Newyddion

21/08/2024 00:00, I Mewn Blog /

Born in Italy, but brought up in Tongwynlais, Ivor Gaylard was one of the leading track stars in Wales during the mid 1930s.

His grandson, Dewi, has been delving into Ivor’s scrapbooks and memorabilia, finding a goldmine of information about his grandfather, much of which would have been lost to the wider athletics fraternity without Dewi’s meticulous research.

Dewi recalled:

“My grandfather never spoke to us about his accomplishment or his history in athletics, not even much to his own children. All we knew was that he was the Welsh 440 yards champion for three successive years, and we have numerous medals (gold, silver and bronze), winners prizes and even a watch stamped with the 1936 Olympics on it. We don't know what they were all specifically for.”

There’s no doubt that Ivor, who ran for works team Elyn and Mellingriffith Sporting Club based in his home village of Tongwynlais, was one of the leading lights in Welsh athletics. He won the Welsh 440 yards championship three times between 1935 and 1937, taking the 1936 title in 51.2 seconds (50.9 for 400m) on the grass track of the Newport Athletic Grounds, then the main athletics arena in Wales. That time was the third fastest title win in the event since its inception in 1897.

In 1934 Ivor had a remarkable year, winning Welsh youth/junior titles at 220 yards, 300 yards, and 880 yards. Showing his versatility, he also took the Welsh under 17 cross country title.

He also ran in the AAA junior championships in White City in 1934, and according to newspaper reports was one of the favourites for the title but he failed to win, and his finishing position is not known.

However, one of his finest achievements was to be selected as one of the small Welsh squad which was due to take part in the 1936 “Workers Olympics” in Spain as part of the wider British team. But the Games, where 49 nations were in attendance, were called off after the Spanish Civil War broke out. The team were initially unable to return home because of the precarious political situation, but eventually all returned safe and sound. The Games, due to be held in Barcelona were organised by trade unions in opposition to the 1936 Hitler-inspired Berlin Olympics.

There’s no doubt that Dewi Gaylard’s research is vitally important in recalling the heritage of the sport of athletics in Wales, not only to recall the marvellous feats of his grandfather but also to give a glimpse of the sport in Wales at the time.

With grateful thanks to Dewi Gaylard