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Newport, the Handpost Inn c1955
Newport, the Handpost Inn c1955 Ref: n25191
Memories of Newport, the Handpost Inn
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Newport & local memories
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Memories of war years 1939-45 Newport
Memories of War years 1939 -1945. By John Beal. Little did I realise that I would be involved in the army when war broke out in 1939. I was attending Hatherleigh Central School in Newport at the time and as a young lad did not really understand what the fuss was all about, when it was announced that we had declared war on Germany, but I was soon to find out. It affected my education a great deal, because soon after the announcement was made by the authorities that only half of the schoolchildren would be in school at one time, in case a bomb was dropped. Half the schoolchildren went in the mornings and the other half went in the afternoons. If the sirens were sounded during the time we were in school we had already rehearsed to evacuate the school to be boarded with families in the Christchurch /Gibbs road Area. There was no panicking, just an orderly march to our allocated address. Hatherleigh was a good school, our headmaster Mr Hando, (Nobby) when we talked about him in the school yard, was very strict, but also fair. He compiled a school song which we sang each morning: 'As we climb the hill to Hatherleigh in the sweet fresh morning air. The birds sing around us merrily, and the sun the on the Severn shines fair'. I do not remember the lines that followed but ex members of the school maybe able to add the words that followed. Unfortunately for me I did not complete my education. When I reached the age of fourteen, half way through my third year at Hatherleigh I was released for a job as a junior on the Great Western Railway in The District Goods Managers Office, in High Street. Mr Hando was not pleased about this and but did not prevent me from leaving. During my interview I made sure that my prefects badge was in full view. Being the youngest but one of eight children and coming from a poor family my parents wanted me to contribute to my upbringing. I succeeded to get the job and remained there until my call-up in 1944. Thank goodness this does not happen today. How well I remember the air raid sirens going off during the war and everyone rushing to the air raid shelters, sitting in the cold damp Anderson shelter listening to the German bombers passing overhead. The ack- ack- guns situated around the town followed the searchlights scanning the sky for the enemy aircraft and when the plane was spotted they opened fire with a salvo of shells, which made a tremendous noise. This happened on many occasions, they were on there way to drop bombs elsewhere up country. After many sleepless nights and having to go work the next morning I decided that enough was enough and I would stay in bed whatever happened. Until the night that Newport was about to get its share of the bombings. A land mine was dropped in Eveswell Street which was a mile from where I lived. The blast from this was felt all over the town and this certainly did the trick of getting me out of bed, I think I would have broken all records at the time to get from bed to shelter. There were many broken windows in the area and damaged buildings surrounding Eveswell but where the land mine dropped many houses were destroyed, and lives lost. They were obviously aiming for the railway sidings, and the ammunitions factory nearby. As I passed the top of the street on my way to work the next morning the rescue services were still busy carrying out their duties. Despite of all the sad events during this time life carried on as normal. During the years prior my call up for service in the army, and as I had been deprived of a full education I attended Newport Technical College to further my education. I also joined the 210 1st. Mon Air Training Corp, we did our training in the Secondary School next to St Mary's church on Stow Hill, I became proficient in the Morse Code. This enabled me to be selected for training as a wireless operator in the Royal Artillery when I was called up for the forces in 1944. I was hoping to go into The Royal Air Force but the army's needs were greater at that time. Some of our time was also spent doing marching drill around the cycle track at Newport Rugby grounds every Sunday morning. Afterwards we played football in front of the rugby posts across the width of the field, which was great fun. Most of the lads of my age were very keen to join up as it was near the end of hostilities in Europe and it was likely that we would be needed for the war against the Japanese in Burma. I recently wrote a story about Discipline For The Young Soldier on the WW2 website and hope to continue with my experiences in India later on. That's it for now. Ex Sgt. John Beal (83) Royal Signals.
