Emyr Currie-Jones CBE (1917–2008) was a local Labour Party politician in Cardiff, Wales. He was Chairman of South Glamorgan County Council and known for his role in introducing Welsh-language education in Cardiff. He has been described as "an outstanding example of a local councillor who steered Welsh-medium education through many a political storm."

Background

Currie-Jones was born on 17 January 1917 in Caernarfon, North Wales, to Grace Currie and Lewis Jones. He was a fluent Welsh-speaker and went to the Caernarvon County School before graduating from

University College, Aberystwyth Aberystwyth University ( cy, Prifysgol Aberystwyth) is a Public university, public Research university, research university in Aberystwyth, Wales. Aberystwyth was a founding member institution of the former federal University of Wales. The universi ...

, where he shared accommodation with Emyr Humphreys. Currie-Jones subsequently became a solicitor in Cardiff. He married Mary Catherine Jones.

Legal career

Currie-Jones became a solicitor in Cardiff and was prosecuting solicitor for the

Cardiff City Council Cardiff City Council was the local government district authority that administered the city of Cardiff, capital of Wales, from 1974 until 1996. The district council replaced the pre-1974 county borough council. It was succeeded in 1996 by Car ...

from 1950 to 1955. He became a partner in the legal firm, Rees, Currie-Jones, Davies and Evans, based in

Castle Arcade The Castle Arcade is a shopping arcade in Cardiff, South Wales. Started in 1887, it runs south from opposite Cardiff Castle, and then turns east to exit on the High Street, north of St Mary Street, in the Castle Quarter. One of the longer ...

and was also president of the Cardiff and District Law Society. He retired from the legal practice in 1987.

Politics and public service

Currie-Jones was elected as a Labour councillor on Cardiff City Council in 1966, becoming Chairman of the Education Committee, subsequently losing his council seat but being re-elected in 1971 for the Cathays ward. Upon the creation of South Glamorgan, Currie-Jones became the first Chairman of South Glamorgan County Council, from 1973 to 1975. He represented the Cathays ward from 1973 to 1977, losing his seat at the 1977 election. He was re-elected to the Council for the

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and Trelai wards from 1981 to 1989. As Chairman of the Education Committee on Cardiff City Council he successfully laid the foundation for Cardiff's first Welsh-medium school, Glantaff High School. Against strong opposition to the idea, he persuaded the National Union of Teachers (NUT) and the Conservative spokesman on the Welsh language, to back him. He was awarded a CBE in the

1976 New Year Honours The New Year Honours 1976 were appointments in many of the Commonwealth realms of Queen Elizabeth II to various orders and honours to reward and highlight good works by citizens of those countries. They were announced on 1 January 1976 to celebra ...

for social and local government services in South Wales. Currie-Jones was also a member of the Welsh Joint Education Committee, the Council of the University College of Cardiff and

Welsh Language Council Welsh may refer to: Related to Wales * Welsh, referring or related to Wales * Welsh language, a Brittonic Celtic language spoken in Wales * Welsh people People * Welsh (surname) * Sometimes used as a synonym for the ancient Britons (Celtic peopl ...

. He was honorary President of the

National Eisteddfod of Wales The National Eisteddfod of Wales (Welsh language, Welsh: ') is the largest of several eisteddfodau that are held annually, mostly in Wales. Its eight days of competitions and performances are considered the largest music and poetry festival in Eur ...

when came to Cardiff in 2008, also Chairman of the organising committee. Currie-Jones died on 13 October 2008, aged 91.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Currie-Jones, Emyr 1917 births 2008 deaths Alumni of Aberystwyth University Members of South Glamorgan County Council Councillors in Cardiff Leaders of local authorities of Wales People from Caernarfon Welsh Labour councillors Welsh-speaking politicians