Blaengwynfi memories
Here are memories of Blaengwynfi and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Blaengwynfi or a Blaengwynfi photo.
Aber/Blaengwynfi Silver Prize Band-Thankyou For The Music!
I grew up in Blaengwynfi in the 1950s/60s. My father was Don Davies, and he was band-master during most of those years. He'd joined the band in the 30s when he'd been forced to leave school at Maesteg on the death of his father, and learned to play the trombone and euphonium mainly. The band-master then was Mr. Wade, a Yorkshireman, who'd trained as a tailor originally. Dad went on to teach brass on a Friday evening at Maesteg grammar school, and later the new Sandfields comp in Port Talbot on a Thurs; on the way he taught my brother French Horn, who went on to play with the Scots' Guards' band for 25 years, and he still both plays and teaches in London schools. He in turn taught his two sons horn and trumpet.
One of the band's euphonium players in the 50/60s was Frank Loveday, obviously one of Philip's close relatives. Dad thought Frank was an exceptional player with a truly beautiful tone. When he was... Read more
Home Base
This pic was taken from Tunnel Terrace looking over the old iron bridge coming from The Tunnel Hotel. The building closest after the slag heap is the old Police station with the Bandroom next door to it. My Grandmother and Grandfather Loveday lived in number 5 Tunnel Tce. Sadly no longer there.
Afan Colliery
This is the old afan colliery in full swing until the late 60's early 70's. This picture was taken from the Bwlch Road looking over Jersey Road. The lone white building is the old vicarage.
The Old Days
I was born in 3 High Street, Abergwynfi 19/05/56, where I lived until I got married and moved to London. My father Jackie Lewis worked down the pit most of his working life, and my mother worked in the canteen, Dorothy Lewis, I used to go to the canteen to help her now and then. My brother Robert still lives in the village and all of his family. I will always have good memories of the cape and the years I lived at no 3 High Street.
Terrified by White Masses
Hi I was taken to the upper Rhondda valley (Yynewydd) by my mother in 1940 , I was some 9 yrs old. I went to school both primary and secondary (Treherbert boys school). I had lots of cousins. Myself and my cousin walked through the rail tunnel from Blaenrondda to Blaengwynfi to see our uncle. We really got into some trouble. My uncle was named Bill Myring and I spent many happy times with him. My mum worked all the war in the weapons factory in Bridgend so I grew up in a mining area and I have never forgotten it. We climbed all the surrounding mountains and got lost when the low clouds came down, "very wet and cold", being from the south coast (Bournemouth) the blackness of everything really shocked me. Well, the other thing that has remained in my memory is that when arriving at Blaenrhondda station all I could see was huge "white masses inthe sky", it took a long time to get me off the train. My... Read more
Top School
I remember doing the transition from the infants school below the British Legion and going to the "Top school" just by the now defunct St Gabriel's church for the first time and paying 1d bus fare to get up there from my home in Jersey Road after going to "Jobey's" for some sweets. I was flabbergasted to see that the boys and girls were separated, especially at play time and that the first and second years were kept in the top playground. Had a great friend Roger Woods and Graham Bush was another friend, along with Wyn Davies (Jumbo), classmate and Alun Richards.
My Great Grandparents
My Great Grandparents, Thomas and Ellen Jenkins, moved from Bristol to 76 Jersey Road, Blaengwynfi around 1899/1900. Thomas was a grocer. He had an assistant called J A J Spreaklin who was from Coytrahen.
Thomas and Ellen already had 2 children when they moved to Blaengwynfi, Arthur aged 2 or 3 and Lawrence, my Grandfather, aged 1 or 2. Another brother, Thomas, was born in 1900, the birth being registered in Abergwynfi.
By the time of the 1911 census it seems that the family had moved back to Bristol.
Jersey Road still exists but I have not been able to go there yet to find out if No.76 is still there and whether it is still a shop. I intend to do so in the near future though.
Uncle Dai
My Uncle Dai Hopkins came from Blaengwynfi. He married my Aunt Dolly and they had Clive and Joanie, my cousins, and lived in Caerau Maesteg.
Memories of West Glamorgan
No Longer A Church
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.
Family
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.
Football
I left Blaengwynfi in 1952 when I was fourteen. My father was Emlyn (Capers) Thomas and my mother was Betty (Scotch) Thomas. I had four brothers and a sister. I remember that I was one of the ball boys at the football pitch at the top of the mountain. When the ball was kicked out of the pitch we ran down the mountain and the ball usually ended in the church grounds. I would have a heart attack if I tried it now. Bob Thomas
A Long, Long Time Ago.
My memories relate to an era around the early 1960s. My father: Cyril Rex Speck, was, I believe, born and raised in Abergwinffi. His father, can't remember his name, owned a cafe: I think on Jersey Road; I remember playing outside and being able to see the steam trains in the distance. My grandfather's, second wife, was named Kate and she had a daughter named: Helen. Helen, married a chap named Clive and had, I think, two daughters by him. Does anybody remember these names or places? Would love to hear from you.
People I Knew
I knew Gordon Speck's granddad and his second wife, also their daughter Helen. His granddad used to teach music and singing in the Westlyan chapel when I was a child, At 12 years old I was confined to bed for two years and it was Mrs Speck who started my love of reading, she came to vist and bought me a book 'What Katy Did' and from then on I worked my way through all the children's classics. Their daughter Helen married my friend's brother Clive Hodgson. I was born and lived in Abergwynfi until I was sixteen, we lived in the houses across from St Gabrial's church. Around the back of the church was a haven for catching tadpoles. I remember having no fear of wandering the mountains or going up or down the woods hill even at night. I remember Mrs Brown our head mistress, she was quite scary to get on the wrong side of, which for me was quite often because I was always late for school and... Read more
Memorybank total
We're very pleased and excited by your response so far to our "Share your Memories" community.
You've shared 28,827 memories of 5,943 towns & villages across the UK - keep them coming!
Find Memories
Simply search for your favourite places to read others' memories and share your own.
Tips & Ideas
Not sure what to write?
It's easy - just think of an important place in your life and ask yourself:
How does it feature in your personal history?
What are your best memories of this place?
How has it changed over the years?
How does it feel, seeing these old photos of your favourite place?
Do you remember stories about the local community, its history and people?
Start now!
It's easy to add your own memories and reconnect with your shared local history. Search for your favourite places and look for the orange "Add your Memory" icon to begin.
Places this week
Here are some of the places you've shared memories of this week:
- Barking, Essex
- Penruddock, Cumbria
- Taunton, Somerset
- Shelsley Walsh, Worcestershire
- Severn Beach, Avon
- Blaenllechau, Mid Glamorgan
- Irby, Merseyside
- Netherbury, Dorset
- Boxley, Kent
- Oban, Argyll
- Blaenavon, Gwent
- West Hartlepool, County Durham
- Walsall, West Midlands
- Boston, Lincolnshire
- Watford, Hertfordshire
- Newcastle, County Down
- Cononley, West Yorkshire
- Knockentiber, Ayrshire
- Eastleigh, Hampshire
- Oswestry, Shropshire
- ... and lots more - Browse this week's memories now.
Your memories
To jump straight to the memories you have added already to the Community, click here
I Remember When...
This stunning compilation highlights some of the best stories selected from the thousands contributed here on the
Frith website. The result is an absorbing chronicle of British life from the Second World War to the mid 1960s.
A colourful treasure trove of memories, "I Remember When" is an
irresistible mix of personal stories and recollections that affectionately reveal the detail of everyday life in Britain.
