Tag: Merthyr Express

The Growth of Football in Merthyr Tydfil – part 2

Transcribed by Phil Sweet

These articles which appeared in three consecutive editions of the Merthyr Express in March 1921 are Harvey Boots’ own reminiscences of the development of three football codes in the town up to that date.  

ARTICLE 1 – MERTHYR EXPRESS 5TH MARCH 1921 (Continued)

THE GROWTH OF FOOTBALL IN MERTHYR

(By Harvey Boots)

About this time most of the veterans had dropped out of the game, and the club were in somewhat low water; Indeed, if my memory serves me well, a new club had arisen Sphinx-like from the ashes of the old one. Merthyr Alexanders, or Alexs, was the name of the new combination, and compatible with the greatly-improved play now general in Wales they possessed one of the finest back divisions that ever played for Merthyr, or, indeed I might add, any club. The following names would be conjured up by the old Rugger fraternity recalling memories of great deeds:- Bill Henry Jones, Bert Jenkins, Phil Thomas, Llew. Treharne, and last, but by no means least, J.C. (Chris) Williams, a youth, who, in the heyday of his play, could make the most strenuous opposition look small. He had the honour of being selected first reserve for Wales with the great Dicky Owen, and although the half selected to play for Wales on this occasion was unable to turn out owing to injuries, the Union Selection Committee with that great distain which no “fellar” can understand picked another player in place of our local boy, who was thus robbed – and I think that is the only word – of this Welsh Cap.

The following little incident with regard to the above-mentioned young man is quite worth repeating. We were touring the West of England one Easter, playing Lydney, Bream and Stroud. I was in charge of the team, and although Chris had retired from active participation in the game (owing to the unfortunate loss of an eye whilst playing football) we pressed him into service to play on the wing while on tour. He ran in with two or three beautiful tries against Stroud on the Easter Monday, which caused the Chairman of the Stroud Club to inquire of me who the prodigy was. On my replying that “he had practically given up football as he only had one eye”, he exclaimed “Good God! I wonder how many he would have scored if he had two!” From the sporting standpoint, and for the utmost fun to be had out of a game of football, the old Merthyr Thursdays were no doubt it. I have many happy memories of days while playing for the old Thursdays. I have a photograph now hanging in my waiting-room taken over twenty-five years ago, and it would be very interesting to recall some of the group. Among others who figure there are Ernest Biddle (now deputy Town Clerk and a director of the Merthyr Association Club), the late Tom Davies (Temple), Major D.C. Harris, Major J. E. C. Partridge (popularly known as “Birdie” who afterwards played for Newport and Blackheath) D. J. Thomas (Hetts), the Brothers Thomas (then known as Thomas the Tea Shop), Percy Ward, the late Gwill and Howell Thomas (the latter of whom it may be truly said, was one of the best sports that ever kicked a Rugby football. He was captain of the Thursday team for more years than I care to remember, and his whole-hearted enthusiasm for the game was wonderful. He was a man who never knew when he was beaten, and a grafter to the very last. Under his leadership we had a very successful leadership, and at that time the team was considered the best mid-week team in Wales.

Our great fixture in those days to which we all made a special effort to get to was with Brecon College. The departure on Thursday morning in Thorney’s four-horse brake – there were no motor charabancs in those days – was sight to behold, and the return (triumphant or otherwise) was an even more wonderful picture. At that time Brecon College team contained boys who were destined to make history in Welsh football. Who hasn’t heard of Teddy Morgan, W.M. Llewellyn and A. F. Harding? Llew Thomas, a Welsh International, was a master there at this time, and always turned out with the boys.

Coming down to more recent history, and the real reason for this article, a new Merthyr Saturday Team had now been created. The Alexs were defunct; many of them had been lured over to the Northern Union game, and so had left the district to play for these Northern Clubs, but the old game was not allowed to flag. A new power had arisen to control the destines of the game. I refer to the late W. T. Jones, known to all and sundry as “Jones of Wales”. A man who worked early and late, in and out of season for the love of the game. I often wonder what “Poor old Bill” would say if it were possible for him to see the fruits of his early labours by taking a peek at Penydarren Park some Saturday afternoon as we see it to-day? But alas! He left us just as the old ship that he steered for so long was just about to make harbour.

