Alf Gordon (far left) in the Shot Firing competition at the 1950 National Eisteddfod in Caerphilly. The Shot Firing and Gas Testing competition would include 'Practical and oral examination. Due regard will be paid to the Candidates' knowledge of the explosives used in coalmines, and of the gases produced by the use of such explosives, and of the steps taken to prevent the possibility of explosion when detonating charges at the Coal face.'