Colin Rees

I was born in 1945 and was originally brought up in Rhigos where my parents were sent during the war to work in the Royal Ordnance Factory. We moved to Aberdare in 1953 when I was around the age of 8, and for the next ten years I attended firstly Caradog Junior and then the grammar school. At school, with the encouragement of Gethin Evans, I was interested in instrumental music and dabbled with playing the violin and piano, but with no real talent. I enjoyed cricket and played for the school 1st XI in my last two years at school. For A levels I studied Maths, Physics & Chemistry under the direction of D.W. Price, D.Ll. Jones & Gwilym Williams.

After school, I went to UCW Aberystwyth where I did Chemistry, (being taught by past student Dr. Mansel Davies). I then went on to do a Ph.D. in magnetic resonance at UEA in Norwich, graduating in 1970. Eventually, after two post-doctoral positions I went into school teaching, almost by accident.

I taught for 35 years in Hampshire, spending most of this time at Peter Symonds’ College, Winchester, a state sixth form college. I ended up as Head of the Science Faculty. I also taught for a period of eleven years at Queen Mary's College, Basingstoke.

I married in 1969, and we have lived in Hampshire since 1974 and specifically in Winchester since 1976. We have two children in their thirties.

I did not have a great deal of time for hobbies until retirement came in 2006. Gardening takes up quite a lot of time: flowers, veg and plenty of grass to cut. I’ve played around with computing for more than 35 years and still continue to do so, particularly on this website. I also listen to music of various styles and try to get to see the WNO when they come to Southampton. I’m also developing an interest in the local history of Aberdare and have joined the Cynon Valley History Society, and currently run its website.