We had at this time the best club that probably ever represented the old town. Penydarren Park had been secured permanently for sport, football etc., by a representative body of gentleman comprising, I believe, the late Mr. J. Plews, Mr. H. W. Southey, Mr. Aneurin Jones, Mr. A. J. Howfield, Mr. Gomer Thomas, Mr. D. C. Harris, Dr. Biddle, Mr. W. W. Meredith and others whose names, for the moment, escape me. The club was flourishing as never before, and we were on the high road to obtain fixtures with the leading clubs of the country.

Another body of gentlemen had now sub-let the Park from the afore-mentioned for the purpose of making a ground second to none – Dr Llewellyn Jones, Mr. W. B. Harris, the late Joe Jones (Manchester House), the late Howell Thomas, D. C. Davies, Mr. Sam Dix, of the Tiger Hotel,(which at that time was the headquarters of the football club), the late W. T. Jones (who acted as secretary) and myself (as chairman).

To be continued…..

The Growth of Football in Merthyr Tydfil – part 1

Transcribed by Phil Sweet

These articles which appeared in three consecutive editions of the Merthyr Express in March 1921 are Harvey Boots’ own reminiscences of the development of three football codes in the town up to that date.  

ARTICLE 1 MERTHYR EXPRESS 5TH MARCH 1921

THE GROWTH OF FOOTBALL IN MERTHYR

(By Harvey Boots)

While sitting in the grand stand and gazing around at the sea of faces assembled on Penydarren Park to watch Merthyr and Swansea play some weeks ago, my mind naturally reverted back to know what would be considered the “old days.” Sitting behind me was a personality who, probably, had as much to do with the assembling of that vast crowd as anyone in the history of Merthyr football. The gentleman I refer to is now a successful London businessman known as Mr. J. H. Evans, better known to the football fraternity as “John Ben”. My reasons for opening with this statement will appear later on in a subsequent article. Sitting next to me on the occasion referred to was the genial Editor of the Merthyr Express, who, after hearing our conversation about old times, etc., asked me point blank if I could manage to give him a few lines for the Merthyr Express on Merthyr’s football history as far as I could go. The bait was skilfully laid; I nibbled, and here I am – hooked. As I have no data to go upon, but simply giving a short history of my own recollections, there will obviously be a few inaccuracies which, I trust, will be excused and, at the same time, be non-controversial.

In my early days Rugby was the only code in the district, as a Soccer ball was quite a rare event, and so this portion of my story will be entirely of the Rugby game. My earliest memories recall to mind some of those giants of the past whom I used to see deporting themselves of the old game. Indeed, I have an old photograph before me now (kindly lent me by Mr. E. Beynon, of Abercanaid), and it would be interesting to recall some of the names of the group, vis, J.T. Harrup, Gomer Thomas, Arthur Howfield, the late Major H.H. Southey, J. Beynon, Tom Morgan, Jenkin Williams (Cowbridge), Ivor Thomas, son of Mr. William Rees Thomas (chemist), Claude Biddle, T.T. Fryer, the late Gwilym Thomas and Howell Thomas, Crad Evans (son of the late Roger Evans, draper) Tommy Elliott, W.R Southey and Joe Jones (Manchester House). At that time the playing venue was at the Goitre Field – quite a good walk both before and after, a match. A little later we come to another period when I recall the names of Fred Beddoe, G. Truran, “John Ben”, and Shenkin Davies.

