View Ken's film - The Hafod Hooter
Transcript: 
Now this is what remains of the hooter of the Hafod Colliery, when it was dismantled 40 years ago. And this is the man, Wyn Thomas, who was the official in charge of the dismantling of that colliery, who it was made for. He pointed it out, "When they dismantle this place," he said, "this powerhouse, keep that hooter for me, as a memento of the colliery."
The sound of the hooter was heard over the Rhos for years and years and years. The most important was Friday night, six o' clock. A long blast which meant 'NO WORK TOMORROW'. And that old man in Rhos used to say "Handel never composed a note as sweet as that."
The hooter went at quarter to six - 'get ready to go down', the hooter went at six, that meant 'no more men down, but start winding coal'. It went for nine o' clock til 20 past, that meant 'snack time', and it went at half past one which meant 'knocking-off time'.
And New Year's Eve, every hooter in Rhos, Ruabon and Hafod, they all sounded this long blast on their hooters. Very important part of life, yes, I think.
But when it was dismantled, they smashed it to bits and all I got was the valve, which I mounted on two telephone bells and a piece of quaker coal. But by the time I'd finished it, poor Wyn was dead. It's been standing on our mantelpiece ever since.
I decided to look if he had any family and I found out he'd got a daughter. I asked her would she like it? And she said it would be better if it was for everybody to see at the Hafod Club. So that's where I think it'll go. 
your comments
Bryan Jones, Vancouver
Hi Ken, I lived in Johnstown myself. In fact, I lived on Wrexham Road and could see the Hafod pit out of my front window. I emigrated to Saulte Ste Marie in 1969. Are you the person who looked after the club where I used to play darts in the Soo.
Fri Mar 6 08:20:32 2009
Ken Smith, Canada
I lived in Johnstown and also remember the hooter well. I worked in Hafod from 1956-1957 in district 301. Emigrated to Canada in November 1957.
Tue Jan 13 09:50:41 2009
Chistine Madsen
I have just come across a relation (God bless him) who worked aged 8 down a mine in the Newbridge area, we should hang our heads in shame!
Mon Dec 29 09:48:52 2008
Chris Madsen
For Ben Wigley. My Grandson is 13, the very thought of him working down a mine would break my heart. He is a lovely innocent child. What an awful life the children had then.
Mon Oct 13 08:43:44 2008
Ben Wigley from Swansea
My grandfather Jihn Charles worked at Hafod from the age of 12. He lived in South Lane, Ponciau. I am looking to buy a miner's lamp that was used in Hafod between 1900 to 1940 in memory of my grandfather. Any possibility of finding one?
Tue Aug 12 08:02:37 2008
Evelyn from Llwyneinion
Hafod Hooter was always sounded to welcome in the New Year until Hafod Colliery closed.
Tue Apr 15 08:29:19 2008
Peter (Blondy) Williams.
Hello Barney. It's been a long time. If you can remember we worked together as boys in the Hafod Colliery. We also went to Butlins in 1953 or 1954 with the rest of the gang at that time - they were Dai Susan, Mike Carter, Brian Brooks, Wyn Curly. I later on worked with your brother John on the coal face. I left the Hafod in 1966 - I had a row with the manager following a fall in the main coal district on the face which trapped 3 people, one subsequently died. I was a deputy in another district at that time. I endered up in the Gas Board and finished my time some 25 years later. I still take the gun and flyrod for a walk, although the gun is getting heavier,the rabbits are quicker and the hills are getting longer and steeper. It's been great to hear you - send me your email address please.
Fri Mar 28 12:39:21 2008
Brian Barnabas, Melbourne, Australia
I lived in Ffordd Powys and went to Wern & Grango schools from 1940 to 1951. I also worked at the Hafod Colliery from 1952 to 1958 and remember the hooter very well.
Tue Sep 11 12:28:28 2007
G Evans. Penycae
Dwi'n cofio chwisl Hafod yn dda. Pan roeddwn yn blentyn ifanc roeddwn yn meddwl mai ei phwrpas oedd rhoi gwybod i'r gwragedd - ac i Mam - pryd i roi'r tatws ymlaen. [Translation: I remember the Hafod hooter well. When I was a young child I thought its purpose was to let the wives - and Mam - know it was time to put the potatoes on.]
Fri May 25 09:36:34 2007
Larry Pritchard
I lived in Ffordd Offa and went to Wern school in the 40s and early 50s. Our dinner time was governed by the Hafod Hooter. Out of house on 1st hooter and in school by 2nd hooter. A rush against time.
Tue May 15 08:39:13 2007
Ray Clarke, now in Wrexham
I lived in Stryt Las and remember the hooter well. I went to Ponciau School in the 40s and early 50s, and if I heard the hooter on my way - I was late! (I often was!)
Thu May 10 08:40:37 2007
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