Gilfach Was My Mothers Home

A Memory of Gilfach Goch.

My mother was Doreen Hardwidge and she had a brother Dilwyn ( who is still alive and lives in Cleethorpes) and a sister Hilda (who died many years ago). Her parents were Rebecca and Fred Hardwidge. I remember Gilfach vividly as a child, when we used to visit Hilda and Alb at 5 Heol Heulog and I found it like another world. I struggled a bit with the outdoor loo but loved the warm range in the living room and the warmth of their welcome. We lived in Gloucestershire but my parents moved back to Cowbridge and later Llantwit Major. Sadly both have died in the last few years. I now live in Norfolk and although I go to Wales about twice a year (my brother and sister still live in South Wales), I have not been to Gilfach for many years. However, my cousin Andrea and her husband Ray still live there I think. I have in recent years made a happy and lasting connection with my mother's cousin, Dr Dyfrig Jones, who by happy coincidence lives just 10 minutes away from me in Norfolk and has many memories and tales (including pit accidents) of being the doctor in Gilfach for 11 years. His son Huw lives in Norwich and we too have now connected in recent years.

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