"I was born and bred in my dear home town of Aberystwyth. I left in 1987 to join the Royal Air Force, but travel 'home' to visit friends and family whenever I can. The feeling I get when I'm driving down that terrible twisty road from Ponterwyd is still a mixture of excitement and pride.
Although I have been lucky to have lived and worked all over the world in the last 17 years, I will always think of Aber as my home. They say that you consider your true home to be where your heart is and mine is and always will be in Aberystwyth.
As a relatively small town, with only about 12,000 permanent residents, it is still quite unusual to find a place where the student population and seasonal holidaymakers equal, if not out number the locals. I have to say that growing up in that atmosphere has made me very tolerant of others and set me up for life as a man who would rather try to understand a stranger's point of view than dismiss it as unimportant.
Socially, Aberystwyth is a very diverse place to live, bearing in mind it is still rather isolated from any large cities. The tourists and students that have visited and subsequently decided to settle in Aber, ensure that there are always a great number of nationalities represented there.
Not much has changed since I moved away, some old buildings have gone and new houses/shops have been built, but basically it is the same lovely old town.
One thing I do find difficult to keep up with is the changing names of all the drinking establishments. If I may reminisce for a minute...Does anyone reading this remember the mid/late eighties pub crawl (or part of it) that started in The Fountain, then went on to Bacchus (wine bar), The Mill, The Cross Foxes, The Railway, The Cambrian, The Central, The White Horse, Cellar Bar, Unicorn, Jesters, Court Royale, Talbot Hotel, Downies Vaults (when it was two separate rooms), Skinners, Black Lion Hotel, Nags Head and The Ship & Castle?
Then you had the big finish of TJs, The Angel or The Pier Disco, with the feared Anne Leather on the door that could spot a nervous, innocent underage drinker at 1000yds. Fantastic!
On those odd occasions when our 'gang' (not the sort with guns, knives or attitude) fancied an 'alternative crawl', we would start in The Coopers, then head off to The Western Vaults, Crystal Palace, Boars Head (was that really a gay pub?), The Sea Bank Hotel, Marine Hotel, Bay Hotel, The famous, posh, Belle View Hotel (front bar), The Pier Hotel and then the other big choice............The Football Club, Asteroid Club or the amazing Rugby Club, with DJ Glyn & the Midnight Roadshow.
I couldn't drink a quarter of what we all used to drink now. Is that a sign of getting older, or getting wiser? Even in my mid thirties, I must confess to sometimes feeling home sick, but this web site is a really good 'fix' for someone who misses his home town."
Written by Anthony Jones
Read what other people miss about Aber
your comments
Carl Thomas, Now in Lincoln
Bap what a brill write up. I remember most of those pub names - but as you know I joined the mob before you did. I remember setting DJ Glyn up for his first disco (top of town Carnival week). He's improved a bit since then. Pub crawls went all over town but Porkys was the place for me. Party nights with Tania and the crowd we must do it again soon - What a great idea a late 80s reunion we could even get Glyn to do the disco in the Rugby club.Pawb Hywl!!!!!
Mon Apr 28 11:56:56 2008
Huw Davies, Talybont
I think I can remember your gang as you call it. I was the doorman for two years in TJ's (at the top of town). You lot used to cause me so much trouble when it was time to drink up. I nearly got the sack on more than one occasion for letting you guys stay on and have a lock-in. Good job Idwal was such a laid back boss. At least there were no guns, knives, drugs or family grudges back then. Aber has gone through quite a change since those innocent times. I wouldn't like to go back to my previous career I can tell you. I also know DJ Glyn. He is still in Aberystwyth and doing fine! .
Tue Jul 17 13:15:27 2007
Helen Oliver, Bronnant
I'm afraid I have to question the comment made by Mathew Morris earlier in this forum. Where on earth did he get his official statistics from? Are you seriously telling me there are 22,000 permanent residents in Aberystwyth? What area does that figure include........ Penparcau, Llanbadarn, Waun Fawr, Bow Street, Devils Bridge? There is no way Aberystwyth town has that many residents.
