"My grandparents lived in Borth, I was christened at the local Anglican church and have always regarded the village as my spiritual home, having experienced some of the happiest periods of my life there.
My father taught me to fish when I was 8 and I caught my first trout in the beautiful river Leri which runs out across the marsh behind the village. I learned how to catch bass from the rocks below the imposing headland and began a lifelong interest in watching the large variety of birds to be seen in the immediate area.
As a young boy of 10 in the 1940s, I became fascinated with the railway and spent hours on Borth station, marvelling at the steam trains as they came and went. I would get up at about 4.30am most days and ride with the railway 'gangers' on their open-air maintenance trolley. We would travel to their area boundaries -Glandyfi and Llanbadarn - on alternate mornings and they would stop the trolley every so often to hammer a wooden chock back into position on the rails. The vehicle was petrol-driven and 30mph seemed more like 70! These men were very kind to me and I drank tea from their enamel mugs.
The sand-dunes at Ynyslas were used as a top secret weapon testing site during the war. I remember searching for empty shell cases down there when the dunes were re-opened to the public in the late 40s. The concrete foundations for the main rocket launching site can still be seen 50 metres from the entrance to Ynyslas sands.
I kept a boat on the beach for some years in the 70s and enjoyed some great summer fishing expeditions for mackerel. One day I came across a 9 foot porbeagle shark just 200 metres from the shore below the headland!
One of the most satisfying events I have ever been involved with as a professional musician, was an Old Tyme Music Hall which was staged at the Friendship Inn in the early 60s, to raise money for the new RNLI station. The village has had many talented people associated with it and they were all there that night.
I have made many friends in the village down the years - some of whom have sadly passed on now. I could write a book around many of them. I have very happy memories of characters such as Emlyn the donkeyman, Ted Richards the milkman, builder Dilwyn Owen, and many others.
I have passed on my love of Borth to my children and grandchildren. It is here - just as it was with me - that they have all learned to fish and appreciate the wealth of natural beauty and space around them."
Article written by David Matthews
your comments
Michael Fox , Shrewsbury
I remember the David Matthews (from Calgary)in the late 1950s when every, school holiday, I would leave home in Shropshire and travel to Borth on the Cambrian Coast Express (then pulled by a real steam engine). I delivered papers from my uncle's shop (H and MM Lees, Borth Newsagent). I returned recently for a brief visit and remembered so much as it was but what happened to the magnificent Pantyfedwen? I was sad to learn of the recent death of Aran Morris whose vegetable shop was opposite my Aunt's newsagent. I still have a photograph of David Matthews with Christine and me behind the house called Ystwyth. The Borth air is as fresh today as it was in the 1950s.
Thu Oct 29 13:30:15 2009
Linda Johnson Essex
HiMy Grandmother was bought up in Borth, I dont suppose anyone has recollections of her, Annie Elizabeth Sanders, her mother was Margaret Jones
Thu Oct 8 10:08:34 2009
Beryl (Morgan) Revell
I was born and raised in Borth and went to the C of E school.I am now in my 81st year and a Silver surfer!.I was taught by Mr Jones the headmaster Miss Edwards and Miss Evans.I visited Borth last year during my 80th birthday and was sad to see that the old school had been pulled down.
Sun Nov 9 21:15:15 2008
Linda Christie, Billingham, Cleveland.
My dad David Robilliard was born in 1930 in Borth,and I spent many a year up to my teens, on holiday with my Grandmother, Vera Robilliard of Torteval, on the hill.I remember visiting with Auntie Maggie, who used to live in Swn y mor,(Now the vicarage) on the cliff, Vera and Mrs Pritchard from Sea View,Brynowen Lane and Auntie Lil ( who originated from Wolverhampton)who lived opposite the butchers, and who used to leave the key in the door for the visitors ! Couldn't do that now a days !! I used to attend the CSSM, held opposite 'The Limit'.Llewella Lewis%! 20was a friend I made all those years ago, but lost touch with. The past two years I have been back for holidays, the village has changed, but its great to be on the beach and walk along the street. Many of the fine buildings have gone or been changed, but its still home !!!!!!!
