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Gilfach Goch
Gilfach Goch photos
Displaying the first of 11 old photos of Gilfach Goch. View all Gilfach Goch photos
Gilfach Goch maps
Historic maps of Gilfach Goch and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis. View all Gilfach Goch maps
Gilfach Goch area books
Displaying 1 of 2 books about Gilfach Goch and the local area. View all books for this area
You can read extracts and browse photos from these books.
Memories of Gilfach Goch
Displaying a selection of personal
memories of Gilfach Goch.
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My Beginning...
My name is Russell Ham.
I was born on May the 10th, 1962. I was adopted at about the age of six weeks, I think. The best thing that ever happened to me. I arrived at number 5, Thomas Street, in the summer of 1962, to the home of Gerald and Barbara Ham. Neither of my parents is alive now. I have the most wonderful memories of the first five years of my life, at 5, Thomas Street, Gilfach Goch. My father's father Enoch Ham, my grandfather, also lived with us.
He was a carpenter, and I would spend hours in the shed with him, rain or shine, watching him work. He built up a little tool box for me, so I could do things as well, when we were both out in the shed. I remember coming down in the mornings and he would be laying and lighting the fire in the living room. He would show me how he laid the paper and stick, to get... Read more
Gilfach
Hello, I have just been reading people's memories of Gilfach Goch and I must say it brought tears to my eyes. I have now moved to County Durham and love it here. I've moved from one mining village to another. Wherever I go I will never forget living in Gilfach as a child in Blandy Terrace, my grandparents Betty and Mansel Pope lived in 12 Blandy Terrace and myself and my mam and dad Ron and Linda lived in no 2. I have great memories of the street, the Glens especially, I grew up with Annette, Sian, Rayanedd and Alan, they were the only ones in the street with a proper bath and we all used to go in it, it was great fun, Mavis couldn't get us out. I loved Mavis, she was the toffee queen, she made great toffee. One day we found a stray lamb and washed it in the bath and we were really upset when we learned we couldn't keep it and had to... Read more
Dai 'the Globe'
Dai 'the Globe' was friendly with Briyn Williams, Ifor Rees, David Alford. We all used to meet at the Coronation Ballroom, Coronation Road. This was the main meeting place for us all. We would listen to the Four Aces and dance the foxtrot, rumba and waltz, although the boys would be more interested in having a drink than dancing. The Globe usually had better films than the Workman's Hall - run by my father, T B Williams, and financed by the council with a committee to choose films, unlike the Globe, which was a commercial company.
Memories of Gilfach And Old Friends
Where has everyone gone to? Time passes too quickly, where are all my friends gone that I used to play with all those years ago in Gilfach Goch? Tony Mansell, Edwin Pothecary, Norman Baggs, Petro Pope and many others.
My Roots
I am looking for anybody named James and Turner as second names. My nan was Barbarah James, she lived and worked at the Oggmore in service.
Fire Service...Station 13
My husband was a fireman at Gilfach Goch Fire Station 13 for nearly 23 years, as were many of my family - and some still there. The good old days they were.
Davies Family
Actually the 1940s and 50s. My mother was Sarah Davies, daughter of Charles and Emma Davies who lived at 60 High Street for many years. I used to spend my holidays with my grnadparents and aunt who lived across from them, someone might rememeber her, Lil Griffith - she worked in the Co-op shop at the bottom of the High Street. My grandparents' house was near the ice cream shop. I think it was called Baccetta's - anyway they were an Italian family and made the best icecream. I have fond memories of playing on the side of the mountain and also up the "Rue" where there was a stream. My grandfather spent many gours at the Hall - I cannot remember the name of it but he played a great game of dominoes. Anyon who remembers my mum and family I would be happy to hear from. Diana
I Want my Child Hood Back
I was born at 28 Oak Street Garden City, in June 1947. My father was a miner in the Brit and in later years so was my brother Brian, my father was John David Evans but better known as "Dai Queenie". After 28 years of working underground, he and my mum became steward/stewardess of the Festival Club, or the Band Club as it was more commonly known. My grandchildren want me to show them Gilfach and hopefully it will be this summer in July. My last visit to Gilfach was some time ago to attend my dad's friend Billy Mogg's funeral, his son Michael and I were good friends. I have very fond memories of my early life, and would like to exchange stories.
