Nostalgic memories of Aberkenfig's local history

Share your own memories of Aberkenfig and read what others have said

For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our web site to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was when the photographs in our archive were taken. From brief one-liners explaining a little bit more about the image depicted, to great, in-depth accounts of a childhood when things were rather different than today (and everything inbetween!). We've had many contributors recognising themselves or loved ones in our photographs.

Why not add your memory today and become part of our Memories Community to help others in the future delve back into their past.

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Displaying all 10 Memories

For me it is a beginning too.I hope a making of new memories of a great Grandfather I never met, His name was Thomas Baker he was killed in the Parcslip mines tragedy. I New absolutely nothing about this till today as I've been searching for my Grandfathers family tree,he died at 39yrs.I never New him as he died when my father was 13yrs... I'm hoping that new light will come forward. It's unbelievable that I have ...see more
I was born in 1943 and lived at Ely Cottage, Rock Street. The house was built by my Grandfather around 1920, I have a page from a 1926 telephone directory stating that the house was a business address of the Adams Brothers, (not sure if this was my Grandfather William and his Brother George or maybe my Father, William George and his Brother Lewis Henry), however the business run was that of Mineral ...see more
I think this was in the mid fifties. We lived at 15 Dunraven Street and at the top of the street there was quite a steep hill (it's all closed off now) and at the top of the hill was an entrance to the Forestry Commision land. During school holidays a gang of us local boys would spend hours and hours playing in the woods, making a 'camp', playing cowboys and Indians... we had really good fun. There was ...see more
My memories of the Coronation-2nd June 1953 While I was studying at the Bridgend Preparatory and Commercial School two events happened which changed the course of history for Great Britain. In February 1952 King George 6th died suddenly in his sleep. He had been ill for some time but when the end came it was shock to the nation. Princess Elizabeth (heir to the throne) was on a state ...see more
Growing up and the family - Part 1 My grandfather William Morgan Cockram (son of Lewis Cockram) and grandmother (Mary Cockram) (granny and grandpa Cockram) took over the ironmongers after the death of John Richards. They were living behind the shop when I was growing up. I remember the shop very well. It was not a very busy shop – I remember my grandmother in the living room at the back of the shop ...see more
Parc Slip Exposion – 26th August 1892 and-My memories of home life and school On the morning of Friday the 26th August 1892 an explosion occurred at Parc Slip Colliery, The Fountain, Aberkenfig, near Bridgend in which my (Catherine Delahay’s) great grandfather Lewis Cockram aged 28 was killed together with his three brothers, George, John & Thomas Cockram. They were the ...see more
I went to school first at Tondu infants and then to the Primary school, I remember when we had the school photographs taken in the play yard (where are they now?). I had a really great and happy childhood there living with all the family at 15 Dunraven Street, and friends nearby. It was a great occasion when Franky Vaughn visited the boys club there and when the fair arrived at the field by the welfare hall. There ...see more
Penybont Carnival Display Band mid 1970''s Growing up in Aberkenfig was good fun. I attended Tondu infants and Junior schools, later on Ynysawdre comprehensive school. Along with quite a few of my friends, I was a member of Penybont Carnival display Band. Our jazzband went to a good many places I wouldn't have had the chance to vist otherwise. We even competed in the world championships in ...see more
I was brought up in Aberkenfig, we lived in Sandfields Road, behind the then fire station. I well remember the school in Tondu and the infants' school in Pandy Road. We often as kids sat on the wall outside Pandy to listen to the choirs practising. I remember the Welfare Hall, the Lyric cinema, the youth club, Tondu NCB sports day, and the many friends I had, some of whom I can remember but not their names at my age of ...see more
In 1918 my great gran's father Samson Roberts, a horse dealer, was injured during a horse race on the 'Golden Mile' near Aberkenfig. He died of his injuries at home in Dunraven St, Aberkenfig. His wife, Mary Ann, was a tiny lady and they had 11 children. Samson and Mary Ann's daughter Celia Attewell lived on the same street and her husband was killed in WW1 in 1918, in the same year Samson' and Mary Ann's ...see more