WELSH HEROES

We all know Ponty has many heroes but in 2004 the website 100 Welsh Heroes did an online poll to find the greatest Welsh men and women. With only 80,000 nominations and votes it could hardly be called representative or accurate but as a bit of fun it was great. Although the great Alfred Russel Wallace amazingly didn't win, among those listed were a few Ponty people. Although why Mark Davies wasn't in there we'll never know? Here's a bit of a round-up that we've done with a few people from Ponty and the valleys... but feel free to tell us if we've missed anyone out.
 

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Neil Jenkins
Ponty, Wales & Lions hero and world record points scorer in international rugby - what a guy! And let's not forget Andrew (brother-in-law) complete with ginger wig and plastic ears, kicking an inflatable sheep over the crossbar. One of the true giants of Welsh rugby, Neil Jenkins became the international scene's record points scorer despite playing during Wales's wilderness years. Affectionately labelled GM (for Ginger Monster, Maestro or Magician), he is Wales's most capped player ever and the current world record holder for points scored in internationals, with 1,049 points for Wales and a further 41 in four tests for the British Lions.

Weblinks: Photos
 

Tom Jones
In 1964 the BBC declared that he was ‘too hot to handle’ and banned him from the airwaves but that soon changed when he released "It’s Not Unusual" and the song became an international hit. Estimated to be worth in excess of £150 million Tom says he loves his hometown but has never given anything back to it.

Weblinks: Tom Jones Official website | Welsh Heroes
 

Phil Campbell
In the world of contemporary music, and specifically the sub-genre of ‘heavy metal’, Phil Campbell is the perfect hero – a virtuoso of the lead guitar. The Treforest-born Motorhead guitarist needs little introduction and made the list at No 20.

Weblinks: Motorhead | Welsh Heroes | BBC Wales
 

John Evans

Radical writer and filmmaker who documents the post-industrial South Wales Valleys. Books include: How Real is My Valley, Industria, G.B.H., Giants and The Red Kite in Wales. Also teaches creative writing locally.

Weblinks: Official John Evans website | Welsh Heroes
 

Geraint Evans
Cilfynydd born opera star. Sir Geraint was a bass-baritone and became the world's most foremost interpreter of Verdi's fat knight, Sir John Falstaff. He was also the proud recipient of the title Commander of the British Empire.

Weblinks: Wiki listing | BBC Wales

Stuart Burrows
We have to say that we find it absolutely crazy that the Cilfynydd born singer and one of the greatest tenors that ever lived wasn't included in the WH list. Here's a link for you to learn more:

Weblinks: Official site

Dr William Price
OK, so he was from Rudry but it's close enough. Anyway he spent a lot of his time on Ponty Common hanging around by the Rocking Stones and when he wasn't burning his dead son (Jesus Christ) he used to walk around in the nude and eat berries - we want him back!

Weblinks: Welsh Heroes | BBC Wales

Simon Weston
Nelson boy made good. In 1978 he joined the Welsh Guards and before forming part of the Falklands Task Force, saw active service in Berlin, Northern Ireland and Kenya. In 1982, Simon was aboard the Sir Galahad when it was bombed by Argentine planes. The burns he suffered on that day have required a series of operations, which continue to this day. Despite these injuries and the physical and mental suffering they have caused, Simon's life is an example of great personal triumph and courage.

Weblinks: Welsh Heroes | Weston Spirit

Merlyn Rees
Another famous Cil boy was Merlyn Rees who was a Labour MP from 1963-1992. He also became a life peer and entered the House of Lords. He was Secretary of State for Northern Ireland from March 1974 until September 1976, when he moved back to London to become Home Secretary. Rees wrote of his views on Northern Ireland in: Northern Ireland: a personal perspective (Methuen, London, 1985). He was also president of the Video Standards Council and Chancellor of the University of Glamorgan.

His name is also cockney rhyming slang for "Piece" meaning lunch.

