I was born in Cwmbach. Aberdare has changed a lot. When I was a young lad, it was sheep farming and railways were prominent. There were two stations in Aberdare, one low level and one high.

I worked on a farm when I left school for two years in Pentrebach. I left there and I went underground in 1954, and left there in 1960.

The Tower Colliery is also known as Treherbert Sinkings, just outside Hirwaun.

Life down the mines was dangerous, but it was very pleasant. It was a good atmosphere with all the men working down there. Anything goes wrong, and everyone would rush to help.

It was very good camaraderie down the pits. I really enjoyed it for the six years I was there, but I had a couple of accidents and in 1960 I decided to come out.