The Francis Frith Collection.
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Llandow

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Old map of Llandow

Llandow books (5 available)

Llandow memories

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You can also read memories of nearby places in South Glamorgan below.

South Glamorgan memories

Mustow's cafe.

St Athan, the Village c1955

I lived with my family in St Athan village from the time of my first birthday in 1946 to my marriage in 1970. Mt wife and I were married at the church shown in the photograph. The church is dedicated to an Irish saint by the name of Tathan. The village was once known as Llandathan, then Saint Tathen and finally St Athan(s). At this church I was a choirboy, Sunday School teacher and bellringer too. There are six bells in the tower cast by Warners.
Mustows' Cafe figures prominently and this shop was run by Dai Mustow, as we knew him, along with his wife and they lived next to his brother in one of ...read more here
A memory of St Athan contributed by Mr WM Price

Hammett's Farm.

St Athan, West Orchard Farm, Higher End c1955

This building was known to us as Hammett's Farm, properly West Orchard Farm, in the Higher End area of St Athan. Arthur Hammett and his wife ran the farm and I occasionally helped to deliver milk from the farm around the village from a horse and cart. Arthur, who lived to the great age of 92, and continued farming to the last, would bottle his own milk in a tiny parlour. He was a lovely chap and always gave us a mangold to make a lantern for Halowe'en night. The farmhouse is alongside the old main road from Barry to Llantwit Major before the huge RAF Station at St Athan was further enlarged and another road had ...read more here
A memory of St Athan contributed by The Frith Memory Archivist

The Town Hall Steps

When I was very young I can remember that my mother used to let me run up and down the town hall steps.
A memory of Llantwit Major contributed by Ceri Bosley

Barry Island in the 50s and 60s

Barry Island, Whitmore Bay 1910

I traveled to Barry Island every summer because it was the nearest seaside to Brynmawr where we lived. The excitement of seeing the sea was overwhelming, and every time I would be sick on the old coach taking us there.  We would first spend a few hours on the beach, then a walk around the shops, hoping for the biggest stick of rock possible. Then we spent an hour or so at the fair. I don't know how I ever went on the rides, I couldn't now!  Then it was back to the coach.  I was always OK going home, so it was just the thrill of being at Barry Island, something nice to look forward to. Barry Island has brought ...read more here
A memory of Barry Island contributed by jackie haynes

Extracts From Llandow & South Glamorgan books

Cardiff, the Docks c1960

A new decade would usher in an era of rapid decline. Both Bute East and West docks neared closure. West finally succumbed in 1964 with East surviving a further six years. The famous Butetown community was ripped apart by a programme of demolition and re- housing. We now know that the area was not dead but merely dormant.
An extract from from"Cardiff Old and New Photographic Memories".

Cardiff, Bute Docks, now the Marina 2004

Today the city’s international reputation is based on its leisure and tourist facilities. The former tidal basin is now a fresh water lake. A waterbus (centre) enables exploration of its eight-mile waterfront. The St David’s Hotel & Spa (second from right) was completed along with the barrage in 1999. With its distinctively futuristic roof structure it is Cardiff’s first purpose built five star hotel.
An extract from from"Cardiff Old and New Photographic Memories".

Cardiff, Bute Docks 1925

A paddle steamer momentarily obscures Penarth Head on route to Cardiff where it will join the massed ranks of vessels from all around the world. It is perhaps difficult today to appreciate the port’s international standing at this time. Just prior to the First World War nearly 50 nations had consular representatives based in the area - sometimes a single person acting on behalf of two small neighbouring countries.
An extract from from"Cardiff Old and New Photographic Memories".

Cardiff, Great Western Offices 1925

The rich terracotta brick Pier Head building (right) was constructed in 1886 as offices for the Bute Dock Company. Some claim that the grandeur of its design vershadowed that of the Coal Exchange prompting the latter’s overhaul and refurbishment in 1911. In 1922 it was taken over by the Great Western Railway whose acquisition of every South Wales port instantly made them the world’s largest dock owner.
An extract from from"Cardiff Old and New Photographic Memories".

Cardiff, the Promenade, Roath Park 2004

Prior to the advent of mass car ownership cycling to the park was an even more popular option than today. With so many bicycles present this busy scene is more reminiscent of Oxford or Cambridge. Indentification of one’s own on retrieval must have proved challenging! Note how neglected the Scott Memorial appears, its faded grey colour unfamiliar to us today.
An extract from from"Cardiff Old and New Photographic Memories".