At this period, or it may be prior to this, the playing pitch was Penydarren Park, which was quite a different proposition from what it is to-day. In those days there were numerous trees in the ground then utilised, and often the players, while careering down the field, would come in contact with one of those obstacles and become hors de combat. Indeed, I believe it is on record that several very serious accidents occurred from this source. About this time Mr. W. H. Baker, The Garage, used to bring a team from Newport on Good Friday to play for the benefit of the Railwaymen’s Society, and I believe he, with one or two others, was largely responsible for approaching Major Morgan, Bolgoed, with a view to having the trees removed; which was subsequently done. In those days the various playing pitches were anything but deluxe, and bathing accommodation often consisted of three or four tubs in some back room of whatever hostelry happened to be the headquarters of the team we were playing. On a particularly muddy day the biggest sprint of all was after the game to be one of the first “to tub”. The condition of the water for the last bathers can better be imagined than described. Hot and cold showers, massage, etc. were an unknown luxury in those days. But in spite of those little drawbacks the game was played with a zeal that to-day would be truly refreshing. The fun and good fellowship we used to get out of our football more than compensated for those little inconveniences. I remember one incident en passant which occurred when we were playing Bedford at the latter place. We were getting beaten for possession of the ball in the scrum, and our captain, who was also a forward, and shall be called “X” shouted out, “There is somebody not pushing, who is it?” Promptly, came the reply from poor old Crad Evans (a great wit, now, alas no more!) “I think it’s “X” naming the captain.”

To be continued….

Opening of the Olympia Rink

110 years ago today, 29 March 1910, the Merthyr Express reported the opening of Merthyr’s latest great attraction, the Olympia Skating Rink, which had taken place on 19 March:

MERTHYR’S NEW SKATING RINK

OPENING CEREMONY BY THE MAYOR

ENTHUSIASTIC ASSEMBLAGE AT THE OLYMPIA

Roller-skating is attaining to great popularity in Merthyr. It was only in December last that the Central Rink, Wellington-street, was started. The proprietors found their enterprise successful, and also that the growing requirements of the public called for increased accommodation. Hence they embarked on a much larger undertaking, for which they took a site on Mr, Thomas’s land, Park-place, and entered into a contract with Messrs. Cross and Grose, Ltd., Walsall, for the erection thereon of a capacious rink — the Olympia — with approach opposite the Penydarren promenade, the spot being on the Merthyr and Dowlais electric tramway route, and easily accessible to visitors.

The new buildings, which has a length of 208ft., and an average width of about 70ft, rose as if by magic, the contractors being experts in such affairs, and having contracted rinks and floors at Dudley, Wolverhampton, Bath, Leamington, Walsall, Colchester, etc. The outside manager for the firm was Mr. J. James, a gentleman of twenty-three years’ experience, and who may be congratulated upon the admirable way in which he carried out his duties. The election of the new rink, with its extensive hard rock maple floor (so constructed as to reduce sound to a minimum), its accessories and fittings, offices, refreshment buffet and lounges, orchestral gallery, was completed in sixteen days — which constitutes a record for rapidity. — The concrete foundation had been previously prepared by Messrs. Warlow and Warlow, Merthyr.

Special attention has been given to the electric lighting, thirty pedants being distributed throughout the Rink by the Merthyr Electric Traction Company; and the decorative effects, which have been carried out by Mr. F. P. Dymond, Cardiff, are very pleasing. The Rink may, therefore, be regarded as not only one of the largest, but most attractive in Wales. The enterprising directors have catered lavishly in all respects for the entertainment and comfort of the public, and take every care to conduct the four sessions which are held daily, with the utmost regard for decorum and good order. The experienced attendants are civil and obliging, and the instructors are of the very best.

The Olympia Rink

RINK OPENED

The opening ceremony on Saturday afternoon was an encouraging success. It was known that the Mayor (Councillor F. T. James) would inaugurate the proceedings, and the crowd of people attending from Merthyr, Aberdare, and surrounding districts was very large. The Mayor, who was accompanied by the Mayoress (Mrs. F. T. James) and the Misses James, was received, upon entering the building, by the Chairman S. Phillips), and conducted to the dais, which had been erected for the occasion on the rink floor beneath the orchestral gallery. There was a very representative gathering. The first item in the programme was a well-played march by Mr. Cunningham’s military band.

