These are the stories that were hitting the headlines 50 years ago in the South Wales Guardian.

FOUR weeks after a Penybanc teenager disappeared while on his way to school there was still no word from the youngster.

The 15-year-old, who was thought to have run away to sea two days after both his mother and uncle were taken to hospital, had been featured on the hit TV show Police Five but his whereabouts remained a mystery.

A 35-YEAR-OLD sailor from Tairgwaith was missing presumed drowned after disappearing from a navy ship during manoeuvres off the coast of Malta.

Despite extensive searches by both Royal Navy and RAF teams off the coast of the Mediterranean island, the body of the able seaman remained lost at sea.

THIEVES broke in to the offices of a Garnant building firm and “cracked” the safe, before making off with around £170.

Nothing else was stolen during the raid although various drawers and cabinets were ransacked.

AMMANFORD Chamber of Trade announced that all the shops in the town would be closed on July 29 for the annual shop assistants outing to the seaside.

BETWS Recreational and Social Club was thrown into turmoil following a row over falling bar takings and the installation of one-armed bandits at the venue.

A full committee meeting to discuss the drop in profits descended into chaos, culminating in a fist-fight between two committee members and the resignation of the chairman of the social club.

This week in history

July 10, 2000: One in four British homes is now using the internet according to figures released by the government.

July 11, 1960: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is first published, in the United States.

July 12, 1962: The Rolling Stones perform their first concert, at London’s Marquee Club.

July 13, 1985: The Live Aid concert for the starving in Africa, the world’s biggest rock festival held in London and Philadelphia, raises £30m.

July 14, 1928: Sliced bread is sold for the first time (on the inventor’s 48th birthday) by the Chillicothe Baking Company of Chillicothe, Missouri.

July 15, 1997: Italian fashion designer Gianni Versace is shot dead on the steps of his Miami mansion.

July 16, 1993: Britain’s internal security service, MI5, holds the first photocall in its 84-year history.