Updates from Society members, including four former pupils recent royal visit
Jillian (Jones) Cooper (PC 1959-66) has been in touch with us to say that she will be visiting the UK from New Zealand in June and July. If any of her Penrhos classmates would like to catch up with her in London then please feel free to email us at alumni@rydalpenrhos.com and we will pass your details to Jillian.
She is particularly keen to meet up with any former pupils who remember and/or took part in the joint Rydal and Penrhos rock musical ‘Sing Out’ in 1966. This was, according to Jillian, “exciting, quite revolutionary and great fun”. If you have any photos or stories from 'Sing Out’, please send them to us and we will happily include them in the next newsletter.
Sam Jones (RPS 2012-20), Arend Franssens (RPS 2015-20 ) Jacob Heaton-Rue (RPS 2016-20 ) and Tallulah Batley (RPS 2013-20) visited Buckingham Palace on 16 May 2022 for their Duke of Edinburgh (D of E) Gold Award presentation. They had all been forced to wait for the presentation due to Covid restrictions. The day was jam packed with speakers and award ceremonies and Sam and Arend have kindly shared photographs, the programme and an invitation from the day.
Sam outside the gates of Buckingham Palace
All four alumni at the awards ceremony
Arend and Jacob
Tea and cupcakes were served at the palace
Arend's invitation to the day
Dan Owen
Rydal Penrhos has a proud history of producing exceptional rugby players that go on to have productive careers in the domestic game and across the country. From the days of Bleddyn Williams to some modern-day professionals looking to make a similar impact, the school has been a hotbed for nurturing young talent and helping them on the right path academically and within a sporting environment.
Many former pupils are currently plying their trade at nearby RGC 1404, who enjoyed a memorable rise up the Welsh pyramid system to become leading players in the Principality Premiership. Something that has increased the profile of rugby in the region and attracted thousands of spectators to Parc Eirias to see the Gogs in action.
Two such individuals were among the top performers for RGC during their recently concluded 2021/22 campaign and were rewarded for their efforts with well-deserved awards in recognition of their exceptional commitment to the cause.
Dan Owen, who earned Wales U18 international honours during his time at Rydal Penrhos before moving on to Aberystwyth University following outstanding A Level results, was a model of consistency throughout the season and this did not go unnoticed by his teammates, who named him Players’ Player of the Year as a result.
There was further cause for celebration in the form of Dion Jones, who is widely regarded as one of the most dynamic players in the top flight and another superb season saw him come away with a notable double from the ceremony.
The versatile back managed to secure the Try of the Year distinction and was also crowned Supporters’ Player of the Year after helping the Gogs’ achieve a top-five finish in the face of some stern competition.
We are looking for more information regarding the estate of Donald Hughes, in particular, the copyright permissions surrounding a song written by Donald Hughes named "Beyond the Mist and Doubt".
The copyright currently says it is held by John Hughes; if any of our alumni can provide us with more information, or know Donald Hughes' next of kin, please contact us.
We are also looking to update our lists of Heads of School from the past. If you know who any of the Head Girls at Penrhos College were between 1976 and 1982, please let us know.
