The story of a boy who moved to Ceredigion as a four year old, learnt to speak Welsh fluently and settled down to life in the county - before work took him away from the area and the language.
Lance Simcox spent his childhood in Ceredigion but left Wales in the 1960s and now lives in Derby. He went to Penuwch Primary School and he's pictured above in 1953, aged 11 (front row, second from the right). Let us know if you remember Lance - but first, read his memories.
"My parents moved to Wales from Birmingham in 1945, when I was 4 years old, to Dihewyd, an area inland some 8 miles from Aberaeron... just in time for the big snow of 1946-47... it covered the telegraph poles in our little valley.
In 1948 my parents again moved, this time further inland to the village of Penuwch, where I attended the local - what was then known as the CP school - until the age of 11 when I took my 11+ and went to Tregaron Grammar, which was reputed to be the most modern school in Wales at that time.
I moved back to England because of the lack of work in Wales in the 60s, having married and needed to find employment so as to provide for my family... a very sad day for me.
I was brought up as Welsh, spoke the language fluently, although now, I am ashamed to say, through lack of use, it has virtually gone. I am known as "Taffy" because I still have traces of that wonderful accent. I am proud of my Welsh upbringing, to be asociated with such a proud and independent land and people.
I often think of my school days and wonder whatever happened to my school friends... Aberystwyth too holds many fond memories for me in my youth." Lance Simcox
Have a look at our I Miss Aber section.
The story of a boy who moved to Ceredigion as a four year old, learnt to speak Welsh fluently and settled down to life in the county - before work took him away from the area and the language. 
