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Dr Alun Jones, Chairman
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Robert Evans

It was with heavy hearts that we heard the news that Robert Evans had died in the early hours of Friday, 22nd January. Words cannot do justice to such a tragic loss. Robert was a conscientious, caring, competent man in every way and our deep condolences go out to Pam and the family.

On behalf of the Gowertonian Society, I can truthfully say that he lifted us up when we were seriously down and brought a fresh enthusiasm with new contacts and boundless energy.

He was an excellent chairman and his approach to each aspect of the work was meticulous. His organisation of the Annual Dinner could not be faulted.

I have known and respected Robert as a teacher for over 30 years but his work with the Gowertonian Society raised that respect to a higher level. He will be sadly missed by all of us but the committee will continue to support the school in all facets and will proudly serve as Gowertonians.

Ann Borthwick, President.

 

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Musical Director of London Welsh Male Voice Choir

 

Gowertonian Edward-Rhys Bate from Penclawdd is the new Musical Director of the London Welsh Male Voice Choir. After becoming a church organist at 15 years old, he was commissioned to write music for the National Youth Theatre of Wales before studying music at Bangor University. Edward-Rhys has a post-graduate diploma in music technology and sound recording, a Master of Music degree in composition, an MA in choral conducting and has performed with the BBC National Chorus of Wales.

 

 

 

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Fatal Neglect: Who Killed Dylan Thomas? - by David N. Thomas

 

 

Given the school's connection to Dylan Thomas, David Thomas's latest book 'Fatal Neglect: Who Killed Dylan Thomas?' should be of especial interest to Gowertonians, according to the author who was at Gowerton from 1957 to 1960 before moving to Port Talbot. David's grandmother, Tabitha Nicholas, was also a Gowertonian, as was his father Gwynne Thomas and his two aunts Nancy and Margaret Thomas, all of Oakfield Street, Pontardulais. David says that he was lucky to be at the school  when Gilbert Bennett and Bill Bowen were on the staff because they started him on his writing career.

Headmaster, Dr Tom James, had been Dylan Thomas's English master in Swansea and Gilbert Bennett was President of the Dylan Thomas Society. Some of Dylan Thomas's relatives lived in Loughor and Pontardulais.

If you have any recollections of Dylan Thomas, please write to David N. Thomas, 1 Dolfor, Ciliau Aeron, Lampeter SA48 8DE or send an e-mail to krayer-thomas@care4free.net

For more details, contact Tori at torikt@seren-books.com

 

 

 

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Karl Jenkins

Penclawdd-born musician and Gowertonian Karl Jenkins has been made an honorary fellow of Swansea University for his achievements in composition.

Dr Jenkins has composed advertising music for famous brand names such as Pepsi, Levi's and British Airways and has played the Ronnie Scott Club, the Montreux Festival, Carnegie Hall and many more world famous venues.

The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace has brought Karl global recognition and those for whom he has written music include Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, the London Symphony Orchestra and Bryn Terfel.

 

Dr. Karl Jenkins.
(Photograph by courtesy of the Evening Post)

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Haydn Tanner (1917-2009)

Please go to Dispatch Box to read 'A Tribute to Haydn Tanner' by James Harris

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The William King Educational Trust

The Gowertonian Society has donated £100 to The William King Educational Trust. William was a staunch supporter of this society, especially our annual dinners. His children Sarah and David and William's nieces and nephews attended Gowerton School.
          
Nicky, William's wife, has reported to us that the Trust has now raised over £17,000 towards the project to build a primary school in Belize for 5 - 13 year old children and it is hoped that building will start in September 2009.

Should there be Gowertonians out there who may wish to support the appeal they should contact Nicky King at Llwyndyrys, Uplands, Gowerton Swansea SA3 3ET or e-mail her on: www.wket.org.uk/

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Happy Birthday to Mr Gilbert Davies and Miss Miller

 

Norman Anthony (GBGS) and Ena Davies (GGGS and Penyrheol Comprehensive School) took birthday greetings to Gilbert Davies who will be celebrating his 96th Birthday on Friday, 19th December with visits from his family . He was delighted to receive messages from his past pupils.

 

 

 

Miss Dorothy Miller, a geography teacher at the Gowerton Girls' Grammar School for more than 20 years, celebrated her 88th birthday today, 17th November 2008, at a lunch party at Plas y Môr, the home of Mrs Ena Davies.

If you were a pupil of Miss Miller and would like to contact her, please e-mail the website for her address. She would love to hear from you.

 

 

 

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The Gowertonian Award for Outstanding Service to the Community

The Gowertonian Society has introduced this new award to be made annually and presented at the Annual Dinner.