Tue Jul 17 13:14:57 2007
Helen Allsopp, London
My sister told me about this web site and raved on about all the 'old gang' who had written in with their comments. I had to come and have a look for myself. WOW, so many people from those glory days. Anthony, well done for what you have written. I feel exactly the same as you, but then you and I always were a kindred spirit.We don't go back to Aber as much as we used to, but I agree with what you said about the changing names of all the pubs. It's so hard to keep up! It's not the naked pool incident that makes me smile when I think back to those crazy days. Its the ice cream fight the four of us had in the ice cream factory on the Pier during the summer of '88. Jacquie and Sarah were fuming when they found out. Do you remember them shouting at us and wagging their fingers? Hmmm, that was a very special day for me and you wasn't it?Hope you and your family are well Anthony.
Mon Jul 16 15:21:41 2007
Sarah Williams (Dooley), S. Africa
I recognise several names on the list of people who have joined in. Those were great times and I remember them very well. Some of the old pub names made me smile as I read through your page. If Jane is reading this, I laughed out loud when she mentioned the naked pool incident in Skinners. You were such a crazy man back then, I mean that in the nicest way.
Mon Jul 16 14:55:03 2007
Mathew Morris from Aberystwyth
I think you will find that the resident population is a lot more than 12,000 Anthony. In the last electoral survey, there are 22,000 permanant residents and the University now have circa 14,000 students. the town has grown a lot since you lived here.
Mon Jul 9 14:48:35 2007
Mathew Morgan, from Aberaeron
I heard a certain ex-pupil of mine had written a few words so felt obliged to have a look myself. This is not a bad piece of writing. I am glad to hear you still visit your home town.
Mon Jul 9 14:44:59 2007
Catryn Hislop, from Bath
I can tell everyone that mentioned DJ Glyn from the rugby club, he is alive and well and still living in Aberystwyth. He is now a much loved and well respected husband, father and businessman. I remember those drunken days and nights affectionately and spent far too many weekends staggering home accross the railway line from the rugby club. Terry, Fred, Sue 'bubbles' and Glyn were legends. I miss you all.X
Sun Jul 8 19:57:12 2007
David Jacobs, from Swansea
I remember those old pub crawls you mentioned. Such care free times, wish we could all go back there for one last dance in the pier disco on a student Friday night.....
Sun Jul 1 19:14:12 2007
Liz Williams (was James), Norwich
Fantastic memories Bap, like so many of the other poeple have said on this page, your words took me right back to those glorious days when we were all just about to leave Penglais school. I can't believe how many of the old gang have written in to comment. Nice one.
Thu Jun 28 09:30:50 2007
Jane Needham (Allsopp),London
My sister Helen told me about this web site and I can't believe all those people who have made comments, it's like a friends reunited page! Liz, Emma, Donna and Clare. I remember you all, but it's you I remember most of all Anthony, for obvious reasons. Those days in the late 80's were the best times of my life. Just reading through your words took me back to the days of snake bite and black in the Cellar bar, downies-for-a-double and who could forget that night you and Stan PJ stripped off to play naked pool in Skinners? We all laughed so much, we ached for days and days. I guess most of the old gang are in their late 30's now but if they too stumble on this web site and read your words as well as some of those who have commented on what you wrote, they will smile and remember fondly all those great times we shared. Where ever you are now Anthony, I hope you are fit and well and still enjoying life to the max. You always were a wonderful guy, the life and soul of our gang and I miss you dearly. Ding.X
Thu Jun 21 17:11:00 2007
Liz Bevan from Sterling, Scotland
I remember all those pubs you talked about Anthony. I am an Aber girl born and bred but left Aberystwyth in 1990 when I got married. My (now) husband and I used to follow part of your pub crawl route and I remember very well that 'big decision' at the end of the night..........I have to admit being a rugby club girl at heart, but my husband always thought "it was too rough down there". I never witnessed a single fight though and DJ Glyn was a star! Boy did he know how to please a crowd. When I get the chance to return now with my children, I still get those feelings you talk about as we start the 'drop' from Bwlch-nant-yr-arian, through Goginan and Capel Bangor. Excitement and a feeling of almost being home. We usually do a lap around the town no matter what time we arrive, just to see what things have changed since our last visit. I love that place and even though my husband isn't as keen as I am, I would love to retire there when the kids have flown the nest.
Thu Jun 21 09:50:23 2007
Karren Tyler, Aberystwyth
I like what you have written Anthony. I have no doubt they were very special times for you and all your friends... I am glad to see you did alright for yourself though.
