Welsh Journals

Search over 450 titles and 1.2 million pages

eighties and into the nineties; many contributions to the Transactions, one or more papers almost every year, each one involving extensive researches. Many of his papers were also published in the Journal of the National Library of Wales. Research of this nature involved much travelling, and since Reg never owned a motor car, his journeys were accomplished mainly by public transport and much walking. The onset of severe arthritis in his legs was a great trial to him; but his work continued undiminished to the end. Reg Oliver was a man of Powys who adopted Radnorshire as his home and field of study. He loved Llandrindod and chose to remain there after his retirement; he was joined by his brother Gordon and sister Irene, both of whom pre-deceased him. It was only the adversities of old age which necessitated his move to Castlefield House, Rhaeadr, a few months before he died. Reg was held in the highest regard by all who knew him. He will be remembered with affection and gratitude by those whom he taught and by his colleagues and friends, all of whose lives were enriched in knowing him. His name will live for ever in the annals of the Radnorshire Society. He died peacefully on 28th September 1993 aged 85; and on 5th October in the presence of members of his family and many friends,former pupils, ex-colleagues, and representatives of the Radnorshire Society, he was laid to rest in a comer of the churchyard of Llanllwchaiam in the parish where he was born. Sydney A Jones MEMORIES OF THE LATE R. C. B. OLIVER 'Olley', as he was affectionately known by many generations of pupils at Llandrindod Grammar School, was indeed one of those rare members of the teaching profession whose overall contribution to the life and work of the school greatly exceeded what would normally be expected: he was not only Geography teacher who devoted practically the whole of his long and distinguished teaching career to Llandrindod, but in retirement continued his fascination with the county he knew so well, his many articles in the Transactions of the Radnorshire Society provide a clear testimony of his genuine interest, devotion and unmistakable industry and scholarship. Mr Oliver was a true geographer: he was very genuinely interested in people and in places, and particularly in their unique interaction, moreover, he was a brilliant teacher who was totally committed to his profession. It was therefore not surprising that Geography at Llandrindod was a popular subject! Perhaps my earliest memory of Mr Oliver was of a smart, well- dressed and well-groomed teacher, whose recent return from war service (where he had been a Naval Officer) roughly coincided with my entry to the grammar school in September 1945. However, I quickly became aware that, as my Geography teacher and Form Master, Mr Oliver was the ideal teacher to provide the necessary help and encouragement for