Wed Sep 3 09:31:16 2008
Richard Galbraith London
We used to stay in Borth when we were kids (from 1955-1963?) Magic place. Flying kites at Ynyslas...the Rockpools. I've often thought of revisiting to see what's still there and what's new. Stayed at Awelon with the Williams - don't remember Mrs Williams' name. Mr Williams (Bill) was a signalman - he worked at Ynyslas Station. I went there with him many times to watch him at work. On one of the last times we visited, Mrs Williams had just had a baby. Was that you, Sue Rees Williams (above) ?!
Fri Jul 25 16:54:24 2008
Kevin & Karen Gilmour
Now in our 40's, my sister and I just googled Borth to 're-visit' the place we spent two weeks every year until we were 16 or so. Brilliant memories, staying at Mrs Johnson's house that backed onto the beach. We must go back one day to have a knicker-bocker-glory at the pink cafe (is it still there ?)
Mon Jun 16 09:13:46 2008
Sue Rees Williams from Penryn Bay
I love Borth and always will. I remember Aran Morris and was in Borth VP School with his daughter Kay Morris. I went to Borth VP School and was also taught by Miss Edwards (and Mrs Griffiths).I remember Kevin Wall and David Samson. I used to live in Awelon. I often went to Samson's for ice ream on a hot summer's day. Mr and Mrs Samson, David Samson's parents. had my Springer Spaniel, Bess, from me.I was Lifeboat Queen for Borth in 1975?I too remember the CSSM and the fantastic Carnivals ..... Cors Fochno with Gethin Evans?I remember! reciting in the Eisteddfodau coachedby Miss Edwards!I remember helping Elwyn the Donkey Man and, later on, Mr Doyle.I remember Pantyfedwen and how magnificant it was, the tennis courts andthe fantastic stained glass "ceiling" inside.I remember the steam trains and going to work with my dad in Borth signal box.Borth in winter is to be experienced, stormy and wild. Summer was hot and full of tourists, with local friends and those who appeared in the summer months and I too remember "Birmingham fortnight".
Mon Dec 31 14:42:31 2007
RobC
I have just heard about Dilwyn Owen the builder. He was in my memory a very nice man despite his efforts to strangle me when I met him as the Mayor of Borth. I was made very welcome by everyone I met circa 1978 1982. Best wishes to you all. Robert Connolly
Tue Aug 28 09:02:44 2007
David Matthews from Calgary, Canada
I'm 'another' David Matthews raised in Borth from the mid-1940s to the late 1950s. [The same era as David Jones, Roy Jones, Richard Jenkins, Anna Pugh and other schoolmates] Ah! Memories of Borth VP school and 'Miss' Edwards! Related to 'Matthews' the Butcher', our family lived in Snowdon [as the house was called then], next to York House and not too far from Garabaldi store [as my grandmother called it], the Grand Hotel and Pantyfedwen. Snowdon was a guest house in the summer as well as our home and welcomed many visitors from across Britain for many summers. Yes, the Leri around 'the Ynys' was a magical, even mysterious walk and haunt. It even offered the occasional fine trout and even better salmon to the enterprising! Maybe it still does! We visited Borth last summer with our children and grandson for a Matthews' family reunion and enjoyed HOT weather, warm sands and ocean! It's great to hear from so many who have enjoyed and still enjoy Borth!
Sat Aug 18 12:50:59 2007
Dave Peterson, Manchester
Very beautiful place, it's the holiday resort that time forgot. Loved the place as a kid. Still love it now, very peaceful and tranquil.
Wed Aug 1 09:37:03 2007
Dawne & Family - Preston, Lancashire
We have just visited Borth on a short family holiday - what a truly beautiful place. So quaint and peaceful, we will be visiting again very soon. Beautiful hideaway.
