A lifeguard club founded 50 years ago in the land locked Rhondda Valleys, celebrated their 50th Anniversary with the launch of a book and DVD recording their history. At a Gala Evening held last Friday at a packed Rhondda Heritage Park hotel, all guests were presented with the book and DVD to mark the occasion.
The RCT Mayor, Councillor Doug Williams, paid tribute to the Club for performing 106 rescues in their 50 years, whilst the Vale of Glamorgan Mayor, Councillor Eric Hacker thanked them on behalf of the residents in the Vale, for travelling to Barry every summer since 1967 to perform voluntary lifeguard duties. Both Presidents of the Royal Life Saving Society (East Wales) Glenys Jones and Surf Life Saving Wales, Peter Lake, congratulated the Club on their remarkable history and on their record of introducing and developing young people in lifesaving skills, over so many years.
The Club’s President, Les Lewis spoke about the beginning and the early years of the Club’s existence and paid a moving tribute to the members no longer with them. On behalf of Surf Life Saving in Wales, Peter Lake presented Club Secretary and Vice-Chair, Alun Humphreys and Phil Rees respectively, with Certificate of Thanks for all their hard work over the years. He also presented a certificate marking the Club’s Golden Anniversary to Les Lewis.
Phil Rees thanked Katrina Kirkwood, a digital story telling artist, who with support from the Communities First Trust fund and the Heritage Lottery, constructed a truly inspirational book and DVD recording and celebrating a remarkable golden achievement. Copies of the book, titled, ‘No Beaches in the Rhondda’, can be ordered through the email address on the contacts page of the Club’s website.
(Photograph shows from left to right, Howard Hamilton, Barry Town Council, Councillor Eric Hacker, Mrs Hamilton, Sheila Mott, Club Captain, Councillor Doug Williams, Mrs Williams, Phil Rees, Alun Humphreys, Les Lewis)