Cliff Shaw
C L I F F SHAW
(MR CWM BOYS’ CLUB)
THE FEDERATION SAYS GOODBYE TO A DEAR FRIEND
Cliff Shaw always had the welfare of boys in mind up to the last. Just weeks before his recent death he asked that some equipment be given to the Risca Cuckoo Club to make sure that it would have a good use, and a large plaque was given to the Federation to be used as an award.
In July 1956 Cliff took over Godfreys Hall from Gilbert Rosg at a rent of £13.00 per year. In fact it was a room over a stable where he ran the Cwm Boys’ Club right up to 1993 when he was forced to give it up due to ill health.
Cliff had an involvement with the Boys’ Brigade, joining when he was twelve years old, and rose through the ranks to Captain. When the Boys’ Brigade disbanded Cliff helped to start Cwm Boys’ Club. He will always be remembered as Cliff of Cwm Boys’ Club. He came from a mining family and lived all his life in Cwm – his father was a miner working at Markham and Waunllwyd pits and he worked for ten years at Marine Colliery.
The Cwm Boys’ Club was open most nights and if you paid a visit you were always made very welcome – tea, coffee and biscuits were always available and an apology for the smell from the horses underneath the club room. In the club was a three quarter size snooker table with the legs shortened so that the small boys could play with short cues, a dart board and small pool table. When table tennis was played covers were placed over the snooker table and the pool table was moved for gymnastics with ropes hanging from the roof cross beams. The club was no more than 15 feet by 20 feet long but the quality of youth work was second to none and an example to many who complain of having no facilities. The club was run strictly by Cliff – there was no swearing and he always ensured that good manners were shown by his boys.
Many of the trophies which the boys received were made by Cliff in his workshop where he would also make toys, musical boxes and jewellery cases to sell for his church funds.
Displayed proudly in the club were Cliff’s Gold and Silver Long Service Awards presented by the National Association of Boys’ Clubs.
HE GAVE HIS LIFE TO HELPING THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF CWM AND WILL BE SADLY MISSED.
Date of coverage
02/1994Place
Cwm (general)- No categories
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