Ponthir Church in Wales primary school turned 50 last week and I had an invite to an evening event for current and past pupils, current and former staff, governors and just anyone with an interest in the school
This is an insight into how you go along to one story and come away with a nice surprise. If you see me at any event, I’m just listening, watching and walking around trying to take it all in.
During a few speeches, the name Mrs Chivers was mentioned a few times and I could hear a little murmur each time. It turns out Reneè Chivers was a teacher at the school on the day it opened in 1975. She still lives the village and is 93.
As soon as the speeches finished I asked her for a photo and to ask a few questions. Also there was Emlyn Powell, who was deputy head from 1979 to 1982. I loved taking their photo and hear about their fond memories. You can read it on Facebook here and it will be on the Cwmbran Life website soon, along with this story about evening.
Owen Filer in the Parkway Hotel
Owen Filer was presented a trophy and certificate to recognise him as Wales’ oldest known man at 105. The award came from LongeviQuest, an organisation that researches and records the oldest living people in the world.
Ben Hinchliffe, the UK researcher for the organisation, travelled from his home in Huddersfield to meet Mr Filer in the Parkway Hotel. We enjoyed a coffee together before I headed off to leave them to enjoy lunch and the afternoon together.
Ben wrote this brilliant post about his day in Cwmbran. Read the Cwmbran Life story and find out more here.
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Three of best things from last week
A few things put a smile on my face last week.
- ☕️ A lovely shopper in Asda gave me £5 and it’s led to me starting to write a Cwmbran Life diary that I plan to publish as an e-book next year. Read more here.
- 🎭 The Congress Youth Theatre are putting on ‘All Shook Up’ in March. I went along to their rehearsals. They’re a cracking bunch of young people. Find out more and get tickets here.
- 👩🏫 Mandy Callard, the deputy head of Llanyrafon Primary School, has retired and pupils wrote this story for Cwmbran Life. Thank you!
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