Pontycymer, Oxford Street c.1952

Photo ref: P227008

Watching the coal miners sit and talk and smoke. I miss the valley. Have been in the USA since 1982. Loved my time teaching at Ffaldau from 1971 to 1982. Kids and parents were great. Mam and dad died the last 5 years. Want to talk to old friends, take care Dai Harris.

I was born in Ponty in 1957 and left for South Africa in 1966. We lived in 11 Hill View opposite the school. My Dad, Allan Hatch worked in the pits. I remember the chap who looked after the school had twins, Michael and Malcolm whose Mum commited suicide. I went to Ffaldau after Tymeanor (?) closed down. We used to play in the police cells as kids. Wonderful memories.

I lived in Blandy Terrace and went to the Ffaldua Boys' School and then the grammar school. I was the telegram boy at the Post Office for six months, it was great. I wonder if two girls I went to the infants school with are still about - Janet Prosser and Anne Powell. I live in Northants now but my heart is in the Garw. D.J.  

Some years ago my mother came across this postcard and looking carefully saw herself! She is the woman, Joan Marion Jones, nee Gibson, carrying a child on the corner by what was a barbers. That child is my sister, Christine Jones (now Howell) and the boy by the side is myself. The other lady with her is my Auntie Beat. We were on our way to the railway station in Pontycymer to catch the train to Porthcawl. Christine was born in Dec 1950 and I was born in Nov 1947.