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Bryncethin
Bryncethin maps
Historic maps of Bryncethin and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis. View all Bryncethin maps
Bryncethin area books
Displaying 1 of 2 books about Bryncethin and the local area. View all books for this area
You can read extracts and browse photos from these books.
Memories of Bryncethin
Displaying a selection of personal
memories of Bryncethin.
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Wigan Terrace
I lived in Bryncethin for a time as a child in the 1960s. 20 Wigan Terrace, it was a shop run by my mother; my father was in the RAF. I remember the shop front was pink and white and the shop sold sweets, toys and general groceries. There was an alley way to the side which is where the 'pop' was stored. I see from google maps that it is quite different now.
Me and my brothers had an amazing time living in Bryncethin; playing on the moors, building dens in the old brickworks. Climbing the 'mountain', which was actually a slag heap, and tadpoling in the dogs' pond. Other things I remember are weddings at the baptist chapel, the brides father would always throw a handful of change for the kids waiting eagerly outside the chapel. I had a friend who lived in the Manse behind the chapel and the little grassy area in front of her house was called 'The Tump'; is it still? Also the church... Read more
Mid Glamorgan memories
Abergarw Estate (The Hostels)
My name is Gareth Davis, brother of Yvonne Davis, and son of Harry & Gwen Davis, originally of 35, Heol yr Ynis, Abergarw Estate, commonly known as "The Hostels". I remember my big sister Yvonne walking me over this bridge every morning to go to Brynmenyn primary school which was quite a long way for children to go, passing the old pub over the railway line where my grandad (also Harry Davis - with one arm lost in WW 1 ) who used to get plastered whenever he could much to my dads anger having to drag him home. I now live in Australia having travelled the world with the army, (now 64 and retired) have settled on the other side of the world. I have many many fond memories and was able to visit the area in 2008. I was born in 11 Meadow Rise at the top of the hostels in an old wooden house that was black with creosote, and then we later moved down to the... Read more
Living in Tondu as A Child
My brother and myself came to Tondu in about 1955 from Brighton, Sussex, when my father who worked there had to come home because his father was very ill (my father's name was Robert Leonard Thomas and his father's name was Essex Thomas). We both went to the school by the side of the brickworks. We lived along where the old people's home is and opposite there was the woods where houses are built now. My brother & myself would go down through the wood and go up to the brickworks, I think it was still in production then, there was always that distinctive smell about the works. Opposite the house was an area of Japanese knotweed. and me and my brother would thrash down every bit of the weed then a couple of days it would have grown back. Then we moved to Croeserew. But I still have an aunt living next door to the old people's home, called Hetty Kendal.
Brick Works
My husband Stan Waite worked at Tondu brickworks. Our Sunday School used to pick wild flowers for the anniversary of the church. We had a picnic in the park and caught the steam train home.
Saved by The Police
One day I went to Porthcawl with my friend, we had a lovely day there except that I lost one of my shoes in the sand. My friend's dad was staying at a caravan down there so we went to visit him, he made me a sort of mule type shoe to get home. We were getting the bus and I was so worried about my mum telling me off on the way back. We had to change buses in Bridgend and my mule broke. I panicked and could not find my bus ticket so I got off the bus and started to walk home to Caerau - bad idea, it was so scary walking past Glanreed Hospital as it was so dark. I got to Tondu and I asked for the police station like my dad always told us to do if ever we were in trouble. The policeman was on his rounds but his wife took me in and gave me a drink and sandwiches. When the husband... Read more
Penybont Carnival Display Band Mid 1970''s
Growing up in Aberkenfig was good fun. I attended Tondu infants and Junior schools, later on Ynysawdre comprehensive school. Along with quite a few of my friends, I was a member of Penybont Carnival display Band. Our jazzband went to a good many places I wouldn't have had the chance to vist otherwise. We even competed in the world championships in London! We practised in St. Roberts church hall Dunraven Street during the winter months and at Pandy Park in the summer. At that time, the band had been in existance for about 30 years and was run by Mr. M. Harding and Mr. Hegarty. Our uniforms were red tunics, tall red hats with a white feather, black trousers with a red stripe down the side, white gloves and white daps.
Tondu Primary School
I am not quite sure of the date I moved to Tondu Primary School from Laleston Juniors near Bridgend after moving to Sarn, however, I think it was around 1955. The headmaster was a Mr Richards who I understand was renowned for making/carving Welsh love spoons. My form teacher I remember was also a Mr Richards, Tom, and I have fond memories of Mr Richards reading every Friday afternoon a chapter from 'King Solomon's Mines' and to this day this has remained my favourite book. Class mates included Barry Davies, Dai Collier, Jeff Hart, John Rigers and many more I could mention, a close-knit gang that continued together as a group when we went on to Bryncethin Secondary Modern, that is those who failed the 11+ exam, while those with a little more grey matter than those previously mentioned would go forward to the Grammar School. I too remember the Tondu Brick Works as a going concern, and often would see the workmen, covered in red dust, taking... Read more
