on 01432 359990 or at ken.sharpe@ published edition of the Directory together btinternet.com for further information. with login details for the website. If any current member finds himself or This means that all members who are in- herself not listed in our online Directory ternet users will have access to the most cur- or wishes to amend personal details, please rent and accurate information available. contact [email protected]. For those members who prefer to rely on In order that the Old Dy’vorians’ Associa- hard copies, the most recently-published tion complies with the Data Protection Act, edition of the Directory of Members used in the Directory only includes members’ sur- conjunction with the regular updates printed names, initials, preferred name and the years in TOD will provide the most up-to-date in- spent at Dynevor School. formation. The committee is prepared to assist individ- This will not be as current as visiting the ual members in contacting other members - online Directory but still offers an improve- after obtaining prior consent from the person ment over the previous annual publication. to be contacted.

Balconiers enjoy their day at the cricket ABOUT 50 of the ODA’s cricket-loving Balconiers, with wives and friends, had a cracking day at Glamorgan’s county championship match against Leicestershire at the St Helens ground on August 21 - organised by Ken Sharpe. Special guest was brilliant former Glamorgan opening batsman Alan Jones, who spoke, among other interesting things, about fearsome fast bowlers of his time - with lightning-quick South African Garth le Roux getting a prominent mention.

13. The Old Dy’vorian

Alan puts us Horace Phillips with his right about Wales jersey Horace cap and cap HE Old Dy’vorian was barely hot off the He finished the next season as the club’s Tpress a few months back when an email top try scorer with 11 tries - and won his arrived from Alan Hickman. It said: only Wales cap in the 9-5 victory over I was surprised that in the September France which clinched the Grand Slam. edition you state that Billy Hullin was He became temporary captain of the All the only Dynevor old boy to have played Whites in the 1955-56 season then retired rugby for Wales. from playing to concentrate on his school- What about Horace Phillips (1941-47)? teaching career. He won one cap against France in 1952. Alan and Horace were big pals. They were He captained the school rugby team for both Birchgrove boys and went to the same a few years. junior school before teaming up again at Alan Hickman Dynevor, where Alan played full-back and Alan (also 1941-47) was absolutely right, Horace wing for the rugby team. so a big apology to the memory of Horace, Alan, a former Glamorgan Schools’ high- an outstanding rugby player who died in jump champion, left Swansea University 2009 at the age of 81 with a degree in chemistry and spent much Horace’s first-class debut was on the wing of his working life with Mond Nickel and for Swansea against South Africa at the St Pedigree Petfoods before taking early retire- Helen’s ground in 1951. ment. He now lives in Lincolnshire.

A Dynevor rugby side from the 40s ... including Birchgrove pals Alan Hickman and Horace Phillips. Here’s the line-up: Back row (Left to Right) A.E. Hickman, M.Seacombe, J.Parrot, M.Thomas, Mr Bryn Thomas, N. Long (capt - with ball)), Mr W.Lewis, G.D.Thomas, J.Haddock, H. Gilchrist, D.Price. Middle: J.Thomas, K.Rees, H.Williams, T.P.Williams, G.Williams, D.Williams. Front: H.Phillips, J.Evans, Teifi Davies

14. The Old Dy’vorian Copperopolis: Tudor Price (1958-65) reflects on the Swansea Copper Story

Town ferry from east side of the river. (Reproduced by kind permission of the West Glamorgan Archive Service)

