IMAGE BY RDN PHOTOGRAPHER MIKE DAVIES

A Report on the Annual Meeting of Resolfen History Society .

After a hiatus of over two years, the History Society held an annual meeting at the Church Hall. It was encouraging that nine members were able to attend and several others sent apologies. It should be pointed out to anyone intending to return that strict measures regarding the prevention of Covid-19 are still in place within the building.

The meeting began, by remembering those who had passed away during the two years, especially Mr Gwyn Thomas the Society President and Mrs Mair Norton the former Treasurer. They will both be sadly missed and their contribution to the continuation of a History Society within the village for nigh on forty years was immense.

A new committee was elected with Trefor Jones relinquishing the Chair in order to return to his former role as General Secretary. Mr David Woosnam will now be Chairman, Julie Hicks will continue as the long serving treasurer and Jill Saunders will continue as Assistant Secretary. Val Davies will continue as Transport Secretary and the general committee includes Barbara Harris, Caryl Rees, Carole and David Jefferies.

Following a short address by the outgoing chairman, there was a general discussion on the way forward for the Society. Meetings will proceed as before on a monthly basis, but since speakers are difficult to find at the moment, this will vary in content and form . It was felt that a “workshop” approach to the history of the village would be beneficial and possibly a Q&A format for those who would not want to give a formal talk or lecture. It was felt that this would appeal to a wider audience and crucially involve more younger people in a slightly more rigorous approach to history since evidence showed from social media that there was a great deal of interest in local history.

The meeting concluded with another reading from the autobiography of Joseph Cookson, who lived and worked in the area in the 1920s. The episode concerned the changing of working in a small level above Clyne and changing to work at the more mechanised Gored Merthyr colliery. Despite being the best worker in the pit in his opinion, he remained on a junior minimum wage until becoming a fully-fledged collier at twenty one year of age. A problem with a coal cutter led to a remonstration with Mr Lloyd the under manager over pay, this resulted in Joe getting split form his “butty”, Dai Francis who in fact turned out to be Jill Saunders’s grandfather , much to her delight. He also seemed to be suffering from the long term after effects of the Spanish flu, reminiscent of the so called “long Covid”, which is prevalent at present.

Plus ca change/ nothing changes/ dim byd newydd?

Trefor Jones

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There were no W. Glamorgan League or County Competitions this year due to Covid 19 restrictions ,but Resolven Ladies Sec./Treasurer, Carwen Thomas filled the gap admirably for her members with exciting and entertaining “friendlies” against other clubs. She also managed to keep club competions going by involving all the new bowlers as well as the established players. It’s turning out to be a great “taster” for the “rookieS” and it’s actually thanks to them that the club membership has nearly doubled this season.

For the Pairs Competition, new players were paired with experienced bowlers and it was played as a “Round Robin” with an A group all playing each other and a B group doing likewise-A side winners to meet B side winners at a later date.

After an afternoon of highly enjoyable bowling. it was time for tea

Carwen read out the scores, (kept secret during the match by each team ). The winners in each group will meet in the Final (to be arranged). So. congratulations to Ceri Holmes and Ann Evans who will meet Margaret Phillips and Hilary Fouracre in the Final.

Today, the village was decked out in Olympic banners and bunting to welcome Daniel home. It seemed like the whole village had turned out to greet him warmly, applaud his success and share their pride in his achievement.

Dan travelled through the village from Sardis in an open car. He was met on Resolven Square by an assembly of civic leaders including Cllr. John Warman and Mrs Warman (Mayor and Mayoress of Neath), MS Sioned Williams and local councillors Neal Francis Chair Resolven Community Council, and Gill Francis, Chair Clyne and Melincourt Community Council

REPORT BY GILL FRANCIS

PHOTOGRAPHER NATASHA WILLIAMS

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The Royal British Legion is the heart of a national network that supports our Armed Forces community, they are there through thick and thin ensuring their unique contribution is never forgotten.  The organisation is a registered charity and was founded in 1921 and whose objectives together with a network of partners and volunteers, is to give help and support to members of the Armed Forces wherever and whenever it’s needed.   This help and support consists of expert advice and guidance to recovery and rehabilitation through to transitioning to civilian life.  The Legion will be by their side every step of the way, not just members of the Armed Forces but their families too.  If their vast network cannot help they will know someone who can.

The Resolven British Legion Branch was founded in 1927 and it seems that the Institution was founded in 1950 and research reveals that the Annual Dinner was revived on 10th April, 1952 with the club filled to capacity.  The guest of honour being Mr. Helier de Carbery, a retired school master from Weston Super Mare who served as an officer in the 9th Welch during the First World War, he served with a number of men from Resolven and paid tribute to their fighting qualities and that it was an honour to serve with them.  Other guests included Captain V.J. Sankey R.N. Councillor and W. Kingdom Owen J.P. Neath.  Life Certificates were presented to Messrs G. Pickford and J. Evans both of Abergarwed, for completing 25 years unbroken service to the Resolven Branch.  The Club and Institute then had 600 members at this time with Captain Sankey being the President.

Many will recall not so far back when the officers of the club and Institute were President: Len Gully, Chairman: Roy Bowden, Vice Chairman: Glan Evans, Secretary: David Williams, Treasurer: Bob Langdon,  Standard Bearer: Aubrey Newton.  All these members were military men, as was most of the committee.  The club was run on military lines and had very few problems on matters of discipline.

Sadly, owing to financial difficulties the Club closed its doors for the final time on 29th June, 2012, this was a crushing blow to the communities of Resolven, Melincourt, Clyne and Abergarwed as the beating heart of the social life of the area was now lost forever, a team of volunteers resurrected the Branch on 1st November, 2012, but now unfortunately owing to the number of resignations and deaths of members the Branch became dysfunctional and out of compliance with the Royal British Legion constitution and as a result the Branch has now permanently closed after ninety four years service. In order to complete the closure the final rites took place at 12 noon on Sunday, 18th July, 2021 at St David’s church when the Resolven Branch British Legion Standard (Flag) was decommissioned by Father Andrew Davies during a short service.

Also present were the former officers – (Chairman) Roger Place, (Secretary) David Richards (Vice Chairman and Standard Bearer) Ashley Philbrick.

The outgoing officers wish to thank the very many people who had supported the Branch and Institute over the very many years, the loss of both amenities have been very sad days. 

REPORT by DAVID RICHARDS