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Dinas Powys memories

Here are memories of Dinas Powys and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Dinas Powys or a Dinas Powys photo.

Village Cricket, Rugby And The Mount

The Common c1965
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The Common, which is a delightful huge stretch of open ground from Cardiff Road to the Westra, was the sporting centre for the villagers. Here the cricket club played and the rugby club also held their matches too. Just off the Common is the home of both the Bowls Club and tennis club. My memory of playing for the cricket club was on the day of the 1966 World Cup final when England were taking on Germany at Wembley. Because I wanted to watch this on the TV I had not put my name down as being available to play cricket - however, the fixture had not been cancelled (perhaps being Welsh) and about half an hour before the football kicked off the doorbell rang and a lad asked if I would come down to the common to make up the numbers. Some weeks beforehand whilst playing at Old Monktonians ground at Wenvoe I had taken a medium fast balled full toss on the chest and on the day in question... Read more

THE SQUARE DINAS POWYS

The Square c1960
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I would say the date of this photograph is 1960 - 62. I am one of the three girls at the lower right of the photo and have a vague recollection of seeing the photographer standing on the back of a lorry? with a tripod. The other girls are my sister Hazel and a friend, Lesley. Wendy Lawday, nee COLES

The Bank And Three Horse Shoes, Dinas Powys

The Square c1955
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My dad, Charles Davies, became the manager of this branch of the National Provincial Bank in 1965 and we moved to the village to live on the Twyncyn, off the Common in 1966. He remained there as manager for quite some time - seeing through the change to it being a Nat West bank.
The Three Horse Shoes pub at that time was run by a cantankerous landlord who delighted in getting into heated arguments with the customers - no matter what the subject he disagreed. Next door was the Cross Keys which had a totally different atmosphere - very friendly, lively local. But the classy pub of the village was the Star which had a Crystal Lounge and a Court Bar. The real locals were expected to drink in the Farmers bar - similar to the Bull in The Archers soap.
One Boxing Day we had a piano smashing competition in the Square in aid of the local Venture Scouts with the Star taking on the Cross Keys! ... Read more

My Dad's Shop (Mount Stores)

The Square c1955
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This photo brought back so many memories my Dad, Ralph Catchpole, bought the the Mount Stores in 1952 he owned and ran the shop until about 1965. I have so many memories of my life in Dinas Powis, my Dad's Morris Minor is even shown in the photo parked outside the shop. We lived in High Walls Avenue which is shown in one of the other photos in the collection. We returned to the village a couple of years ago and the shop had been converted into new modern appartments so it was wonderful to find a photo of it from my childhood days.

On The Street Where I Lived

Highwalls Avenue c1955
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The photo shows the bottom of Highwalls Avenue, I lived half way up round the corner. It was a steep climb when i was litlle but got easier as I grew. I was born in this road and had such a happy time.

Memories of South Glamorgan

Grandmother's Home

Rose Cottage c1955
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I think my grandmother grew up in Rose Cottage.  I hope to learn more about the area and one day visit. She told such beautiful stories about this town.
Any info? womanwiththeheadofroses@hotmail.com

Halcyon Days

The Hovercraft 1963
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I remember the excitement of seeing the hovercraft as a child. We used to spend many days on the beach at Penarth usually at the Pier end but when the Hovercraft visited we of course congregated at what we called the 'landing stage' end near the yacht club.
The photo shows a boat in the background and I remember a service to Flat Holme run by a Mr Noel or Knowle. We called it 'Knowles boat'. For many years I craved a journey to Flat Holme on Knowles boat but never made it. I eventually got there a few years ago so it only took me 40 years. it was well worth it though.
Does anyone remember Knowles Boat and if so what do you know of the subject?

Penarth, 1963

The Hovercraft 1963
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Hi Mike, did you go to St Cyres at all? Let me know.

The Hovercraft

The Hovercraft 1963
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I remember being on the beach the day of the hovercraft coming to Penarth. I was there with a couple of my friends, I would have been nearly 16. We were really excited as we watched it approach then suddenly when it came on to the beach we started to run back as the pebbles were being tossed about from the down draught.

Stanwell Road Baptist Church

Christchurch, Stanwell Road 1947
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I have put 1950 because I don't know when the flats were built by the Baptist church. The house that was pulled down for the flats I am told my great grandfather Joshua Morris built. He also is supposed to have built the Cefn Mably hotel on the junction of Redlands Road. Joshua came from Eglwyswrw to build houses in Penarth with his brother John I think and nephews and am told that from The Cefn Mably down to Cosmeston is call Morristown in honour of the Morris brothers who built many houses to establish Penarth as a town.

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