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1.  PREWAR YEARS
Abersychan in 1924, when I was born, was very much a community. Families and friends were always close, and doors were always open to anyone. Until the Second World War times were not easy, with much unemployment in the 1930's.
As we ran a shop, (newsagents, confectionery and many other products apart from food), we knew, and were known by, most of the people around. Life was quite free for children, as we could go to the local park or cinema, or wander in the neighbourhood without needing adult supervision.
You made your own entertainment on the whole, both in and out of doors. Music was a large part of the lives of our family lives, even if as children we preferred the current dance music to that of the choirs which were widespread at the time. Chapel also played a large part in life, but as children we did not always appreciate Sunday services.
As Maureen has become my wife, and we went through school together, (until her family, like many others, moved away to find work when we were ten years old), she will always appear in my story. Through the family, we always had news of each other, and always met a few times a year when she came to Abersychan, being good friends. However, we lived separate lives except on these visits.

My first choice reflects the place of choral music and chapel in my early life. 
"When I survey the wondrous Cross" by Morriston Male Voice Choir
2.  SECONDARY SCHOOL AND UNIVERSITY DAYS 
I chose science on entering the fourth form of the local grammar school, and took School Certificate ("O" level) in fifth form, followed by Higher School Certificate ("A" level) in Maths, Physics and Chemistry in the sixth. The war started as I entered the sixth form, and I joined the newly formed Air Training Corps. As prefects we were given new responsibilities, including supervision of classes for absent teachers-which was not always easy!
I entered Cardiff University in 1941, studying Chemistry and Physics, living in a college hostel in Roath housing 35 students. During the three years I spent there we lived on rather spartan rations, supplemented by parcels from home and Sunday teas at the homes of family friends. There were some interruptions by air raids, but as far as possible life went on. If you were due for lectures or practical sessions, you attended them regardless of interruptions. I suppose we did some mad things as students, but without doing anything to excess. One of the main benefits for me was learning to live away from home and hold my own in a lively community of young people. We had to do firewatching duties at the University, and had to join a training organisation for the forces. I spent two years in the Naval Division, learning signalling, navigation, arms drill, shiphandling orders, etc. The academic course was quite demanding, with about 15 hours a week of practical work. I obtained my degree in June 1944.
During the whole of this period, Maureen and I always met when she was in South Wales, and our friendship was still very strong, enjoying each other's company, without realising how deeply it would develop. Unfortunately I was not able to visit Coventry during the war because of the heavy bombing it had suffered.

My tastes in music widened during these years, in both popular music and classical. My second choice is in the first category.
"Moonlight Sonata" by Glen Miller
3.  WORKING LIFE AT HOME AND OVERSEAS
Whether you completed the degree course was up to the authorities operating under the Essential Works Order. You had to do what they said, and although I had intended to teach, and
in spite of the naval training, I had to enter industry, and was directed to work for the Shell Company at Surbiton on the outskirts of London. This was at the time of the VI and V2 weapons, but we did not have the bombing raids of earlier years.
I now had to learn about oil chemistry, most of which was new to me. I was initially shown a lot of the work by a retired Chief Petty Officer, and was subjected to naval reprimands if I didn't get it right! (A good thing it was an all-male establishment). Again it was good experience as there was a lot to learn, both in my work, and how to cope in an industrial environment.
When the war ended, I was still under the Essential Works Order, and could not go into teaching in this country, but could be released to teach abroad. I knew that I would only be able to go abroad by obtaining a job. As teaching was my chosen career, I obtained a post as science teacher in Munro College in Jamaica on a three year contract. So in January 1946,1 went to Jamaica, travelling on an aircraft carrier as far as Trinidad, where I had to stay five days. I then flew to Jamaica via Curacao.
Again I entered a totally new environment, that of a boarding school, where the boys were of different races-Jamaicans of all colours, Chinese, Jews, South and Central Americans, and others. The social atmosphere in and out of the school was that of colonial life, completely different from my life in Britain. The School was run much as a grammar school, aiming for "O" and "A" levels. All staff had to help run activities for the leisure time of the pupils, and I helped to run a Scout troop, and ran a Stamp Club. I had to deal with many new challenges, and make many adjustments to my way of life, but again it was valuable experience. As a Scouter, I was able to take a trip with other Scouters to the Cayman Islands where it was hoped to revive interest in Scouting, and climb to Jamaica's highest point, Blue Mountain Peak, (7,400 feet). (This was long before the Cayman Islands became a tax haven and tourist destination). As wartime rationing was still in operation at home I was able to send parcels containing tea, sugar and various luxury items to people in Britain, including Maureen's family. I was able to find out something about sugar chemistry by spending part of two school holidays in the laboratories of the Sugar Research Association.
My contact with Maureen was now via information in letters from my family, but our friendship survived the separation, which will soon become clear. During this time Maureen qualified as a nurse.

