Rhymney, famous enough to have inspired the writing of a song performed by artists throughout the world, "The Bells of Rhymney"...

I was born there in 1935 and grew up through the war years. I am not talking about the war in Europe but the long-running battles between 'Bottom Rhymney', 'Middle Rhymney' and 'Top Rhymney', with an occasional alliance formed to defend against Pontllotyn.

There seemed always to be some form of conflict going on, usually due to one gang crossing a border. Sounds familiar? Fortunately no guns or knives were used but sticks and stones did sometimes break a few bones and cut heads. Battles did not require the UN or USA or even Tony Blair to intervene, but a shout " Sergeant Morgan is coming" was enough for a rapid truce to be declared.

Yes, I know I am a grandfather and an element of 'in my time' has to be taken into account, but it was true that, in a town of some 10,000 people, one police sergeant and a constable were enough to more or less keep the peace.

I recall there were the Boy Scouts and St John's Ambulance Brigade (I did join the latter for a short time), but no other form of Youth club existed. Yet we always found something to occupy our time, not always what our parents would have encouraged, and occasionally some downright vandalism occurred, resulting in people being inconvenienced but never in danger.

I left Rhymney at the age of 23 to join a firm of consulting engineers in Cardiff, and eventually became a partner. I am now retired and living in Spain. Of all my fellow gang-members in the three districts I know of none who achieved notoriety.

Bryan Williams, son of 'Tom-the-cobbler' - August 2007