Pontypool memories
Here are memories of Pontypool and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Pontypool or a Pontypool photo.
Griffin Press.
I was an apprentice bookbinder at the Griffin Press on Osborne Road between 1969 and 1975. While there, I met my wife Gloria('nee Fowler') who worked in the stationers shop of Hughes and Son Ltd in the town. I remember Sheila Smith, who lived across the road from the Griffin. I remember watching the Riverside housing estate being built from the Griffin. I have very fond memories of my time on Osborne Road and Pontypool itself.
Six Weeks in Pontypool
I was evacuated with my school to Pontypool on 1st September 1939. I was taken in with my friend Jim Baker, by a retired miner and his wife, and spent six weeks in what was alleged to be the smallest house in Pontypool. I can't remember the name of my hosts but their dog was called "Fly", my memory of this being supported by a small black and white photograph I still have of Jimmy and myself holding Fly standing in front of the tiny 2 up, 2 down, house and with the relevant names penned on it. Our hosts were very kind and we actually enjoyed our stay, slipping out in the evening to explore the blacked out town centre which I recall as a place of mystery and details are sadly lacking in my rememberance of it. The photograph on this site are completely unrecognisable to me. Our school "Central Grammar School"shared the premises of what I remember as "West Monmouthshire High School" having as I recall an... Read more
Pontypool Roots
My mother was from Pontypool and an uncle and aunt lived at 81 Osborne Road. My great grandparents lived at 'Coynant' (by the old Griffin Press building) and my grandparents at nearby Gwynfa (now flats). Towards Pontnewynydd (opposite side), is Balmond Terrace, named after my great grandfather, John Balmond.
Memories of Osbourne Road, Pontypool
My mother was born here in Number 55 Osborne Road. Her surname was Bryant. My grandad was a watchmaker and owned the watchmaker's shop in Osbourne Road. I spent many a holiday as a child in the 1950s. Happy times.
Gosh, My Birth Parents' House
My birth parents lived in number 51 Osborne Rd, glad I found a picture of the rd.
Grandpa Ran A Pub in This Street
My Great Grandpa Frederick Harvey was the beerhouse keeper who ran The Swan in George Street. Wish I could find some pictures of the pub (and my Grandpa, Arthur James Harvey, was born in the pub).
Its A Girl!
During the construction of Finefare my dad was general foreman. After 4 sons there was great excitement when he finally got a daughter. A banner was put up on the scaffolding saying, 'Its a Girl!' That baby girl was me, Kathryn Stundon.
Finefare is now the vacant Kwiksave store.
Penygarn 1954-1960
My recollection is of my friends and me belonging to Penygarn Tabernacle Chapel for children's religious teachings. Every Sunday afternoon we all traipse across to the little house behind the chapel. There were only two rooms one downstairs for the younger children and one upstairs for the older children, in the cold weather there was always a roaring fire in the old blacken grates.
All the services in the big chapel was conducted by the Reverent Mr James, whom we all adored for at Christmas time, we all had to practise in the big chapel in front on the stage singing, Mr James a well built parson who gave is all, with perspiration dripping of his face and his shirt clammy with sweat, he was inspiring to watch him singing with such enthusiasm and encourage us all to raise our voices to the glory of god.
Christmas was a great event in Penygarn Tabernacle Chapel and so was the Easter Parade, where all the children... Read more
Long Lost Bus Stop
The bus is parked outside the Pontypool office of the "Red & White" bus company. Their head office was in Chepstow and they ran services across the whole of Monmouthshire as Gwent was then known. Buses for Newport, Usk, Chepstow, Abergavenny and Blackwood went from the Clarence. A glass canopy ran across the whole of the front of the building which included the Carlton cafe and the Free Press newspaper office. The large building behind the bus is the Clarence Hotel - the best hotel in Pontypool at that time. In the 60s and 70s it fell into disrepair but has recently been renovated as residential accommodation. On the left behind the tree was the home of Dr Siddons.