Freddie Welsh
Born on March 5, 1886 in Pontypridd he was nicknamed the "Welsh Wizard" (an epithet shared by his contemporary, David Lloyd George). The son of a successful businessman, Freddie suffered frequent illnesses as a child and was sent to California for his health. Here he took up boxing as a result of a suggestion from his physical fitness instructor. He became so good at the sport that he decided to make a living out of it and he turned professional in 1905. He took the name Freddie Welsh to prevent his mother from learning of his new career. The surname 'Welsh' taken as a honour to his nationality. In 1914, Welsh won the World Lightweight title in London.

During the first world war Freddie served as a lieutenant and helped disabled veterans at the Walter Reed Hospital. He was discharged a captain and returned to the ring in December, 1920. He retired from boxing after a defeat by Archie Walker in 1922, but retired as a wealthy man. He bought a health farm and a gymnasium but fell on hard times and died penniless in New York. During his career he won 120 fights, lost 27, drew 16 and achieved 30 knockouts. Freddie Welsh was inducted into the 'Boxing Hall of Fame' in 1960 and the 'International Boxing Hall of Fame' in 1997.

Sgt. Robert Bye, V.C.
Robert James Bye was born on December 12, 1889 at 13 Maritime Street, Graig, Pontypridd, Wales. His parents Martin and Sarah Jane Bye then moved to 21 Woodfield Street, Penrhiwceiber, and Robert was educated at the local school there. After leaving school he worked at The Deep Dyffryn Colliery, Mountain Ash, before joining the Welsh Guards on April 3, 1915. Advancement through the ranks was rapid when he was promoted to Lance-Corporal in March 1916, Corporal in September of that year and then to Sergeant in April 1917. He served in France and Flanders and was discharged in February 1919. Six months later he re-enlisted in the Notts and Derby Regiment, remaining with it until 1925, and finally re-enlisting again in the Sherwood Foresters in World War Two. After the war he worked at Warsop Main, Firbeck and Welbeck Collieries in the Nottingham coalfield and also became a temporary police constable at Mansfield, Notts. He married a Welsh girl from Penrhiwceiber, Mabel Lloyd, at Pontypridd on October 14, 1912 and they had two sons and two daughters. He died in 1962, aged 72 and is buried at Warsop Cemetery, Nottingham.

Sgt. Bye won his VC on 31 July 1917 at the Yser Canal, Belgium, where he displayed the utmost courage and devotion to duty during an attack on the enemy’s position. During the attack, at the third Battle of Ypres, Sgt. Bye saw that the leading waves were being troubled by two enemy blockhouses. He rushed at one of them and put the German garrison out of action. He then rejoined his company and went forward to the second objective. Later he volunteered to take charge of a party detailed to clear up a line of blockhouses which had been passed. He accomplished this, taking many prisoners, and then advanced to the third objective, again taking a number of prisoners. During the action he accounted for over 70 of the enemy. His actions in Woods 15 and 16 and at the Yser Canal on the same day were also taken into account. Sgt. Bye’s citation appeared in the London Gazette on September 6, 1917 and he was invested with his VC by King George V on September 27, 1917.

Lost Prophets
The UK's most incendiary, explosive, melodic and ground-breaking punk metal band since the Manics, they grew up a few doors from each other, attended the same schools, formed teenage bands to play Metallica and Police covers and spent their endless summers hanging out together, drooling over Duran Duran and Annihilator records with equal passion. They are: Ian Watkins, Mike Lewis, Lee Gaze, Mike Chiplin, Stuart Richardson & Jamie Oliver. In July 2000, the Prophets recorded their astounding debut album 'Thefakesoundofprogress', a vitriolic nu rock masterpiece that swerved between spitting bile at the small town hypocrites and backbiters. A few albums later, a few million quid in the bank and they release a single called “A Town Called Hypocrisy” Mmm?

Weblink: Lost Prophets Forum