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Pontycymer
Pontycymer maps
Historic maps of Pontycymer and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis. View all Pontycymer maps
Pontycymer area books
Displaying 1 of 2 books about Pontycymer and the local area. View all books for this area
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Memories of Pontycymer
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memories of Pontycymer.
There are 18 shared memories to read.
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Richard Street
I was born at 18 Richard Street, Pontycymer. My mother was Mary and my father was Brynley, a coal miner. I went to the Welsh School at Bridgend Road and then to Garw Grammar School. I loved growing up in the valley. Honest hard working people. Miss the valley. Currently living in Madison, Wisconsin, USA with my wife Miriam. Coming home for Christmas. Staying in Castleford, Yorkshire with my mother in law, Pat, and travelling to Wales for a few days to visit my mam and dad's grave. Loved the 33 Boys Club and my mentor Dick Smiles. He has had a great influence on my life. Would love to have a "pint" with old friends. Still in touch with Ian and Sue and Mair Russell and Kevin Day.
Dad
My father, John Baugh, was born in 1936 and lived in Pontycymer with his parents, Oliver and Doris, in Park Street. He had a sister, Patricia - known as Anne, and a brother, George Brian. I am trying to get together some photos for a more interesting Christmas present than the usual jumper. Does anyone remember him?
Growing Up
I was born in Ponty in 1957 and left for South Africa in 1966. We lived in 11 Hill View opposite the school. My Dad, Allan Hatch worked in the pits. I remember the chap who looked after the school had twins, Michael and Malcolm whose Mum commited suicide. I went to Ffaldau after Tymeanor (?) closed down. We used to play in the police cells as kids. Wonderful memories.
Post Office.
I lived in Blandy Terrace and went to the Ffaldua Boys' School and then the grammar school. I was the telegram boy at the Post Office for six months, it was great. I wonder if two girls I went to the infants school with are still about - Janet Prosser and Anne Powell. I live in Northants now but my heart is in the Garw.
D.J.
Cinema
There were three picture places in the valley that I used, Pontycymer Hall, Top Hall Bleangarw, and the Silver Cinema. Good times.
Eric Morris
I remember Eric Morris and the shop me and my late brother Wendel bought sweets at. Eric must remember his roller skates, first skates I ever saw, and he learned to skate very well. I thought so anyway. Happy days.
Ex Garw Man
I was born in 193 Oxford Street, Pontycymer in 1935. I left to go into the army for National Service at the age of 18 in 1954. I returned for just 1 year in 1956 when I returned to the Midlands, to Birmingham. The house I lived in was the Morris's shop opposite the chapel and at the top of the hill leading to Blandy Park football ground. My grandmother and aunt ran the shop. I now live in Shirley, Solihull. I haven't been back to the Garw for 8 years as travelling by car is a bit past me now. I still drive an auto V/W Polo car While in Ponty I worked 1956 on the buses, conducting on the Western Welsh.
How The Times Have Changed.
I'm still living here today, a few streets have now disappeared, Wood Street and a lot of Bridgend Road as well as some local landmarks like the Ambulance Hall (The rink) and more recently the Ffaldau Hotel; but it's strange trying to imagine how life must have been back then. Much more community spirit then, the good old days when the front door was never locked and everyone looked out for each other. The times have obviously changed; Not necessarily for the better.
