year 1948

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SCHOOL GIRL FELL 40 FEET OVER DAM

Inquest on Skewen girl Cyclist.

“Death from misadventure”, was the verdict returned by the jury at the inquest held at Skewen, on Thursday of last week, by Mr. B. Edward Howe, West Glamorgan Coroner, on Arianwen Jenkins, 13 years old daughter of Mr. And Mrs. John Jenkins, of Pant-Y-Shannel, Skewen, who was killed when she fell 40 feet over the dam at Glynclydach pond, Dyffryn while cycling, last week.

John Jenkins, her father, said that when he returned from his work on the day of the tragedy, his wife told him that Arianwen had gone for a ride with some of her friends. Later, her two companions came and told him that she had been injured, and he went to the foot of the dam, where he saw her body. She was given the bicycle last Christmas, and he had adjusted the brakes of it on the Saturday before the tragedy.

SAW LEGS DISAPPEAR

Audrey Agnes Saville, aged 13 years, of Dynevor Road, Skewen, said she and Doreen Evans went to call for Arianwen at her home, and they all went for a ride on their cycles. When they were going down the gradient approaching the dam, Arianwen was going fairly fast, and the next thing witness saw were her legs disappearing over the wall. She got off her cycle, and looking over the wall, saw her at the bottom of the dam. A man was picking her up.

Doreen Evans, 14 years, of Springfield, who said, that she heard Arianwen scream, and saw that she had fallen over the dam, said that she had not had the cycle long, and she had taught her to ride.

FELL INTO RIVER BED

William James Caddy, of Penyard, Neath Abbey, stated to be employed at Glynfelin Farm, Skewen, said that he was in a shed near the foot of the dam, and he heard a scream. He rushed out and saw the girl falling. She hit the parapet and bounced off on to the bed of the river. When he got to her she was bleeding from the nose and mouth. He told the other two girls to phone for a doctor and an ambulance, and Mrs. Thomas of Glynfelin Farm threw down some blankets, which he wrapped around her. She died a few minutes later.

Dr. Gwylim Evans said that death was due to a fractured skull and multiple injuries, including a fractured forearm and right leg, and internal injuries. He felt than even if there had been a doctor on the spot right away, nothing could have been done.

Sergeant Mathews, Skewen, said that there was extensive damage to the cycle, although the brakes were in good order. The parapet wall was 3ft. 6ins. High.

Mr.B.Edward Howe, summing up, said that it appeared that Arianwen was the least experienced cyclist of the three, and going along the road, which was fairly steep, she must have applied her brakes a little too late and run into the parapet of the dam.

Bryncoch Nurse Retires

At a reception given in the St. John Ambulance Hall, Bryncoch, Nurse Lillian Garland, who retired after over thirty-three years' professional service as district nurse of the Dyffryn, Bryncoch and Rhyddings nursing Association, was made the recipient of a cheque for £100 in a Russian leather wallet, artistically inscribed in gold, as an expression of high regard and deep appreciation by her very many patients and other subscribers. The president, Mrs. Theodore Gibbins, made the presentation and paid a warm tribute to Nurse Garland's personality, successful efficiency, unwearing energy and discreet sympathy in the discharge of onerous duty. her observations were cordially endorsed by Mrs. J.M.Bevan (vice-president), Mrs. Trebble, Mrs. Edmund Thomas, Mrs. Mayberry, Mrs. W.J.Eddolls, Miss Doris Davies (committee members), Mrs. G.Evans and by the Vicar of Dyffryn (Hon Secretary and treasurer of the Association.)

The nurse, with moving terms. acknowledged the substantial gift and the kind sentiments accompanying it; making touching reference to her experience of the encouragement which she had received throughout the very lengthy period of her engagement in this populous district prior to her advent to which from London (where at a leading lying-in hospital, she took a special course in midwifery, with the advantage of lecturers by the genealogist Dr. Comyns Berkeley), she was for some time engaged in private practice, with the privilege of working in a few cases under Lord Dawson of Penn, of wide repute. She subsequently took duty in a slum district, with cherished recollections of the fine qualities revealed to her in circumstances of adversity

Ninety-First Birthday Celebrations
(Nov 1948)

Bryncoch O.A.P Party

A reception was given on Monday Evening of last week by the Bryncoch Old Age pensioners' Association in the St. John Ambulance Hall, Bryncoch, in honour of its oldest member Mr. William Ball, who is in his ninety-first year; in the enjoyment of good health, with the retention of practically all his faculties. He was cordially felicitated upon this striking event, and after the repast, par-taken by a large number of friends, was handed, on behalf of the Association, by the Vicar of Dyffryn (who presided) a packet of treasury notes, with the observation that sufficient eulogy was provided in the bright figure of the nonagenarian guest; eloquent testimony of a career of unsullied morality and adherence to lofty principles, at home and in his daily vocation; and with all consequent serenity and happiness in old age.

