Senior Citizens Association

A Short History

Of the Bryncoch Senior Citizens Association

(Formerly the Bryncoch Old Age Pensioners Association)

About the year 1948, a snap shot was taken on an outing of the pensioners, which is believed to be the first tangible source of the formation of an Old Age Pensioners Association in the Bryncoch area and the Parish of Dyffryn.

Included in this picture is one of the former Vicars of Dyffryn, the Rev. A.R. Davies. He had come to the village in 1913 as a Curate to the very first Vicar, the Rev. J.C.Thomas. When Rev. Thomas died in 1924, A.R.Davies then became Vicar of Dyffryn and during his many years in the village he endeared himself to all and it was he who was instrumental in having the War Memorial erected in the Churchyard in memory of the fallen of World War One and World War Two. He chaired many committees for the welfare of the armed forces.

His name is mentioned here because it is felt that due to his concern and involvement with the people of the village. He was a leading light in the beginnings of the establishment of the present Association.  Two years after the photo was taken, the Rev. A.R. Davies died (1950).

The Rev.D.G.Rees became Vicar in 1960 and the Old Age Pensioners Association (as it was then called), had been in existence for 12 years. The Chairman of the Association at that time was a local undertaker, Mr. David Prout, who was also Church Warden, and it was he who invited the Rev D.G. Rees to come to the Association.

In those days there was no village hall, no church hall and such organizations that there were used to meet in what was called the Ambulance Hut which was situated in what is now the car park for the Lamb and Flag public house. This was a wooden hut given to the St. John’s Ambulance group by Mr. Bater who owned the local quarry. This served a purpose but it was dingy, draughty and dismal and was always cold but one man did his best to ease the situation, namely Mr. Bob Waite.

Some 25 to 35 villagers would meet, with Mr. Prout as Chairman, Mr. Jeff Larkin, secretary and Mr. Ron Bickle as Treasurer with so many stalwarts of the past: -

Mr. John Reynolds, Mr. Price (Primrose Bank), Mr. & Mrs. Sid Thomas (Tynyrheol), Mr. Sid Rees, Mrs. Millettt, Mrs. Olive Harries remembering at this time that the village consisted of the Main Road, Margaret Street and Tynyrheol Road, no Village Close, Furzeland Estate, Dyffryn View, Glendale or Brynglas. The village was small and so was the Association, but it thrived. When Mr. David Prout had to retire Mr. Bill Allen as Chairman succeeded him.

In the mid 1970’s the new Church School was built and the old Church School was released by the Howell Gwyn Estate and was eventually purchased by the Blaenhonddan Community Council and became the village Community Centre as it is today and the Pensioners Association have met here ever since firstly under Mrs. Eveleyn Thomas, Chairlady, Mr. Harold Owen, Secretary, and Mr. Cecil Rees Treasurer, ably assisted by his wife Margaret. The Vice Chairman was Mr. Bill Pugh and Committee members, Mr. Emrys Thomas, Mrs. Falmai Thomas, Mrs. May Harris, Mrs. Evelyn Pugh, Mrs. Gladys Davies, Mrs. Eva Dodd, Mr. Morgan Jones and Mr. Johnny Williams and in 1973 Mr. David George Rees accepted the Presidency.

When Mrs. Thomas had to retire through ill health, Mr. Harold Owen became Chairman, Mr. Jack Davies Secretary and Mr. Cecil Rees Treasurer. Then after Mr. Owen’s retirement, Mr. Ron Jewell became Chairman in 1990 with Mr. C.Rees and Mr. J.Davies continuing in their posts. Then in 1991, Mr. Cecil Rees retired and Mr. Bryn Alford became Treasurer and Tour/Trip Organiser and the President of the Association at this time was Mr. Trevor Mathews MBE JP, who was appointed after the death of Mr. David George Rees.

Mr. Alford resigned as Treasurer and Mrs. Gwyneth Simpson was appointed to the post with Mr. Alford continuing as Holiday/trip Organiser.

In the year 2000 the officers are Mr. Arthur Harvey - Chairman, Mr. Doug Bailey - Vice Chairman, Mr. J.Davies - Secretary, Mrs. Enid Evans - Treasurer with Committee members Mrs. M Anthony, Mrs. E.Rees, Mrs. G.Williams, Mrs. J.Taylor, Mr.J.Taylor, Mr. W.Brown, Mrs. G Simpson, Mr. B Alford, Mrs. O.Heenan, Mrs. T Jenkins and Mr. R Jewell

Meetings are held once a month and in addition a Coffee morning is held on the last Tuesday of every month. There are 5 trips a year, some with meals and for some years the membership have had holidays arranged by Mr. Alford and the membership at the present time is a thriving 90 to 100.