Nostalgic memories of Caerau's local history
Share your own memories of Caerau 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.
Add a Memory!
It's easy to add your own memories and reconnect with your shared local history. Search for your favourite places and look for the 'Add Your Memory' buttons to begin
Displaying Memories 21 - 30 of 49 in total
I am seeking information. William Oswald Jones was my wife's father. He was born in 1916 at 24 Victoria Street. His parents were Humphrey and Mary Jones. William was killed in Italy in 1944 at the battle for "Monti Casino" . Humphrey worked at the Pit as a Coal Hewer. On the 1911 census he was shown as being born in Pangroes North Wales 1883. Mary was born in Caerau in 1884. They had three children ...see more
My name was Betty Vincent and I lived at 27 Carmen Street until 1954. My dad's name was George Vincent and Mam Florrie. My brother Billy still lives in 27 now. Fond memories of Caerau Library, Cosy Cinema and the Colloseum. Went to Blaenlynnfi school. Val Treasure, Brenda Thomas, Rita Sawden and Hazel Halfyard were good friends. Brother Richie still lives in Caerau. Wonderful place to grow up - really good memories.
Me and my brother Norman used to spend most of our time playing snooker at the library. Mr Phil Thomas used to look after it and he, together with my father Billy, taught us how to play. There were 6 tables there. Phil would iron and clean them daily. The place was spotless. I always remember that the top two tables were always covered and you could only play on them if Phil thought you were good enough and wouldn't ...see more
I remember as a boy of 12, when I and my friend David Nutt would play down by Caerau library for hours;
on most days we would not go back home for hours, but Mam and Dad would know where we would be. I am Peter Darby, now coming up for 53. I wonder how have the years gone so quick, now as I pass where the library used to stand I stop for a moment and think
y.y.y.o.y.
we to where boy;s
I have dreadful memories of that rat infested place called the Cosy, it used to smell so bad. I also recall buying the fritters from Mort's. My father played bowls in Caerau and I would go along with my tennis racket. I went to Blaencaerau school around 1958 and the teachers were dreadful. I got pinched, thumped and hit across the fingers, nice place.
I learned to ride my bike near Brewers bus station and ended up very ...see more
I was born up The Monkey in 1957. I moved from there to George Street in 1966. The name of the street was Dunraven Place. The name of the pub was the Dunraven Hotel. There were 8 houses up The Monkey when I lived there. My mother told me there used to be more street there years ago. There wasn't anyone with the name Deere living up there when I lived there. All the houses got knocked down not long after I moved from there. I ...see more
The present commemorations of VJ Day bring back happy memories of Caerau. I stayed there briefly at that time while my father worked as a locum for a Dr Llewelliyn. I was very young, but I remember being very happy there. I played with a little girl called Viola Angel whom I have always remembered. I even spent a short time at the primary school. I remember being driven about the beautiful countryside in an old Baby ...see more
For many years I enjoyed playing in Caerau park. Yet my best memories are of our train rides to Cymmer. When steam trains were the normal means of transport, with our pocket money on a Saturday, sometimes we would buy a return ticket to Cymmer - two villages seperated only by a railway tunnel. We would try to have a seated area to ourselves, open the windows and try to fill the carriage with smoke as we passed ...see more
I believe the church on the left is called Zion. Every Easter all the churches in Caerau would join together and march around the streets of Caerau, we as young children would join with the songs sang like "We are matching to Zion, beautiful, beautiful Zion." Many onlookers would be gathered on their doorsteps to watch this march of witness, even the men would come out of the clubs to watch us (in those days no pub ...see more
I lived both at Church Street, Caerau and at Lloyd Street, Caerau, the latter close to the library. Often as young people we would play snooker and table tennis at the library, sometimes even reading the newspapers there. Girls were never allowed in, and the place was always filled with smoke, for all the men that played on the tables would be smoking their fags.