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Grenfell Jones MBE, better known as "Gren" is one of Wales's best known and longest serving cartoonists. Born and bred in Brynavon Terrace, Hengoed and son to coal miner, Harry Jones; Gren was a valleys boy who enjoyed creating cartoons encompassing good old, Welsh humour. It was at the young age of 8, Gren was first inspired to pursue his career in art and later went on to produce a daily cartoon for the South Wales Echo newspaper.
Grenfell Jones MBE, sy'n fwy adnabyddus fel "Gren" yw un o gartwnwyr mwyaf adnabyddus Cymru a'r un sydd wedi gwasanaethu hiraf. Ganwyd a magwyd yn Brynavon Terrace, Hengoed a mab i'r glöwr, Harry Jones; Bachgen o'r cymoedd oedd Gren a fwynhaodd greu cartwnau yn cwmpasu hiwmor hen, Cymreig. Yn 8 oed, ysbrydolwyd Gren gyntaf i ddilyn ei yrfa mewn celf ac yn ddiweddarach aeth ymlaen i gynhyrchu cartŵn dyddiol ar gyfer papur newydd y South Wales Echo.
His cartoons were a regular feature in the South Wales Echo, and his "Ponty and Pop" strip appeared in the weekly Football Echo. The cartoons often involved the fictional village of Aberflyarff and featured life in the south Wales Valleys. Gren's career spanned a commendable 45 years and he went on to win a number of prestigious awards for his contributions to the arts; making him a household name in Wales and artist famous around the world.
With all that Gren achieved in his life, it is no doubt that his greatest achievement was his family. He was a loving husband to his wife, Anne and proud father to two sons, Darryl and Christopher who work hard to continue on in their father's legacy.
His son Darryl has shared many memories of his father with us at Hengoed Primary. He once went home from school for lunch as found, who he thought, was Jesus having lunch with his father. He later learned it was Robert Powell! He said his dad was a very down to earth man who never craved stardom or attention.
In 2010, a three mile walk entitled the "The Gren Way" was created in commemoration of Gren. The route exhibits his art work along the local area, including along the Viaduct in Maesycwmmer. A plaque marking his childhood home in Brynavon Terrace is still proudly displayed today. Please see pictures of the "Gren Way" below.
See year 2/3's Google Slides presentations below about famous cartoonist, "Gren". Here you will find information about his life and work, as well as pictures of some of his famous cartoons.
Here we are exploring Gren's art style and creating our own cartoons
We enjoyed looking at Gren's cartoons
We liked how his cartoons reminded us of our local towns and villages
We explored his art style and created cartoons of our own
One we found particularly funny was the joke about speed cameras on Welsh roads
We modernised this with the new 20mph speed limit rule in Wales
We were surprised to hear that Gren was once actually a pupil at Hengoed Primary School!
His gentle Welsh humour is definitely one to be appreciated
Gren's work has inspired us that our dreams are never too big and with passion and hard work, we too can achieve!
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