In 2008 the award was made to Tony Small for his outstanding devotion to the development of music in the village of Penclawdd and to Denys Jenkins for his amazing contribution to charitable causes in the area. Eric Jones received the award in 2009.

The Society is open to nominations for consideration for next year. Please contact Dr Alun Jones or e-mail the website.

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Historical & Hysterical Tales of Pontarddulais Public Houses

 

Gowertonian Deric John and his two pals, Alun Rees and Bryan Yelland, have written a book 'delving into the rich tapestry of life at pubs in Pontarddulais'.

 

To read more about it, please click on book review

Historical & Hysterical Tales Of Pontarddulais Public Houses is published by LLygad Gwalch and costs £6.50.

Also, Deric has a very interesting website about the origin of South Wales place names

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GOWERTON INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL - 1896 to 1946

The Society has recently had bound copies made of a book about the very first years of the school, entitled ' Gowerton Intermediate School - 1896 to 1946'  There are only 23 copies left and they can be purchased at £10 plus £1 postage.

The Society is grateful to Wynne Thomas of Llanishen for initiating this re-publication exercise.

For more information please contact the website.

 

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Mrs Rona Davies

Rona Davies

The Gowertonian Society has been indebted to many people but none more so than Rona Davies who resigned her position on the present executive committee at our recent AGM.

Rona, funnily enough, was not a pupil at the school but taught in both Boys' and Girls' Grammar Schools and the school as it embarked on its Comprehensive journey.


Teachers can consider themselves successes if what they 'teach' influences the lives of their pupils in the broader sense....Rona has most certainly done that. Rona became an outstanding Senior Mistress in the latter part of her career. Her way of dealing with pupils was always 'fair, firm and friendly'. Pupils simply could not dislike her and more often than not they considered her a rock upon which they based their attitude to school and life.

As someone who has worked with Rona, I am in a great position to confirm what a brilliant person she is. As a friend she is so supportive and, without her, Gowerton School, the Gowertonian Society and everybody she has been associated with her in her influencial life would be so much the poorer!

Thank you so much Rona and enjoy your life in the way that you have deserved!
Robert Evans [Chair]

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Safety of Gowerton School Pupils

Can you help?

Message to the Forum (Tuesday 20th May 2008)

We are having some difficulties in Gowerton at the moment with the safety of children crossing the road in the morning. The lollipop man has resigned, we can't get another one, and the local council have refused to install a pelican crossing at the Talbot Street/Cecil Road junction on the grounds that there are "no monies available". The road is crossed by pupils of all 4 schools in the village, including Gowerton Comprehensive School. One school girl has already been hit at the spot, but until there is a death(!) we remain a low priority. So the local community are trying to raise the required £22,000.

I have set up an ink-jet cartridge recycling scheme to help towards the total. If you have any empty HP, Lexmark, Canon or Dell cartridges, would you consider sending them in (free!) for our appeal?
Just pop them in an envelope and send them to the following address:

Cash For Cartridges (Ref: R00837)
FREEPOST
RLZL-EUJG-ZYEL
13 Main Street
Keyworth
Nottingham
NG12 5AA

No toner or Epson cartridges please!

The money for the cartridges will be directed straight into our appeal account.

Many thanks, and hope you can help.

Gaynor
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Presentation Ceremony

Mrs Ena Davies, Head of Modern Languages at Gowerton Girls' Grammar School in the 1960s, has presented a cheque for £4,000 to Ty Bryngwyn, a local hospice. The money was raised from the sale of Ena's book entitled Plas-y-Môr, a story of the history, mystery and controversy surrounding her home at Burry Port.


Dr Mary Llewellyn-Morgan, President of the Ty Bryngwyn Appeal Fund,
receiving the cheque from Mrs Ena Davies.

Also present were: CC Gwynne Wooldridge (Gowertonian), Committee Member and his wife, Heulwen, Rev. Jeff Morgan (Gowertonian), Mrs Susan Thomas, Secretary, Mrs Valmai Richards, Gowertonian Society, Ian Avery, nephew, and his wife, Pat.

For more details, please go to Dispatch Box

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Notable Gowertonian and Welsh Composer

Alun Hoddinott
 
We are saddened to inform you that Gowertonian Alun Hoddinott has recently passed away.

 

Alun Hoddinott, born in Bargoed in 1929, was a prominent Welsh composer and teacher. His talents developed early, and he won a university scholarship at the age of sixteen. He was educated at Gowerton Grammar School; then studied at University College in Cardiff (BA, 1949; Ph.D., 1960). After graduating he studied for some years in London with the Australian composer and pianist, Arthur Benjamin.

