Nostalgic memories of Crumlin's local history
Share your own memories of Crumlin 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.
Add a Memory!
It's easy to add your own memories and reconnect with your shared local history. Search for your favourite places and look for the 'Add Your Memory' buttons to begin
Displaying all 9 Memories
Albert Victor Whitaker known locally as Pop was the propieter of the Empire it belonged to Headly Roberts upon who's death was left to his wife and upon her death she left it to the Catholic nuns based in Blackwood. Pop, his wife Betty along with their daughters ,Nora and Irene ran the Cinema and later Bingo for some 40 years. I am Pops granddaughter Heather, daughter of Nora and her husband Capt Harry Hatherell. ...see more
In the picture of Crumlin the Square it shows my two very good pals and myself . It brings back a lot of memories to me .
I remember helping out Bill in the Empire .I have very good memories about the cinema and spent a lot of time in the projector room . Pop Witicker used to be the owner of this cinema and I remember him very well .
I was born in Albertina road Treowen in 1940 and have some very good memories of Crumlin and Newbridge .They were good days but hard . My dad worked in The old Griagfawr pit . I left Crumlin in 1965 to work at Lucas Girling Cwmbran .I had a lot of good pals in Crumlin and will never forget them .
Crumlin was a day attendance college with a somewhat rough and more mature worldly-experienced set of students. All resources were concentrated on classrooms and essential equipment. The harsh environment was emphasized by the location: literally under the shadow of the railway viaduct spanning the valley and a stone’s throw from the pit-head, wiring gear was taking men and ...see more
Any information or memories of the Empire cinema?
I remember it as fairly run down in late 50's but you could always get in to see the the horror films, even if you were only 11 to see over 16 films!
Other names ring a bell - "the flea pit" (probably shared by many cinemas) and " dirty dicks".
I am trying to trace my family's history and wondered if anyone can help. My Grandfather, Sidney George Moon lived at 114 Lewis Street according to the 1911 census. He worked down the Crumlin pit. He went on to father 12 children and my father Kenneth C. Moon was the youngest born in 1920 in Crumlin but they may have moved into Rectory Road by then. According to the 1911 census Sidney and his wife Florence already ...see more
My mother just turned 100 October 6th. Her name is Brenda Preece (Walters) and was born in Brynhyfrydd 29 Hillside, Crumlin. My Nana once owned the grocery store opposite and the house was next to the church. Her first cousin was Iris Collier who owned the boot shop further up the hill. My memories were coming to stay with my nana during the summer from London and being so impressed with the Colliers having ...see more
I was born in March ,1947 at 69,Treowen Road.It was a terrible winter,and the midwife who delivered me (Nurse Maiden) had to enter the house through the upstairs bedroom window because the snow was pilled up so high. I lived in treowen Road untill I was twelve years old and and I've nothing but happy memouries of the place . In those days Crumlin was a coal mining community andI can't think of any kid in Treowen Road ...see more