Ystradgynlais & District

Gurnos Primary School is listed as having been constructed in 1911. Charles Edwards was its first headmaster and would serve for 30 years, retiring in 1942. From the South Wales Voice, Saturday 8th August 1942 comes this article on Mr Charles Edwards' retirement, and the testimonial and presentation that was held in Bethel Vestry:-

GURNOS HEADMASTER RETIREMENT
Mr Charles Edwards Presented

Testimony of the respect in which Mr Charles Edwards, Y Neuadd Wen, Ystradgynlais, who retired last Friday after 30 years service as Headteacher of Gurnos Council School, was forthcoming at a presentation meeting and concert held at Bethel Vestry, Lower Cwmtwrch, on Thursday evening in his honour.
All the speakers referred to Mr Edwards' human interest in pupils under his charge, while trubutes were paid to him on account of his efforts to foster love of Welsh language and literature.
Mr Edwards received gifts on behalf of the public, past and present members of the staff and the pupils. The public's gift of a cheque Mr Edwards returned to the committee who organised the testimonial to arrange a scholarship for pupils of the Gurnos School to the Maesydderwen County School.
County Councillor Tom Rees presided and acknowledged the honour given him to preside over the meeting. Few men wielded more influence than Headmasters and Headmistresses ---they were given a mass of material to weave into different designs. Many of us owed a debt of gratitude to our headmasters and teachers. Mr Edwards had given unstinted service to the community in many directions, the results of his labour were to be seen in many directions. Even with his varied interests, Mr Edwards had never neglected the church in which he took such an active part. The chairman went on to say that he felt proud of the Gurnos School on account of the success attained by its pupils --- he had been visiting the school for the past 17 years and found harmony and goodwill between staff and pupils. It was sad to think that 70% of the nation's children, completed their education at the age of 14 years --- the fight to secure improved educational facilities went on, although men and women retired. It should be the aim of all to try and make this world a better place to live, just as Mr Edwards had done. He would continue his efforts in that direction, although he was severing his connection with the scholastic profession.