Most of us made our way to school by But sir, bus, some by train (including the Mumbles Railway), some walked, of course, or may even have family memories of tram travel in the town, but did you ever get to school the ferry by ferry from White Rock across to the Ma- liphant? What an original excuse that would have made at five-past-nine at the Pell was late! Street gate..”but , the ferry was late sir..” HE White Rock Copper Works dundant (compulsorily) the town ferry (ori- established in 1736, although not gins in the 13th century, operating near the the first copper works in the town, Sainsbury’s store car park), in an area which T became known as Ferryside. appears early in the Swansea copper story. For centuries travellers had used fords at Smaller in size compared with the later low tide at the mouth of the river and further Vivian Hafod Works, its contribution in upstream. This means of crossing was unpredict- terms of process and growing scale of op- able and precarious and in the absence of a eration is significant. bridge, a ferry boat available at different tide Remarkably, despite the substantial metal levels, however uncomfortable and with a and mineral enterprise built upon and along- ferryman to be paid, would provide a drier side the in the 18th and early and somewhat safer alternative. 19th centuries, a harbour and fixed crossing “In each of the years from the 1750s at at the mouth of the river was not constructed least until the 1770s the firm of John Free- until 1850. man and Copper Co. operating at White The wealth and influence of entrepreneurs Rock was one of the four largest purchas- such as the Vivians had to contend with es- ers of copper ore in Cornwall and occa- tablished landed interest which remained sionally the largest ... By the 1830s 1/5th unconvinced that the fortunes of Swansea or 1/6 th largest producer of Copper in lay in industry rather than that of a fashion- Britain.” The White Rock Copper and able resort. Brass Works, near Swansea 1736-1806’. The New Cut development saw the con- R.O.Roberts Glamorgan Historian Vol. struction of the first bridge across the Tawe 12 pp136. below Wychtree, Morriston, and made re- > Continued on next page

15. The Old Dy’vorian

Now that’s what they call a full load!

(Picture by kind permission of West Glamorgan Archive Service)

< From previous page formation of paddocks continued to be a It would not be surprising given the activity source of great expense to the Trustees there to find that a ferry was in operation at [Swansea Harbour Trust] and a full re- White Rock in the late 18th century, how- port on the subject by Mr Edward Martin ever intermittent. and Mr William Bevan is entered in these To have gained the rights of ferry John minutes on the 12th December [1803]” Freeman or predecessors paid easement to This report includes measurement of the the Beaufort estate for the privilege (soil in silt material along the river with location, tidal rivers up to high-water mark presump- including “600 cubic yards on the Hafod tively belongs to the Crown. These rights side of White Rock Ferry”. were vested in the Duke of Beaufort as Lord Extract p99 “History of the Port Of of the Manor.) Swansea” by William Henry Jones, Hon. The crossing appears to be at one of the Archivist of the Corporation of Swansea narrower points on the river and whereas the 1922. navigability of the River Tawe through to The ferry operated on behalf of the White Morriston was a most critical element in the Rock Estate (originally John Freeman and growth of the coal and metals industries in Copper Co.), was controlled from the East the Swansea Valley, in part at the expense of side and sculled with one oar at the stern of the River Neath, navigation was difficult for a flat bottomed boat . anything other than small vessels because of The boat itself passed from operator to the silting up of the river. operator, and from the mid-19th century Along with the dumping of ballast, con- onwards just two families were involved in tamination of the land allowed debris to managing the service until 1942. be washed down from the barren hillsides. In 1901 the fare was one halfpenny, and “The partial silting up of the river and the > Continued on next page < George Clarke ... the last White Rock ferryman (Pictures by kind permission of West Glamorgan Archive Service) Lower River Tawe c.1850