Sun Jul 22 21:33:57 2007
Linda Barnett North Carolina USA
This is truly the best place on earth, I miss it so much, especially now that I live so far away. Most of my childhood holidays were spent in a caravan in Borth, they were the best, I have vowed that when I win the lottery Borth will be the first place that I visit and I will buy a house here!! Borth is the best!
Wed May 30 09:33:02 2007
Alan Morris, Brisbane, Australia
Jayne, I read your comments with interest as I am the grandson of Mr and Mrs Morris of Gleaner in Borth and indeed their great grandson now lives there with his father. Mr and Mrs Morris' son Aran lives across the road...and one of the grand daughters,Dawn,lives a few doors away in Mayfield. It was so wonderful to read to your comments about your chats down in their cave-that was basically where they lived in the summer months when they took in visitors. Although I now reside in Brisbane Australia I still have strong ties with the village as both my parents, sister and brother still live there. Thankyou for contributing your comments-they have re-kindled some very fond memories of my grandparents.
Mon May 14 09:27:17 2007
Jayne Watkins, Warley West Midalnds
Dear DavidI am a Midlander but i have been visiting Borth for 41 years. I am only a tourist but to me Borth has and always will be my second home. I can't imagine what its like for you to leave as I still cry as I drive down the long road home then we say thats it the last sight of the monument. I always wonder if we will return and so far we have. I have wonderful memories of staying at Gleanor house and Mr & Mrs Morris, who we sat for many hours in their "cave" talking of old Borth. My children are also "in love with Borth".
Fri May 4 07:10:38 2007
Carly Purcell, Wolverhampton
I travel to Borth every year with my grandparents as a child. I loved going. It is a wonderful place very peaceful and calm and everyone is very polite in the town and hope 1day of sharing it with my children.
Mon Apr 2 09:51:07 2007
George Ellams Whiston
My association with the Borth-Machynlleth area of Wales, began in 1939.
When I became an evacuee from Liverpool. I de, trained at Borth station and was taken by bus to eglwysfach school my sister and I where taken to a farm Ynyseidiol. We where made welcome by the late Annie Hughes who treated us like her own family I remained like one of her family all my life , and visited them my uncles and aunts who had accepted me as their own. A lass they are all departed I attended all their funerals. (dear welsh grannie
Hughes) My wife and I spend half the year at Pennal and visit treddol sunday%2! 0market and then of to Borth 80years and still going strong.
Tue Mar 6 13:56:04 2007
Alan Morris Brisbane Australia
I am and always will be a Borth boy whose life has been driven by my love for the sea and which has sadly brought me to the other side of the world where I now bave a young family.I have many wonderful memories of the village probably far too many to recount here but one memory that will abide with me for ever actually happened only a year ago when we were all in Borth to celebrate Christmas and my mother's 80th birthday.We had a wonderful 4 weeks and my 12 year old son Bryn and 14 yr old daughter Kirstin thoroughly engrossed themselves in a village environment.On the day of our departure I looked out of the window to scan the beach one more time and saw my daughter standing at the edge of the sea looking wistfully out to the horizon and beyond.I went down to her and was amazed to see that she had tears rolling down her cheeks and she turned to me and said "Does it do this to you Dad?" "Everytime love and it gets harder to leave" It really was a moment that encapsulates what Borth was,is and forever will be for generations to come.
Mon Dec 4 08:15:18 2006
Kevin Wall, Borth
me and my best friend dave samson heard your music. very very good music. and nice to see your comments on how good borth is. aqs i am a local man, i appreciate that someone like you can say good things of my village. as it is often run down by others.
Tue Nov 21 09:44:01 2006
Do you share David's affection for the seaside village of Borth? Do you have any special memories of the village? Add your comments below:
David Matthews' grandparents lived in Borth during the 1940s. He spent a good deal of his childhood in the area and his memories of the village offer an affectionate portrait of times past. 
