Nostalgic memories of Abergwynfi's local history

Share your own memories of Abergwynfi and read what others have said

For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our web site to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was when the photographs in our archive were taken. From brief one-liners explaining a little bit more about the image depicted, to great, in-depth accounts of a childhood when things were rather different than today (and everything inbetween!). We've had many contributors recognising themselves or loved ones in our photographs.

Why not add your memory today and become part of our Memories Community to help others in the future delve back into their past.

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Displaying Memories 11 - 19 of 19 in total

Hi, my grandfather William James Thomas was born 9th Feb 1920 at 30 Ccommercial Street, Abergwynfi. His father was called James Thomas, he was a collier/hewer, William's mother was Sarah Thomas. I am trying to research the family, but am stuck on James and Sarah, would anybody remember them? James would have died quite early on in William's life, not sure when, William was also known as ...see more
My mother was born in Abergwynfi, her name was Avril Morris, she had sisters Mary, Betty and Jean, also brothers Jackie and Gwyn. We lived in the north east of England, but always visited Nan Florrie, she lived in the flats and I remember the climb up the steps to the shops, mostly the Co-op, what a hike! My mum is 90 this year but can still tell stories of the poverty suffered, but there were lots of good times too.
My father was born in Glyncorrwg - his father was killed in a mining accident in about 1937 and my grandmother came with my father and his brothers to Birmingham. We have a medal and on one side is an engraving of a chapel and on the other side in blue enamel are the words from the people of Abergwynfi and BlaenGwynfi in thanks for soldiers volunteering in 1914-18. This may belong to my great-uncle Taliesin Evans ...see more
I loved growing up in the 'cape' as we called it. In the hot summer of 1977 I remember going up the mountain behind Villiers Road to go picking whinberries with my uncle Peter Morris, and I insisted on carrying them back down the hill and fell over with the tiny berries flying every where! They took hours to pick. I also remember going with my friends up the hill behind Scotch Street, we used to slide down the ...see more
My family have always been associated with Abergwynfi, since my father, Talfryn Jones was born there on 21/05/1898, through to my great-grandmother Elizabeth dying there on 07/04/1909, and my great-grandad Benjamin Jones on 25/12/1929 at 153 Jersey Road, witnessed by his grandson William Thomas Williams. I wonder if anyone there now can help me further my research? I understand there is a cemetery there which possibly holds his gravestone?
My Uncle Dai was from Abergwynfi, his name was Dai Hopkins. His wife was Dolly. They had my cousins Clive and Joanie and lived in Nantyffyllon.
My first recollection of living in the valley was at Duffrin where my sisters Pat and Pam Smith also lived, later we moved to the Gwynfi, and that is where I lived and was educated in the local infants school at the bottom of the hill near the river and bowing green, then to the local Secondary Modern at the top of the hill, from there to Cymmer, left there in 1953, memories for me was one of poverty and like most a ...see more
This church had been derelict for many years and was still derelict when I returned home on R & R. I believe it is now a business premises. Shame a waste of a lovely church.
My father lived in Abergwynfi as a child, his name was Peter Thomas Walley. My grandmother was from the area, her maiden name was Eirwen Thomas and she had  brothers named Estyn, Edward, Emlyn and Thomas. She also had a sister named Ginny (Janette). My father had copper coloured hair, so there may be people who are still around who may remember him. The family lived at: 15 Heol-Y-Felin Abergwynfi Is there anyone ...see more