Ystradyfodwg School Board

The Ystradyfodwg School Board, covering the rapidly growing Rhondda Valleys was formed in 1878 and consisted of thirteen members elected for a period of three years.^[1] It was abolished, along with other School Boards in 1902 and its responsibilities transferred to Glamorgan County Council.

In the main, the members were local industrialists, tradesmen, nonconformist ministers and, in later years, a smattering of working men. A number of prominent figures in the public life of the Rhondda served their apprenticeship on the Board.

The 1878 School Board Election

Ystradyfodwg School Board
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
		William Jenkins, Ystradfechan	4,221
		David Evans, Bodringallt	3,371
		D. Richards, Treorchy	3,048
		W.W. Hood	2,828
		Rev William Morris	2,807
		David D. Joseph, Treherbert	2,634
		R. Rowlands, Penygraig	2,337
		T. Owen, Treherbert	2,107
		William Abraham (Mabon)	2,040
		E. Thomas, Maindy Hall, Ystrad	1,130
		Rev W. Jones, Ystrad	1,025

The initial Board included William Abraham (Mabon), the future MP for the Rhondda.

The 1881 School Board Election

The second election took place in 1881. "On the whole, commented a local newspaper, "we think this may be taken to be a fair representative Board."^[2]

Ystradyfodwg School Board
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
		W.W. Hood*	6,214
		William Jenkins, Ystradfechan*	4,855
		Henry Lewis, Ynysfeio	4,157
		David Evans, Bodringallt*	4,063
		Moses R. Rowlands, Penygraig*	3,305
		Rev J.R, Jones, Llwynypia	2,700
		Rev William Morris*	2,807
		David D. Joseph, Treherbert*	2,610
		Rev W. Lewis, vicar	2,279
		Edmund Thomas, Maindy Hall, Ystrad*	2,232
		W. Taylor, Fernhill Colliery	2,014
		E.H. Davies, Baglan House	1,979
		William Morgan, Tynewydd	1,903
		Rev W. Jones, Ton*	1,798
		John John	1,317

The 1884 School Board Election

The third election took place in 1884.^[3]

Ystradyfodwg School Board
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
		David Evans, Bodringallt*	6,285
		William Jenkins, Ystradfechan*	5,737
		W.W. Hood*	5,582
		Rev William Morris*	5,248
		John Davies, Maerdy	5,216
		W. Taylor, Treherbert*	4,603
		Rev W. Jones, Ton	3,808
		E.H. Davies, Ystrad	3,719
		Rev B. Davies, Treorchy	3,167
		Rev W. Lewis, vicar	3,127
		David Ellis, Ynyshir	2,505
		Moses R. Rowlands, Penygraig*	2,413
		John John, Treherbert	2,091
		D.W. Davies, Tonypandy	2,007
		Rev J.R, Jones, Llwynypia	1,503

The 1887 School Board Election

Following the success of William Abraham (Mabon) at the 1885 General Election the School Board election was contested by Labour candidates.^[4]

Ystradyfodwg School Board
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
		David Evans, Bodringallt*	9,431
		W.W. Hood*	7,975
		William Pritchard, Clydach Vale	6,854
		Rev William Lewis, vicar*	6,640
		William Morgan, Tynewydd	6,639
		Alfred Lester Lewis, Treherbert	6,635
		Rev John Salisbury Edwards, Treorchy	5,115
		Samuel Hussey Williams, Tylorstown	5,001
		William Jenkins, Ystradfechan*	4,940
		David Thomas, check weigher, Pentre	4,457
		Rev William Morris*	4,038
		Rev W. Jones, Ton*	3,864
		John Morgan, Ynyshir Hotel	3,626
		John Davies, Maerdy*	3,141
		J.H. Williams, Blaenrhondda	2,949
		Moses R. Rowlands, Penygraig*	2,732
		Evan Richards, Tonypandy	2,226
		E.H. Davies, Ystrad*	2,389
		Idris Williams*	647
		W. Hogg, Pontypridd	510

The 1890 School Board Election

The fifth election was held in October 1890.^[5]

Ystradyfodwg School Board
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
		W. Walter Hood*	10,909
		Thomas Bevan, Ferndale	8,365
		William Jenkins, Ystradfechan*	8,112
		William Pritchard, Clydach Vale*	7,988
		Rev William Lewis, vicar*	5,912
		Samuel Henry Williams, Tylorstown*	5,731
		William Morgan, Tynewydd*	5,719
		Alfred Leslie Lewis, Treherbert*	6,635
		Joseph Williams, Blaenrhondda	4,902
		Rev John Salisbury Edwards, Treorchy*	4,901
		Rev W. Jones, Ton*	4,798
		Daniel Lewis, Trealaw	4,519
		Morgan Davies, Mardy	4,441
		David Lloyd, Ystrad	3,873
	Labour	Morgan Williams	3,718
		John Jones Griffiths	3,661
	Labour	Llewellyn Thomas, Mardy	3,541
	Labour	David Thomas, check weigher, Pentre*	3,298
		Mrs Elizabeth Davies	2,12x

The 1893 School Board Election

The sixth election was held in October 1893.^[6]

Ystradyfodwg School Board
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
		W. Walter Hood*	14,367
		Thomas Bevan, Ferndale*	9,400
		William Jenkins, Ystradfechan*	9,216
		Daniel Thomas, Trealaw*	8,794
		William Pritchard, Clydach Vale*	7,988
		Rev William Lewis, vicar*	5,912
		Samuel Henry Williams, Tylorstown*	5,731
		William Morgan, Tynewydd*	5,719
		Alfred Leslie Lewis, Treherbert*	6,635
		Joseph Williams, Blaenrhondda	4,902
		Rev John Salisbury Edwards, Treorchy*	4,901
		Rev W. Jones, Ton*	4,798
		Morgan Davies, Mardy	4,441
		David Lloyd, Ystrad	3,873
	Labour	Morgan Williams	3,718
		John Jones Griffiths	3,661
	Labour	Llewellyn Thomas, Mardy	3,541
	Labour	David Thomas, check weigher, Pentre*	3,298
		Mrs Elizabeth Davies	2,12x

References

1. "Etholiad Bwrdd Ysgol Ystradyfodwg". Tarian y Gweithiwr. 1 November 1878. Retrieved 26 February 2014.
2. "TheYstradyfodwg School Board Contest". Pontypridd Chronicle. 29 October 1881. Retrieved 24 March 2014.
3. "Etholiad Bwrdd Ysgol Ystradyfodwg". Seren Cymru. 14 November 1884. Retrieved 25 March 2014.
4. "Etholiad Bwrdd Ysgol Ystradyfodwg". Tarian y Gweithiwr. 20 October 1887. Retrieved 25 March 2014.
5. "Ystradyfodwg School Board Election". Pontypridd Chronicle. 24 October 1890. Retrieved 27 March 2014.
6. "Ystradyfodwg School Board". Evening Express. 24 October 1893. Retrieved 3 April 2014.