16. The Old Dy’vorian David all set to serve up a treat SPORTS commentator David Mercer will give the an- nual Old Dy’vorians’ Lecture on Wednesday, October 8. David, who was at Dynevor from 1960 to 1967, start- ed his career as a solicitor and ran his own firm in Swan- sea for nine years. He started working as a freelance in sports broadcast- ing for BBC Wales in 1979. For a time he combined his legal practice with BBC work and public relations duties for the Law Society. Since 1984, David has been contracted to BBC Sport. Tennis is his main sport - he won the Welsh junior doubles in 1968 and had the distinction of umpiring the Jimmy Connors-John McEnroe Wimbledon final of 1984. David (pictured left) has also commentated on a va- riety of other sports and now lives in Buckinghamshire. Full details of October’s lecture will appear in TOD25. < From previous page drunken passengers who often adopted risky 3d for unlimited weekly crossings. manoeuvres to avoid the fare. The ferry would be propelled during flood They describe a lady known as “Becca water conditions by use of a “fresh wire” Pee” who used the ferry to convey quanti- fixed winched rope with the bow kept into ties of urine collected from local cottages, the current for security of passage. and which could be sold at the copper works The mood of the river is much more pre- for use in bringing out the patina on copper dictable since the construction of the barrage plate. in 1992. Traditional crossing on a flood tide In later years a certain young Dylan Thom- required skill, experience and a thorough as made his mark upon them. knowledge of the river. Dylan crossed to attend Sunday school at The service, while primarily timed to suit Canaan Chapel, Foxhole. His mother, Flor- workers from both sides, offered other pas- ence, was the daughter of George Williams, sengers a shorter route to access the town an inspector with the GWR, and living in and continued to provide this facility well after closure of White Rock Works in 1924. Delhi Street, St. Thomas. Mr. Williams was Access to the White Rock Ferry on the a deacon of Canaan Chapel. east side of the river was within the White The Clarkes comment on a mischievous Rock Estate but outside the Works bound- boy being required to leave chapel service ary. The John Freeman Copper Co. at White by his grandfather, but also that riding the Rock was sold to Vivian and Sons (Hafod) ferry allowed the writer to note sayings and and Williams Foster & Co. (Morfa) in June mannerisms of fellow passengers! 1858. Ownership of the ferry passed to the LMS On the west side of the river later in the railway whose land and tracks on the east century, the ferry crossing via a series of side of the river had to be crossed to reach wooden steps and walkways down the river the landing stage, and finally to Swansea bank was via Maliphant Street from Neath Corporation. The fare was 2d return! Road, Hafod, under the South Wales Rail- In the next edition of TOD, to be way (GWR) across the Swansea Canal, and published in August, Tudor Price over Vivian land outside their Works bound- ary. looks at current initiatives to pre- George and Olive Clarke regaled (Oral serve the heritage at the White History TH01 WGAS 1975) on characters Rock, Hafod and Morfa Copper using the boat including regular Saturday Works sites.

17. The Old Dy’vorian Goat Street: one day during the blitz, it was gone The 2013 annual Old Dy’Vorians’ lecture was given by prominent local historian Gerald Gabb. Here ODA president Kevin Johns, pictured right with Gerald, reflects on a smashing evening - and takes his own stroll down Memory Lane.The article is taken from one of Kevin’s weekly col- umns, The Adventures of Mr Swansea, which appears in the Evening Post.

LOVED it! I sat and listened to the in- Griffith John was born in Swansea in 1831 credible history of what to me is the and went with his fanily to Ebenezer Con- greatest city in the world: Swansea. gregational Church, near High Street station. I He later trained for the ministry and of- I heard about streets that are no longer part of the landscape and watched with great in- fered his services to the London Missionary terest as Gerald pointed out where the streets Society - and after two years’ training was once were in Swansea. ordained in 1855 at Ebenezer, and was then He talked about Goat Street, which ran persuaded by the London Missionary Soci- from Oxford Street to College Street along ety to accept an appointment in China. So, a line that no longer exists. with his new bride Margaret, off he went to Goat Street was totally destroyed in the Shanghai, arriving in September 1855. wartime blitz and the road line itself was Griffith John would serve in China for 55 taken away by the redevelopment of the years. town’s street layout in the 1950s. He set up schools, hospitals and train- I had heard the story about Goat Street. I ing colleges, and in 2012 a bust of Griffith appeared in a great play some years ago di- John by sculptor Xiang Jinguo was placed rected by Stella actress Maxine Evans which in Swansea Museum - the gift of the Union told the story of Goat Street and its residents. Hospital, Wuhan, to honour a great son of It was as well known in Swansea as Oxford Swansea. Street and The Kingsway are today - and Ebenezer Church still proudly stands near then, one day during the blitz, it was gone. the station - unlike many of the once-iconic I make no apologies for being passionate churches and chapels of Swansea. about Swansea. I love the place and we have Growing up in Pasmarl, there were plenty. an incredible history. St Paul’s, where we had a great Friday Dylan Thomas is very much in the news at night youth club; I think my mother still has the moment as we approach the centenary of the Christmas decorations I made out of egg his birth, and rightly so, but so many other cartons and silver foil! sons and daughters of our great city have im- The Salvation Army was around the corner pacted on the world. from St Paul’s and there was the Meth- I love the story of Griffith John. > Continued on next page Give the website a whirl ... www.dynevorrevisited.org.uk