Thu Jun 7 14:45:24 2007
Joseph Weedle, Peterborough
I totally love your comments Anthony. Don't know who you are my friend, but I was in the aber circuit during those days you talked about. FANTASTIC times and yes I also trod those routes you speak of. We might even have been in the same places at the same times but never knew it. Those student discos in the pier on friday nights have a lot to answer for......Cracking memories mate.
Thu May 24 10:58:19 2007
Jane Smith from Birmingham
I loved my time in aberystwyth. I spent the summer holidays there from the age of 14 to 21. My mum and dad moved there from Birmingham while I was still in school, then college and finally university. The one thing that bugged me was the visiting students who constantly goaded the english visitors (like me). I could never understand their attitude towards the non welsh tourists. Several of my friends from England got harassed and intimidated by groups of young, gobby, drunk youths and I had to explain they were not locals, they were students.
Wed May 23 08:35:44 2007
Emma Jacobs, Carmarthen
I love what you have written Anthony, or should I call you Bap? It takes me right back to those crazy, care free days of our youth. I know those pub crawls almost as well as you do. You were two years ahead of us in Penglais and my sister was in your 'gang'. My best friend was Beth Evans and we used to wish we were older so we could hang around with you lot. You were the coolest bunch of people to be with. Never fighting or being nasty to other people, no (hard) drugs,weapons or hidden agendas. You looked after the girls in your group like true gentlemen. I can't believe I have stumbled onto this website and read what you have written. I will be telling my sister as soon as possible. Lovely to see you are still a nice guy. Don't ever change! X
Wed May 23 08:33:50 2007
Donna James (Richards), Aberystwyth
I remember the old days you talk so fondly about. I grew up in Aber at the same time as you Anthony and was actually in school with you and some of the other contributors in this forum. I moved away for many years but unfortunate circumstances in my life made me realise how important both Aberystwyth and my old friends and family in the area are to me. Its hard to explain to people who don't know this wonderful little town how it feels to come 'home' after living away for so long. The familiarity and warm memories of one's younger days are such a comfort during difficult times. I agree that most of the 'old pubs' now have new names, but I am surprised how loyal their customers are. Many of the pubs have changed owners and names several times since you and I frequented them every Thursday night (pool competition), Friday night (end of the week celebration) and Saturday night(just because we could) but when I go back into them now, 20 years later, I still recognise some of the faces sitting at the bars we used visit back in the mid/late 1980's. I always thought the town could do with a decent, drug and violence free night club though. Personaly, (as you might well remember) I was ALWAYS a rugby club girl. What ever happened to "DJ Glyn and the midnight roadshow"?
Thu May 17 11:16:57 2007
Ashley James from Exeter
Hi bap, its been a long time since we were in touch old friend but I remember all those pubs you talked about. I was usually the one dancing on the speakers in the rugby club at the end of the night. Terry shouting at me to "get down!" I wish we could turn back time, those were the best days of my life. I see 'custard' has said a few words on this subject.......what a geezer he was. Hello Dave if you are reading this.
Thu May 10 15:18:54 2007
Clare Mansell (Leather), Aberystwyth
Very interesting reading your old memories Anthony, especially the comment about my mother Anne Leather! Believe it or not, I used to try to sneak past her into the pier disco as well although I preferred the football club, much better looking 'talent' down there. We were in the same year at school so I recognise all the names of pubs you mentioned. The dodgy, dark, cellar bar drinking snakebite and black under the ultra violet strip lights. What a laugh we all had. Are you still in touch with Jane and Helen from the pier? I know all that was a long time ago, but I still think back and smile.
Thu May 10 15:17:05 2007
Andy Duxbury from Canada
Well,Well. I never knew you were such a sentimental soul Mr Jones. I was talking to a friend of mine who has also emigrated out here and we both remember all the drinking establishments you mentioned. Fantastic times in a fabulous town.
Thu May 10 09:47:08 2007
Cath Harman (nee Davies)
I remember the good old days when you could walk into a pub and know everyone there. We used to meet at the Unicorn, and call in at the
White Horse, Central, the Downies, and many others and end up on the pier. Saturday nights were spent at the football club and Sundays in the yacht club. Happy days! I now live in Windsor very close to Legoland and have recognised a few familiar faces there.
