Aberdare Boys’ Grammar School

Aberdare in the 50s and 60s

Toc H Scouts & Cubs in the Eisteddfod Proclamation Parade, 1955

from Doug Baguley

The picture above shows the Toc H scouts and cubs on parade during the Eisteddfod week in 1956. Behind the cubs are the children of Ysgol Gymraeg, Cwmdâr. Some of these scouts went on to ABGS, where they could choose to transfer to the school troop. The picture seems to be taken from a window in the first floor of the Boot Hotel, or thereabouts, looking down Cardiff St towards the Midland Bank.

Cub Doug Baguley, (ABGS 1957-64), is between a (white) flag bearer and the lady with the dark top, Mrs Morgan (Baloo) of 38 Monk St. The lady in the light-coloured uniform (below the man in the white coat) is Mrs Francis (Akela) whose husband was the fishmonger in Canon Street. Of the three scouts in a row at the front of the procession, the boy nearest the camera is John Davey, (ABGS 1951-58). Toc H scouts met in a building in High St, just down the road from The Rex Cinema. The building can be seen by clicking or tapping here:

ABGS Section of the parade new

Local schools were represented in the parade. Here you can see the contingent of sixteen boys from ABGS. Their banner reads, "Ysgol Ramadeg Y Bechgyn Aberdâr." They are followed by AGGS girls in Welsh costume, although their banner is not being held aloft to identify the group. Miss Margaret Thomas, (who subsequently in 1957 married Mr Charles Morris), is walking alongside them. Behind this group is Mardy House/Ysgol Maerdy, and behind them Gadlys Girls School/Ysgol Merched Y Gadlys.

Mrs Christine Griffiths & Bob Matthews have helped to identify some of these ABGS boys:
In the back row, from the left is Bob Matthews, John Lloyd, an unknown lady probably the French Assistant, then Keith Rowlands.
In the 3rd row, from the left, Elfed Jones, Gareth Howells?, Ralph Crookes and Ken Griffiths.
In the 2nd row, from the left, Idwal Rees (Rhigos), Gwyn Davies, (the son of staff member Edwin J. Davies, ‘Will Hay’), Brian Slocombe?, —?—
In the front row, from the left, —?—, Brynmor Keith Lewis, —?—, Howard Marsh ?, Geraint Roberts.