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By

W. SCANDRETT

For anyone interested in the history of the old town of Tredegar the book "History of Tredegar" by Evan Powell, written in the early part of this century, has become essential reading. The two books by Scandrett I would put on a par with Powell's in terms of its historical content. In fact Scandrett's books bring the history of the town right up to date.

The books have concentrated on the main, and vital elements, that have contributed to the creation of the town.  For example the chapters in this second book are:

Schools; Shopping; Leisure(including Music, Drama, Sport etc.);Riots, Disturbance and Demonstrations.

Each section is well written, thoroughly researched and  informative.  The use of many primary information sources, by the author, helps 'paint a picture' of the town's development, some quite amusing. A section on school cleanliness illustrates.

" 'Sent five girls home for being dirty for which two mothers came and abused me' lamented one head teacher. A fortnight later, however the Board Officials came and "expressed satisfaction at the cleanliness of children" and the inspector who visited the school much later remarked that the children were "exceedingly clean". The pupils were evidently warned of these visits, but a few days later it was reported that a child was sent home "to be made cleaner" and there continued to be further complaints of uncleanness.

The books also have a number of good quality photographs from the 'Jenkins collection'. I would emphasise, however, that this is not a 'book of photographs' with a small amount of text for padding, which are quite popular of late. Both volumes are an informative work cataloguing the history of the Tredegar area from the eighteenth century and I would recommend them to any Tredegar people around the world, or their descendants, interested in the history of the 'old iron and coal town'.

The chapters of 'Volume one', published in 1990, deal with the following topics:

The Circle and the Town Clock; The Churches; Industry; Transport and Communications; Local Government.

Note:

'Volume one' in now out of print. However, I have been in touch with the son of Wyndham Scandrett, Paul Scandrett. Although he has no initial plans to reprint Volume one, he tells me that if there is enough interest he would consider the possibility of organising a re-print.

If anyone would like a copy of 'Volume two' you can e-mail me of your interest and I will pass the information on to Paul Scandrett. Also indicate if you would be interested in a copy of Volume one, by way of helping Paul to decide on a 'print re-run'.

Email me with your interest to: b.gardner@ukonlin.co.uk

About the Author:

Wyndham Scandrett was born in Tredegar in 1909 and educated at the Georgetown and County Schools, Tredegar and the University Colleges of Cardiff and Hull. He taught English in the county school, Georgetown Senior Boys Central School, the Thomas Richards Mining and Technical Institute and the Grammar School (later Comprehensive).

His other local history works include two dramatic histories "All Our Yesterdays" (the County School) and "Out of the Iron Furnace"(Tredegar) which he wrote, produced and narrated.

He was a magistrate for 29 years and churchwarden of St. James Church Tredegar for 37 years. He was married with one son.

The first volume of this book was published in December 1990. Sadly, the author died in January 1991 and volume 2 in published by his wife and son in memoriam.                                                                                                               Wyndham Scandrett