Aberbargoed memories
Here are memories of Aberbargoed and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Aberbargoed or a Aberbargoed photo.
I Lived in Aberbargoed 1965-2008
I was born in Cwrt Coch Street, Aberbargoed in 1965. I remember I used to sit in Chris the cobbler's shop for hours chatting, his shop was a mess but he was good. When I was about 10 I was sat on the pavement waiting for my mam to come home from work, when the work bus with the pit men came down the street and went into the wall and knocked it down on top of me. I was taken to hospital in Aberbargoed and was lucky I was only bruised. I went to Bedwellty Comp from 1977-1982. I remember Gatties and Hathaways, Williams papershop, the old tip which is flattened now, we used to have great times when we were young, I miss it all.
ABERBARGOED
I was born in Pill, Newport, Mon, in 1938 and with my grandmother Charlotte Selina Jane Rossiter used to visit relatives in Aberbargoed. As in other memories, I shall never forget passing beneath the endless drums in the air transporting waste from the mines to the tips that to a child resembled huge mountains, the memory of miners' cottages and backyards with their outside toilets and the zinc bath hung on fences or the rear of the houses will forever be in my memory. Later in life I became a firman on the GWR and worked many early miners trains out of Newport to Aberbargoed and Tredegar. I cannot remember any relatives now but if anyone remembers my grandmother I would love to hear from them. Ernest
Paperboy
I was a paperboy from 1967-1970. My round was from Cliff Davies shop to the top of the pit past the old St Margaret's factory and on I walked to Brittania, it was a newish estate then. Some mornings I got a lift off Dai Radford the milkman in his very rare Landrover milk float.
Youth Club
It's funny, you are right, the dance always ended in a fight. They had some good bands though.
Aberbargoed
I was born in Aberbargoed in 1949 - I can also remember the buckets going over the main road and riding them holding on the side and dropping! My gran lived in the side streets. I used to deliver newspapers in the morning from Dai Hughes to Pant Street etc and when I was a kid I used to help deliver bread from the Wonderloaf van for several years -more to drive the van than for the money! Dai (the Bread) - real name Alan - was from Abertillery, a lovely bloke who liked cricket and a pint at the Coal Hole. I went to Bedwellty Grammar - Mother died in 2000 after living in Aberbargoed all her 86 years. I left in 1972 after working for Bedwellty Council on top by the duff crossing - I think it's flats now.
Nostalgia 1956 - 1980
I lived in Aberbargoed from 1956 until I got married in 1980. I loved the youth club on Pant Street. Started going when I was 12. We had some great dances there which usually ended up in a massive fight! I often wonder what happened to some of the people I went to school with. I can remember the buckets going across from Bargoed to Bedwellty. We used to play over the field under the buckets. My brother told me how he used to ride them when he was a young boy, he fell from the girder once and fractured his skull! No health and safety those days and no computers, we were out playing until dark sometimes.
Meeting Friends And Having Fun
I can remember meeting my 'first boyfriend' David Harding when I was 14, and him buying me my first Welsh doll. And having lovely walks up the 'Grieg' and being able to watch the wild horses, and actually sitting on the back of a huge white wild horse my cousin managed to catch. And collecting blackberries, and picking holly up near Bedwelty church, and being scared to death when taking a short cut through the churchyard, and going to the 'Tin Shed' for bread for my mum.
Riding The Buckets And Other Daft Things.
I remember when we would ride the buckets from Bargoed Pit to Brittania across the river, our big rope swing by Angel Lane and teasing the Pit Bobby. How we survived I'll never know. I think we learned more about elf'n safety the natural way than all the over-paid 'experts' could in a lifetime of courses that they have attended, I'm still kicking in my middle age...
Sliding
I remember sliding down the quarry on Markham Road. When I got to the bottom a man gave me a clout for being so daft. I bet he would not get away with it nowadays.
Swimming
Nearly forgot about the quarry on the Markham road. Lucky to be still alive with all the dead sheep in there.
1970-1980
Loved the youth club on Pant Street . Also the gym with boxing, weights, football, judo etc. The snooker hall was great and the famous cafe Aserattis Gattis with the pinball, wurlittzer, bottles of coke and the steamed pies. And the annual Balfour Barry trips. What a life.
Memories of Mid Glamorgan
Wartime Bargoed
In February 1942, I and thirty other children from Northfield in Birmingham, were evacuated to Bargoed. I was taken in by Mrs Parker, who lived with her husband and Daughter, Phyliss, at 8 Plasnewydd Street.
My life in Bargoed was idylic, I had great friends at Bargoed Inf and Junior School, I had the Graig to play on and so much space, it was out of this world.
Maybe I will return to Bargoed for a short visit. The only thing that stops me is my memories of this quiet bit of heaven may be shattered.
My heart will always remain in Bargoed, God's little acre.
Thank you Bargoed and all your wonderful people.
Bargoed, 1956-78
I lived at 31 East View, from 1956 until I went to college. I was the son of Edgar Howells and Myfannwy [in fact they were my guardians from 1956 onwards]. My story really unfolded big style in 1992-2001, and I made some fantastic discoveries.The story can be found on HTTP://art-science.com/agfhs/d_auer.html
Dave Howells.
The Cameo Cinema, Bargoed.
I grew up in the Bargoed area, in Cardiff Road to be precise! It was Gladestone Villa which is now known as the Parc Hotel or Reds. My parents were divorced and my mam and I lived with my grandparents there. Every Saturday my father used to come to see me and take me out to places, one of them was the Cameo Cinema at the bottom of Bargoed where the Job Centre is now, it used to be called the Palace. The film my dad took me to see was the 1976 remake of 'King Kong', being about seven at the time this was really exciting for me. Now sadly the cinema has gone. I think the cinema should return with the new retail project that is planned. Great memories.
The History of The Parc Hotel, Bargoed.
The Parc Hotel aka 'Reds' is located in Cardiff Road in Bargoed, it was once a residential property and was once called 'Gladstone Villa' and was split into four flats, the property and its surounding area has quite a history. It is not quite known how far the building dates back to but one of the early residents, Edgar Mills, claimed it to be haunted! in 1960. The Higgs family moved there but made no such claim, that is until 1969 when the Dexter family were there and said they could hear noises that started in the attic and eventually occupied the main bedroom! The family claimed to hear such noises like footsteps in the bedroom, the sound of dragging furniture, doors slamming and apparitions. One of the members of the family claimed to have seen the figure of a monk! Not surprising if you know the history of the 'RAFA Club' which is situated directly opposite the hotel. The RAFA Club dates back to the 17th century... Read more
The Y Graig Junior School, Bargoed.
I attended the Y Graig Junior School that was in Llancayo Street in Bargoed from September 1976 to July 1980. The head master at that time was Mr Borrot. I started off in Mrs Williams class and I can still remember the pupils in my class! I can also still remember Mr Nicholas, Mr Tim Jones, Mr Ashton, Mrs Mills, and Mr Roberts, and even the school caretaker Mr Jennings! The school day trips to Dan yr Ogof was memorable, and the Christmas plays, I can still remember my lines! The school is sadly no longer there, butI I often think back to those days!
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