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Rhoose memories

Here are memories of Rhoose and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Rhoose or a Rhoose photo.

Resident

I lived at the camp with my family around 1958. I was then put into a children's homes in Swansea. My mother moved to London and divorced my father. I had virtually no contact with her after this until approx year 2000. She told me that the "Captain" at the camp was not very nice and used to pick at her - so she moved us all out. Any more info available about this place at that time would be appreciated. I was about 3 years old. My mother's name was Cristabel. There were about 5 or 6 of us staying there. I myself have no bad memories of this camp, I could read before I went to primary school.

Fontigary Caravan Site.

I remember visiting Fontigary Bay Caravan Site with my family during the late 50s and early 60s. The caravans used to cost about £3 a week to hire. They didn't have toilets, of course, and we had to use the site's communal shower/toilet block. I can remember my dad lighting the gas mantles each evening. The beach was reached via steps - quite a few steps, if my memory serves me correctly - and the bottom steps were always slippery with green slime. I used to be a bit scared of the cliffs, because I thought they might fall at any moment. My brother once found a fossil of a sea urchin in a pebble. They used to serve delicious milkshakes in the restaurant. There was also a fish and chip shop near the entrance to the site, by the railway bridge. Wonderful memories.

Rhoose Camp

Does anyone remember the camp where women and children stayed when they lost their home or were abused by husbands? Mr Hughes was the man in charge, he wasn't very nice. It was a great place for little ones who didn't know what was going on. I went to the girls' school in Barry. We were taunted on the bus as if we were trash, it wasn't the kids' fault they were there, or my mother's as it happens. We moved to a caravan in Llanmaes for a few years then moved back to the Rhondda. They have better places for these poor unfortunates now.

CARPENTERS ARMS RHOOSE

The following is a transcription of a newspaper article written about my grandparents Annie & Arthur Hopgood. May 1952.
They took over the Carpenters Arms Rhoose in 1941. (now called the Highwayman)

‘Leader of the Band’

Many friends and customers called at the Carpenters Arms to celebrate the Golden Wedding of “Mine Hosts” Mr & Mrs A J Hopgood on Friday. As recorded in our last issue Mr & Mrs Hopgood are well known over a wide area. Mr Hopgood has an interesting record as a band musician. He started with the Royal Horse Guards as a band boy. He was then transferred to the Royal Engineers and after some years returned to Barry where he formed the Barry Dockers Band. During the 1914-1918 War he was Bandmaster of the 12th Welsh and at Kimmell. On his return he started the Barry Band which became the Red Cross Band, which won a number of trophies. Mr Hopgood became the principal trumpeter... Read more

Royal Observer Corps

My Great-grandfather, Edward Stanley Carpenter, was in the ROC during WW2. He did not fight as he had emphysemia and pneomoconiosis from the mines, but he used to lecture his colleagues on plane-spotting to inform the relevant people of all aircraft movement in their area. After the War, he joined the RNVR and eventually became a Lieutenant Commander, a rank he took with him to the Sea Scouts at TS Cossack in Barry.
Sincerely,
Caroline Scott.

Memories of South Glamorgan

Our Pub!

Gidday to all! Having recently travelled  to Penmark to rediscover my family history, I am sure that this is a photo of 'Kenson Cottage',which used to be the 'Rose and Crown' pub .My family(Gabriel) used to own the pub and smithy until 1858,when it was bought by Thomas Hopkin.I have my family back to 1782 in Kenson,with 3 grave sites in 'St Marys' graveyard.Lewis Gabriel,my GrGr Grandfather left Kenson about 1870 for Victoria,Australia.I would love to hear from anyone who has recollections, information or is a relative! By the way,what a beautiful,peacefull place.Shame about the power lines.Cheers!  email;aussiecelt@westnet.com.au

My First Visit to Penmark

I know this as Kenson Cottage as my mother lived there and went to school in Penmark. I have a photo which was taken when we all went on holiday of us all on the bridge. I still have family living in the area and enjoy going back to visit. My grandfather worked in Aberthaw cement works which is why the moved there from Kent. I am working on my family tree and would like any information about Penmark school in the early 1900s as my mother and aunt went there, their surname was Verrall. If you have any memories to share I would welcome them. Thankyou.

Courting......

The Village 1899
Enlarge photo |  More about this photo

I recall going out with a girl for quite a time who lived with her aunt in these cottages......they had been renovated then.......I'll keep the name secret for privacy

The Kirks , 1 Panty-Coed

I lived at No 1 Panty-coed from 1965 until I think 1973. My mother and father are Elsie and John Kirk. Elsie died 2 years ago, John still lives in Barry. I am their oldest daughter and the second child of 4. I attended Llancarfan primary school when Mr Lewis was the headmaster. I remember the Corona lorry that came around, I think it was weekly, the mobile libary, the mobile shop run by Milivan Yankovitch and an occasional icecream van! I remember the post box was in the wall of the big white house across the road where a girl called Poppy lived, who used to sit on the bonnet of her parents' Landrover as they drove through the village. I remember walks through the lanes and down to the river, bluebells, adders, primroses and races down the field banks on trays in the snow. I remember a pub at the end of the main village and for a while a large Pyrenean Mountain Dog. Names that spring... Read more

My Birth

I was born in Gileston Manor Cottage. My father was chauffeur to the manor residents, Mr and Mrs Clay. I had grandparents living in West Aberthaw and Sea View Farm, Batsleys. We then moved to Glyndwrtthan where I lived until I was married in St Athan methodist chapel which is now Chapel surgery. I am proud that my dad Cyril Harry was the first chairman of the parish council and was presented with the chain of office made by RAF St. Athan. My mum lived in Glyndwr Avenue until 2001 and was married to Mr James Eadie who had passed away in 1991. My husband and I moved back to Llantwit Major in 2003. Llantwit Major holds many memories for me as I worked in the Co-op in Llantwit Major with Merryl Holmes and Vera Price. I also worked in Llantwit Major Post Office in Wine Street. the postmaster being Gilliard and Elsie Evans.

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