My Hometown
Brynmawr is a quiet little town on the edge of the valley roads. These photos bring back memories of all the hills I climbed, picnics on the mountain, paddling in the pond across from our house in Warwick Road. Snow 6ft deep in Winter. I remember the old steam train passing our house, I would wave to the driver and he would wave back to me standing on a low wooden fence. Everything was at a slow pace in the 50's. We would go to the local cinema and see mainly westerns in those days. Then come out and get a bag of chips and wander back home, just simple easygoing things.
Memories Links
Add a Memory for another place
Tips & Ideas
How has this scene changed?
Do you know who lived or worked here?
Why is this photo significant to you?
Particular points of interest - transport, architecture, fashions etc.
Comments
2 comments have been shared so far in response to the memory "My Hometown".
Why not get involved and post your comments using the comment form below.
Comments
RE: RE: My Hometown
I was born in Brynmawr. I was not brought up there but all my relatives lived there and still do to this day. The photo of the Market Square and the old bus . bring back memories of a trip from Dany-yr -Park to Bryn-Mawr in that same bus driven by a chap called Harry (I think). I was only 10 yrs old at the time and it was the most exciting trip through Gilwern, past Clydach and up Black Rock incline. Everything was a wonderment to a 10 yr old. Sometimes the bus ran parallel with the steam train. I never got to travel on the train. But oh how I wanted to. Unfortunately Dr Beeching closed it all down. But just like Jackie I waved like mad at it and wished that I was on it. Arrival at the Square was always an anticlimax but also a sense of awe. Here was the big city in all its grandeur (or so it seemed to an impressionable 10 yr old). I'd wander about for an hour, go to the market and get a bag of sweets for 3 pence, go see my grandfather Robin who didn't really want to see me and made it patently clear that I was not welcome (grumpy old beggar). From there to my auntie's home where I was welcome, eat some homemade cake and ginger beer, spend some time down the Welfare park and on to the cinema which had the usual western on. After the movie grabbed a bag of chips and wandered of home to my aunties. Wonderful memories. I also was born on Warwick Road. Just like Jackie!!
Comment from David Palfrey on Thursday, 12th July 2007.
RE: RE: My Hometown
I too, like David, have seen this small town as a big place, well you do when you are small. The market place on a Saturday was something I always loved going to with my grandmother, and seeing the baby chickens and ducks for sale, sometimes buying chickens and carrying them home. I loved those little bundles of yellow fluff.....only later to be eating them when they grew...
There were also market stalls inside the picture house, which wouldn't happen now..
My Grandfather was one of the founders to start a British Legion Working Mens Club in Brymawr. His name was George F Bedford. He died before I was born.
Going to visit Brynmawr now, I see some changes but not too many,and of course the beautiful views of the surrounding mountains will never change.
Warwick Road is still standing where I had my best years, the pond is still there but the railway track is long gone.
Semtex the factory has been pulled down and made way for a supermarket and shops at this moment are being built...
The factory that I worked at Dannimac's is no longer there,and also Everwear is gone ...so I think people travel out of town now to work..
The market isn't so big anymore which I think is a shame.
Comment from Jackie Haynes on Monday, 30th July 2007.