Markam In 1940 To 1957

A Memory of Markham.

I was born in 10 Penywerlod road and attended Markham schools until 1952 when i passed to go to Pontllanfraith technical School. I recall most of the people in the neighbourhood and my friends were
Tony Morris,Johnnie Williams, Elwyn Jones ,Lindsey Creed, Bryn Grey Jn, .Terence and Brian Evans,Derek Jones,Jimmy Hearn. Arthur Hughes,Tichy Powell, Terry Joseph. and many more.

The local girls were my young sister Annette Gardiner,Delma Jones,Sheila Walker, Gloria Phillips Jean Chalk, Julia Hearn Rosalind Edwards Marina Weed Julia Mantle Iris Dexter,Carol Cox and many more.

My parents lived all their married life together in No,10 and dad work all his life from 12 to 65 in Markham colliery. There was never any trouble, drugs,fights but mostly a friendly village with some good but hard times were had by most families..Annette and Tony played in the silver band and went to the Markham youth club where as i went to Hollybush youth club as they played rugby.

I spent four years in Tech becoming head boy,playing under 15 rugby for Combined Rhumney Valley schools, Worked part time in Rowley Phillips butcher shop for pocket money. after leaving school worked in Blackwood for Brimble Builders and played for Blackwood Stars.
My first girlfriend was from Blackwood but i left the village in December 1957 moving to Slough to find work.
My brother Jack and family still live in the Blackwood area and i have often visited the village to view where i was brought up. The scare left by the colliery is a reminder of hard working people.
I am now living in Windsor Berkshire but will always be a Markham boy.