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400 years of Tradition

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Cowbridge Old Boys Newsletters
 

 
 
 
 
No. 2   February 2012 
Dateline :Friday February 3rd 2012
 

DEDICATION OF MEMORIAL TABLET TO IOLO DAVIES

I am writing to let you know that the dedication of the memorial tablet will take place in Holy Cross Church, Cowbridge at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, 28th April.

This will be followed by a reception and hot buffet at the Cowbridge Leisure Centre. These events are open to everyone who knew Iolo and wives/partners and friends are cordially invited to join us.  The buffet will be provided by the same company who provided such a memorable lunch at our 400th Anniversary celebrations.

Tickets, costing £25 each, are available from me and I should be obliged if you will return the slip at the bottom of this letter stating your requirements and enclosing cheque/postal order for the relevant amount. Tickets will be sent to you week commencing 15th April at the latest.

Apart from the cost of the meal itself our other overheads amount to about £900 which includes the cost of the tablet, hire of the Leisure Centre etc. This is the reason why we feel it necessary to charge £25. Also, other than our annual reunions, for which we need to keep some money in reserve, this is likely to be the last major function that the Old Boys Association will have to organise and we want it to be one which people will remember proudly in years to come.

We have recently heard of the passing of Douglas Stokes (1931-1936) our oldest Old Boy. Despite being seriously ill he made the effort to come to our reunion last year. He was one of   the last Old Bovians who could remember the legendary headmaster Richard Williams.

 

IOLO    A Certaine Schoole Master

 

Richard Lewis (a boarder at CGS from 1959 - 1966) has written a biography of Iolo Davies which, it is hoped, will be printed by the Cowbridge printers, Keith Brown & Sons Ltd, in time for the unveiling of the plaque in Holy Cross Church on 28 April, commemorating Iolo.  Richard is an established author with several successful publications under his belt.

 

Details: A5 portrait, 112 pages, gloss laminated cover.

 

To meet the printing costs of the book, we are asking all Old Bovians whether they would agree in principle to be a sponsor of the book so that the project can go ahead. 

 

If you agree, could you email Richard Lewis as soon as possible at the following email address:  richard.lewis7@yahoo.co.uk   

 

 or write to him at:

 

21 Dane Court Gardens
Broadstairs
Kent CT10 2SB

He will then be able to let you know the sort of contribution needed.  The more people who agree, the smaller the sum.  The names of those who do sponsor the book will be included in the book and each substantial sponsor will be entitled to a free copy.

 

 

Although our funds are limited the Association has offered to sponsor this worthwhile project with a grant of £100

 

 

I think it's very good.....You found out things, or already knew things, that I didn't know about the old bugger. Then there were things that I did remember up to some time ago but needed my memory jogged--the Sunday spins I remembered, but not that funny old torch.

John Yardley

 

I have enjoyed reading it and feel you have handled Iolo's time at Cowbridge with great sensitivity.  I feel you talk about someone I hardly knew although my sister, Iolo and I were very close. He stayed with us often in school holidays and was always interested in the family especially the children and their doings.

 

 Gwen Cole (Iolo's sister):

 

I think it is a wonderful tribute to Iolo and very well written. Congratulations. Do let me know when it is published. I look forward to meeting up in the Spring in Cowbridge for another celebration of Iolo's life.

 

David Cole (Iolo's nephew):

 

For the technically minded: To visit Richard’s website scan this code                         

 

 

 

 
 
 
No. 1    October  2007
Dateline : Saturday September 22nd 2007

Old Boys annual meeting and buffet in the Duke of Wellington. 
 
Again ably arranged by Neil Workman, our Secretary, about 40 Old Bovians turned up including masters Peter Cobb and Wynn Oliver.
 
Wynn gave an amusing account of his days in the boarding house including his getting booked for after hours drinking only days into the job!  It seems that headmaster Idwal Rees had a word in the right ears and nothing further was heard of the offence.
 
Neil has arranged this year's memorial service for those pupils and staff who fell in the two World Wars for Monday 12th November at 10:30 in Holy Cross Church.  All are most warmly invited.

News:
Apparently Iolo has moved to a residential home in Cheltenham and although somewhat frail is still very much "all there"

COWBRIDGE400:
Plans are afoot for the anniversary to be celebrated on the weekend of 20th September 2008
 
Following an open discussion regarding next years Anniversary, myself (Gabe Thomas), Stephen Williams and Paul Smith have taken on the role of helping Neil plan, execute and publicise various events to celebrate CGS's 400th anniversary.
 
Offers of assistance and pump priming donations very welcome.  Please use the  "Contact us" page on this web site.
 
Planned so far: church service followed by lunch. Wives and partners welcome.

Memorabilia:
Plans being considered to hold an exhibition of items recalling CGS will depend on YOU. If you have, and are willing to consider lending any of your CGS souvenirs for such an exhibition, please use "Contact us" page on this web site, or write or phone me or Neil Workman.
and please list any items you have

Bellringing
Ellis Thomas, one of Iolo's "Cowbridge school campanologists" has suggested trying to revive (or should that be exhume?)  a team of bellringers associated with CGS to ring in either Llanbleddian or Holy Cross during the anniversary wekend. 
 
As an erstwhile ringer myself,  I have undertaken to brush away the cobwebs that have developed over the past 40 years and get some practice in with my local "tower"  
 
So far we have traced several old CGS bellringers including Paul Evans and Chris Ricketts. We are still trying to track down David (Ken) Barrington and Paul Morgan. Has anyone kept in touch 
 
What about it you campanologists?- it could be fun!
 
Link to Bellringing in Cowbridge 

 
 
Anecdote:
Apparently Cowbridge had an exemplary record of staff attendance: headmaster Idwal never officially recorded any absences!!!
 
Source: Frank Palmer (Biology master)
 
 
 
 
 
 

Obituary:
The death has been reported of Jeff Alden, a past Geography master at the school. He took over from Peter Cobb.
 
Latterly he was the general editor of the Cowbridge Record Society series of publications.   See Books

Search engines
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Those of you familiar with the internet will understand the importance of linking to other websites and being linked to by others. If you control a website please add a link to this site and contact us so we may link to yours 
 
Gabe Thomas 01792 865377 (evenings)