The Bottleneck
This view of Goerge Street was taken before the "bottleneck" was re-developed. The store in the right in the foreground was demolished and a new Tesco was built there in the early 1960s. The "bottleneck" was not wide enough for 2 vehicles to pass but was always thronged with shoppers on a Saturday when Pontypool was the major shopping centre in the area and had a first class rugby team. Ray Prosser, Malcolm Price and Benny Jones were local heroes. In George Street was an Italian cafe called Savinis (Jakes) that sold wonderful italian ice-cream. Further up the street on the right was "Sharpies", - Cyril Sharps. A tiny shop that sold all the things any young lad (and those not so young) could wish for - Rugby kit, Fishing rods, footballs, Air pistols, darts - oh everything. I believe that Cyril was actually a cobbler as he also sold leather.
Sharpies!
A tiny shop working in leather and I think also selling fishing tackle. I just adored walking past the shop as the smell of leather was so pungent and I loved it.
I remember Mr. Sharpey fixing my school satchel many times.
I can still smell that wonderful shop. I cannot remember the name of the street but it was just up the road from Woolworths and on the opposite side.
I also remember the Italian coffee bar just up from Woolworths that was always crowded and an attractive family ran it. I do believe between my time of the 1950`s and 60`s there were 5 successful Italian cafes in Pontypool. Crane St. Osborne Rd, The Clarence, the one just next to wollies and the one near the police station. Fond memories.
George Street
In 1891 my Great grandparents, Willam and Sophie Gunn were running a drapery business at 30 George Street.. They later resided on Osborne road.
We visited Pontypool last year to research the family history, the staff in the museum were very helpful and made us feel very welcome. We hope to return soon to visit St Cadocs church
Burdocks of George Street And Morris's of Osborn Rd Circa 1901
I came across these old photographs of Pontypool while researching my family history. I am specifically looking for information relating to George Burdock who resided at 19 George Street in 1901 and his wife Hannah Maria Morris residing at Granville Terr on Osborn Rd 1901...this being the year they married at St Cadocs Church Trevethin...is Granville Terr still there?? Anyone who has links to the Burdocks, Morris's, Lees residing in Trevethin and Pontypool town area in the mid to late 1800's/ early 1900's feel free to contact me.
Memories of Gwent
Events on The Hill
I have left the year of these incidents because they were on going throughout my childhood. The first concerns Dr Clinch's dog. Dr Clinch lived at the top of Penygarn Hill. He was a large man with a gruff exterior, I believe he had numerous caps for Ireland in the late 1940s and if my memory is correct the great Jackie Kyle paid him several visits, causing much excitment amongst us boys who harboured dreams of playing for Wales. Dr Clinch had a wire-haired terrier, whenever the Dr began his journey by car at the bottom of Penygarn Hill to his home he would deposit the dog outside of the car, and drive away. The dog gave chase it would follow that car as fast as possible running up that hill. I swear that if there was a chance of the dog beating the Dr then he would accelerate. I lived half way up Penygarn Hill and witnessed this event many times. The dog always avoided traffic, not that there... Read more
Lived in Old Bailey From 1934 To1956
Lived in Old Bailey, and enjoyed my life there. I went to Pontymoile School, later to Tympath Secondary Modern. Left school at fourteen and worked at Panteg Steelworks until National Service at Brecon Swab until 1954 then back to the above until 1956. I migrated to Austalia where l live in Melbourne. My first trip back was 1979, l still think about my family and miss them, but they are no longer there. Still have cousins there but its not the same. I remember Davies, Proberts, Tews, Williams, Morgans etc...lnterested to see if any replies. Regards, Gordon.
Memory of Pontymoile
Hi Roy, Do you have an email address?
Nightingale Terrace
I lived in Nightingale Terrace, off Hanbury Road, until I was eleven. I remember Chatham's shop, with the wooden bung in the cracked window - it was like that for many years. My sisters and I used to spend our sixpence pocket money in there every week. There were two families of Morgans in the row and I remember a little girl named Geraldine Jones who we used to play with. There was a row of 'privvies' at the top end, which we weren't allowed to use. In the summer we would go up 'The Tump' and slide down it on cardboard boxes. Those were the days!
Llanover Row, Pontnewynydd.
Does anyone remember Llanover Row in Pontnewynydd? I believe the row of cottages were adjacent to Hanbury Road and the Forgehammer Inn. Apparently they were knocked down in the early 1970s and the site is now grass land. My great-grandparents, surname Morgan, lived in No. 2, and I remember a boy named Freddie Bustin lived in one of the cottages in the 1950s! I wondered if anyone had any photographs of Llanover Row and infomation of the people who lived there! Kind regards, Philip Taylor.
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