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Bryn

Bryn maps

Historic maps of Bryn and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis.   View all Bryn maps

Bryn photos

We have no photos of Bryn, although we do have photos of these nearby places:

Duffryn Rhondda| Maesteg| Caerau| Port Talbot| Aberavon| Cymmer| Llangynwyd| Margam| Briton Ferry| Neath| Abergwynfi| Blaengwynfi| Pontycymer| Glyncorrwg| Kenfig Hill| Pyle| Jersey Marine| Skewen| Tondu| Aberkenfig| Bryncethin

Bryn area books

Displaying 1 of 1 books about Bryn and the local area.   View all books for this area

Bryn books
View all 1 Bryn and West Glamorgan books

Memories of Bryn

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West Glamorgan memories

What A Picturesque Valley.

Well, about 34 years ago, I used to work in Forge Road, Port Talbot; part of my work in the newspaper industry sent me checking on all newsagents in the Valley, through Cwmavon up passing Pontrhydyfen, Duffryn Rhondda, Cymmer and up to Abergwynfi; and then all the way back down. The forestry would seem to change a differnt shade of colour every day. Still now I get those memories as we take the grandchildren out for a ride to different places. Quite often ending up on top of the "Bwlch" for the compulsory ice-cream.

Family History

Can anyone help me with information for my family tree? My ancestors are William John Jones born 1851 in Cwmavon, Wales, he married Mary Bowen born 1853 in Wales. They left for Australia around 1874. William's parents were William Jones and Alice Jenkins (I think) born about 1820.

WW1 Admiralty Class Destroyer - H.M.S. Sylph

H.M.S. Sylph went hard aground on Aberavon Beach after breaking her towing hawsers during a storm while being towed across Swansea Bay to be scrapped in Newport. This was in April 1927. Attempts to haul her off with tugs were made but their efforts only rocked her back and forth sinking her deeper into the sand. There she remained, and at low tide people walked around her gathering mussels which had encrusted her hull during her lay-up at Milford Haven since WW1. She had seen service in the Battle of Jutland . At low tide people were allowed to go aboard and I was one of them. As a young lad, seven years of age, I can recall climbing up a ladder with my uncle and walking her deck. I found this a bit difficult because she had quite a list to her port side. Refloating her from the beach was now impossible and she was finally scrapped on site. My name is Gwyn Morgan - born on Arthur... Read more

Growing up in Morgan's Terrace

I was born in 1932 at 5 Morgan's Terrace and soon thereafter moved to No 18. There were 7 people living at that address, my maternal Grandfather John Lewis, my maternal Uncle Donald Lewis, my mother Greta Emmanuel, my father Stephen Emmanuel, my older brother Ivor Emmanuel,my younger Sister Mair Emmanuel and myself, when on the 11th May 1941 the house was destroyed in an air raid killing all but my uncle Donald, my brother Ivor and myself. This was a time when Swansea was being heavily bombed and I feel our involvement was more by accident than design.As many will know my dear brother went on to become quite famous as a singer/actor on stage,TV and film (Zulu). I was 8 years old at the time and was taken by one of my father's brothers Rees Emmanuel (a priest in the Church of England)and his wife Erica (a German ) firstly to Trelewis then Bedlinog and lastly to Cilybebyll where he was Rector. They raised me up to my... Read more

My Port Talbot Days

Station Road c1955
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I lived in Port Talbot between 1956 and 1968. I regard it as my second home. I finished school in 1958, at Velindre Secondary Modern School. I had many jobs in Port Talbot, window cleaning, working at Corona soft drinks, the Plaza cinema, the Grand cinema, Marcroft Wagons at Forge Road, I worked on Aberavon beach in summer, and I did my own puppet shows at the old community centre in Dalton Road. I lived in Green Park Street, and in Cove Road. I remember Uncle Bryn, at the Carlton Club, frequented pubs like the Railway Tavern, the Crown, the Craddoc Arms, the Beach Hotel, the Four Winds, and the Red Dragon. I spent lots of time in Viazzani's cafe in the old Water Street. I come to Port Talbot every year, I now live in Coventry. Ah good memories. And the Plaza, I worked there too.

Great Times

Station Road c1955
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I can also remember people like Billo and Vernon, Will Och, Lawrence the black, and cafes like the Corner House, Servini's, Ferrari's, Belli's fish and chips, and Viazzani's in the old Water Street. Also Johnsons factory in Henshaw Street.where I used to work. Graham Jenkins, who was the market manager, and entertainments manager on the Aberavon beach when I used to do puppet shows.

Velingre Street Port Talbot

My nanna lived at 43 Velindre Street. I lived in Griffithstown near Pontypool. I used to spend every school holiday in Velindre. My close friends were Lynne Baker and her sisters, Alison and Maureen from the top of Velindre Street. I think Kay was the youngest. There were a few brothers too. Anyone know where they are now? I live in Queensland, Australia and would love to contact the Baker family again, especially Lynne, we had some fun times together and are the same age. Please conatct me if you know anyone. Love Velindre Street. Would like to hear from anyone there today.

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