The Francis Frith Collection.
You are here:

Deri

Deri maps

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

Deri area books

Displaying 1 of 2 books about Deri and the local area.   View all books for this area

Memories of Deri

Deri memories
Read and share Deri memories

Displaying a selection of personal memories of Deri.
Add your memory of Deri or of a photo of Deri.

 

Late 1950s Bailey Street.

Can you remember when the 'Deri Old Club' on Bailey Street was named 'The None Political Social Club? I can. My dear old Dad was landlord there for a few years, I remember being about 7 years old in the lounge room upstairs where functions were held, when a hypnotist performed the room was packed you could hardly see him through the haze of cigarette smoke. The customers were in awe as he went through his act. No one had seen anything like it before in a small village like Deri. Lovely memories. I'll pop in again with a few more.

Childhood

In the 1960s I lived in Ogilvie Terrace and spent lots of days wandering happy and safe in Deri. I remember the nut wood, picking whinberries, Doreen's shop, the gas pipes where we balanced and luckily did not come to harm, the horse-shoe rock where we all jumped off and again were lucky not to break an arm or a leg, sitting behind the reservoir catching frogs instead of going to Sunday School... It was an idyllic place to live as a young child. The village bobby Mr Sargent told you off if you were naughty and people looked out for one another. Lesley Llewelyn.

Mid Glamorgan memories

Wartime Bargoed

In February 1942, I and thirty other children from Northfield in Birmingham, were evacuated to Bargoed. I was taken in by Mrs Parker, who lived with her husband and Daughter, Phyliss, at 8 Plasnewydd Street.
My life in Bargoed was idylic, I had great friends at Bargoed Inf and Junior School, I had the Graig to play on and so much space,  it was out of this world.
Maybe I will return to Bargoed for a short visit. The only thing that stops me is my memories of this quiet bit of heaven may be shattered.
My heart will always remain in Bargoed, God's little acre.
Thank you Bargoed and all your wonderful people.

Bargoed, 1956-78

I lived at 31 East View, from 1956 until I went to college. I was the son of Edgar Howells and Myfannwy [in fact they were my guardians from 1956 onwards]. My story really unfolded big style in 1992-2001, and I made some fantastic discoveries.The story can be found on HTTP://art-science.com/agfhs/d_auer.html
Dave Howells.

The Cameo Cinema, Bargoed.

I grew up in the Bargoed area, in Cardiff Road to be precise! It was Gladestone Villa which is now known as the Parc Hotel or Reds. My parents were divorced and my mam and I lived with my grandparents there. Every Saturday my father used to come to see me and take me out to places, one of them was the Cameo Cinema at the bottom of Bargoed where the Job Centre is now, it used to be called the Palace. The film my dad took me to see was the 1976 remake of 'King Kong', being about seven at the time this was really exciting for me. Now sadly the cinema has gone. I think the cinema should return with the new retail project that is planned. Great memories.

The History of The Parc Hotel, Bargoed.

The Parc Hotel aka 'Reds' is located in Cardiff Road in Bargoed, it was once a residential property and was once called 'Gladstone Villa' and was split into four flats, the property and its surounding area has quite a history. It is not quite known how far the building dates back to but one of the early residents, Edgar Mills, claimed it to be haunted! in 1960. The Higgs family moved there but made no such claim, that is until 1969 when the Dexter family were there and said they could hear noises that started in the attic and eventually occupied the main bedroom! The family claimed to hear such noises like footsteps in the bedroom, the sound of dragging furniture, doors slamming and apparitions. One of the members of the family claimed to have seen the figure of a monk! Not surprising if you know the history of the 'RAFA Club' which is situated directly opposite the hotel. The RAFA Club dates back to the 17th century... Read more

The Y Graig Junior School, Bargoed.

I attended the Y Graig Junior School that was in Llancayo Street in Bargoed from September 1976 to July 1980. The head master at that time was Mr Borrot. I started off in Mrs Williams class and I can still remember the pupils in my class! I can also still remember Mr Nicholas, Mr Tim Jones, Mr Ashton, Mrs Mills, and Mr Roberts, and even the school caretaker Mr Jennings! The school day trips to Dan yr Ogof was memorable, and the Christmas plays, I can still remember my lines! The school is sadly no longer there, butI I often think back to those days!

© Copyright 1998-2012 Frith Content Inc. All rights reserved.