Did you go to Cyfarthfa School? Did you teach at Cyfarthfa School?
Next year Cyfarthfa Castle celebrates its 200th anniversary. To mark the event, Cyfarthfa Castle Museum and Art Gallery in association with the Merthyr Tydfil & District Historical Society are planning to produce a book and exhibition recording people’s memories of Cyfarthfa School.
If anyone would like to share their memories, big or small, in writing or orally, please contact one of the people below and we can let you know what sort of thing we are looking for:-
Laura Bray – jasonbray@aol.com
Steve Brewer – stevebrewer68@hotmail.co.uk
Carole-Anne Johnson – c.harris51@yahoo.co.uk
Let’s try for a good book with as many memories as possible.
I was there from 1969-76, as it moved from Grammar to High School, both eras encapsulated by Heads, John Davies & Mr Bennet.
It was a terrific period with the inspirational Dewi Bowen, Raymond Gethin etc.
I’m still in touch with old friends & will put the word out 🙂
Dai Williams
I don’t recall we went that often between 1974 and 1976; I certainly remember spending a lot of time bunking off and watching General Hospital or Crown Court on TV.
My mother is playing in the orchestra. Margaret Williams..
I was at Cyfarthfa 63 – 69 played in the school orchestra. Great teachers Mr Bowen was inspirational and Mr Richard’s History, who gave me a love of local history that had stayed with me all my life.
Sat on that floor for assembly. My mother was livid, she said sitting on it caused the back of my skirt to go shiny.
It was the end of the school year and the decorators had started work on the class room just off the hall , you can see the room in the photograph. The exams were finished and results were in. So instead of going to class me and a friend decided it was more fun to talk to the workmen. Miss Addie caught us and threatened to expel us for flirting. I had a sleepless night. The next day I had to go to her office. She explained I would not be expelled as the next day she was retiring and in her career she had never expelled anyone. Whew, I never told my parents.
French, last lesson on a Friday. However before that swimming in the baths. Oh dear the poor French teacher was fighting a losing battle. We had been swimming, walked from the baths down the drive, the weekend was upon us and we were expected to be alert to learn French.
I was at Cyfarthfa Grammar from 1964 until 1970 and left just before it became Cyfarthfa High School. It was a wonderful school giving me a great education, many happy memories and with inspirational teaching staff including Jane Owen, (Maths) and in my final year Meryl Jones (Needlework).
There from 1964-72 (including a re-sit of O Levels). I was not a diligent student.
Enjoyed the Sixth Form when I was involved in the Christian Union and helped with the Tuck Shop and Save the Children charity committee.
Headmaster John Davies once flagged me down when I was driving my van in Treharris on a school day, and I was wearing a school uniform. Having been to a warehouse in Trelewis there was 30 sacks on potatoes in the back of my van. But I had also bought some trays of Coca-cola as they were cheaper than the Cash and Carry.
When he asked me what I was doing so far from school, I reached over lifted up a tray of cola and said, “School shop, sir”.
“You are doing a wonderful job” said he.
There from 1957 to 1963 so many great memories.My father was also a pupil 1923 to 1929 . l was a fairy in the production of Midsummer Nights Dream I think it was in my first year can remember all the music and dancing we performed felt so privileged to be in it. Miss E Williams history teacher gave me my love for Welsh history and Ben Bowen Art always so supportive even if you couldn’t paint !!
I attended Cyfarthfa 1964 to 1969 , played viola in the school orchestra. Enjoyed the benefit of inspirational teachers who forged my character for the rest of life.
You were there the same time as me John – were you in Band B? I was Wendy Jones then, friends of Gail Evans, Carol Lewis, Claire Williams, Judith and Cynthia too.
I attended Cyfarthfa High School 1972-1977. Both my parents were teachers there, Meriel and Ray Iverson. My mother was head of Lower school (the castle building) during the 1980’s. I loved visiting her office because it was in one of the round turrets above the museum. As a pupil it was so cool telling everyone you went to school in a castle and the school grounds were a beautiful public park which you had free access to during break and lunchtime!
I remember Ray Iverson turning up at Cyfarthfa in a brand new Ford Escort Mexico. We were in awe. That was classy, and earned a lot of respect from wayward pupils like myself.
Tod.
Hi Wayne (Tod) I spoke with my father today and he said he remembers you well 😁👍