Skipping contest provided the entertainment in 1910
IN 2016 Media Wales’ Tony Woolway compiled a paperback book Cardiff In The Headlines which revealed the stories that had made the headlines in the Echo between the years 1883 and 2005.
Tony, for many years the Western Mail and Echo’s media librarian, included some funny, fascinating and sad stories within its 128 pages.
For instance, in June 1910 “The World’s skipping championship was decided at Heath Street Hall, Cardiff”.
There were 37 contestants from all parts of the country and the winner was William Kendrick, of Pontlottyn, who put in an hour and a half’s continuous skipping, and during that period skipped 11,132 times. AB Davies, of Cardiff, was runner-up.
Fast forward to October 1948 and under the heading “Cardiff Boy A Hollywood Film Star Overnight”, we learn that “Former Cardiff schoolboy and cinema club marshal, Ian VyeParminter, has become a Hollywood film star overnight.
“With his parents, Mr and Mrs S VyeParminter,
14-year-old Ian flew out to British Columbia last November to make a new home in New Westminster, where Mr Vye-Parminter had found a new job.”
The report goes on to say that Ian had signed a contract with Metro-GoldwynMayer and that he had been given his first screen role, the longest part in The Secret Garden – that of Dickon.
However, my research reveals that it was Doncaster-born Brian Roper who played Dickon. So what become of Ian Vye-Parminter?
On a sad note we learn that in May 1959 “Four people were killed when a twin engined Dove aircraft crashed on the main road at Maindy, Cardiff, this afternoon right outside the stadium where 400 children of Cathays High School were attending a sports meeting.”
Although the report doesn’t say so, I believe an Echo reporter turned down the chance of flying in the aeroplane.
And in 1964 we learn of the revival of the popular “Taff” Swim.
“After a lapse of eight years the most popular of swimming events, the men’s and women’s Welsh long-distance championship, better known as the ‘Taff Swim’ will once again be open for competition.
“This year, as in the few years prior to the war, it will be held in Roath Park Lake over a distance of 1¾ miles.”
While in the July of 1968, “Women and children were horrified when two bodies fell from a hearse at a busy Cardiff road junction yesterday.”
On a lighter note, in April 1970 “Cardiff’s tallest building, the 270ft Pearl Assurance Building, was officially opened today by the Lord-Lieutenant of Glamorgan, Sir Cennydd Traherne.”
South Wales Echo: Cardiff In The Headlines by Tony Woolway is published by Amberley Press at £12.99.
Meanwhile, one of my readers wanted confirmation that in the past circus parades took place in the streets of Cardiff.
Here are just three of the replies I received from readers.
Mr Ken Morgan wrote: “Just writing to confirm that your reader was quite right about the circus parades.
“Being born and bred in town all my mates and I would run up Churchill Way to the junction of Queen Street to see either Billy Smart’s performers or Chippenfields.
“We would run there to see the elephants, lions, zebras and last but not least the circus folk riding the horses who were followed by a man picking up the animal deposits.”
Mr Paul Seligman wrote: “On more than one occasion in the 1950s, I stood with my mother watching the circus parade go across Cardiff Bridge to Sophia Gardens.
“Clowns would hand out leaflets advertising the circus. And three elephants of decreasing size really did march along, each holding the tail of the preceding animal in their trunks.
“From a contemporary adult perspective, and with more knowledge of what went on behind the scenes, I’m glad that circus performances with live animals have been banned.
“But in those days, going to the circus was a magical experience for a young child.
“We expected to see lions and their tamer, the performing seals, the elephants and the ponies.”
And PF Hodge wrote: “You can assure your readers of the brilliant circus parades in Cardiff.
“Many years ago it was Bertram Mills Circus then there was Billy Smart’s Circus. Both used to offload at Canton Train Sheds off Ninian Road.
If you joined in the circus parade wearing their funny costumes you would get free tickets.
“The parade would leave the sheds and make its way down Ninian Park and then into Neville Street then into Cowbridge Road then on to Sophia Gardens.”
■ Please send your stories and pictures to Brian Lee, Cardiff Remembered, South Wales Echo, Six Park Street, Cardiff CF10 1XR.
■ Please include your phone number as I cannot reply by letter.