In 1951 Alun Hoddinott was appointed lecturer in music at the Welsh College of Music and Drama and served in this post until 1959. In 1959 he joined the staff of the University College in Cardiff, first as lecturer (1959-1965), then reader (1965-1967), and finally as Professor of Music and Head of Department (1967-1987). From 1966 to 1989 he served as artistic director of the Cardiff Festival of Twentieth Century Music.

For more about Alun Hoddinott, international ambassador for Welsh music, please use links below.

 
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Maestro

Maestro by Eric Jones



Eric Jones has written the biography of Noel Davies [Gowertonian and ex conductor of Pontarddulais Male Voice Choir]  The book is published by Wasg Gomer, Llandysul, Ceridigion SA44 4JL [www.gomer.co.uk] at £7.99

Maestro is available in most Welsh Language Book Shops, Waterstones, Borders and Cwtch dan Star in Pontardulais.

     

 

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Top Award for Gowertonian

Peter SteadGowertonian and former Swansea University lecturer, Professor Peter Stead has been honoured for his work in the media.
Swansea-based writer, broadcaster and cultural historian Peter Stead will receive the Cyfrwng Award for 2007. The award is made to individuals with links to both the academic and media worlds. Professor Stead is being honoured during this year's Cyfrwng Welsh media issues conference at Swansea University.
John Hefin, Cyfrwng chairman, said: "As one of Wales's leading social historians, Professor Stead is a most worthy recipient of the Cyfrwng Award - for his scholarly, readable books, yes, but possibly more importantly for radiating such understanding, enthusiasm and wit whenever he discusses a subject close to his heart"

Peter was our guest speaker at The Gowertonian Society Dinner,Saturday, 22nd Sept 2007 at the North Gower Hotel.

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Gowerton School Tour 2006

For a full report and photos of the Gowerton School Tour 2006, please click on SCHOOL TOUR 2006

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Ena's Book 'Plas-y-Môr

Mrs Ena Davies, who taught French at Gowerton Girls' Grammar School in the 1960s, has written and published a book entitled 'Plas-y-Môr, a Property with History, Mystery and Controversy'.

If you'd like to buy a copy (£8.99, proceeds to the local hospice) please Ena. For more details go to Dispatch Box.

To date, more than £3,500 has been raised for the charity. Well done, Ena!

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1990s Gowerton Comprehensive School Reunion for Pupils,Teachers and PTA Members
1990s Reunion Poster
21st July 2006 at the Oxwich Bay Hotel, 8pm - 1am

Message from the organisers:-
We have Memory Books £1 full of old school photos, a DVD of the night with big brother style diary room comments £15, and reprints of some old photos as well as photos of the night, in the form of year group and smaller groups £3, 6 by 4 in display folder & £7 for A4 framed. Bargain!
For more details, please Leanne Adkins or
Tel: 01792 851778 or 07974 760996
The event raised £350 for the children's charity Latch
If you have any photos taken at this event, please .
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Anne Ellis OBE

Anne Ellis OBEGowertonian Anne Ellis has been awarded the OBE and also been made an Honorary Fellow of Swansea University.

Anne, a pioneer of women’s hockey, was capped 136 times by Wales and has captained both the Wales and Great Britain Olympic women’s hockey teams.

She was a pupil of Miss Thomson at Gowerton Girls’ Grammar School and taught at the Gowerton Comprehensive School for 32 years, retiring from her post as head of physical education in 1995.

Anne has been a member of the Sports Council for Wales since 1993 and became Vice Chair in 1999. She is also Chair of the Board of Directors for Wales National Pool and Sketty Village Sports Complex.

This year Anne was the "Chef de Mission" of the Welsh Team who competed in the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne in March 2006. The team size was approximately 230, including athletes and coaches.

Anne Ellis OBE, receiving her award from Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace in 2005. She had previously been awarded the MBE.
Anne Ellis OBE
  

 

As well as being the Welsh Hockey Union president, the vice chairman of the Sports Council for Wales, chairman of Wales National Pool, a member of the European Hockey Federation Development Committee, Director of Great Britain Olympic Hockey and chairman of the South Wales Women's Regional Hockey Committee, Anne has just been elected chair of the International Hockey Federation's Development and Coaching Committee - the first Welsh woman to hold such a post.

 

 
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Service of Remembrance

Many Gowertonians are not aware of the Service of Remembrance which takes place each year at the Gowerton Comprehensive School.

The service recognises former pupils of the Gowerton Schools who fell in both World Wars.

Please see the Events Diary for a brief report on this year's service. Gowertonians wishing to attend the service next year should contact the chairman of the society, Robert Evans on 01792/873804 or e-mail this website during October 2007.

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