OUR Community Champion this week is Ken Jones who has devoted decades to supporting the school he attended as a child.

As a child, Ken Jones used to play in the grounds of Pontnewydd Primary School even before he started attending in 1966.

He left in 1971 to attend secondary school but he never really said goodbye.

Many years later his children Nadine, now 25 and Cameron, 21 both attended the school, during which time he became a parent governor.

In 1995 just a few years after becoming a governor, he was elected as the chairman and remained in the role until he decided to call time in January of this year after racking up 20 years of service as a governor.

He said: "It has been a privilege to serve the governors and the school. My decision to stand down was not one I made lightly but I thought the time had come to move on and let someone else take the reins."

A special assembly was held at the school to mark his retirement.

Headteacher Kerry Walters and new chairman of governors Allan Tait spoke warmly of Ken's contribution to the school.

At the end of the assembly the school's head boy and head girl presented Mr Jones with a parting gift.

Mr Jones was pleasantly surprised and touched by the presentation of a Welsh rugby shirt.

"I really wasn't expecting anything," he said.

"I'm a keen rugby fan and even used to help referee matches at the school. The assembly was really moving but I managed to keep it together. I do get quite emotional at times, I felt very proud."

Mr Jones said everyone was shocked by his decision to step down as he had been involved with the school for so long.

"I decided over the Christmas period that I was going to leave the school after so many years, even my partner was more than surprised by my decision and kept asking me if I was sure.

"The unpaid role is extremely important and a major part of the community.

"Head teachers deal with the day-to-day running of schools but governors have to make many decisions in the background.

"I was involved with appointing two head teachers in my time."

"I thoroughly enjoyed being a governor," he said.