Shared on 17 February 2010
I lived in Allt yr yn House for a few months
I lived in Allt yr House for a few months. At the rear of the house was what was believed to be the old servants' quarters. It was upstairs and there were 2 bedrooms, a large lounge, kitchen and bathroom. I was 17 when I moved there, and it was shared with 3 other young men working in the Newport area. The lido was all ready derelict, and the tennis court was neglected. I was there until November 1966, our living space had fantastic views to the north towards the hills. It was owned then by a Mrs Newman who lived there with 2 grown up sons. We had use of the snooker table, which was downstairs at the front of the main house. Mrs Newman was quite easy going with us, it was a special place to live. In 1997 my wife and I had a holiday in West Wales, and I promised to stop en route and show her where I once lived. I could not understand why I could not find the house, but I realised that it must have been demolished. When we returned home I was put in touch with a local historian who believed that it had been sold, and went into dereliction in the 1970s and was demolished. I could not believe that this fine old house could end up like that, it was sad. I may have an old photo somewhere, which I will try and find when I get home: probably in March!
Shared on 10 January 2010
My wife Jenny (nee Beswick) can remember when there used to be a lido at Allt-Yr-Yn House in the 1950s. Does anyone have any photos of the lido or the old Allt-Yr-Yn House in the 1950s, or know when the house was built and who lived there? There is a nature reserve there now and no sign of the house.
Shared on 17 March 2009
Hi everyone, my name is Susan Richards. I used to live in Graig Park Road. I was wondering can anyone remember or have any photos of the old school, I woud love to get a copy of it, or can anyone remember me, I would love them to get in touch. Many thanks. Susan.
Shared on 06 October 2008
Bassaleg, Post Office c1955
Ref: b670006
Wonderful memories growing up in Bassaleg
I lived in Bassaleg from the age of 3, (1955), when Church Crescent and surrounding area was being developed. I lived in Church Crescent with my family until I left for Manchester in 1976. I went to the Graig Secondary Modern School as it was called then. After school I worked a couple of hours at Bassaleg Post Office. It was run by Mrs Mabel Bevan, who later on, after the death of her husband Ray, married her cousin Stan Bubb. Her nephew, an accomplished athelete, Lynn, also lived there. The post office was split into two halves, the post office itself was at the back of the building and I worked in the front part, selling sweets, cigarettes, and groceries. I was only around 14 years of age, something I wouldn't be able to do nowadays. I left school at 15 and worked full-time in the post office. I loved meeting all the villagers, and enjoyed my time there. Eventually I got a job in Newport at a store called Wildings. I have so many happy memories of my life in Bassaleg. We were all brought up in Bassaleg, myself and 3 siblings. My mother still lives in Church Crescent, and my brothers haven't moved far afield. I remember every family the whole length of Church Crescent, every family had a mother and father, and every father worked. I had a paper round after school, and delivered around the area, Laurel Road, Fort View as well as Church Crescent. Mr and Mrs Jones, who lived in Fort View, ran the paper deliveries, The South Wales Argus. I watched the 'new estate' being built. We lost a lot of play-land when the new private houses went up, now Graig Close, Penylan Close, Channel View etc. Before then I would spend all day and every day of the school holidays, out in the fields and woods with my friends. Myself and my brothers sang in the church choir at St Basils. We all went to Bassaleg Junior School which was attached to the church. I remember Mr Evans, the lollypop man crossing us over the road to go to school, I even remember that I had a coat peg with a butterfly on it! The headmaster of the school was a very colourful character called Merlyn Jones. The Harvest Festivals were held at St Basils Church every year, and I remember being dressed up as an animal along with my other school mates and parading down the aisle.
I had a job serving behind the bar at the Tredegar Arms, which at the time was run by Ron Hopkins, who has sadly died since then. He was from London, so quite a character to all us Welsh locals. Think of this though, I was serving alcohol to adults at the age of 17. Those were the days!!
I had a wonderful childhood growing up in Bassaleg. Whenever I travel back from Manchester to see my family, when I get to the top of High Cross Lane and can see over the village of Bassaleg including my old school, I get a 'rush' of wonderful memories. The old part of Bassaleg has never changed, however lots of new developments have sprung up around the riverside so sometimes it is hard to remember how it used to be. Bassaleg bridge isn't even in use any longer I believe. I used to catch the bus as did every one else, on Bassaleg bridge. So, yes, everything changes in life, but the memories you hold in your heart never will. I was known as Linda Barnes then.
Shared on 26 February 2010