Councillor J.T.Evans, J.P., supplemented, by a reference to Mr. Ball's courage by emigrating in earlier years to work in Colorado, and drew a vivid picture in contrast between the conditions, social and otherwise, including travel, which then and now prevailed.

Mrs. Aubrey, an octogenarian member, with usual terseness, contributed her sentiments. Mr. James Gosling, pioneer of this gesture of honour, also expressed his gratification.

The venerate recipient suitably acknowledged the evidence of goodwill thus extended to him.

Mr. and Mrs. James gosling were thanked for gifts of choice flowers supplied for the occasion, and which subsequently realised a considerable sum in sale. Great indebtedness to Mr. and Mrs. E.H.Smith, Eversleigh, Bryncoch, was also expressed for a very generous gift of poultry made by them to members of the Association who had kept their golden wedding.

The latter part of the event was devoted to a variety concert, in which Messers. Allen Stanway, William Fisher jnr and Glyn Bendle entertained the audience with a fine rendering of songs of a high order. Mr. Ivor gray as an efficient organist, while the note of hilarity was clearly struck by Messers. W.J.Eddolls and John Williams with their original humour.

The Hon. Secretary Mr. Ben Davies and Hon. Treasurer Mr. John Howell, were again greatly aided by Messers S.Rees, D.R.Price and J.Owen

FIRST WEDDING AT BRYNCOCH CHURCH

Bible presented to couple.

An event unique in the history of Ainon Baptist Church, Bryncoch, was the wedding ceremony there on Saturday last, when Miss Sally John, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William John, Fforestgoch, was married to Mr. James Thomas of Neath. This was the first wedding to be held at Ainon since the church was built in 1906.

The bride, who was given away by her father, looked charming in a powder blue suit with navy accessories, and was attended by two bridesmaids, her sister Miss Nan John, in turquoise blue frock, and Miss Margaret Hughes, niece of the bridegroom, in a cherry colour grown.

Mr. William Henry John, brother of the bride, was the best man, and the groomsmen were Mr. George Hughes, brother-in-law of the bridegroom, and Mr. David John, brother of the bride.

The officiating minister was Rev. T.D.Thomas, pastor of Ainon, and the organist was Mrs. J.V.Roberts, B.A. At the close of the ceremony Rev. T.D.Thomas, on behalf of the church, presented the happy couple with an inscribed Bible, to mark the occasion of the first wedding at Ainon.

The reception, which was attended by a large number of guests, was held at the Ambulance Hall, Bryncoch, and later the bride and bridegroom left for their honeymoon in Pembrokeshire.

BRYNCOCH OAP CONCERT

Happy Series of Events

Although of comparatively recent formation, the Association of Old Age Pensioners in Bryncoch has received very distinct encouragement and support locally and otherwise. With full recognition of the value of the devotional and social atmosphere in due proportion, arresting and edifying addresses have been delivered to intensely interested audiences on various subjects successively by the Rector of Cilybebyll, the Rev. R. Emanuel, on direct knowledge of German life; Pastor Brooks, Elim, Neath on “Belief in God, deepened by the power of conversation.” And “Music as the handmaiden of religion”; by the Rev. D.S. Davies, minister of Zoar Church, Neath on, “Knowledge of God, mediate and intermediate” illustrated by striking anecdotes; and by Mr. Watkin Williams in two lectures on his extensive and thought provoking experience at Cray Waterworks in a responsible position.

A highly successful concert given a short time ago was supplemented during the Christmastide by a remarkable production of the nativity play, repeated in the St. John Ambulance Hall in full character, by the Girl Guides, under the direction of their Commissioner, Miss Gibbons, whose proverbial initiating was finely developed by the training of Mrs. Muriel Rosser (nee Corbett), and the musical accompaniments of Mrs. Roberts (W.D.) which enabled the young artists to render the play with a simplicity, devotion and skill, in which modern criticism of the Incarnation was convincingly treated as viewed by the juvenile mind, and worthy of high commendation.

The second concert was given last week in a crowded hall and was again crowned with success. The musical and elocutionary selections by local and visiting artistes were loudly applauded, especially the latter, which included Mrs. Easton, Skewen; Miss Thomas, Rhos; and Mr. Aaron Simon, Cadaxton, for their extra parochial services.

The latter half of the programme constituted what the concert director, Councillor J.T.Evans, J.P., described as the principle event of the evening and consisted of comedy, in which the Bryncoch comedians as prominent features again revealed originality, wit and humour.