The Chairman then rose to address the assemblage. He referred to the aims and accomplishments of the directors, and offered a hearty welcome to all present. He especially recognised the kindness of the Mayor and Mayoress in attending upon that interesting occasion, and mentioned that the new rink in which they had met possessed a skating capacity of £10,000 square feet, which was ten times greater than the floor space of their first venture, the Central Rink, and that the electric light equalled; 6,000 candle-power. He then invited the Mayor to perform the opening ceremony.

The Mayor, who was accorded a cordial reception, said that whatever might be said of rinking, one was bound to acknowledge that it was an exceedingly good exercise and a source of enjoyment to those who were young and active enough to engage in the healthful pastime. He had much pleasure in declaring Olympia Rink open for the purposes to which it was devoted (cheers).

The Band played the National Anthem, and at this point, Miss Peggy Lewis (daughter of Mrs. Henry Lewis) skated up gracefully to the dais, and in a pretty speech handed, as from the directors, a large and beautiful bouquet to the Mayoress, who bowed and briefly expressed her sense of the compliment.

A photograph of the opening ceremony was taken by Mr Charles Harris. Mr. John Plows referred to the interest which the Mayor had always taken in the affairs of the town and district, and to his public-spirited conduct on all occasions, and moved that a hearty vote of thanks be given him for the part that be had so ably taken in the proceedings.

Councillor F. S. Simons seconded the proposition, which was carried with enthusiasm. — This was acknowledged by His Worship, and Mr. Cunningham’s Band performed another attractive selection.

EXHIBITION OF EXPERT SKATING

An elaborate exhibition of expert skating, with musical accompaniments, was given by the instructor (Mr. Frank K. Deverall), Mr. Johns, and the instructress (Miss Wilkes). It may be mentioned that Mr. Deverall comes from the County Rink, Surbiton, and was previously associated for some years with Mr. J. F. Davidson, the champion skater of the world; and that Mr. Johns, whose capabilities are also of the highest order, is from Widnes, Lancashire. Miss Wilkes, whose style is very; elegant and graceful, comes from Folkestone. Hundreds of visitors put on skates, and there was high carnival during the afternoon. During the evening also, there was a very large attendance, and the proceedings were marked throughout with great success.

– Merthyr Express 26 March 1910

Harvey Boots

by Phil Sweet

“For thirty years Mr. Boots associated himself with every progressive movement in the town and was a zealous and active worker in every good cause.”

This comment, which appeared in the Merthyr Express of November 10th 1923 in an article describing the occasion to honour Mr. Boots that was held three days earlier at the Belle Vue Hotel aptly sums up the contribution to the cultural and civic life of the Borough in the last decade of the Nineteenth and first two decades of the Twentieth Century by H. Harvey Boots.

Born in Aberbeeg and the brother of Welsh Rugby international, George Boots, Boots would embark on a career as a dentist. After being articled to Mr. Gill Williams of Newport Harvey Boots came to Merthyr in 1891 as an assistant to Mr. Musgrove with whom he completed his articles. After gaining further experience as a dentist in Croydon, Southsea and Bristol, Boots returned to Merthyr in 1896 and opened his own dental practice in the High Street.

Aside from his career as a dentist Harvey Boots made a valuable and pioneering contribution to the sporting life of the town. Initially his focus was on the rugby field where he turned out for both Merthyr Thursdays and Merthyr RFC, serving as chairman of the latter organisation whilst still turning out as player.

Boots also served as the first chairman of the Merthyr Athletic Club which had leased Penydarren Park from the Bolgoed Estate and was responsible for converting the site into a sporting arena. With the demise of the rugby union club Boots switched his attention to Merthyr Town AFC becoming their first chairman of directors. A true sporting all-rounder, Boots was also a keen bowls player and golfer being a member of first the Morlais and later the Cilsanws golf clubs, while he was also in great demand as an MC for whist drives.

