The Pool In The Park

A Memory of Bargoed.

Although I was born and raised in Bristol, my dad was born in Bargoed, but not of Welsh parentage as grandparents moved there from Bristol in about 1909. Their 4 youngest children were born there, Dad being the youngest. So, I spent about 2 weeks there during school holidays at my uncle & aunt's house on Park Road. My Nan, who lived with us in Bristol, would take me with her on her visits when we would take the train to Newport, then catch the bus to Caerphilly and another one to Bargoed, then have to walk up the hill to Park Road. I still remember going to the Hanbury to see an occasional movie, particularly "High Noon" with my Uncle Bert (who worked as a Powder Monkey at the pit) and, of course, swimming at the open-air pool in the park. A very vivid memory as the water was always so cold, especially when you first got in, but it was always such fun. Unfortunately, the wet weather would frequently put a stop to that! Sadly, my Nan died at my uncle's house when I was 14 and is buried at Brithdir cemetery with my grandfather. My husband, myself and our daughters emigrated to Canada in early 1972 and when we are over visiting my brother in England, we try to make a visit to Bargoed and have to pass Factory Road (where Dad was born) on our way to visit the cemetery. Our last visit to Bargoed was in 2009, but I have a feeling that it will be our last, unfortunately, but at least I have the memories.