Facets of an Era

A short biographical sketch of the author From Pit to Pulpit To leap over sixty-five years, and bring the past into the living present, challenges one’s imagination; but let me try. I was a victim of asthma, poorly educated, and came from a fairly poor family. I left the village school in Gilfach Goch, South Wales, and entered the mines as a lad fourteen years of age. After some years underground, working for £1-50p per week, starting at 7 a.m. to 3.30 p.m., six days a week, I went to Ystrad Meurig Maths, English and History, and gained entrance to St. David’s University College, Lampeter, Cardiganshire, and after three years hard studying, I gained my BA degree. Being an idealistic young man, I decided to become a parson. Various curacies followed - at Bristol, Torquay, and later appointments to livings at Swindon, Bristol and at Severnside, in charge of three churches and districts. In Bristol I lost my wife, and had two small children and an aged mother-in-law to look after. From all my parishes I gained valuable experiences, seeing life from many angles; city life, country, farming and industrial. I became a lover of the countryside and the sea. Being denied recreational facilities in my valley, I always sought to give recreational activities wherever I worked as a priest; so I set up various organisations and cultural activities. I had a deep regard for my fellow creatures, and took part in many activities as Padre and Hon. Chaplains in the Castle grounds, its historical setting fired a keen desire to write imaginative tales as well as later histories of parishes. I love the countryside, and am a keen conversationist. I also love music and poetry, studying, and still take services, although now eighty years old this month. On the island I have married again, and my life is happy and very satisfying. I have taken services in most city and country places on the I.O.W., and in our prisons. I have been a W.E., a lecturer, and taught in schools. I enjoy writing. Life to me seems to be a fascinating diamond possessing many sparkling facets. The passing years have not damped down the fires on my mind, or diminished greatly the vigour of my limbs; so I still say - ‘Give me health and a day, and I shall not change it for the pomp of an Emperor’.