Mals Memories (From Penarth Times)

Mals Memories

DO YOU remember the late Maldwyn Davies?

When I started at the Penarth Times as a reporter in 1962, Maldwyn was the news editor.

He was a stickler for neat and accurate copy and if it was not presented to his satisfaction, back it would go to the errant reporter to be typed all over again.

What I remember most about Maldwyn was that he was blessed with a marvellous singing voice, but cursed with asthma.

On a bad day he would come wheezing up the stairs to the newsroom on the first floor of Times House, on the corner of Arcot Street and Plassey Street, pull out his inhaler - one of those big old-fashioned pumps with a rubber bulb - and collapse into his chair while he gradually recovered from his exertions.

But on a good day, often a crisp, frosty morning, he was transformed.

His powerful voice would precede him on his way in, reverberating up the stairs and round the building as he sang a favourite snatch of opera.

It always made the hairs stand up on the back of my neck.

Eventually, with his health deteriorating, Maldwyn was to retire.

He was one of those larger than life characters who seemed to abound in old time newspaper offices, and I certainly missed him.

I was to stay as a staff member at the Penarth Times for the next 37 years.

And it would have amused Maldwyn to know that his memory was to live on through the daily post.

With similar names, Maldwyn and Malcolm, people often confused us for the same person, and for many years to come letters would arrive at the office addressed to the news editor, or editor, Mr Maldwyn Davies!

* Malcolm Davies is a former editor of the Penarth Times. Mal's Memories are on the Penarth Times web site www.thisispenarth.co.uk