I learnt quite a few Jamaican folksongs, and my next piece of music is based on the song "Mango Walk".
"Jamaica Rumba"  incorporating Jamaican Folk Tunes

4.  BACK TO THE UK
I returned to Britain at the end of 1948.1 now had to find a new job, and as teaching in Jamaica was not always very easy, I turned to industry. One of my interviews was in Coventry, and of course I saw Maureen and her family. I didn't get the job, but Maureen and I very quickly discovered that our feelings for each other went much deeper than friendship, and we became engaged some months later. I got a post in the Research Department of Unilever at Port Sunlight, working on detergents, cosmetics and related products, and Maureen later came to a nursing post in Liverpool. We were married in Coventry in December 1950. We joined the Methodist Church in Birkenhead, although we had both been Baptists.
After four years in industry, my wish to teach resurfaced, and I became Head of Science at Market Drayton Grammar School in Shropshire. During our time there all our children were born, and we had a very good family life, and made many friends, in and out of church.

My fourth piece of music is one of my favourite classical pieces.
"Slow Movement,  Piano Concerto No. 1", Chopin

5.   LATER TEACHING CAREER
It was with some regret that we had to move again for my next post, Head of Science in a large comprehensive in Walsall. I had the full backing of Maureen in all my moves, in spite of the problems of resettling. This was another challenge, but again we soon made new friends. In the 60's we enjoyed many happy family holidays using a motor caravan and a tent. We stayed in Walsall for three years, but a new opportunity arose, and I became Deputy Head at Howardian High School here in Cardiff, at that time a boys' grammar school. When all Cardiff schools went comprehensive, I became Deputy Head at Rumney High School, where I stayed until I retired in 1982. We continued our church life by joining Llanishen Methodist Church.

My fifth piece of music was a hymn used when one of our ministers was moving to a new circuit, and to me it expresses some of the ideals which should be found in every church.
"O God our Father, who dost make us one"  (W V Jenkins, Tune "Morcambe")  (HP 778)

6.  WORK AND FAMILY.
The demands on teachers changed markedly during this period, so it was always a learning process for me. Teaching was a very satisfying career, mainly because of, (in spite of some failures), some success in helping pupils both academically, and with some of their social problems. In all this time we continued our church connections, actively helping in various ways. The backgrounds of the pupils in Rumney High School were very varied, but by hard work from all staff we created a good atmosphere of mutual respect, and hopefully helped most of the pupils make the most of their talents.
During the late 60's and early 70's our children went through the "Terrible teens", but was generally happy, and we remained a close family. Both Maureen and I helped with various church activities, and still carry that on. Maureen returned to nursing in the community in the 70's, retiring a year before me. In the mid-seventies, both our daughters married, two very happy occasions. Unfortunately, this was followed by the death of our son in a car accident. This was a time when the support of our family and friends, both in and out of church, helped us to recover from a very difficult time. We will always be grateful for this support.

The next piece of music comes from a ballet I really enjoyed, although ballet is not my favourite entertainment.
"Clog Dance" from "La Fille Mai Gardee", by Herold-Lanchberg.

7.   RETIREMENT
In the first seven years of retirement I was kept busy, being called to do supply teaching in various schools where a science teacher was absent. I also did private tuition. The advantage was that I could choose what to do, and we managed to have a few foreign holidays. I also took up computing. In 1989 I started learning Braille with the RNIB, using this knowledge to turn books into Braille. In the 80's our daughters presented us with seven grandchildren, including twins, so Maureen was kept very busy. I later transferred my Braille transcription to the Methodist Braillists, but they have now ceased operation.

We went to Israel in 1992, a very moving experience, particularly in Galilee. Here we sailed into the Sea of Galilee, where our party held a short service, which included the hymn which I have chosen as my next piece of music.
"Dear Lord and Father of Mankind"  (Tune 'Repton')  (HP 673)


8  LIFE ON AN ISLAND
I am not very good at practical tasks, so it would be a struggle for me to survive. I would have to find a cave for shelter, and hope for swift rescue! I suppose in these circumstances hidden talents might emerge, but I would be very keen to get home.

My next piece of music would remind me of home.
"Guide me O Thou great Jehovah" (Tune 'Cwm Rhondda') by Bryn Terfel

Finally, in addition to the Bible and Shakespear, my choice of literature would be something to amuse, interest and move me. I would like to have the books of Gervase Phinn, about his experiences in the Yorkshire dales.

My luxury item would be a mattress, so that I could sleep comfortably in my cave!