• Cadoxton Secondary Modern School, Barry - The rear elevation of the Cadoxton Secondary Modern School where I attended, and learnt so little, during the years 1961 to 1964! The art room was at the very top of the third floor and overlooked the No. 2 Barry Dock and the Cadoxton sidings with amazing views over the Bristol Channel and Devon coast beyond. I was always fascinated by the activity at the dock and railway sidings. The photo is borrowed from the excellent '(The) Barry Centenary Book' edited by Donald Moore. [371] The growth of the school was accelerated by the opening of the new docks. The well researched text of the book states :

'The juvenile population of Barry soon outgrew the school provided by Walker in Queen Street, and the present High Street School had to be opened in 1888. Prior to this the only other school in the area was the Board School at Cadoxton, opened in 1879 for 57 pupils, following the Elementary Education Act of 1870. An extension was started in 1885 and opened in 1887 for 241 pupils, but even this proved inadequate, and a further extension was opened in 1891 to house, in total, 240 boys and 240 girls, the old part being converted to hold 203 infants.'

Some of the teachers I can recall include : Mr. Treharne - Welsh : Mr. Peter Rees of Dinas Powis - Music : Mr. (Chippy) Wood - Woodwork (who was also a fine pianist!) : Mr. Hurley - Science ; oh, my brain cell is weary now! Can anybody assist please? Who were the maths, technical drawing, english, geography and art teachers?? Oh, and who was that pillock who used to beat my arse with a size 12 dap at least twice a week just because I wasn't interested in sports or PE!!

The Board School, Cadoxton - A postcard view uploaded by the Vale of Glamorgan Libraries to the People's Collection Wales. The school was built in 1879 and extended during 1887 to deal with the influx of labour and general population growth due to the railway and dock works at Barry. In 1915 the school was requisitioned for military purposes due to WWI needs. The postcard has been published by Fairburn of Cadoxton. [Publisher Reference : VOG03363] [048]

The Weekly Mail [067] [361] of 12th February 1887 in an article entitled 'A Visit to Barry Dock' stated : For educational purposes the district is attached to Cadoxton, and a board school is about to be built, to take the place of the temporary school opened in connection with the works.

During Speech Day in July 1963, I played 'Rondo' by Paul Fievet as a trumpet solo and to end proceedings the Cadoxton School Song was sung by all the thugs and vandals present ; the words and music of which I attribute to Mr. Peter Rees the music master at the Cadoxton County Secondary School.

Out in the open, clear to the skies,
Standing commanding in everyone's eyes,
The building is rampart, the view is serene,
'Tis Cadoxton School.

Away from the district far from the home.
Lone and afar in strange parts to roam,
The man with his thoughts of faces and places,
Remembers his youthful days,
At Cadoxton School.

From the School is seen, very near to hand,
Something that man has carved out from the land,
With his strength and his courage,
And willingness to work,
The forefathers of the boys
Of Cadoxton School.

Out on the race track, on the field of sport,
Where there's a foeman to be met and fought,
'Cross country and on the road,
On grass, 'tween white lines broad,
The red-shirted team man fights
For Cadoxton School.

Glory rests on the massive walls of stone,
In rays of rising or setting sun,
Lighted a rosy red, or even glorious gold,
Ymlaem or Upwards is
For Cadoxton School.