Prom Days
The promenade at Aberystwyth has always been a magnet for locals and visitors alike. We want to hear your stories about the seafront and why it's so special.
One local woman has already been sharing her memories. Jane Smyth was born in Aberystwyth and has lived most of her life in the town. She remembers what the prom was like when she was growing up in the 1940s.
"During the war years, my mother would take us every day in the summer to sit on South Beach in Aberystwyth. It probably wasn't the case but the weather always seemed to be warm and sunny then.
My sister Mary and I used to love playing in the children's paddling pool on Castle Rocks.
It was a concrete pool cast on the rocks and when the tide came in it would fill up with seawater through the drainage holes in the side of the walls - we used to think that was so exciting!
You can still see where it used to be but it would be lovely to see it restored so that children today could enjoy playing in the pool as we used to.
I also have fond memories of the seafront on a Sunday. After morning chapel, it was traditional to go for a walk on the prom and kick the bar.
It was an important weekly social event where people could stop and chat, catch up on local news and take in the sea air.
The prom would be crowded, full of people dressed in their Sunday Best. In the evening, we'd have Côr y Castell (The Castle Choir). People would gather in the shelter under the castle grounds to sing hymns after chapel.
The place used to be packed. There was no television in those days so we had to make our own entertainment."
have your say
Do you have fond memories of the prom? Do you think the old children's paddling pool on Castle Rocks should be re-built?
Get in touch and we can add your stories or comments to the site.
