Nostalgic memories of Nelson's local history
Share your own memories of Nelson 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 Memories 1 - 10 of 13 in total
Now aged 70, this week with much interest I visited Nelson for the first time.
My name is Nicola Pugh.
I was born in London and adopted at the age of 5 months. The documents relating to my adoption were signed at the Royal Oak Hotel in Nelson, in the autumn of 1948. The witness was F. Hickson, a mining engineer.
My grandparents were Percy Pugh and Rachel Pugh, formerly Rachel Morris. They died ...see more
My name is Brian Beck, I was born on Shingrig Road in January 1938 and continued to live there untill 1952 when the family moved to Caerphilly. I attended Llanfabon school on High St until I passed for Caerphilly Tech in 1950 travelling to and from daily by steam train. As a school boy in Nelson I was the official telegram boy making the only deliveries during my lunchtime and after school ...see more
Haelfryn Thomas Lewis, 1901-1979
Some of Nelson’s ‘older’ residents will remember Haelfryn Thomas Lewis, the highly-respected teacher and then head-teacher of Llancaiach Primary School in Nelson between 1917 and 1966, and faithful member and elder of Ebenezer (Heol Fawr) Calvinistic Methodist Chapel. Some of Mr Lewis’s extended family still live in Nelson: Dwynwen Jones , his niece who ...see more
Hi my name is Pat Britton but I was Tricia North and lived at 24 Wern Crescent and lived with my mum and dad and my brother Gareth. Went toLllanciach infants and juniors then to Ystrad Mynach secondary then to tech college in Ystrad. Names that come to to mind Dinnella Jones Morian Davies Rhian Davies Alison Llloyd David Quick Stuart Telling. Nelson Coop on the corner of Wern Crescent, Mr Jones the sweet ...see more
I was born in the square at no 55 and well remember working as an errand boy for Morgans the shop delivering groceries around Bryncelyn and into Nelson village, for the princely sum of half a crown. I set up an account in the Goldsmith's clothing shop and occasionaly purchased clothing, they were lovely people.
Outside of our house, in the corner of the garden, there was a wall ...see more
I was born in Nelson in 1953 and lived in the prefabs at number 7, Heol Harry Lewis with my mother and father Mary and Doug Gray and my brother Neil who is 5 years older than me. Our next door neighbours were Peggy and Gordon Lewis with children Vivienne (Viveen), Nicky and Peter. I spent a lot of my time in 76 Bryncelyn Avenue at Helen and Jock Szymecka's. Helen was my mother's best friend and her ...see more
I moved to Nelson in 1962 aged 3 with my mother, father and brother from Rhydfelin, near Pontypridd. We lived in Tawelfan until 1970 when we moved to the dreaded England because my dad got a job in London. I remember nostalgically what the earlier contibutor Denise wrote about, including her mention of the three teachers at Llanfabon School, Mrs Carlick, Miss Edwards and Miss Evans, three of the best ...see more
I too remember Nelson very well. I was sent to live with my grandparents in Nelson when I was 3 years old. My grandfather owned the garage/cycle shop at 2 Dynevor Terrace. His name was Tom Bowen. I can remember going on the Suday School walks. One year I wore a straw bonnet with a white dress made from parachute silk with red smocking on the bodice. I used to go to the little cinema with my ...see more
I was born in 1953 and lived in Nelson until 1978 when I moved to Scotland with my husband. I've lived in Hampshire for 26 years now. I used to live in High St and from the early 60s in Ashgrove Tce, by the bus station. The centre of Nelson has changed completely and looks better than it has done for a good few years. I remember the wonderful community feeling in Nelson when I was young and a lot of the ...see more
I was born at Gwaenfarren House in Merthyr Tydfil and lived at 70 Bryncelyn Ave with my father, step-mother and brother Barrie until I left to join the RAF in 1970. I can remember the old prefabs being knocked down and the new housing estate being built to accomodate those people who used to live in the prefabs. I can also remember the Queen of Hearts nightclub which was the old cinema (converted by a local ...see more