Capel Bryn Seion, Glanamman
My name is David Jones, and I remember this street well - opposite & to the right (out of pic) was the local dairyman, who used to deliver milk from the back of a dog-cart..
Further behind the Capel was the Workmans & Mechanics Institute (just see the side in pic)
Grandfather's name was 'Evan Nathaniel Jones', an ex miner from Gelliceidrim Drift mine, (to the left of the front of the Capel) as well as an ex farmer in 'Llwyncelyn Farm', Heol Grenig.
Miners coming off shift would squat/sit down in front of the gates, waiting for the James (?)bus to take them to Bettws and Ammanford, smoking and talking.
Peaceful and quiet in those days, as the Forest in the distance was where my G/father would take me shooting for pigeons. He was an avid collector of foxes in his day, and would nail up the fox pelt on his barn door to dry, as there was a shilling paid for every 'Brush' - but some dealers wanted the whole pelt - and paid much more.
Almost opposite the Capel Gates was the 'Farmers Arms' selling Buckleys Beers, my Uncle Elfed loved his pint..while to the right of the pub was the local blacksmiths - watched many a horse being shoed there.
The road to the right of the Capel - is High Street, Glanamman. My Grandfather lived there (in 'Iscoed', High Street), as he was the caretaker of the Capel - and my father learned how to play the organ there. Father was 'Mon' - uncle was 'Elfed'.
Next to 'Iscoed' was a clothing shop - and opposite 'Iscoed' was the doctors house, and surgery - who drove a nice Rover car - before he moved down to the station, bottom of the hill. The hill was very steep and dangerous, as at the top you could hardly see traffic coming from the right (if you were in a car) .. many a near squeak there..
If anyone reading this knows of my family - please contact me - very happy to talk about Glanamman, and my chidhood memories. Croeso i pawb.
Posted:April 7th 2008 by David Jones.
Memories Links
Other memories of Bryn Seion Chapel 1956
See more memories of Glanamman
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 " Capel Bryn Seion, Glanamman".
Why not get involved and post your comments using the comment form below.
Comments
RE: RE: Capel Bryn Seion, Glanamman
Hi Mr. Jones,
I'm researching the details of a journal entry by my distant cousin written in 1913, when he traveled from the US to Wales to visit cousins in Glanamman. The description let me to search for a chapel near a coal mine. Here is the journal entry: "We went past Mr. Hughes' chapel in which he preached and then went up to a place where we could see a coal mine..."
Mr. & Mrs. Hughes had a daughter named Agnes. The town is so small that I'm hoping to find someone who knows descendants of Mr. & Mrs. Hughes or Agnes Hughes based on the clue that he had a chapel or at least preached in a chapel in 1913.
Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you for reading my story.
Heather Davis
Comment from Heather Davis on Monday, 23rd August 2010.
RE: RE: Capel Bryn Seion, Glanamman
Hello Mr Jones, My family originally came from Pontrhydfendigaid and later moved to Glanaman. I have in my possesion an old miners watch dated 1910. There is a name inscribed inside the case of 'H Lloyd of Glanaman'. Unfortunately both my grandfather and my father have passed away and I have no one who is able to shed any light on who this person was or which colliery he worked in. I believe he is a relative of mine and would be grateful if you could give me any information about the collieries that were around during that time. Many thanks Diolch
Comment from Mair Jones on Monday, 10th January 2011.