Bernard Baldwin

I'd like to offer my congratulations to Mr. Bernard Baldwin on becoming a Honorary Patron of Nos Galan. I believe that he has not received the recognition he deserves from the wider community for putting the Cynon Valley on the athletics map.
I was one of the helpers at the very first Nos Galan. I remember attending meetings in Bernard's house in Mountain Ash to discuss various aspects of the race, and meeting Ken Norris there (do you remember this distance athlete?). Bernard's organisational skills were very evident then, as they were for successive Nos Galan. He wasn't a passive organiser - that wasn't his style; he was someone who always seemed to be in permanent motion, usually seen running along the main road in Mountain Ash as he went from one meeting to the next, or from shop to shop for that matter.
The character of Nos Galan has changed since those days. Then, there was only a 100 yard race and the 4 mile round-the-streets race, followed by a dance in Nixon's Ballroom. They were great days, very hard work but immensely satisfying.
Many thanks Bernard for such wonderful memories, and many congratulations once again. I am sure that like myself there are many others who remember these exciting times and appreciate all you did for Nos Galan.