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Ysgol Llangynfelyn 1876-1976

Pennod 6 - "Memories of Llangynfelyn Parish"

by J.R.Weaver"

I enclose a short account of my memories of Llangynfelyn School. I am sorry I can't write it in Welsh as no Welsh was taught or spoken at school in my day. I have lived in Yorkshire for 70 years and that is another reason.

Last August, my wife and I were invited by son and family to spend a holiday in Cardiganshire. While there, we were able to visit Tynywern, where I was born. Little has changed but my generation have all gone, but I found Miss Myfanwy Pugh at Taliesin. Since then, I have heard she has died. She sat in the class in the seat next to me. As far as I know, no one else has survived. I remember the names of some — Mary J. Meredith, Will Daniel, Ned Richards, Jack Mason, Hugh Jones, Jack Williams, Jack Evans and four teachers. I remember Sid Jenkins (Henhafod), Rebecca Jones, Frances Jones and T. Richards. The school then known as Llangynfelyn Board School looks as new as when it was built. I started attending with my sister when I was four. I got into trouble on the first day. The boy who sat next to my sister told me to put my finger in the inkwell on the desk which I promptly did with dire results. As I was a minor, I got away 'scot free'.

The Headmaster was Mr. James Jones, surely the best teacher in Cardiganshire, if not in Wales.

Many of his pupils became teachers, clergymen, and doctors. His school became famous throughout North Cardiganshire and earned the highest reports from H.M.I.

I became a pupil teacher at the age of 13. One day four or five school managers came to the school, and I was called out with four other pupils. When I was questioned, one of the managers said before I could answer, "You are going to be a teacher." I said, "Who said so? ", "Your mother," and I heard the manager next to him whisper, "That's done it," so that is how I became a teacher. I was given a class of 15 to 20. This was my time table; 8.0 a.m. lesson with Mr. Jones; 8.30 home for breakfast; 8.45 back to school; leave at 12.00 for dinner; back to school at 1.15 until 4.0 p.m., then back to school at 4.15 for lesson with Mr. Jones; 5.45 home again to do home lessons set by Mr. Jones. This went on until bedtime, and it was a daily routine throughout the year, except for holidays. Each year there were exams before I could enter the second year and so on, until the fourth year at the age of 18, I took what was then known as the Queen's Scholarship. I was successful and became an uncertificated teacher. As there was no opening for me at home, I went to Abertillery where I stayed one year, then to Sheffield University. On leaving there as a Certificated teacher, I got a post in York-shire and served in the West Riding for about 4 years and for 30 years I was Head Teacher.

Before I close, I would like to name some of the outstanding characters I remember as a boy. Tom Beechey a native of Oxford who became a benefactor to the parish. He startled the neighbourhood on Monday mornings by loud explosions for local weddings — an expert fisherman and keen follower of Lodge Park fox-hounds; Morgan Isaac (Goitre), Tom Owen and Tom Bond, Taliesin (born humorist), Peggy Cooks, cockle-woman who lived near the bridge at Tre'r-ddôl, Marie Richards who went to Aberdovey every week with farm produce, Dai Morgan, Taliesin, who worked sometimes in South Wales and walked all the way home. Ann Davis, who made lovely treacle toffee and delicious pickled herring. There were many others but the list is too long.

Dennis Hughes, K.Isaac, Laura Loader(Pugh), Dorothy Owen
Dennis Hughes, K.Isaac, Laura Loader(Pugh), Dorothy Owen
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