Away from the sporting sphere Harvey Boots was a keen horticulturalist serving as vice-chairman of the Merthyr Horticultural Society and winning many prizes for his carnations while he also found the time to take an active interest in the Scout Movement in the town.

During the Great War although he was unable to volunteer for the armed forces Boots served as a special constable in the Borough and acted as honorary dentist to the Knighton Red Cross Hospital and travelled to Knighton every week free of charge and at his own expense to attend to wounded soldiers sent home from the front, actions which led to him receiving the diploma of the Red Cross & St. John Society.

In addition to the above Harvey Boots also played a prominent and active part in the public life of the town. After the Great War he was elected as the first chairman of the newly formed Merthyr Ratepayers Association. A lifelong member of the Constitutional Party Boots was one of the original members of the Constitutional Club in Thomastown. Furthermore, he was a devoted churchgoer serving as a sidesman in St. David’s Church and secretary of the Parochial Quota Fund.

A married man with two daughters Boots left Merthyr in the summer of 1923 for Great Yarmouth where he had purchased a large dental practice in the hope that the sea air would prove to be more beneficial for his health.

Over the next few months, various articles written by Harvey Boots will appear in this blog.

The Dark Side of Convict Life – part 26

by Barrie Jones

Chapter XXIII. In this the final chapter, Henry concludes that despite once again falling into a life of crime following his release from Parkhurst Prison, he is determined to reform. Sadly, that was not the case. Records show that his criminal career continued well into the following decades.  

The Dark Side of Convict Life (Being the Account of the Career of Harry Williams, a Merthyr Man). Merthyr Express, 2nd July 1910, page 11.

Chapter XXIII

This being my last chapter I shall not weary my readers with any further experiences of convict life. Suffice it to say that the entire prison system is very much the same as in the days of long ago. Of course, it will not help us much to discuss theories of punishments. Whether such is retributive, or remedial, whether it is to avenge or whether its end is to curse, but one thing I do know, criminals will be treated in very much the same way. Suffer they must, but the suffering that destroys the self-respect, that weakens the mind and body, and sends the poor wretches out into the world again the wrecks of what they were, is not only needless, but harmful. Criminals should have sufficient food and sleep. They should be treated fairly, and protected against the tyranny of warders and magistrates who are too apt to believe all the official tell them.

Some of my readers who know me personally, know very well how hard I have struggled to live down my past life. I was engaged in honest employment at the Cwm Pit Colliery, and had no thought whatever of drifting again to the bad. I married a good woman, who did her best to make me happy, and I was getting on comfortable until the month of February, 1908, when I was lead away by a person, who asked me to go and work with him on the coal. I thought I should get more wages, so I went, although it was very much against the wish of my wife, who entreated me not to go. I wish I had listened to her, for it is simply marvellous how some women can foretell what is going to happen. I was not long in my new place before I was thrown out of employment, and lured further into trouble, which finally landed me again in prison for 18 months, which caused great grief to the only one that I ever truly loved – and that is my wife, who stuck by my side, and who was true to me from the day of my trial to the day of my release.

On account of this I have sworn that this last shall be the turning point of my life, and I can truly say that I am now a reformed man. After 15 long years of prison life and my reformation is due only to the love and affection of a faithful wife, who was the daughter of the late Mr. Thos. Morris, manager of the Pontycapel. I hope readers will excuse the blundering way in which I have written my narrative, as I have done so that even the illiterate may understand. It can truly be seen and said that the way of the transgressor is hard, for the rising generation. I think that the history of my past life may prove a great help, especially to those who are about to take their first step into crime, and who are ignorant as to the consequences. Sin always brings in its train poverty, ruin, the loss of character, lunacy, and lastly death with the soul unredeemed. If readers are tempted to do anything wrong, I implore them to hesitate, and think twice before they drop their right foot on the wrong path of evil, which is certain, in the end, to bring them to destruction, for once the character is gone there is no reclaiming it, although one may try hard afterwards to live it down. I will now conclude by saying, “When you are tempted to sin, stop and think of the past life of Harry Williams, and that which will surely follow will be the dark side of convict life if you continue in sin.”

