THE NEW £84,000 Llandough Primary School was officially opened last Friday afternoon by Mr James Cllaghan MP., who said he was sure it would carry on the fine tradition of the old Llandough Church School, which was blitzed in 1941.

Mr Callaghan said: “I have a particular interest in the school, because 17 years ago I was asked by the Rev. Vivian Thomas if I would help with the provision of a new school for Llandough.

”At that time Llandough was not so big that it was not proposed to replace the old church school.

“But as Llandough grew, parents came to me and particularly to County Councillor, Mrs Dora Mitchell and asked if we could get a school for the area.

“In 1967, Secretary of State, Mr Anthony Crossland told Glamorgan that if they could put a school for Llandough in their building programme he could find the funds.”

Mr Callaghan said that there was a slight delay, but the building of the school eventually got under way and he added: “Now here I am landing on this platform.”

County Alderman, Lord Llewellyn Heycock, Chairman of Glamorgan Education Committee, who presided, said that the Authority was responsible for the education of 130,000 children and 500 schools in the county.

He said that seven new schools had been built in Penarth since 1953, at a cost of nearly £500,000.

Earlier, the County Architect, Mr W. L. Mort had handed the key to Mr James Callaghan who formally opened the school.

A commemorative tablet was then unveiled.

In the marquee, Chairman of Penarth Council, Cllr Harold Toye welcomed the gathering and the school was dedicated by the Rector of Llandough, the Rev. P. Mudge.

Items were performed by the school folk group, and the school choir, and the vote of thanks was given by County Alderman P. J. Smith and County Cllr Mrs Dora Mitchell.