HERE are some of the stories which Penarth Times readers would have seen 50 years ago this week.

THE NEW spring holiday eventually burst into a surge of activity on Monday when dozens of sailing craft spread out along the Penarth front in a colourful scene. They vied with the first runabouts of the water skiers as they prepared for the first ever Penarth- Weston and back cross-channel race. “It was a remarkable success”, said Mr Bil Eynon, chairman of the Water Ski Club of Wales after the event which promises to become an annual occasion.

Police foiled by “sister” whom didn’t exist

Four times a Police officer went to the home of Miss Esta Myers in an attempt to serve a summons on her and each time he saw her “sister” hid, who said that Esta was away from home. But on the fifth time, the officer called he found that the “sister” was in fact the woman he was seeking. The result was that Miss Myers (65) of Victoria Road, was on Wednesday fined a total of £12 on each of four charges for wilfully obstructing an officer in the execution of his duty.

Chancellor’s tribute to “Man of Foresight” Labour Party honours officer

Paying tribute to Councillor William Jeffcott’s long and devoted service to the Penarth Labour Party, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr James Callaghan last Thursday described him as “one of Penarth’s outstanding and selfless citizens.” Mr. Callaghan accompanied by his wife, Audrey, was speaking at a social evening at the Penarth Ex-servicemen’s Club, during which the local Labour Party presented Mr Jeffcott with a selection of hand-cut glasses to mark his retirement as a Party Officer.

Missing boys home again

Two Castle Avenue boys, missing from their homes since Monday, were safely home again on Wednesday afternoon. Twelve year old Gordon Rattenbury of Number 37 and ten-year-old Kevin Carl Tucker of number 53 were alleged to have been seen at Cogan, near the Penarth Dock, and near the Glamorganshire Golf Club. A police spokesman said, “It is understood they have left home once before.” They were found near Penarth Beach.

Canadian visit for Penarth Cadet

After attending an intensive training course over the holiday weekend, at the shore establishment HMS “Ganges” near Ipswich, Instructor Cadet Unit T/S “Glamorgan” learned that he is to be one of fourteen instructors chosen to represent Great Britain in Canada this summer for the Centenary celebrations. They will have disciplinary responsibility for the contingent over 100 from Britain.

1,000 Scouts by 190 is Penarth Target

Mr Leslie Brook, District Commissioner for the Penarth and District Scout Association for the past seven years leaves the post this month to become Assistant County Commissioner for Cub Scouts. At the annual general meeting of the local association, he said he felt compelled to take the new post, knowing how badly help was needed in the larger organisation of the county. His successor as District Commissioner will be Norman Godfrey of 14th (Penarth), All Saints’. In his report to the meeting, Mr Brooke said that for the seventh consecutive year, the number of Scouts has risen and now neared 700.