Pencoed, The Square C.1960

A Memory of Pencoed.

I remember the Monument as we used to call this area (not the Square) very well. We used to catch the bus to Ogmore Grammar School as it then was, at the small car parking area to the right of the pub in the picture.

The white shop to the left of the pub was Mr Workman the butchers shop and you can see him in his white coat in the window. Immediately opposite was a small newsagents. and tobacconists then a very dark old fashioned shop not the larger modern one built later next door.. There were long front gardens to two cottages that were next door to the newsagent then, rather high above road level, and beautifully cared for with borders full of flowers. After the newsagent on the left was Dunn's grocery shop which was probably the main shop at the monument and always busy, and higher up on the left another butchers, and, I recall, a shop that sold sweets and fireworks and presumably other things. It seems shocking now that young children could go into a shop and buy dangerous explosives! . Finally there was the Railway Hotel before the station, always busy then and very pretty in summer with borders full of flowers, and cosy in winter with a waiting room with a big coal fire.

Its amazing looking back the services that were available to people in what were then small villages, so many small shops, really good public transport, and such an array of pubs to pick from! People rarely drank any alcohol at home, all drinking was done in the pub. Sociable happy times.


Added 03 June 2015

#337902

Comments & Feedback

The newsagent was Cled Jones and the butchers next to Dunn’s was Williams the Butchers and next to that was a greengrocers run by 2 ladies. I can remember being on my rollers skates coming down the pavement from the newsagents and catching the lamppost at the end to stop us going on to the road. A lovely village to grow up in.
I grew up in Groes Farm House from 1960 which was opposite the monument! Some great memories living there with my 9 siblings and parents! Happy times

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