An interview with past pupil, Mr Martyn Morris

When were you a pupil at Baglan primary?

I was a pupil at Baglan primary between 1966-1972.

Who was the head teacher at that time?

Mr Hill was the head teacher of the Juniors and Miss Pollard was the head teacher of the Infants.

Can you remember the names of some of your favourite teachers?

I have a vague recollection of some of the teacher’s names. I believe the last teacher I had before I left Baglan primary was Mr Overton. Mr Lloyd and Miss Mescall were also teachers at Baglan primary at this time.

Did you have a favourite teachers?

I am sure I had a favourite teacher, I cannot recall their names and personalities to comment. They were all very nice people. They made school interesting. All the teachers at Baglan primary at the time were very nice.

Which subjects did you learn about?

We did maths, English, history, geography and sport. We went swimming at the lido every week too. We didn’t play rugby at that time but took part in gym lessons. We used the gym climbing frames in the Junior hall regularly. We also took part in sewing lessons, a skill I must admit I haven’t used since school! I do recall being particularly interested in geography at the time. I remember having to do a project on explorers. There was a prize for the best presented project. I remember I was really focused on this particular piece of school work. I chose Captain Cook as the subject of my project and to my amazement when the project was marked, I came first in the class!

Did you have a school uniform?

There was no school uniform at this time. I wore short trousers, long socks, a jumper and a short elasticated tie to school.

Was there a school logo when you were a pupil? If so, can you remember what it looked like?

There was also no school badge or logo during my time at Baglan primary.

Did you use the school field at all?

The school was never used that much for school activities. The school field was still very new and being developed. I do recall representing the school on one occasion in a school soccer match on the field. I cannot remember who the opposition were or the score.

Which games did you play on the playground?

The girls played rounders, skipping and used chalk to mark out a hopscotch grid. The boys played football. Depending on which year of school you were in determined which playground you played soccer on. In your last year of school you played on the large playground adjacent to Fairwood Drive. As a boy you played soccer during every break period you had, using jumpers and jackets for goal posts. The girls would not get involved in the soccer games and played their own games.

Are you still in contact with your school friends?

I have very little contact with the people I attended Baglan primary school with. My best friend in and out of school lived next door to me in Fairwood Drive. He emigrated to Australia some years ago and we lost touch. I occasionally play golf at Neath Golf Club with a couple of other former pupils and friends from Baglan primary.

If you could, would you change anything about your school days?

I really enjoyed my school days at Baglan primary. The only thing I would change is my attitude towards my learning. I think I should have listened and applied myself more in class.

Do you have any good memories of your time as a pupil at Baglan primary?

My good memories from being a young boy in Baglan both in and out of school were that everything was so convenient. The school was close to where I lived, my friends all lived nearby and we had so many different places to keep us entertained. The newly established school playing fields to play football and cricket, going to Baglan park or playing in the woods behind our house.

On hot summer days we used to move our desks outside the classroom onto the patio area overlooking the field and had our lessons outdoors.

Once a week we would have a bus that transported us to the Afan Lido for swimming classes.

I recall that during the Coal Strike in the early 1970s a period that frequently saw power cuts and blackouts. To conserve energy, Baglan primary school closed and all pupils transported to and from Baglan to Tremorfa primary school for lessons every day.

Which comprehensive school did you then go to?

After leaving Baglan primary I then attended St Joseph’s Comprehensive School.

Do you have any funny memories of your time as a pupil at Baglan primary school?

I can remember jumping over the fence with my friends to play football on the school field after school. We had to be careful that the school caretaker did not see us!

Do you have a message for both staff and current pupils at Baglan primary?

To the school, many congratulations on the 70^th anniversary. To the current pupils at the school, I would like to say, “follow your dreams and be the best you can and good things will happen for you.”

Thank you to Martyn for an informative interview at Baglan primary school as part of our 70^th anniversary celebrations.