18. The Old Dy’vorian Summer cracker for Balconiers HE ODA’s cricket-loving Bal- Tconiers can look forward to a plum fixture come summer. It’s Glamorgan against top-notch- ers Warwickshire in the new 50-over Royal London One-Day Cup, which replaces the Yorkshire Bank40 com- petition, at the St Helen’s ground in Swansea on Thursday, August 14. More than 50 Balconiers, wives and friends, as we reported in TOD When it comes to a view from 23, had a highly-enjoyable day dur- the balcony, the St Helen’s ing the county championship vic- Ground takes some beating tory over Leicestershire in August. ... and it’s all smiles as Ken Special guest was Glamorgan leg- Sharpe presents guest speaker end, former opening batsman Alan Alan Jones with a cricket book Jones, who gave a fascinating talk back in August. on his cricket life. He was presented with a book Pictures: on the history of Australian ‘sledg- Keith Morris ing’ - rather apt in view of what was to happen in this winter’s England Ashes disaster. An ODA tie was sent to Alan shortly afterwards. For information about this sum- mer’s cricket day out, contact ‘Bal- conier-in-Chief’ Ken Sharpe, whose details are on the Back Page. Now Salem is the only one left < From previous page es as night shelters during the winter for -odist Church on Neath Road, locally known the homeless- and then to see a message on as ‘The Prim’. Facebook about how the City Church were There was Dinas Noddfa, Smyrna Chapel going out on a late-night soup run! All in the on Smyrna Street, Salem Baptist on Neath tradition of a great Swansea man, Griffith Road and my own family chapel, Hermon - John. Welsh Independent Congregationalist. My favourite moment at the Old Now, sadly, only Salem Baptist remains. Dy’vorians’ lecture was seeing the old phys- I went recently to film for Mal Pope’s ics master Iorwerth Mort, who used to wor- Swansea City movie Jack To A King and ship at one of those Plasmarl chapels, Dinas went to the church that I went to as a teen- Noddfa. ager - the City Church on Dyfatty Street. We Mr Mort has been following with great in- were recreating my night before the play-off terest the stories in the Evening Post about final at Wembley and I had attended a ser- the Palace Theatre. vice there. He recalled that one of the last shows at Last week it was a Swansea Hope service. the Palace had been a Dynevor School pro- Swansea Hope is a group that represents duction called On The Town, the narrator of a number of Swansea churches and it was which was none other than a young Rowan wonderful to hear of plans to use the church- Williams!

19. The Old Dy’vorian Dynevor double act < Ted Nield (far left) and Brian Williams during the break between lectures at Bristol University

