Aberbeeg memories
Here are memories of Aberbeeg and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Aberbeeg or a Aberbeeg photo.
Mam And Dad Memory
My dad worked in the brewery and my mam worked in the Hanbry and also my father's family came from Aberbeeg and I have been looking for some things about the Parson family who lived in Abergeeg . My dad's name is Arthur Parsons and my mam is Brenda Parsons - was Miller,
Woodmans Cottage
My grandmother and grandfather, Francis and Issac Waters, lived and brought up their family at Woodmans Cottage, Aberbeeg, my grandfather was woodman there working for Pontypool Estates. I was told of many happy memories of life in Aberbeeg by my mother Thelma, now sadly died, she lived there with her brothers and sisters Jack, Phylis, Alice, Myrtle, Olive and Arthur Waters. My Aunt Olive also lived at Railway Cottage when she married Tom Rendle, so I, as a child, had happy memories of waving to the trains as they went past. Also shopping at Kibbys store, I was sad on visiting the church recently to see it was now closed and hope some plans can be made to save it soon? My mum had many tales to tell of playing up the Dram road and the Dingle, if anyone has any info or memories of the Waters family I would love to hear from you!
Aberbeeg
I moved to Aberbeeg with my parents, Ron and Edith Burnett, in1957. We lived there for 5 years. We lived up on the hill across from the church in the Foresters House. Dr. Edwards was our next door neighbour. My years there were relatively happy except for the fact that my brother, Michael, was killed at Six Bells. He was 17 years old. That's the saddest thing that ever happened to me. One of my best friends was Janet Pyle. I also had a huge crush on Alan Kibby. He lived three houses away. He would take me out once in a while, to see a movie. He was always very nice to me and a perfect gentleman. I would go to his house to offer to walk their dog just to see him. His mother was very happy with that because they had a huge energetic Airedale. I used to love to go to the rugby games in Abertillery. I was a great fan of Haydn Morgan and John... Read more
WEBBS BREWERY & SIX BELLS COLLIERY
I grew up in Aberbeeg as Pat Howells. Everyone knew the Howells as my dad, Doug, was one of 8 children. My uncle worked in the brewery for many years and I grew up in Woodland Terrace and had to pass the brewery at the end of the road every day to go to school. I also remember the old stables on the square for the brewery dram horses. Dr. Edwards had his surgery in the old hay lofts above. I have extremely fond memories of the Switchgear Father Christmas sleigh that used to travel the valleys. Everyone used to brave the cold weather in the square for a chance to tell him what we wanted for Christmas. I left school in 1970 a year after the brewery had closed. I emigrated to Cape Town South Africa in 1976 and I relish telling people I meet, that I grew up in a street, in a small Welsh valley, that had a coalmine at the top end (Six Bells) and a... Read more
Pantddu Farm And Aberbeeg
I grew up in the farm in the picture. My parents were Ern and Megan Sheppard. Dad delivered milk for many years, initially from churns carried around in a horse and cart and later the milk was in glass bottles from a delivery van. They kept the farm looking so nice. They whitewashed the house every few years and Mum had a lovely flower garden. A gentleman drew a picture of her garden for his wife to embroider. I used to go with my father sometimes 'helping' him deliver milk. I loved going to Brondeg as there was a wonderful boat swing in the garden and as a special treat I could have a short swing. I too remember Jones the barber as it was my job sometimes to take my brother Alan to get his hair cut. We would buy mint humbugs at Lou Pooles. There used to be a blacksmith near to where the doctor's surgery was. I used... Read more
Brondeg
I lived in Brondeg from 1953 until 1965 when the house was demolished to make way for the by-pass. Daddy was the general manager of Webbs brewery and W. J. Jones was the managing director. They lived next door to us until Uncle Bill retired and Mr Snazell took over as M.D. At that point Mr L. Newman and his wife and family moved in next door to us and we were there until the house was demolished.
I was at school with Anne Collins the daughter of Mr and Mrs Collins, the people who ran the Hanbury Hotel. We went first to Ty'r Graig school and then to Abertillery Grammar School.
I remember Brondeg as a wonderful house to grow up in - but on looking back I don't think I would have wanted to look after... Read more
The Dixons in Aberbeeg
I too found this site by accident. My great-grandfather John Dixon was the manager of Webbs Brewery in the 1920s, where my grandfather John Dixon jnr (Jack) was brewer. John Dixon lived in the brewery house known as Brondeg and Jack lived with his family in the brewery house known as The Firs. My sister and I have often listened to tales of Aberbeeg told by our mother, Mary, who had a lovely childhood there. Our parents took us to see 'The Firs' in the 60's. I returned with my husband in 2000 sadly to find that Brondeg and The Firs had been knocked down to make way for the Bypass. Grandad Jack was a local councillor and artist, running evening classes which were attended by the local miners. I have a lovely painting which was possibly the work of a gentleman called Danny Bowen. Jack painted scenes on the inside walls of a local pub, might have been the Hanbury? Jack's painting of the nativity hangs in the... Read more
Kibby Grocers
My Grandfather was Harry Kibby the Stores, Aberbeeg Bakers & Grocers. I remember visiting as a child every Saturday and sweeping the yard, my reward was a bottle of Coca Cola, unknown in those days. I collected my Beano from Lou Poole's shop over the little bridge and got a haircut at Mr Jones the Barber where there was a lttle window to check who was waiting. My grandad was a great friend of Mr Collins the Hanbury, he may have been his best customer. My mother was Clara and a friend of Lilian Collins. I remember the Carnival in 1953 and the crowning of the May Queen. I also had a job taking slices of oranges over the bridge to the football field for the players, hoping that they might leave one for me. My uncles Arthur and Harry junior played football and rugby for Aberbeeg.
