Listen to Eileen (Need help?)I live in Stockland Street off Clive Street - just two doors away from Grange Farm.
William of Clairvaux came over and built Margam Abbey which was connected to Llandaff Cathedral. The story I heard is that if the monks were naughty in Margam Abbey they were marched up to Grange Farm to work on the fields.
It was in 1203 that the Bishop of Llandaff gave this parcel of land to the monks to work. They kept the corn and the cows and the sheep which were taken up to feed the Bishop of Llandaff - the farm was his suppliers.
In 1218 the farm is mentioned on the deeds. Grangetown was known by about three or four different names - La Grange de Mora, Mor Grange and Abbots' Grange. It settled for the Grange. Then they started building houses and barns around the farm, and the area became the town around the Grange.
I knew the farm when Doris Burford the milk lady was there. Originally she took the milk out in the horse and cart, but I can't quite remember that. Then she had an electric milk float. She was lovely, never married, but she loved children. If we saw her going out on a Saturday morning to go on a round to collect the money, we'd say "Doris can I come?" "Yes jump on", she'd say. Course it was such a safe environment in those days, you didn't have to ask your parents. She'd always have gangs of kids on the back of her milk float.
The farm is something very special. There was always a sense of peace in there. It wasn't because the walls were thick and it was quiet. When you stepped in to it, it was like going in to a cathedral. You felt this peace coming over you.
your comments
Don Payne, South Clive Street
I called at the farm about 1950 with Terry O'Keefe for a drink of water. We had been training at a boxing club (Cardiff Gas).
Harold Wakley, Lazenby, North Yorkshire
I lived in Clive Street with my parents and two sisters. My father kept horses in stables on Clive Lane near the corner shop. I used to go to Burfords farm a lot as my father had dealings with them through the horses. I remember the herds of horses that use to run from the mudflats up Clive Street to the droves. Next door lived the Tannetta family - the son was Freddy and the daughter Rosie. We all went to the Nash school along with the brothers Kenny and Berturm James, Audrey Phillips, Carl Mayor, Margaret Hopwood and many others. I remember the Plymouth Arms use to have a skittle ally out the back. My grandparents also lived in Clive Street and my two aunties worked at the cigar factory. When my parents split up I remember the kindness shown to me and my sisters by the Bishop family, Page family, and many more. Those were the days.
James Richards, Grangetown
I was one of Doris's milk boys - she would always have hot tea and cobs for us.
Caryl Griffiths, Cardiff
About 9 years ago I contacted the Grangetown Historical Society with a view to perhaps tracing my maternal grandfather. All I had was a photograph of a young soldier. My mother told me his name was George and that he died of pneumonia before he and her mother could marry. Not knowing where to start I spoke with Eileen Breslin and she allowed me to tell my story in one of the meetings. Of course no one knew of the family but I spoke with a few members and did unearth someone that belonged to the family that my great grandmother married into. The society members were very kind to me I will always be grateful to them. Keep up the good work.
John Davies, Beddau
I have many happy memories of Doris and Clive Street farm. I was born and bred in Penarth Road, Grangetown. She delivered milk to our house and was very friendly with my parents. They used to send me to pay the milk bill and Doris always gave me a glass of milk inside the farm.
Paulla Ward from Penarth
Hi Burford family I was too young to know the Grange as a working farm but was told many tales about the family especially Doris. Later whilst Nursing I had the pleasure of nursing a wonderful lady who told many stories from Grangetown until sadly her death what a legend this lady left behind.
Marion Richards nee Hand
Robert Wells - your sister Jane was one of my closest friends at school and I went to your house in Clive Street an awful lot.
Lee Costa
I lived in Clive Street from when I was born to the age of 2, then moved to Newport Street. What I recall from the Grangetown Farm is that you could get carts that you would push and when we moved we hired one of the carts. I remember buying coal there too.
Robert (Bob) Wells
I used to live in Clive Street on the opposite corner of Stockland Street from the farm (you can make out the chimney stack and part of the roof in the picture of the farm). We attended the Nash school as a Sunday school - our family church was St Pauls. I went to Ninian Park infants school then Court Road junior school then back to Ninian Park but to the Secondary school wing which at that time was boys only. My sister Jane went to Grange secondary school which was the girls school. We left the area in May 1956.