The Dark Side of Convict Life – part 25

by Barrie Jones

Chapter XXII. Henry recounts his return to honest labour at Cwm Pit Colliery, and the problems encountered in concealing his past.  

The Dark Side of Convict Life (Being the Account of the Career of Harry Williams, a Merthyr Man). Merthyr Express, 25th June 1910, page 9.

Chapter XXII

Nine years of incessant labour on a convicts settlement plays havoc with  a man’s strength. After about three weeks’ rest I made up my mind to look for a job; so I wandered up to Heolgerrig, where I knew of an overman, and who was known as Shoney Bach for short. I met   him just outside his house and walked up to him. I said, “Is there any chance for a start, Mr W_______” “Indeed,” he replied, “I’m afraid that the pit is full up” “I am very sorry,” says I, “but I happen to be badly in want of a start just now.” “There may be a chance later on,” says he. “What is your name?” “Harry Williams,” says I. “What, are you the same Harry Williams that used to go to Georgetown School with me, and who was sentenced to penal servitude years ago?” “I am the same one,” I replied. “Good heavens, Harry,” says he, “You have altered.” After giving me a bit of good advice he said, “You can come to work to-night, Harry, I will put you on the screen until I see something better for you.”

I thanked him, and went home to make preparations, and on the following day I went to the offices on the head of the pit to sign on. Having done so, I went home and started work that night. I was getting on very well, for although the work in the screen was a bit dusty I preferred it to the dust of the Portland limestone. I was not long on the screen before I was sent under to work as labourer. There was no one there at the time who knew me, although I recognised several faces, one or two who had been schoolmates. I kept as much as possible to myself, for I did not want the whole pit to know that I was a released convict on ticket-of-leave. But no matter how hard a person tries to conceal his identity, spotted he will be in the end, as I was. Not that I cared in the least, for I had suffered for what I had done.

I was one night told off by the fireman to the heading to shift a few trams of debris, and I was accompanied by a young chap named Peter Lodge. An agreeable little fellow was Peter, and we got on well together; for we devised a way to do our work properly without killing ourselves. Peter and I didn’t work the same as other shifters, one shifting one tram and the other shifting the next one. Peter and I used to drive in at the same tram, and then sit down and take a rest until the next came. Yes, I often think of young Peter now, for a better little comrade not to be found in a day’s march.

But even in a coalmine there can be found some interfering person, and one night Peter and I were having our snap time – that is a rest from twelve to one – when two labourers whom I knew, although they did not know me at the time, came into our place, sat down on a lump of coal, and proceeded to “chew the fat” with Peter, my mate. “Hullo,” says one, “you’ve got a new mate with you to-night, Peter.” “Yes,” says he, and turning to me, they said, “You know, mate, you’ve got to pay your footing.” “So I suppose,” says I, “but which way will you have it, standing up here or  a boxing contest up at Taylor’s?” (This being a well-known boxing saloon). But I wasn’t having any of it, for I did not wish to be sent back to Portland to do my ticket. Anyway they cooled down in the end, and one of them, lifting his lamp, looked into my face, and turning to his mate, he said, “Do you know who this fellow looks like?” “No,” says the other. “Why, Harry Williams,” says his mate; him who was sentenced to penal servitude in 98.” “Oh I remember,” replied the other, “do you mean Harry Cobler?” “Of course, I do.” So, they then kept my name in their brain, and mixing my character up, one giving me a good name, and the other condemning me.

Of course, I had already told Peter who I was, and when their conversation was getting heated, Peter was laughing fit to burst, for little did they know that I was the man. The snap time over, they had to clear out of it, and  a few more trams of debris were brought with it. Knocking off time came, and Peter and I put our shovels away, and made our way back to the shaft, and off home. That’s all I know of the first night for many years of the Cwm Pit Colliery.

To be continued…..