Neil Harries

Studied Modern Languages in Cardiff and, as a result, lived in France for a year. On graduation I went down another exotic route - I worked in a bank in Bogota, Colombia in South America. Returned home after a year and entered teaching. It always grabbed the attention when a CV opened with ‘worked in South America’.

Entered the education management of Mid Glamorgan LEA in 1974 and eventually retired in 2000 as Director of Education, Leisure and a lot of etceteras at Caerphilly C.B.C – missed ‘cemeteries’ by the skin of my teeth!

In 2000 I created the ‘National Grid for Learning – Cymru’ for the WAG. In 2001 I was invited be a Royal Commissioner for the Royal Commission on the Ancient & Historical Monuments of Wales. Duly received my letter of appointment from the Palace and served for 10 years, eventually as its vice chairman. I am proud to have been the first non historian/archaeologist to be appointed a RCAHMW Commissioner.

I have been a Cardiff supporter since 1956, a CAC member since 1967, and a shareholder since 2003. I have been involved in sports management over the years. I served as team manager to the Glamorgan S.S.A.A.A., chaired the Ski Council of Wales and for 5 years served as a Director of the British Ski Federation.

I am proud that my two sons have season tickets alongside me – one is also a shareholder - and we have been joined in the last year by the elder grandson, who plays for the Pentrych RFC under 13s. My younger grandson plays in the St Peter’s RFC under 8s squad. I have had a life-long devotion to Jazz and Classical Music, build model railways when I have time, and I live for a part of the year in Spain.