Ystradgynlais & District

From the Llais newspaper 17th March 1961:-

A precedent was created at Gurnos School for this year's St. David Day proceedings when three of the boy scholars attended wearing kilts. Mr John Morris is the headmaster at Gurnos.

Idris Jones - Teacher

From The Voice newspaper Friday May 13th 1960:-

Gurnos Teacher Honoured

In recognition of 25 years unbroken service on the executive Committee of the Welsh Schools rugby union, Mr Idris Jones, Gurnos Cottages, Gurnos has been made a life member of the union.
Mr Jones who is on the teaching staff of Gurnos Junior School, has devoted a lifetime of service to school rugby. For many years he has acted as the secretary to the Ystradgynlais and District Schools Rugby Union and a member of the Welsh Schools selection committee.
During his association, approximately 35 yiears, the following have brought honour to the district by gaining International caps:
Idwal Jones and Vivian Thomas of Ystradgynlais; Arnold Price, Cyril Davies, Gwyn Williams, and Alwyn Lewis of Abercrave.
The measure of the honour that Mr Jones has received is shown by the fact that life membership of the school union is limited to only six members at one particular time.

Y Gurnosydd

From the pages of Gurnos School's magazine Y Gurnosydd come an interesting insight in the Summer 1949 magazine. Gurnos School at the time was also a boys' secondary school, and we see the 4th form readying themselves to leave school for the world of work.

From the visit to Tirbach colliery came these responses, from the boys:-

Eric Rees of 3B:
I was very glad of the experence, but also very thankful to see the light of day once more.

John Williams of 3B:
When I tapped the roof with the mandril I was glad to see that no stones fell. I am of the opinion that the miner is a grand fellow.

John Penrose of 3B:
I was rather impressed by the 'dips', the 'spake', the 'wires' and the training of the young miners.

Robert Bailey of 3B:
I had a surprise for what I saw was not darkness but plenty of light and machinery. Everybody seemed to be quite happy, and that's what I liked about the Training centre.

Billy Thomas of 3b:
I think the miner should get a lot of money for his work. The work is dirty, dangerous and important.

From the visit to the Perry Chain Factory came these responses from the boys:-

Leslie Haines of 4A:
I was confused by the machinery, and should like to know more about it.

John Jones of 4A:
To see all those machines working without trouble was a glorious sight. I think I could be happy there.

Cliff Estaban of 4A:
It was a new world to me - but I want to know more about it. I liked the place very much. It was nice and clean, and all our old boys were very happy there.

And finally, from Class 4A came this commentary on leaving school:-

Class News 4A
:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~

We are the School Leavers. In a few weeks we shall be outside the Gate. We do not know much about the world of industry, but we all hope that it is as happy as school life. Most of the boys in our Form want to be carpenters, plumbers, fitters etc., and I feel sure that boys like Gwynfryn Bowen will be a success in any industry. He is quite clever with his hands; also he is very obedient, a quality which, I think, is very essential when one is working with men older than oneself.

We have been very happy at Gurnos, and I hope to keep in touch with the school for I am taking part in a play which the boys intend to produce next December. I know my part now, and I suppose a few rehearsals on a stage would help me tremendously. However, since the Editor intends to open an Old Boys' Page I shall tell you all about it in the next issue.

John Jones of 4A.

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