Aberbechan, Powys

Memories of Kerry

It always felt great to be in the town of Kerry. It was the halfway stop to our holiday in a Towyn caravan with no toilet. Dad always used to make a joke of visiting the Toilidoos. He could not pronounce the Welsh version. The old rattling Hillman Hunter estate always pulled up outside those famous bogs year in year out.... [more]

My uncle Clem built the Lychgate

My Uncle Clem built the Lychgate, he was a carpenter who later lived at Cefn Caled Kerry. He was the son of Harry Griffiths, tailor and famous choirmaster from Bettws who lived at Pentre Lifior Cottage. My cousin Ray still lives in Newtown.

Glansevern Lodge

My gran, Mrs Evans, used to live at Glansevern Lodge, a loveley old sandstone building with trees all around it, and big rhododenderon bushes. It was a long wallk from the pump we used to get water from up to the house. We used to have an old outside toilet 20 yards from the house, which was very cold to get... [more]

Days gone by

Attended Sunday school in the village school in the 1950s, and went to church sometimes, too. All a very long time ago of course, bearing in mind today is the 1st of January 2008. 2 sets of Grandparents, and at least 25 other relatives are resting in the churchyard, some quite close to the entrance.

The rope swing at the Leighton bridge

I remember spending many a summer swimming at this spot. Then they seemed to be long hot summers but maybe that's the memory loss of an older man. I noticed that the rope was stiil hanging from the tree which was used to swing out into the river. This would have been in the mid 1950s and so much has changed.... [more]

THE TRAIN THAT CROSSED THE STREET

From my childhood in Welshpool in the 1940s and 50s I have fond memories of the little steam train which crossed over Church Street, originally on a daily basis then later on Mondays only, carrying livestock from farms in the Llanfair Caereinion area to and from the Smithfield Market in Welshpool. My grandfather was one of the engine drivers who drove... [more]

Fishing by the Bridge

This picture brings back fond memories of my childhood, I remember fishing in the pool just under these trees, I caught my first pike and perch there and I was only 11 yrs old. There used to be a beach just next to the pool and I remember other older fishermen, fishing there, casting across the river and landing 6-8lb chub,... [more]

Childhood in Welshpool

I was born & spent my childhood in Welshpool. St Mary's was our Parish Church, it has beautiful stained glass windows which always fascinated me as a child. I was christened and confirmed in this Church and later in May 1965 my husband and I were married there by the Curate, the Reverand Michael Butler. I remember that it was... [more]