Ystradyfodwg School Board

The Ystradyfodwg School Board, covering the rapidly growing Rhondda Valleys was formed in 1878 and consisted of thirteen members elected for a period of three years.[1] It was abolished, along with other School Boards in 1902 and its responsibilities transferred to Glamorgan County Council.

In the main, the members were local industrialists, tradesmen, nonconformist ministers and, in later years, a smattering of working men. A number of prominent figures in the public life of the Rhondda served their apprenticeship on the Board.

The 1878 School Board Election

Ystradyfodwg School Board
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
William Jenkins, Ystradfechan 4,221
David Evans, Bodringallt 3,371
D. Richards, Treorchy 3,048
W.W. Hood 2,828
Rev William Morris 2,807
David D. Joseph, Treherbert 2,634
R. Rowlands, Penygraig 2,337
T. Owen, Treherbert 2,107
William Abraham (Mabon) 2,040
E. Thomas, Maindy Hall, Ystrad 1,130
Rev W. Jones, Ystrad 1,025


The initial Board included William Abraham (Mabon), the future MP for the Rhondda.

The 1881 School Board Election

The second election took place in 1881. "On the whole, commented a local newspaper, "we think this may be taken to be a fair representative Board."[2]

Ystradyfodwg School Board
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
W.W. Hood* 6,214
William Jenkins, Ystradfechan* 4,855
Henry Lewis, Ynysfeio 4,157
David Evans, Bodringallt* 4,063
Moses R. Rowlands, Penygraig* 3,305
Rev J.R, Jones, Llwynypia 2,700
Rev William Morris* 2,807
David D. Joseph, Treherbert* 2,610
Rev W. Lewis, vicar 2,279
Edmund Thomas, Maindy Hall, Ystrad* 2,232
W. Taylor, Fernhill Colliery 2,014
E.H. Davies, Baglan House 1,979
William Morgan, Tynewydd 1,903
Rev W. Jones, Ton* 1,798
John John 1,317

The 1884 School Board Election

The third election took place in 1884.[3]

Ystradyfodwg School Board
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
David Evans, Bodringallt* 6,285
William Jenkins, Ystradfechan* 5,737
W.W. Hood* 5,582
Rev William Morris* 5,248
John Davies, Maerdy 5,216
W. Taylor, Treherbert* 4,603
Rev W. Jones, Ton 3,808
E.H. Davies, Ystrad 3,719
Rev B. Davies, Treorchy 3,167
Rev W. Lewis, vicar 3,127
David Ellis, Ynyshir 2,505
Moses R. Rowlands, Penygraig* 2,413
John John, Treherbert 2,091
D.W. Davies, Tonypandy 2,007
Rev J.R, Jones, Llwynypia 1,503

The 1887 School Board Election

Following the success of William Abraham (Mabon) at the 1885 General Election the School Board election was contested by Labour candidates.[4]

Ystradyfodwg School Board
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
David Evans, Bodringallt* 9,431
W.W. Hood* 7,975
William Pritchard, Clydach Vale 6,854
Rev William Lewis, vicar* 6,640
William Morgan, Tynewydd 6,639
Alfred Lester Lewis, Treherbert 6,635
Rev John Salisbury Edwards, Treorchy 5,115
Samuel Hussey Williams, Tylorstown 5,001
William Jenkins, Ystradfechan* 4,940
David Thomas, check weigher, Pentre 4,457
Rev William Morris* 4,038
Rev W. Jones, Ton* 3,864
John Morgan, Ynyshir Hotel 3,626
John Davies, Maerdy* 3,141
J.H. Williams, Blaenrhondda 2,949
Moses R. Rowlands, Penygraig* 2,732
Evan Richards, Tonypandy 2,226
E.H. Davies, Ystrad* 2,389
Idris Williams* 647
W. Hogg, Pontypridd 510


The 1890 School Board Election

The fifth election was held in October 1890.[5]

Ystradyfodwg School Board
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
W. Walter Hood* 10,909
Thomas Bevan, Ferndale 8,365
William Jenkins, Ystradfechan* 8,112
William Pritchard, Clydach Vale* 7,988
Rev William Lewis, vicar* 5,912
Samuel Henry Williams, Tylorstown* 5,731
William Morgan, Tynewydd* 5,719
Alfred Leslie Lewis, Treherbert* 6,635
Joseph Williams, Blaenrhondda 4,902
Rev John Salisbury Edwards, Treorchy* 4,901
Rev W. Jones, Ton* 4,798
Daniel Lewis, Trealaw 4,519
Morgan Davies, Mardy 4,441
David Lloyd, Ystrad 3,873
Labour Morgan Williams 3,718
John Jones Griffiths 3,661
Labour Llewellyn Thomas, Mardy 3,541
Labour David Thomas, check weigher, Pentre* 3,298
Mrs Elizabeth Davies 2,12x

The 1893 School Board Election

The sixth election was held in October 1893.[6]

Ystradyfodwg School Board
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
W. Walter Hood* 14,367
Thomas Bevan, Ferndale* 9,400
William Jenkins, Ystradfechan* 9,216
Daniel Thomas, Trealaw* 8,794
William Pritchard, Clydach Vale* 7,988
Rev William Lewis, vicar* 5,912
Samuel Henry Williams, Tylorstown* 5,731
William Morgan, Tynewydd* 5,719
Alfred Leslie Lewis, Treherbert* 6,635
Joseph Williams, Blaenrhondda 4,902
Rev John Salisbury Edwards, Treorchy* 4,901
Rev W. Jones, Ton* 4,798
Morgan Davies, Mardy 4,441
David Lloyd, Ystrad 3,873
Labour Morgan Williams 3,718
John Jones Griffiths 3,661
Labour Llewellyn Thomas, Mardy 3,541
Labour David Thomas, check weigher, Pentre* 3,298
Mrs Elizabeth Davies 2,12x


References

  1. "Etholiad Bwrdd Ysgol Ystradyfodwg". Tarian y Gweithiwr. 1 November 1878. Retrieved 26 February 2014.
  2. "TheYstradyfodwg School Board Contest". Pontypridd Chronicle. 29 October 1881. Retrieved 24 March 2014.
  3. "Etholiad Bwrdd Ysgol Ystradyfodwg". Seren Cymru. 14 November 1884. Retrieved 25 March 2014.
  4. "Etholiad Bwrdd Ysgol Ystradyfodwg". Tarian y Gweithiwr. 20 October 1887. Retrieved 25 March 2014.
  5. "Ystradyfodwg School Board Election". Pontypridd Chronicle. 24 October 1890. Retrieved 27 March 2014.
  6. "Ystradyfodwg School Board". Evening Express. 24 October 1893. Retrieved 3 April 2014.