Nostalgic memories of Garndiffaith's local history
Share your own memories of Garndiffaith 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 11 in total
I was fascinated when I saw the new development of Garndiffaith photo. This photo is of Lasgarn View, Varteg, which is just above the Garn.
I was born in Primrose Cottage in 1951 with my brother as we were twins. My name was Marilyn Jenkins, my twin was Mervyn.
We had so much fun in those days, when we moved to Lasgarn View. Wow, the back of the house lead onto Lasgarn Wood an imaginary world of climbing trees, ...see more
My great-grandfather, David Sadwrn Thomas, was a leading light of this chapel. Having been the Head Master of the school, he continued to go to the chapel after transferring to Abersychan on promotion. He attended twice on Sundays, and often for prayer meetings on weekdays. In January 1900 he assumed the duties of Sunday School Superintendent, and dutifully recorded numbers attending in his diaries.
Tim Sedgwick-Jell
My name is Elaine Connors nee Pennington
I was born in 1948 and I attended Garndiffaith Primary and Junior school and later Abersychan. I lived at Hillcrest, my aunty lived in one of the prefabs with her garden overlooking Varteg Hill. Living on the Garn was a real experience in the winter as all buses stopped at Pontnewyndd and we had a long trudge home in the snow but everyone did this. We learnt to be ...see more
My name is Robert Gwillim, I lived at 1A High Street with my parents Edward & Betty from when I was born in 1955 until April 1962. My sister, Carol, was born in December 1961. My parents had lived at 1A High Street for a few years prior to my birth. The photo shows the top end of High Street with Lovedays Electrical shop to the left and The Hanbury Pub to the right-hand side. 1A High Street was a ...see more
Lived on the High Street at the Post Office. Then moved in 1955(?) to new Post Office on Stanley Road, almost opposite the old Garndiffaith Junior School (now Community Centre). Well recall getting a 'basin' haircut at Dai Gurney's. Also the Bar fish shop, my mom liked hake. Came back in 2008 for reunion of Junior School class of '58 - and finally got to have a drink in the Hanbury! Couldn't recognise the modern ...see more
Horace ran the newsagent/confectionary shop in a little shop opposite the police station. I used to go there early in the morning to deliver the papers before going to school. Horace was also the leader of the Garndiffaith Gleemen Choir which is still going even now in 2012.
In the first picture, with Lovedays on the left and the Hanbury pub on the right, the small building below Lovedays was Dai Gurney the barber shop. As to snowboarding down "coppers hill" we used to sliegh down from Ty-Gwyn down coppers, left into Herbert street down to the Garn Hall and cinema and right then into High Street and then right on down to the "Viaduct". How we were never killed was a ...see more
I hope I have the right Garndiffaith? My brother, Walter (Wally) was 13, my sister June was 10, and I was 4. We were evacuated from Birmingham in 1940/41 after our home was destoyed in the blitz. Wally stayed with a Mrs Cooper who died shortly after we arrived, he then went to live with a Mrs Williams, and worked for the local baker delivering the bread. My sister and I stayed with a Mrs Powell at number 13, Top ...see more
I was born on the Garn in 1961 and shared very many happy days.
You didn't worry about locking your door or strangers because everyone knew everyone. My memories were:- sliding down the policeman's hill (as it was known then) when snow was snow, from top to bottom, knock out ginger, devil up the drain pipe on Halloween (naughty), fireworks especially jackijumpers, pictures on a Saturday morning cost 6d, ...see more
My name is Bruce Griffiths, my sister's name is Paulette, we lived on High Street. Over the road was a grocery shop where we would buy pomegranites, cut in half then shared betweeen us both. There was another road opposite us leading to a church where people got married, people would throw pennies over them and we would scramble to find the pennies. My Uncle Roly played ...see more