On Thursday 17 June Y Bont Faen WI met yet again via Zoom to listen to a presentation by Dean Powell, on the life and work of the Welsh actor Glyn Houston. Dean has had a lengthy career as Master of Ceremonies, author, historian and broadcaster. However, his reputation as an excellent Guest Speaker is well known and we were all ears!

Dean explained Glyn and his brother, Donald had a difficult start in life as their father had left Wales to find work, eventually abandoning the family. Tragically their mother died of a heart condition aged 29.

However, their widowed grandmother turned out be a capable and determined woman, who started her own milk round in their hometown of Tonypandy. She managed to give them a settled upbringing and Glyn his first job delivering milk. Later Donald joined "The Pilgrim Players", a travelling stage company. Donald's success persuaded Glyn to join.

We learnt that Donald was blonde with matinee idol looks which eventually led to stardom with films such as The Longest Day,1962 and Where Eagle Dare, 1968. On the other hand, Glyn's route to fame was more tortuous.

Glyn tried a variety of jobs, including being a labourer at Cardiff Dock and working for Bristol Aeroplane Company. During the Second World War he enlisted in ENSA (Entertainments National Service Association) and tried his hand at comedy but eventually decided that acting was more his forte. After the war, he did seem to be stuck in bit parts while the other regular members of the Welsh Rat Pack Richard Burton, Stanley Baker and his brother, Donald, were gaining fame starring in film roles. They were also a hard drinking, hell raising group and eventually Glyn decided he had had enough on two fronts. He looked to the new medium of television to develop his career and split from the group and became teetotal and later a Buddhist. Glyn became a familiar face on British TV especially in police and detective series.

Dean then explained the intriguing title of Glyn's biography. When visiting the United States a fellow golfer recognised Glyn's face and enquired if he was one of the actors from the 'black and white' film era before films in colourisation evolved. Glyn took that to mean he had not achieved real stardom. On the other hand, Glyn's star shone brightly in his private life. Compared to most fellow Welsh Rat Pack members,

Glyn lived a life of personal happiness staying married to Shirley Lawrence all his life. Due to his decision to change his lifestyle Glyn lived to the ripe old age of 93 years, in contrast to his other close contemporaries who died relatively young. His brother Donald died of a stroke aged 67, Richard Burton drank himself to death age 59.

Dean concluded the talk with an amusing anecdote. Glyn continued to work, mostly doing voiceovers almost until his death, but his appearances in two Dr Who Series, which are still screened around the world today, kept him in royalties well into old age. Glyn referred to them as his pension!

This talk produced great feedback from members and it is hoped Dean can return to give another presentation from his extensive list of subjects in future.