Blaenavon choir say goodbye to 'favourite son' (From Free Press Series)

Blaenavon choir say goodbye to 'favourite son'

RUGBY and running hero Ken Jones, one of Gwent's greatest ever sportsmen, was laid to rest yesterday.

Mourners, including many rugby legends, packed a small church in Blaenavon to pay tribute to a true sporting great.

Mr Jones, who died aged 84 at his Newport home last week, played rugby for Newport, Wales and the Lions, and was a sprint star, winning a silver medal in the 1948 London Olympics.

His coffin was covered in flowers, including a red floral rugby ball and the Prince of Wales' feathers that adorn the Welsh rugby shirt Ken Jones was proud to wear 44 times.

He made his name on the rugby fields of Rodney Parade and Cardiff Arms Park, but yesterday sporting legend Ken Jones, "a true Valley boy", was buried in his home town of Blaenavon.

More than 200 mourners gathered in St Peter's Church to remember his life, including rugby stars of yesteryear.

Former playing colleague Brian Jones paid tribute to a "Welsh sporting legend," an icon of both rugby and athletics, and a "great friend and team mate."

He spoke about Ken's early life and how he married his childhood sweetheart Irene, who only accepted his proposal after he shaved off his moustache.

Mr Jones spoke about Ken's amazing rugby career and his 44 Welsh caps.

Mr Jones said Irene and son Philip were delighted that so many former team-mates attended the funeral.

He said: "Rugby friendships forged on the field lasted a lifetime. The Newport team of those years was, in Ken's own words the finest ever to wear the black and amber."

Mr Jones said Ken actually won the gold medal in the 4x100m relay in the 1948 London Olympics after the US team was disqualified.

But the decision was reversed 24 hours later and Ken was given the silver.

On December 19, 1953, in the first Wales home international ever screened live on TV, Ken Jones scored the match-winning try against the All Blacks.

Mr Jones said: "Welsh rugby followers throughout the world still refer to it as 'the try they will never forget'.

"It ensured Ken his place in Welsh rugby folklore."

But, said Mr Jones, when asked to name the most memorable moment of his life, Ken said that without a doubt it was the birth of his only son Philip. The Blaenavon male voice choir sang rousing versions of Myfanwy and Gwahoddiad, a fitting musical tribute to their town's most famous son.