The Francis Frith Collection.
You are here:

Llanvetherine memories

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

 

There are no Memories posted yet for Llanvetherine - why not be the first!

 

Memories of Gwent

My Great Grandfather's Memories

This is an excerpt from Frederick Rosher's diary written while on a visit to Trewyn Court, a family home, in 1850.
Sunday, 28th April. Went to Llanvihangel church in the carriage. There are no architectural beauties about it, it being within, perfectly plain and free from ornament, but its perfect simplicity and quietude is much more favourable for devotion than the splendid and crowded edifices of London. Mr. Price is the minister. He preached a very plain, good, simple sermon on the parable of The Good Samaritan. The church was without an organ until a year ago when a small one was presented by Mr. Rodney. I should think the attendance was below 30 putting aside Mrs. Rodney's school in the organ loft. I saw there the tablets of my Great Grandfather and the tomb of Mr. Golding.

Evacuee From Folkestone

I was evacuated to Llandewi on 2nd June 1940. I was billeted with Mrs Smith at Upper House, Coed Morgan. I will never forget the kindness shown, both by Mrs Smith and daughter Irene and also son Alan and his wife who had a small farm further up the road. I was only there for three months before having to pass on to the Grammar School, which had been evacuated to Merthyr Tydfil. The difference between the two places, and the people were like Heaven & Hell. I didn't return home until after four years had passed - just in time for the doodle-bugs.

Frogmore Cafe

Frogmore Street c1955
Enlarge photo |  More about this photo

My parents Monica and Jack Garrett ran the Frogmore Cafe from 1954 until 1978 when it became a dry cleaners when  they then sold it to Sketchleys in 1980. I was their only son Richard.

Churchgoing in The 40's

Llanwenarth Church Interior 1898
Enlarge photo |  More about this photo

My grandparents lived in Abergavenny since 1934 in a beautiful dressed stone house called Maisemore in Albany Road, and every summer after the war my family and I went to stay with them for a month, that is, until my grandfather died in March 1950, when this happy time came to an end. During the war my mother, brother and I were evacuated there, as our home was in Sunderland, which was a target for bombs, and if my grandparents hadn't taken us in, they would have had to put up evacuees from Cardiff. We used to go to this church in Llanwenarth on Sundays, and I can remember having to be taken out during the service one Sunday in 1949 because I wasn't feeling well.

Ascent of The Blorenge 1949

From The Blorenge c1960
Enlarge photo |  More about this photo

This picture reminds me of a photo my father took from the top of the Blorenge when we climbed it in August 1949. To start, we had to take the railway (closed in the 50's) to Gilwern or Govilon (I can't remember which!) and then begin our climb from there.  When they reached the top, my father and brother built a cairn from the stones lying around  - I wonder whether it's still there? I have a photo of my brother standing next to it.  Unfortunately I didn't climb to the top on that occasion as I wasn't feeling well, so I stayed with my mother, who wasn't so keen on mountain climbing, in a field on the way up.

Memorybank total

We're very pleased and excited by your response so far to our "Share your Memories" community.

You've shared 28,875 memories of 5,951 towns & villages across the UK - keep them coming!

Browse memories button

Find Memories

Simply search for your favourite places to read others' memories and share your own.

Start by searching for your favourite places

Tips & Ideas

Not sure what to write?
It's easy - just think of an important place in your life and ask yourself:

How does it feature in your personal history?

What are your best memories of this place?

How has it changed over the years?

How does it feel, seeing these old photos of your favourite place?

Do you remember stories about the local community, its history and people?

Start now!

It's easy to add your own memories and reconnect with your shared local history. Search for your favourite places and look for the orange "Add your Memory" icon to begin.

Your memories

To jump straight to the memories you have added already to the Community, click here

I Remember When...

I Remember When

This stunning compilation highlights some of the best stories selected from the thousands contributed here on the Frith website. The result is an absorbing chronicle of British life from the Second World War to the mid 1960s.

A colourful treasure trove of memories, "I Remember When" is an irresistible mix of personal stories and recollections that affectionately reveal the detail of everyday life in Britain.

Learn more button Save 25% on I Remember When when you order now!
Home > Explore your past > Llanvetherine > Memories of Llanvetherine

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