Ystradgynlais & District

Mr J. Thomas was Headmaster of Ynyscedwyn Primary School for 29 years before he retired in 1948. He had previously been Headmaster of Coelbren for 10 years.

This article from the Labour Voice newspaper Saturday September 18th 1926 records that Ynyscedwyn School under Mr J Thomas got the most free scholarships to what was still then Maesydderwen grammar school:-

Yniscedwyn School, the headmaster of which is Mr J Thomas, headed the list of successful candidates in the recent examination for free entry into the Maesydderwen County School

This article from the Llais Friday June 24th 1960 records his Golden Wedding Anniversary:-

[page 11]
YSTRADGYNLAIS' COUPLE GOLDEN WEDDING
FORMER HEAD AT YNYSCEDWYN

Mr and Mrs J Thomas "Heulfryn" Brecon Road, Ystradgynlais, recently celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary.

A large number of relatives and frinds were entertained and many messages of good will were read.

Mrs Thomas, the daughter of Mr and Mrs William Powell, Abercrave Terrace, had served as an Assistant Mistress at Abercrave, Penrhos, and Coelbren. She had also been a member of the Ystradgynlais Child Welfare until that organisation was disbanded.

Mrs Thomas has been unwell for some time and regrets that she has not been able to meet the very many friends she made then

29 YEARS AS HEAD
Mr Thomas retired from the headship of Ynyscedwyn Primary School in 1948 after having served for 29 years.

Prior to that Mr Thomas was headmaster of Coelbren Primary School for nearly 10 years.

During his stay there, Mr and Mrs Thomas made many lasting friendships which have prevailed to the present day.

He held the secretaryship of the local assosciation of the National Union of Teachers for 33 years and that of the Teachers' provident Society for 37 years.

HOSPITAL WORK
During the period when there was a local association of Supporters of Swansea General Hospital, Mr Thomas acted as chairman, treasurer, and secretary in turn.

At present he is the secretary of the Tabernacl welsh presbyterian church, where he is also an Elder.

Mr and Mrs Thomas were the recipients of cards and telegrams bearing messages of goodwill.

There were also a number of valuable presents from friends in London, Cardiff, and Edinburgh, and from as far as Canada and the USA.

All copyright remains with the original copyright holder, and all original research is copyright Val Trevallion, YEARGroup and is put online as a free community project by Wolfian Design.

You can contact the Ystradgynlais and Ystalyfera History and Heritage websites by emailing: webdesign@wolfianpress.com
or Val Trevallion by emailing yeargroup@hotmail.co.uk.