^ HERE’S an unusual ‘double’ ... two Old Dy’vorians Betty still sprightly giving back-to-back lectures to a packed audience AN article in TOD23, about the at Bristol University’s geology department on the Dynevor school crest on pews in same night in November. St Mary’s Church, described Betty First Dr Ted Nield (1967-74), editor of Geoscien- Williams, widow of Canon Harry tist magazine and science and communications of- Williams, the vicar of St Mary’s and ficer at the Geological Society of London, gave a an Old Dy’vorian, as “the late Mrs talk on meteorites. Then Professor Brian Williams (1951-58), of Uni- Betty Williams.” versity College, Cork, spoke about glaciations in Wrong. Very wrong. Gondwana (which, in paleogeography terms, ba- Mrs Williams is 94 and lives in sically means the southern hemisphere) from 300 Sketty - and family friend Bernard million years ago. ‘Buzz’ Jones (1941-46), who also The evening was organised in conjunction with lives in Sketty, says she’s in pretty the West of England group of the Geologists’ As- good health. sociation (WEGA). It was Bernard who, along with Betty, had provided most of the information for the article. But the At least it’s been halved mistake wasn’t his fault - nor was SEPTEMBER’S TOD reported that nearly 150 mem- bers still hadn’t increased their annual subscriptions Peter Macpherson, whose byline to £10. Well, in the few months since - thanks to the appeared on the piece, in any way sterling efforts of treasurer Steve Way - that number responsible for the error. Again it’s has come down to about 75. a case of ... It’s a step in the right direction, certainly, but there’s Mea Culpa - editor. still some way to go! By George, they must be brothers! REMEMBER that great American TV comedy series Cheers? Well, one reader reckons current ODA president Kevin Johns is a dead ringer for actor George Wendt, who played Norm Peterson. Cheers, which ran from 1982 to 1993 and was a big hit worldwide, was set in a bar in Boston, Mas- sachusetts, where locals used to gather for a drink and a chinwag. And George, who’s now 65, appeared in all 275 episodes over those 11 seasons. If YOU can come up with any doppelganger sug- gestions as far as Old Dy’vorians are concerned, let us know - contact details on Back Page. Hey Bro’ ... it’s George and Kevin Why is there a light in the fridge but not in the freezer?

20. The Old Dy’vorian Who’s Who in the ODA 2013-2014

> President : Kevin Johns MBE [email protected] Tel: 01792 894080 > Vice-President : Professor Dudley Sinnett [email protected] > Secretary : Phillip Davies [email protected] Tel: 01792 883978 > Treasurer : Stephen Way [email protected] Tel: 01792 361922 9 Croftfield Crescent, Newton, Swansea SA3 4UL > Journal Editor : Jeff Humphreys [email protected] Tel: 01827 830198 > Assistant Editor (Production) : Jim Waygood [email protected] Tel: 01792 899019 > Members’ Directory : Keith Evans [email protected] Tel: 07531 540002 > Recruitment/Marketing/Balconiers’ Cricket : Ken Sharpe [email protected] Tel: 01432 359990 > Golf Day : Peter Samuel [email protected] Tel: 01792 230076 Other members of the committee include Keith Morris (Ties), Phil Stone & David Dickinson (Past Presidents). David, Ken, Keith Evans and Jim comprise the Annual Dinner sub-committee. Diary check...diary check OK for next time > Thursday, March 27: APOLOGIES to the writers of those Annual General Meeting. Dynevor Campus SMU. Full articles which have been left out of details on website soon. this issue of The Old Dy’vorian - it > Friday, March 28: was a question of lack of space and, Golf Day at Clyne GC. Registration 9am. First tee-off rather than cut them quite savagely, 10am. we thought it better to hold them > Friday, March 28: over to the next edition in August. Annual Dinner. Swansea University. Guest speaker Sir Sorry again - but they’ll be in. Alan Thomas. 6.30 for 7.30pm. > Thursday, April 30: In Memoriam Annual SMU/ODA lecture. Unpredictability and WE are saddened to report the deaths Chance in Science and Technology by Sir John Meurig of Old Dy’vorians Stanley Hope (1934-39), Brian Jones (1945-51) Thomas. Dynevor Campus SMU. 7pm. and Mansel Thomas (1945-50). > Thursday, August 14: Balconiers’ Cricket Day. St Helen’s Ground, Swansea. You’re welcome 50-overs-a-side v Warwickshire. WELCOME to new ODA members > Wednesday, October 28: Martin Davies and Steve Richards. Annual ODA Lecture. Swansea University. Martin started at Dynevor in 1960 Guest speaker, broadcaster David Mercer. Full details and Steve, who lives in Western on website soon. Australia) in 1966. Copy deadline for TOD 25 is July 15, 2014 Please submit in Word format if possible, ideally 500/600 words & photos, to Jeff or Jim (contact details above)