Porthcawl, Mid Glamorgan

School camp

My husband Stan Waite went to this camp when he was in homes in Aberdare - Llucoed. They had entertainment; after breakfast we peeled potatoes to help with dinner, after which the tuck shop opened and we bought an ice-cream, 2-3 pennies. We played on the beach, had a good time.

Porthcawl

My first job was as a nanny to the Chess children, Oscar, Anna and Paul. Their dad had car sales rooms, one was in Port Talbot. When I got married my husband and I worked in Coney Beach, a big self service cafe on the front with a bar on the corner and a silver service part as well. We worked... [more]

Porthcawl

My best memories of Porthcawl are when my gran (Mrs Gwen Ware) was alive, she lived at Elm Cottage, in New Road. I was very young in the early 1970s to the very early 1980s.

Grampy used to take me to the park and Coney Beach, and every Christmas there used to be a Christmas tree in the centre of... [more]

Porthcawl

My husband and I used to work in the restaurant on the front at Coney Beach, it was a seasonal job. It had a self service, a silver service, and we did functions. Mr Williams and Mr Evans were managers then. We had all meals when we were at work. I think it was owned by Sir Leslie Joseph then who... [more]

Club Outing

Our ciu club in Watford came here for a weekend break. It was the Toby Club, as was called, that raised money for the old folks Xmas party. As we were from South Wales, my husband suggested we come down. What agreat time we all had!

Wartime

We were bombed out in Cardiff during the blitz in Cardiff and my father got us a house in Porthcawl. We lived on Mackworth Road. I have many happy memories of those days. I went to New Road School  and then to the senior school, now a comprehhensive I think. I left Porthcawl in 1953 but still try and get back... [more]

Carefree days

It is lovely to see the old photos of Porthcawl. Our family used to go there every summer for a holiday in a rented bungalow, none of your mod cons then. But they were great times spent there, lots of laughter and fun. I’m talking of the early 50's, when building sand castles and a stick of rock were all you... [more]

Growing Up

How wonderful to find this web site.  I am the second generation of my family to be born, brought up and still live in Porthcawl.  I consider myself very lucky to live here and fully appreciate both the seaside and the country which is easily and quickly accessible. Porthcawl is a great place to live it retains much of the community... [more]

South Wales Photographic Memories

Two little girls take a brisk walk on the prom at the turn of the century in their best holiday clothes. The town was built on the coal industry, as were many in South Wales; Porthcawl was a coal port in the 19th century, but it declined in the face of competition from Barry and Port Talbot. This decline was foreseen,... [more]

Porthcawl Photographic Memories

This view of Coney Beach shows ladies wearing long dresses, the men wearing suits and the children fully dressed - there is not a bathing costume in sight.

South Wales Photographic Memories

This is a splendid view of the terraces and their fine sea view. A sign in the centre left of the picture reads - 'Jones's Hotels and Cafés'. Note the pedestrians on the right in their turn-of-the-century clothing and hats.