Archives for Disability History

Poetry by Pen Y Bryn Pupils

May 29, 2018 | Comments Off

These poems are written by the talented pupils from Ysgol Pen Y Bryn taking inspiration from some of the early photographs of Longfields Association and Cerebral Palsy Midlands. They were written during our workshop day at Pen Y Bryn School, Sara Beer from Disability Arts Cymru and film maker Ben Ewart-Dean led the event and we looked at the photographs and saw a short clip of some old film footage. The pupils reflected on the material and wondered about: why the pupils did not have a uniform but the staff did how uncomfortable the calipers were that some of the children were wearing what
Read More

A link to an article published in The Conversation

May 2, 2018 | Comments Off

https://theconversation.com/how-1950s-parents-were-forced-to-fight-for-children-with-cerebral-palsys-right-to-education-73779
Read More

Question time at Pen Y Bryn

November 21, 2017 | Comments Off

Pen Y Bryn pupils have been very busy learning about the history of Longfields Association and during October I took part in a question and answer session at the school. The pupils of today wondered what pupils in 1953 did when they started at the school established by ‘Longfields parents’. There was a wide range of questions, some of which are reproduced here. There were lots more! What did they do for entertainment? What lessons did they have? Did they play football/any sport in school? What did they have for dinner? Was there a library in school? Did they go on
Read More

At The National Waterfront Museum

November 21, 2017 | Comments Off

It was great to talk about the Legacy of Longfields Project yesterday at The National Waterfront Museum in Swansea. Thank you to the Historical Association, Swansea and The Royal Institution of South Wales for the invitation.
Read More

A financial set back in 1980

November 21, 2017 | Comments Off

As with similar charities Longfields relied heavily on public support. Fundraising activities and the backing of community groups played a significant part towards the success of the Association. The support from these sources was demonstrated as the Chairman’s Report of 1980 revealed. Over the years, the Association had dealt with different setbacks but there was a bleak financial situation in 1979/80. A ‘severe cash crisis’ meant that monthly expenditure exceeded the income for many months. The transport of the Association which was a high cost, had been subject to heavy wear and maintenance costs. Contract work from local factories had
Read More

Owen Davies learns to drive

November 21, 2017 | Comments Off

Owen Davies was one of the first children to attend the school set up by Longfields in 1953. He didn’t attend Longfields as an adult but his family were supporters of the Association and his mother was an active member of the Ladies Guild. Owen contributed articles to the Association’s Year Books and in the 1983/84 Year Book he wrote about his decision to learn to drive. The article entitled Oh’L’ its Owen. is reproduced below. You will be able to find out if he passed his driving test in a future post.
Read More

Association Year Books

November 21, 2017 | Comments Off

As with similar organisations Longfields produced a series of Year Books and between 1959 and 1999 there were a total of twenty-nine books printed. The Year Books are a valuable resource when researching the history of the organisation as they give an insight into the day to day life of the organisation, the issues they faced and achievements made. They also reflect social change and attitudes towards disability. The inside cover of this Year Book illustrates how the organisation was supported during the early years. In addition to the people listed here the Officers of the Association included Honorary appointments of Secretary, Treasurer, Solicitors,
Read More

Inspiring Individuals

February 7, 2017 | Comments Off

While researching the history of Longfields I have discovered many links that were made between organisations, particularly during the early days of the Association. Groups shared their knowledge and the different experiences they had in setting up their organisations. One of the groups that Longfields worked with was West Midlands Spastic Association. This group started the first school in the UK dedicated to the education of children with cerebral palsy. The school was called Carlson House School, taking its name from Dr Earl Carlson. Some of the staff from Longfields or as it was then known, Swansea & District Spastic
Read More