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Glanamman, view from Penybont 1956
Glanamman, view from Penybont 1956 Ref: G249012
Memories of Glanamman, view from Penybont
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Year: 1930s
Seventy plus years ago!
My brother Elwyn and myself were born in Nant-y-glyn, Penybont on 18th March 1931. We were twins. We lived at 18 Tabernacle Road from when we were about three years old. We left in 1953 to teach in Birmingham. Glanaman was a lovely place to be brought up. It was a real Welsh village, Welsh being spoken everywhere. My father worked at the Gelli Ceidrim coal mine. When I visited some years back I was disappointed at the amount of English spoken but impressed at the signs of affluence, very different to my days. This view brings back happy memories when we used to fish in the river, play in the surrounding fields. I remember that the bridge on many occasions was covered with flood water and damaged by floods. Lle hyfryd iawn! The other side of the bridge was the main road to Amanford but at the square was a shop selling newspapers and also had snooker tables. Last edited: 13/02/2007 14:34 by Eifion Goss |
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Glanamman & local memories
Read and share memories of Glanamman and Dyfed inspired by Frith photos
 Glanamman, Bryn Seion Chapel 1956 (ref: G249017) |
Capel 'Dadcu'
I recently found a photograph of this chapel among some old family photos and have only today discovered its identity. For many years we were told as children that our grandfather John Davies (also known as Dadcu Ffynnon Lwyd) had been the master craftsman who did the interior wood work of a chapel in the Glanamman/ Brynamman area. The photograph has prompted me to investigate further as to whether this is 'Capel Dadcu'. He lived in Brynmargam Glanamman in 1913 and was a student at the School of Architecture (although I don't know where that was). I have discovered that the chapel was built in 1909 -1910, that the organ pipes were added in 1911, and that the builder was a William Evans from Ammanford;also that it was designed by Henry Herbert of Ammanford. It's a bit of a long shot, but I wonder if there are any records somewhere of other persons who may have worked on the interior - and whether my grandfather may be listed among them. I have seen a photograph of the interior on the web and the style looks remarkably similar to my grandfather's work....though that could be a case of wishful thinking on my part. I would be very pleased if anyone has any further information on the building of this chapel. Diolch yn fawr. Amelia Davies, Aberystwyth (formerly from Carmarthen and daughter of late Wendell Davies). Last edited: 14/08/2008 09:23 by Amelia Davies |
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 Glanamman, Main Street 1956 (ref: G249016) |
Are you sure?
I believe this photo is not of the square. I think this photo is further up, maybe the old co-op? I have being doing a lot of family research on my ancestors from the area which is why I think that this is not the square. My great grandfather used to own the bakery, and my great great grandfather built the building next door to the bakery that later on was owned by the Carpanini family. There is only 1 first floor window on the Carpanini buliding. Just an observation, but I think I'm right. Posted: 19/06/2008 14:40 by Mike Lewis |
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 Glanamman, Amman Bridge 1956 (ref: G249011) |
Year: 1947
One of my playgrounds.
From this picture - you can see where a lot of the terraced houses in Cwmamman Road got their bulding material from!! Those terraced houses will probably last until doomsday - solid and well built, with Welsh slate roofs... many a family was brought up in those cosy, warm homes. (Even with the 'Ty Bach' at the bottom of the garden...) again,Happy Memories! No - I never did catch a fish - too impatient... Posted: April 7th 2008 by David Jones. Last edited: 07/04/2008 10:32 by First Name Last Name |
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 Glanamman, Amman Hotel 1956 (ref: G249015) |
Year: 1947
Doctors House and Surgery. (?)
This was where the Doctor moved to (I think) from High Street, Glanamman. Opposite this house was 'Show Sam', a picture house (cinema these days..). I spent time in there watching films from all over the world - and the newsreels as well... Further on - is where I would play and try to catch fish, in the river...near to the small marshalling yards, where the coal would be loaded, from several drift mines in the area. Fascinating place for a small boy... Posted: April 7th 2008 by David Jones. Last edited: 07/04/2008 10:33 by First Name Last Name |
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Glanamman, Main Street 1956 (ref: G249016) |
Year: 1946
Ice Cream Shop
The shop on the left - with the awning down - was known as 'Capanini's' (spelling?) and obviously Italian. They sold the most wonderful ice-ceams, sodas and coffees as well as tea. I remember the daughter there - her name was Bella, and she was a fiery one too, older than me, and by all accounts, typically Italian (as in temper..). Last heard of in Florida somewhere - if info was correct - as family had all died and she was the owner of the shop and the house next door. Opposite, and further up, was the Billiards and Snooker Hall - which in my day had the local barber in there as well - so you could play a game of either, while waiting your turn to have your haircut or shave - or both.. Lots of worries in those days about Polio, and it was suggested that ice cream was a carrier - hence big slump in sales...but I always had several when I was there on my holidays.. The Square (Y Sgwar) as that area was known was a local meeting place for the women to gossip, as there wasn't much traffic in those days - we walked everywhere - Garnant for the Picture House - or down the hill to 'Show Sam,' where I used to watch Cowboy and Indians films..a s well as those Pathe Newsreels about the War (WW11). Walking up to Y Sgwar, after, wasn't much fun.. steep. Sixpence! - bought you the world in those days.. It was also on Y Sgwar that I met my first two American Army soldiers, as they returned to barracks after the weekend leave, as the train at the bottom of the hill would take you anywhere in Wales or England. Whenever you saw American soldiers - you ran up to them, and said - ''Got any gum chum?'' - holding your hand out. The much prized stream of chewing gum would pour into your hands - many years later I found out that they were called Chiclets. I remember to this day - how they laughed when confronted - two smashing, young black soldiers, who spoke to me in a funny way - but were so nice and friendly - never forgot them.. typical Americans, friendly, generous and took time to talk to me, a scruffy urchin type of boy (been playing down by the river..) who spoke a fractured form of English to them - I think that made them laugh even more!! Wish I knew where they are today - if still alive - happy memories indeed. They gave me my opinion of Americans, to this day - never changed. Posted:April 7th 2008 by David Jones. Last edited: 07/04/2008 10:38 by First Name Last Name |
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