Bridgend 1946 snow 8 foot high, followed by floods. I remember seeing my father walking down stairs in to flood water in his long johns of course.
It was alll an adventure for us youngsters. I remember laughing at him from the upstairs windows as he tried to chase his precious chickens that were being swept into the river.
We didn't have a lot to do but what great childhoods we had. I remember the men sliding down Mill Lane with us on home-made sleighs and roasting jacket potatoes.
I was younger than my sister and used to peep at her in the brewery rugby field with her first boyfriend.
Pictures on Saturday morning matinee - three pence for chips and a penny for a drink.
Who can forget learning to dance in the old town hall and then queuing up as the Palai de Dance opened their doors for the first time. That's were we met our first boyfriends and husbands to be.
We didn't have the wine bars and noisy clubs, but boy we had rock and roll jiving the night away, not that you would think it if you saw us now. What did my father used to say - "you will be deaf by the time you are 21." If only he could hear the music blasting out today!
Gill Williams - 2006
(Since writing this article, Gill passed away - in January 2008. Her family have asked us to acknowledge this but to leave her article on the website)
your comments
Stephen Joseph, Bath
Some memories - the cottage homes down Merthyr Mawr Road was a real home for us children in care. Idris Jones, the superintendent ensured we had a well rounded life and we travelled everywhere. We played at Island Farm, walked to Merthyr Mawr Dunes; plagued the old woman who ran the secondhand stall holder in the old covered market in Bridgend. God Bless her - she wore a wig and we teased her at lunch times. The Windsor Fish and chip shop. The old open air swimming pool in Newbridge fields. Heolgam school and Batman the headmaster. The old pub on the bottom of Newcastle Hill where all us under age drinkers went in 1971 - now used by a church group. International Rugby player, Graham T Hodgson, my old gym teacher. First job at Parc Hospital as a nurse. The York Tavern near the bus station for more under age drinking. Jumping the train to Cardiff and playing truant. Nolton Church where I was a chorister 1964 and was paid half a crown. Canon Hayden Rees, all fire and brimstone, he would shout out from the pulpit and bang his fists and us 9 year olds would have to bite on our fists to stop laughing out loud in church. The old abbatoir near the old bailey bridge at the bottom of the Rhiw. The N & C luxury buses that would take you to Cardiff and back for one shilling and nine pence return. The swinging bridge at Merthyr Mawr and the stepping stones and Ogmore Castle. Kenfig Pool and camping out on the dunes. I was lucky, the children's homs in Bridgend was full of great kids, we were well looked after and I went back there recently to find it is now a private luxury housing complex. Fond memories of Bridgend are always with me wherever I am. I miss Wales and hope to return to live in Bridgend when I retire. I wish everyone who knew me at Heolgam secondary modern school and at The Children's Cottage Homes very best wishes and kind regards.
Richard Berezai from Milford Haven
Lived in Bridgend (Priory Close) from about 1969 so grew up during the seventies and remember going to the Palais De Dance on Saturday nights illegally drinking. Island Farm was another place we went as kids and remember seeing the drawings and escape tunnel. Also the camp was still "whole" then, and on lunch break from school (Heol Gam) we used to run through the buildings - dead spooky!
Linda Johns (nee Cole), Bridgend
Bridgend had more character a few decades back, from the 'old' Indoor market to the imposing Town Hall. The Old Stone Bridge holds many memories for me; crossing it with my Dad, Alfie, who would lift me up to see the fish below because I was too short to see over the wall. I also went to the Palais in the 70s and it's so sad to see just a decoratively painted wall which is all that remains of it. The outdoor pool was also a magnet in the summer. Oh, to turn the clock back, just for a while, to wallow in nostalgia.
Dale Avery, Bushey, Hertfordshire
I remember the old indoor market freezing in winter boiling in summer but the wonderful aromas such the faggots and peas in the cafe. fruit and veg. The new indoor market isn't a scratch on the old one. I remember shufflebottoms where everyone bought their china it was apposite the old town hall next to London House. I remember Davies the wallpaper and paint shop and the little sandwich bar next door to Liptons where you would drop off your shopping list and by the time you got home it had been delivered! Tuesday was cattle market day - what fun we kids had when on school holidays we would go to look at the animals. Sundays in the summer were always spent either in Porthcawl or Southerndown - great memories. YMCA on Friday nights for a disco. Outdoor swimming pool, paddling pool near the bandstand in Newbridge fields. I remember the Embassy, Cinema and Palace. The old police station with the court behind. The main postoffice being opposite the train station. the telephone exchange on Brackla Street and the terraced houses on both sides of the street and some shops and a fruit and veg stall on the corner known as Cheapside.
Harding Errol Royston
PLaying rugby for Bridgend schoolboys @ the Newbridge Fields pitches also for the now missing Penybont Primary school on Quarella Road. Those were indeed the good old days. I now live in retirement in Barrie, Canada.
Allen Williams from South Cornelly
I have very happy memories of the Palais. I also remember the Angel and the Royal Oak in Park Street. One of my favourite memories of Bridgend is of the very heavy snow in February 1978. I had to walk from Penyfai to Bridgend to buy baby food!!! Bridgend has always had its own character. The Town Hall is sadly missed as are the Embassy and Palace Cinemas. Does anyone remember Muriel who was the landlady at the Cambrian? Happy times.
