Cas Smith: A Cherished Force in Welsh Folk Music Passes Away at 78
Cas Smith, a revered and much-loved personality on the south Wales folk music scene for more than four decades, has died at the age of 78. Her passing marks the end of an era for the community she so passionately served.
Early Life and Move to Wales
Born Carolyn Turner in Hellesdon, Norfolk, Cas was the only child of Phyllis, a Gas Board secretary, and Neville Turner, a shoe factory foreman. The family relocated to Leicester, where she attended Wyggeston Grammar School for Girls before qualifying as a state-registered nurse at Leicester Royal Infirmary in 1965-66. It was during this time that she immersed herself in the local jazz scene and met her future husband, journalist Rodney Smith.
The couple married in 1968 and moved to Bristol, where Cas worked at the Royal Infirmary until the birth of their daughter, Claire, in 1972. In 1974, the family settled in south Wales, initially in Pontypridd, then Porthcawl, before finally making their home in the Swansea Valley in 1979.
Immersion in the Folk Scene and Pontardawe Festival
Upon arriving in the Swansea Valley, Cas and her family quickly became integral parts of the local folk music community. She threw herself into the annual Pontardawe International Music Festival, where her natural organisational skills and warm, cheerful personality made an immediate impact. Known as a true people person, she excelled in various roles, including public relations, publicity, craft market organiser, and even festival director.
Her ability to get things done without seeming overbearing earned her the reputation of a force of nature. Cas famously hosted countless visiting musicians at her family home, which she affectionately named Oysterbeds after the Oyster Band became regular overnight guests.
Contributions Beyond the Festival
At the Valley Folk Club in Pontardawe, Cas was often the first to arrive, greeting attendees at the door, collecting entry fees, and energetically selling raffle tickets with her distinctive cry of Raffle tickets, raffle tickets! Her technological savvy was invaluable; she created the Casbar website and gig list, which kept the Welsh folk community informed about events across the region.
When her daughter was young, Cas took on part-time roles, returning to full-time work at Sancta Maria Hospital in Swansea in the early 1980s after Claire started secondary school. Outside of music, she enjoyed gardening, cooking, knitting, crochet, travel, and learning Welsh, becoming a trusted friend and confidante to many.
Personal Life and Legacy
Cas and Rod divorced in 1989, and the following year, she met Malcolm Weindling, who became her partner. Together, they travelled extensively until Malcolm's death in June of last year. Cas is survived by her daughter, Claire, and her grandsons, Aaron and Tomos.
Her legacy as a welcoming, energetic, and dedicated figure in Welsh folk music will be fondly remembered by all who knew her.
