One of its leading figures was Walter Conway, the only member over 30, and an orphan raised in the local workhouse.
Rather against the popular perception of neglect and brutality the name often evokes, the master of the house had taught Conway to read and write and given him a lifelong love of learning.
This was something he shared in common with Bevan.
In 1915, Conway beat 50 other applicants to become secretary of the Tredegar Medical Aid Society.
As in other towns, workers formed the society by contributing a small payment from their wages, to cover costs when medical needs arose.
During Conway’s time in charge, the society expanded from a membership of 5,000 at its start to 20,000 by the time of his death in 1933, representing 95% of the town.
They had access to doctors, nurses, dentists, and hospitals.
Wives, children and non-miners were all admitted, changing this health service for workers into a universal one – for Tredegar, at least.
The other change was led by the Query Club.
They knew all the important institutions of the town – the council, the hospital board, the workingmen’s club, even the medical aid society itself – were dominated by board members who belonged to the major power in the town, the Tredegar Iron and Coal Company, with an interest in keeping power in the hands of the well-to-do.
As members of the emerging Labour party and committed socialists, they set their sights on changing that.
