Commercial Street
I lived at number 36 from 1936 for 11 yrs. and saw the changes that World War 11 brought to our village. I remember the milkman and his horse-drawn cart and mam asking for a gill as she searched her purse for the coin to pay for it. Someone would always rush out to collect the horse droppings for use on their garden. The blackouts and the sound of enemy aircraft overhead as they followed the mountain range from Blaenavon to Twyn Barllwm their dropping point for the bombs aimed at Newport Docks. The arrival of the Yanks based at Llantarnam and rides in jeeps to the Mountain Air pub when soldiers took our house neighbours' daughters out for runs. Jeff Saunders and the Rogers boys who lived opposite (where the OAP home is now). Jones and Porters shop at the top of the street and the Bridgend pub. The street party after VE Day. Charles' Funeral Site next to the canal and Tommy Arundle who drowned in the lock behind it. That was a sad day in the village and mam and I saw the police sergeant carrying him to his home in Capel Street where his parents had a shop as we were on our way to my nan's in Church Road.
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RE: RE: Commercial Street
Hi I was born in 1964 at home in Liswerry Drive, Llanyrafon. I believe the little house had formerly been Deny-camps the greengrocer which relocated to the parade of shops still there in Llanyrafon. My mum, Margaret Lewis taught for many years at Llanyrafon School where myself, Ann and my two older brothers Peter, and Robert attended. My dad Phillip worked in County Hall Llanyrafon, once built, I watched it go up, as Assistant Director of Education for Gwent. Happy days, we all attended Croesyceiliog Comp, although it had been a grammar school whilst my brothers were there. Supported my eldest brother playing rugby for Pontypool. How much has changed, well grown and developed, the town shopping centre, oh so much. Life was easy growing up, riding bikes all day. Adventures up the mountains or in the woods at Croesyceiliog School which don't seem to be there any more! I used to spend most weekends at Davies Riding Stable, Llanfrechfa. The church remains, the school, the shops, the Crows Nest, the walk around the river. But the school fields are now fenced off, and feels like Coldiz, such a shame, such memories in those grounds now locked away. I remember the day Prince Charles came to Wales, I was in infant school. We had all made a flag to wave at him and the procession passed through the boating lake area. All the children in Gwent wrote poems which were published and school children received a copy. I found mine last year whilst I was clearing out the house that had been our home for 46 years on LLanyrafon Way, following the passing of my beloved Mum. Such memories, too many to mention or remember. Love to hear more from anyone living in the area then and now.
Comment from Ann Lewis on Sunday, 4th March 2012.