Welsh Journals

ABERYSTWYTH STUDENTS AND THE RHONDDA by Lewis Ifor Lewis THE readers of "The Welsh Outlook" are in all probability sated with facts, figures and sentiment on the subject of distress in the South Wales coal areas. Consequently I believe that enough-perhaps too much-has been said on the subject, and the only excuse for the following article is that it claims to be of an unusual kind, in that it tells the experience of a few of us from Aberystwyth who have been enjoying for some years benefits made possible only by the sacrifice of Corris quarrymen. The direct inspiration came from the Rev. R. J. Barker, about whom nothing need be said by way of introductory eulogy. He has been em- barrassingly, I think, praised oftentimes. Suf- fice it that without the man the deeds would not be the same. Following the Christian Union Campaign emerged the desire to see for ourselves: but, feeling that to gaze indolently at pale, pinched faces was an insult, we determined to help, knowing meanwhile that our help was but a small drop in a large ocean. However, we arrived at Tonypandy. We were treated as men of another race for some time, and to the last we were treated to earnest accounts of the studies of miners: how one read religious literature; how another aspired to Coleg Harlech, but had a wife and children. Of course, we were not treated to the horrors that existed; there was no complaining. This is natural. Now and again, it is true, we heard tales of starved children, ill-clad, expectant mothers, and poor shattered homes, but these were far away rumbles. It is noteworthy that even those. students who come from mining areas seem ignorant of, and certainly indifferent to, the prevailing conditions. What we actually felt was the driving power of a great personality. What we actually saw was the work that resulted from this driving power. The work of this romantic adventurer of the Nazarene was both useful and in the best traditions of cheering the lives of simple, good- hearted and poor-so poor-people. Clothes were collected, sorted, distributed, often, it is true, apparently with some unfairness. A small band of "boys"-the "boys" of the Community House-worked unselfishly night and day, so that a small percentage of comrades might be more warmly clothed at Christmas time: so that a few women at least should have underclothing, and a few children boots and stockings. Brave. Inadequate. The less useful section of work, from the purely material point of view, was the making and distribution of toys. And it may be mentioned here that a toy-making industry is beginning to find its feet in Trealaw. A romantic adventure. We shall see what will come of it. Certainly we wish it, and every venture that keeps people busy, every success and long life. Again, we must not forget to mention the Community House the Mecca of Trealaw: built by the men who distribute clothes, make toys, and stay up all night and next day that sufficient work may be done to please the chief-Barker: familiarly called "Rex." Lastly, what did we do? Little, it is true. There were only a few of us from Aberystwyth, but by joining forces with a larger section from Cardiff University College, we managed to intro- duce into the lives of old men and old women a few pictures of another world. At least we tried to do this, though, if one feeling is stronger than any other, it is the sense of failure and inadequacy. Their lives were so different from ours that it was extremely difficult to project ourselves into their mental outlook. Perhaps we did not "get over." However, these were our experiences. A short week-end in the Rhondda is inadequate-a word which has been repeated in this article-repeated because it aptly charac- terises our attempts. Finally, let it be said, there was goodwill be- hind the attempt. We felt that we were becom- ing estranged from the people from whose loins we had sprung. We felt that to-day the Corris quarrymen would not have contributed their pennies weekly that we might say, "Our hands are smooth, and life is a beautiful thing." The vision of a Welsh University has perhaps faded. Maybe it is our fault. We certainly do produce intellectual snobs. The whole point is that some of us feel this hence the Rhondda visit; hence our attempts to pay back the pennies of the Corris quarrymen, by raising money in various ways, by collecting clothes, and by thinking- again inadequately-about the men whose hands are rough. Contributions in prose or poetry are invited from readers. These should be addressed to the Editor, "Welsh Outlook," Newtown, and in every instance accompanied by a stamped addressed envelope.