# 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. 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 :
| 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."
Ystradyfodwg School Board :
| 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.
Ystradyfodwg School Board :
| 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.
Ystradyfodwg School Board :
| 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.
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.
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 |