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Newbridge
Newbridge maps
Historic maps of Newbridge and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis. View all Newbridge maps
Newbridge area books
Displaying 1 of 3 books about Newbridge and the local area. View all books for this area
You can read extracts and browse photos from these books.
Memories of Newbridge
Displaying a selection of personal
memories of Newbridge.
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or of a photo of Newbridge.
Old Times
Does anyone remember going to the pictures in the “Memo” run by Mr Jones? He always stood in the foyer. After queuing outside, up the slope, through the glass doors and straight in front was the shop, 3d for some “woodies” (woodbine cigarettes). We always sat down stairs at the back for 9d. and two films. I can also remember Mr Salisbury’s hardware shop which smelt wonderful. Looking at the photographs it brings it all back even going to Greenfield Secondary Modern. Really good to see the old buildings.
THE CIRCUS!
I was born in 1941 and can remember hiding under the stairs when the Germans were trying to bomb Crumlin Viaduct, and after the war the thrill of the park at the top of our street filling with strange people, large tents being erected and the aroma of strange and wonderful happenings. Widsor Park was now an erotic theatre of faraway places and strange animals, all at the top of the avenue, what a thrill to see elephants, tigers, lions and various other species in reality. Can anyone else remember these times?Clive Walker, Micheal Cooke, Ossy Lewis, Hadyn Persie, we all tried to get in for free in one way or another but to no avail. Fun times when the sun shone throughout the holidays and when the circus eventually left we had the the fairground with dodgems and carousels. Fun times that left the war forgotten in the tumultuous excitement of pleasure for a short period.Those days are long gone and I wonder if you can remember the name... Read more
Gwent memories
100 Year Old Mum
My mother just turned 100 October 6th. Her name is Brenda Preece (Walters) and was born in Brynhyfrydd 29 Hillside, Crumlin. My Nana once owned the grocery store opposite and the house was next to the church. Her first cousin was Iris Collier who owned the boot shop further up the hill. My memories were coming to stay with my nana during the summer from London and being so impressed with the Colliers having a car and them taking me to Blackwood to the movies.l They always owned a pair of Scottish Terriers. I used to hop on a bus and go to my Aunty Gwen's farm in Newbridge and climb up the winding roads to her place. Today there are all homes built. Went to Crumlin three years ago, shop in a rubble as is the church, motorway running at the bottom of the hill. I remember my mother going back in 1986 and my sister... Read more
Sidney George Moon
I am trying to trace my family's history and wondered if anyone can help. My Grandfather, Sidney George Moon lived at 114 Lewis Street according to the 1911 census. He worked down the Crumlin pit. He went on to father 12 children and my father Kenneth C. Moon was the youngest born in 1920 in Crumlin but they may have moved into Rectory Road by then. According to the 1911 census Sidney and his wife Florence already had 7 children living at home including a Sidney jnr. Father always talked of "crossing the branch" to go to school. Was this reference to the viaduct? We visited Crumlin this weekend. Is Lewis Street still the same houses but renovated that existed in 1911? My mother (Ken's wife) has some photos which may mean something now that we have been to Crumlin. Any help would be much appreciated Joy Johnson (nee Moon) e-mail Ivan.johnson@homecall.co.uk
The Empire
Any information or memories of the Empire cinema? I remember it as fairly run down in late 50's but you could always get in to see the the horror films, even if you were only 11 to see over 16 films! Other names ring a bell - "the flea pit" (probably shared by many cinemas) and " dirty dicks".
Growing up in Abercarn
Memories of walking to school, which was then West End Junior School, sited above the west end of Abercarn. Walking from Mount Pleasant, through Richard Thomas & Baldwin's Office yard, past Williams's stores, under the railway bridge, over the River Ebbw bridge and past the Fire Station brought me into the West End.
There I passed The Crown Hotel, The Railway Station and into the shopping area.
The shops consisted of two butchers, three general stores, hardware shop and a milleners. Also in the West End were the Nant Pennar Club and two very productive bakeries. What a busy community this must have been!
I can remember the early morning noise and smells coming from one of the bakeries, sited behind No 18 Llanover Street, my garndparent's home for many years.
I can remember playing at the Top Tinworks and "helping" my great uncle carry out his patrol duties as night watchman for the tin works. His torch was "the best I've ever seen!" and I was the envy of... Read more
Good Times
My grandparents lived in Llanover Street and I spent nearly all my holidays with them in Abercarn. Reading peoples' own recollections certainly brings back many vivid memories, which I can clearly picture 30+ years later. There are certainly big empty spaces where the Top Works and Celynen South once stood.
