----- Original Message -----
From: JB&MJ Davies
To: Mel Williams
Sent: Thursday, March 01, 2012 11:14 AM
Subject: Mr.Jolly,80.STILL CYCLES
From the 1964 Burry Port Star
MR.JOLLY, 80, STILL CYCLES
A well known Burry Port figure will have completed 50 years of unbroken service with the
British Railways on Monday next. He is Mr.Charles Jolly,of Elkington road, living at
present with his daughter and family.
When Mr.Jolly came to Burry Port he was a professional gardener, having kept the grounds
of some distinguished people, including the Marquis of Queensbury. He spent the first 21
years of his life at home in Chislehurst, and spent some years in the West Country before
coming to Wales.
It was in Burry Port at the age of 31, that he joined the Gwendraeth Valley railway line
at the instigation of his employer. He later became Harbour Master, a position he was to
hold for many years.
It was during this time that Miss Amelia Earheart landed her aeroplane on the sands of
Burry Port beach.
To Mr.Jolly fell the responsibility of looking after the plane, with strict instructions
to phone the Ashburnham Hotel if she sank! That was in 1928.
Now over 80, Mr.Jolly still rides his bicycle on his inspections of the town's
waterworks, and his unique achievement will be honoured when his story appears in the next
issue of the Railway Gazette.
Another remarkable fact is that Mr.Jolly has never lost a day's work through illness,
nor has he ever claimed unemployment benifit.
1911 census
17,Camden Grove,Chislehurst,Kent
William Jolly Head 49 chapel keeper Chislehurst
Harriet Jolly Wife 53 33 9.5.4 Framlingham
Emma Jolly Dau 30 s cook Chislehurst
Charley Jolly Son 27 m gardener Chislehurst
Fred Jolly Son 22 s golf club maker Chislehurst
May Jolly Dau 15 dress maker Chislehurst
Barrie