Webbs Brewery-Hanbury Hotel
My husband worked at Webbs brewery from 1953-1956 as chief engineer. We lived at 3 Brewery Terrace (opposite the brewery). We often used the Hanbury Hotel and my husband knew Howard Collins I remember he was a very nice man and his wife also. My husband had an apprentice who lived in Aberbeeg but I can't remember his name. I also remember Mr Jones was the head of the brewery and lived in the house at the back of the cottages we lived in and the head brewer lived in a house just past us. I also remember a shop was just across from the pub. I also remember how surprised I was that women were not allowed in the bar and we had to sit in the lounge (no one else ever was in there). We had come to live in Wales because of the job and it was so different from Bristol. I must admit I did not like it at all and went home to Bristol most... Read more
The Hanbury Hotel
My grandfather was Howard Collins who was licensee at the Hanbury for many years.In the mid 50,s as a boy i would visit my grandfather with my mum Lilian and the smell of the hopps from the webb,s brewery at the rear of the Hanbury can never be forgotten.I am presently researching my family history anyone with info about Howard or his first wife my grandmother and mother to my mother Lilian perhaps you can post it in messages.My mother was Lilian Collins before she married Tom Maloney who died in the Indian army in the early 40,s she then married my father Keith Adams of Abertillery in 1946.
Memories of Gwent
Bynithel
I was born in Llanhilleth during 1944, but the last time I visited the place of my birth was during 1979 when my mother and I stayed with my Auntie Ethel who lived on the Hafodorthan estate. On one occasion I looked out of her front living room window across the valley for forty-five minutes. Auntie Ethel could not understand this and remarked that there was nothing to see. I had to remind her that I had lived in London for the past forty years' and all I saw was bricks and mortar from my flat: seeing all the greenary looking down the valley was quite refreshing and the air was cleaner too.
Growing up
I grew up in Richmond Terrance, Six Bells, spending my childhhod there. I have nothing but happy memories. My nan and grandad used to take me up the mountains where we spent many good days by the stream and the park. There used to be a great toy shop up the road from Nan's. She was a very special person. If anyone could remember her it would be great. She did a lot of work for the Salvation Army, her name was Ethel Islip and we lived in the end house by the lane.
Childhood to Marriage
MY first memory of"LLan"was driving down the hill from Swffryyd, to my new home at No.6 High Street. My father Thomas Hughes, with my mother Eileen, had purchased Barttlets Grocery Store,a long held wish of my fathers to own his own grocery business..after early years as a grocers 'lad' and enforced war years, ensconed in the centre of birmingham as a tool maker turning out precision parts for the war. I was 7yrs old, my sister Janice 5. As a lad from "Brum"being accepted into a close welsh society was difficult to say the least, and many an altercation was on the cards in the first few months. Junior School for both of us was at LLanhilleth Junior, high on the hill behind the main street, good days, but still ruled in the old manner,by cane and slipper, but with no lasting harm. Secondary for me was Brynhyfryd , there only for a year before ,on failing my 11 plus, won a scholarship to AbertilleryTtechnical, which was to give me one of... Read more
Llanhilleth
I was born in my aunt's [Ciss Smith] house in Caefelin Street, Llanhilleth, during late 1944, early in the morning. At the same time a girl named Angela [Simpkins] was born in the house opposite at the same time. My Aunt Ciss was holding me up at the front upstairs window to show the family that I was born whilst Angela's relations was doing the same thing in reverse.
One of my earliest memories was when I was aged about two/three years'. I was sitting in a pram outside Angela's house with my aunt and mother who were in conversation with Angela's mother. Angela and I leant out of our respective prams and started kissing each and our respective relations started laughing.
My parents and I moved to London a few years later so that my father could find a better job as he did not want to work in the local pit. My Aunt Ciss and her husband Charlie used to spend their summer and Christmas holidays... Read more
Rhaglen Cymdeithas Lenyddol
The Rhaglen Cymdeithas Lenyddol is a Welsh Society who meet at the address shown below:-
The Rhaglen Cymdeithas Lenyddol
C/o Eglwys Bresbytaraidd Cymru
289 Lewisham Way
Brockley
London
ENGLAND SE4 1XF
Tel: (020) 8300 6415 - Gywndaf Evans (Hon. Sec)
Email: Gwyndaf.sidcup@btinernet.com
We meet at 2 pm prompt on the first three Tuesdays of the month from October till March inclusive. Visitors welcome!
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