THE PRESENTATIONS
The presentation of a cheque on behalf of the public was made by Mr John Aeron, treasurer of the testimonial committee, who spoke of the long friendship that had existed between Mr Edwards and himself. They were all sorry to lose Mr Edwards' services as headmaster as he had been at Gurnos School for so long: but it was worthy of note that he was being honoured during his lifetime.
Returning thanks in Welsh, Mr Edwards jocularly remarked that he had always thought that Gurnos Post Office belonged to the Old Order as it was kept by the Arrons (laughter). Mr Edwards went on to say that the spirit and feeling that prompted the testimonial were of an even greater value than the gift he recceived. He had been given much advice and many warnings as to what would happen to him when he left the profession: he was told he would be lonely, but that was not true while he had his friends who were many. He would have happy memories of the pleasant time he had spent at the school, he would still have a deep interest in its affairs. He was pleased to see among the audience many who had been pupils, whose children were now scholars there. He was proud of the appreciation of his services: he wished them to realise that he had a great deal to be thankful for, especially to those who organised the presentation and carried it out. Amid applause, Mr Edwards said he had decided to hand the cheque to the committee so that they could arrange for a scholarship for Gurnos School pupils. This led the chairman to say that by his action, Mr Edwards had provided a living memorial to himself: a boy or girl of the future would say with pride that he or she had won the Charles Edwards Scholarship.
Speaking in Welsh, Mr T Ernest Williams, the newly-appointed Headmaster of Gurnos School, said he owed a great deal to Mr Edwards as he had been a pupil, pupil teacher, and now a member of the staff under him. The early memories he had of Mr Edwards was of a teacher in a two-roomed school in Ystradgynlais, where, in spite of difficulties, he succeeded in instilling in the children a sense of citizenship. Mr Edwards had done a full day's work as his interests had not been confined to the school. Mr Edwards would be warmly welcomed whenever he visited the school: they would be pleased to see him as often as he would like to come there. Mr Edwards referred to Mr Williams as a good pupil and loyal colleague: he would sure he would have a successful career as the headteacher.
The chairman mentioned that the table lamp presented to Mr Edwards by the pupils of the school had been handed over that afternoon at a concert held at the school, and was ample testimony of the regard in which Mr Edwards was held by the children. The presentation was made by Margaret Williams.
Mr D R Williams, M.E., spoke of Mr Edwards' interest in education and of his work for the popularising of folk songs. Mr Williams said that Urdd y Delyn, which had been well-known at one time, was revived after a long period of idleness. The society had acquired a very costly harp through the instrumentality of Mr Edwards, their conductor.
Others who spoke were Messrs T D Griffiths, Cynlais, Dewi Jeffreys, Caehopkin, Ithel Ll. Llewelyn, Glyntawe, and Councillor P A Jones, secretary of the committee. Bardic effusions came from Mr Rees H Powell (Yorath), Mr Hywel Jones (Hywell Gwine), and Mr John Griffiths (Bryngroes).
The following programme was gone through: selections by the Music Circle, conducted by Mr D T Morgan; solo, Miss Rhiannydd Williams; recitation, Beth Clyngwyn; solo, Mr J Stanley Davies; folksongs by Urdd y Delyn, conducted by Mr Charles Edwards; penillion singing, Messrs Rees Morgan and Harry Phillips. Mr E O Morgan was in charge of the programme.
Thanks were accorded to all who had taken part and to the authorities of Bethel Chapel for the loan of the vestry by Messrs John Morgan, B Sc, and Edwin Edwards.
Expressions of good wishes were received from AB Arthur Packer, HMS Glenmore: Signaller Jones, son of Mr and Mrs P A Jones, while the following expressed regret at their inability to be present, Mr J L C Cecil Williams, secretary of the Honourable Society of Cynrodorion; Major HGB Griffith, J.p.; Mrs M M Prosser; the Rev Isaac Morris, Tabernacl; and Councillor James Powell, J.P.

From the December 1948 edition of the Secondary Modern's magazine 'Y Gurnosydd' we read:

Mr Charles Edwards, the first Headmaster of Gurnos County Primary School, and Mr Ernest Williams, B.A., who succeeded Mr Edwards as Headmaster in 1943... gentlemen are now in retirement

Charles Edwards was also renowned as a local historian. This article from 15th September 1961 in the Llais records that he had recently had a fall:-

Former Headmaster In Hospital

Mr Charles Edwards, Neuadd Wen, Brecon Road, was taken to Morriston hospital on Tuesday last, as the result of a fall sustained at his home the previous Thursday.
Mr Edwards is well known in the district as a local historian, and was for many years headmaster at Gurnos School. He is also deacon at Tabernacl Chapel, Ystradgynlais. His many friends and acquaintances hope to see him again fully recovered from hia accident.

His Time in Charge at Gurnos School

From time to time the Llais newspaper would have stories relating to the local schools, and we will retell a few of those here which occurred during Charles Edwards' time in charge of Gurnos School.

From the Labour Voice newspaper, July 8th 1922

GURNOS SCHOOL CHILDREN
Their Success at Treboeth Eisteddfod

Mr Charles Edwards, headmaster of Gurnos School, took four parties of children to compete in peillion singing with the harp at the Treboeth Eisteddfod on Saturday, and the high standard attained by the four parties is proved by the fact that all were allowed to appear in the final on the stage of the Eisteddfod. The winning party was under the direction of Harry Phillips - and all the children composing this group live in Gurnos; the remaining three, however, were highly praised by the adjudicator. The general excellence of the fourt parties so appealed to Mr Elias Morgan that he presented 10s. each to the unsuccessful parties. Little Megan Davies won the second prize in the folks' song competition; Emrys Morgan another member, won the first prize for singing "Nany y Mynydd"; and the same evening he won a prizer at Ebenezer Eisteddfod, Cwmtwrch.