Mon May 7 10:27:24 2007
Hazel Carr nee Christopher
When I lived in aber I didn't understand how much it had to offer, its only since moving away that i realise how much i love it! I miss the Fountain the most, my old local! The castle and Rummers also great pubs, can't wait to come home again!
Sun Apr 15 12:13:24 2007
Gerald Yandell St, Neots Cambs
I like every one the Aber pub crawl was like no other iv been on,but them days it was all to good, less then 100 yards from the front door to the next pub, i was the dj at the asteroid club for 7 years as well as working at cambrian tyres,hot summers and cold wet winters was norm,up stairs in the w/horse was nice with jen,fountain was a good stop on the way down from penparcau,then up to town...... i just like to say I miss them all and one day I will come back home. I miss Aber.
Tue Jan 30 11:23:00 2007
Dave Jenkins - New Jersey USA
hello Bap mate,
How are you? I am impressed that you can remember all the places in town that I used to frequent. I had forgotten about Jesters, maybe for a reason, and barely remember the first time I tried green beer in the Bacchus wine bar. I do remember sitting in Jesters or the White Horse on the odd Tuesday night with Glyn, contemplating whether we should go to the student disco at the pier. Anyway, Wednesday mornings were usually bad especially trying to be at work for 7AM! take care mate.
Dave (custard)
Mon Dec 11 14:02:11 2006
Gail Croft from Hong Kong
The Crystal Palace Hotel - I have recently learned that ancestors of mine, Edward Price and his wife, Margaret, were listed in the 1881, 1891 and 1901 census records as being Hotel Keepers at the Crystal Palace Hotel, Queen's Rd, Aberystwyth. They had one son, William and three daughters, Jessie, Lucy and Elsie. That is all I know - would anybody out there have any further information to add? Does it still exist? I would be very grateful for any snippet as I am compiling our family history.
Mon Nov 13 10:13:17 2006
Angela from Dorset
Most of my childhood was spent going to Aber on the 'Bank Holiday Trips' via train from Newtown in the 1950s. When as children, we spotted the sea from the train, the excitement and anticipation we felt was beyond anything I have experienced to date in my life and I have travelled most of the world but nothing compares to deal old Aberyswyth. It's a great pity about The 'Kings Hall'. Lots of memories for all in that building.
King's Hall memories...,
Sat Apr 1 17:18:39 2006
Jenny Reddy(Nee Griffiths ) Holland
I come to Aber three or four times a year to visit my family. I left Aber in 1968 lived in England for five years, I have been living in Holland with my husband ( ex student) and children for the last 30 years. Although I enjoy coming to Aber i think it has changed a lot, especially the pubs.I still love the scenery around about Aber and also the prom and harbour. I will never come back for good, but Aber will always be part of my life.
Fri Jan 13 14:45:59 2006
Paul Edwards from Aberystwyth
The pub scene in Aber is wonderful. The Ship and Castle is an absolute must for real ale enthusiasts.
Thu Sep 8 00:55:07 2005
Rhodri Glyn from Hinckley
those pubs are hazy memories from a drunken aber upbringing. I can't drink that much now either - but what a choice of final venue, did it ever get better than that.
Fri Jun 10 18:44:58 2005
John from Aber
how can u say pubs in aberystwyth lack individuality? (See comments below) There are locals that go in to pubs everyday and use the pubs as their local - the Railway, the Fountain, the Academy, the Ship and Castle, the Castle. Without the students, Aber would be far worse off! I don't understand why people always complain about the students.
Mon Jun 6 02:38:11 2005
carstan from Aberystwyth
sadly most of the pubs you mentioned are either closed down or turned over to student pubs, very few have an individuality about them, rather they are much of a muchness, with the exception of the Fountain where you can still find locals who enjoy a quiet pint.
Thu Feb 10 09:16:09 2005
Angela from Chepstow
Oh brother, don't you know how to reminise! How about this one then. Just a couple of clues for those in the know!
Welsh Brewers, Walkie Talkies, Flagons of cider and pop!!!! God we were so BAD!!!!!
Wed Jan 5 15:15:14 2005
Recognise any of Anthony's old haunts? Do you miss Aber? Tell us about your favourite places.
Anthony left Aberystwyth in 1987 and has travelled all over the world. But he still thinks of Aber as home and and travels back whenever he can. 
