Clare Road
I lived on Clare Road in Ystalyfera, and the Wern school was at the end of our street. I remember having a street party for the Silver Jubilee. I emigrated to Canada in 1978, but have not forgotten the Wern School and all of my friends there. I had a favourite teacher named Miss John, and I also remember that we listened to "Morning has broken" by Cat Stevens at the beginning of each school day. My grandmother ran the newsagent in town, and my grandfather was a coal miner. My parents worked at the Tic Toc factory as did my other grandparents. I also remember going to the Ponti pool for swims on a hot day. It was a beautiful place to grow up. There was also a wonderful shoe store in town - it was always exciting to go into the store and there were shoes in boxes piled up to the ceiling - it's strange the things that stay in your memory from childhood. It was a beautiful place to grow up.
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Comments
RE: RE: Clare Road
My grandfather has a drawing of this picture in his house.
Comment from Geraint Daniels on Tuesday, 13th October 2009.
RE: RE: Clare Road
I don't know if you can help me, but my husband is researching his family tree. His grandfather was born in Company street resolven, his name was Horace beazer, his fathers name was elkanah and his wife was Mary Ann, he had siblings, one of whom was called Preston and a sister called violet. Elkanah was originally from the West Indies. His grandfather eventually married a lady called Maria, and they also lived here for a while before moving to Cardiff. Any help or information you can give us would be a help thanks
Viv Saunders.
Comment from Vivien Saunders on Saturday, 27th February 2010.
RE: RE: Clare Road
Hi Sharon,
Although I don't recognise your name, I wondered if you recognise mine, as I was born on Clare Road and also left, aged 18, in 1978. I suspect you are younger than me, and wondered if you may even have lived next door, as I have a vague memory of our neighbours emmigrating to Canada, I remember the Dad was called Ryland, I think, who kindly put us up for the night before my sister Gwyneths wedding as we had a housefull. Those were the days when neighbours WERE neighbours.
I have fond memories of The Wern School, playing under the arches on rainy days and losing the rounders ball down the hill.
If ever you want any up to date photos of Clare Road, let me know, although it may not be the same as you remember as there are so many cars, no room for rounders on the street any more I'm afraid. love to hear back,
Catrin Lemar
Comment from Catrin Lemar(now Fieldson) on Sunday, 16th May 2010.
RE: RE: Clare Road
Hi Catrin,
We lived next door to you at #8 Clare Road, I remember you well, your Dad and I used to work together at the Watch Company.
We emigrated to Canada in 1978, Julie is now in Vancouver, Sharon and Leyton are in Mississauga.
I still have video of you outside your house on your wedding day.
We still have fond memories of Ystalyfera.
Ron.
Comment from Ron Williams on Monday, 17th May 2010.
RE: RE: Clare Road
Hi Sharon, It's Miss John. It was lovely to read your comments on Ystalyfera memories.I remember you well, you were such a lovely pupil! It was a pleasure to have you in my class,and I was very sad when you emigrated in 1978. I often thought about you over the years and wondered how you were getting on in Canada. I met your brother Leyton last September when he visited Ysgol Y Wern, I gave him my address to give to you.I do hope that you contact me,I would love to hear from you again after all this time. Please remember me to your family,and I hope to hear from you in the near future! Susan John
Comment from Susan John on Tuesday, 20th July 2010.
RE: RE: Clare Road
Like my sister (Sharon Bondy), I also have great memories of Clare Road. We lived at 8 Clare Road (the Williams's). I (Julie) am the oldest of 3 kids (my sister Sharon & brother Leyton). I vaguely remember moving to this house from our Pen-Y-Grug house (I think I was 5 of 6 years old at the time - early/mid 1970s). Many of our friends lived on our street, and we would walk to school together since the Wern School was at the end of the street. We spent a lot of time playing at Alltygrug Park - we could be gone for hours and our parents didn't worry about us - those were the days! we would also play in the "patches" (near Alltygrug Park). Our neighbors were the Lemars on one side, and the Jones' on the other. Our garden backed onto a lane, and across the lane lived Gary & Betty Lewis - my brother was best friends with Berwyn Lewis. Some of my friends lived on Alltygrug Road, Gough Road, Commercial Street, and in the Varteg. I do remember swimming in the outdoor pool in the Varteg in the summertime. My grandparents ran the "shop" on the corner of Commercial Street & Alltygrug Road - I remember sleeping over when I twisted my ankle so that my parents could go to work! My sister mentioned a shoe shop - that was run by "Auntie Piera" - not sure if she was an actual relative or not because we called all of our parents friends "Auntie" or "Uncle" back then! I loved that shop too. My friend Gillian's mother ran the "Cozy Cafe' in town back then...not sure if it's still there (Commercial St.) Our family moved to Canada in 1978 and we have lived here ever since. I had a short visit to Ystalyfera in 2004 - our house looked smaller than I remember, but the street is still beautiful, as is Ystalyfera...I agree with Sharon, it was a beautiful place to grow up... Great memories!
Comment from Julie Williams on Friday, 6th May 2011.