Sue Figgs (nee Wells)
Hi - the Wells family lived in Clive St, from 1945 (I think) until 1957. My eldest sister Jane, and brother Bob were both born in Leics, in 42 and 44 respectively, but the rest of us Linda, Penny, Sue and Judy were all born in that house. We remember Doris Burford with great fondness, Bob and my sisters often talk about her and all the other lovely people we knew, albeit my memories are very limited. I do remember going to school where we wore a brown uniform, from the age of 5 until we left Wales. Sadly, our parents Irene and Albert Wells are no longer with us but Mum and Dad often took in lodgers. We had a young family with us for a while and often took in single business men as well. We often talk of the liquorice sticks we bought at the sweet shop round the corner and they looked just like twigs, we loved them.
Rhys from Cardiff
This is fascinating stuff! I work around the corner from Grange Farm, on Penarth Road, and pass it quite often. I'm so glad it's still there. But what I really want to know is: why is Clive Street so wide?
Jill Williams nee King, Grangetown
Hi Paul - just to let you know your Dad was the youngest of 10 children not 7, the ones you forgot were Uncle Harry, Uncle Ray and my mother Auntie Dodie, shame on you forgetting them. They are out of sight but with us in spirit. Hope you're looking forward to the Big Burford party get together later?
Gerald Escott, Llantwit Fardre
During WWII when my father was on active service with the Royal Navy my mother, two brothers and I lived with my grandparents Alf and Bess Fish in Clive Street opposite Grange Farm. I remember the Burford family also lived a few doors from us, I also remember there was an air raid shelter on the Island which was between the farm and our house. I was friendly with a lad named Colin Gunderson who lived just behind the farm in Stockland Street, the first or second house on the left just past Clive Street lane. My grandfather Alf Fish was manager at British Ropes in Penarth Road.
Paul Burford from Cardiff
I am the son of Clive Burford. Doris & Tim were my father's anty & uncle. I have fond memories of the farm as a child playing there. My father's parents were Ronald (Ronny) & Gertrude Burford. My dad is the youngest of 7. Anthony Burford of Yorkshire - my dad said he knows you and your father Glyn.
Jane Jones nee Kneath from St Clears
I and my family lived in Penhevad Street until I was 12 (1952-64) and I remember as a child carrrying over a bucket with potato peelings etc. to Grange farm for the pigs.
Jenny Rapps. Cardiff
This is for Anthony Burford in Yorkshire. I would love to speak with you as i share a connection with the Burford family. If you can contact me on jennifer.rapps@ntlworld.com perhaps we could try and find a connection.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Jill Williams nee King. Grangetown.
Anthony BURFORD, I was born in Redlaver St, and I'm researching my BURFORD family.It would be nice to make contact with you to see how we are related, please if you see this message then please contact me, my e-mail address is
jilly_willy40@hotmail.com
Many Thanks
Jill
ANTHONY BURFORD, YORKSHIRE
My grandparents and father lived in Redlaver Str. Fond memories as a child. My Auntie Doris gave us kids sweets, Lovely Lady.
Emma Cardiff
I used to go to St Pauls Primary School. Now I have grown up and left St Pauls to go to St Cyres and now in year nine. St Pauls is a good school and the teachers are lovely. They teach you very well and teaches you very well so for the following students who are thinking to go to St Pauls good luck and I hope you like it there.
Ron Smith from Western Australia
I lived in Sloper Rd, 1950 to 1963. I used to go for pig swill with Clive Burford up to Ely and part of Canton, and also played with St Pats.
Jill Williams nee King. Grangetown.
Marion I've only just seen your reply,I would like to make contact with you as it's nice to know new members of the Burford Family so Please can you e-mail me?
jilly_willy@ntlworld.com
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Thanks.
Jill
Marion Richards, Caerphilly
Dear Jenny & Gill - my son and his partner accidentally went into this site and saw my letter and your comments. Life is very strange isn't it. Sam Burford was my mother's mother's brother, so he would be a great uncle. I have a picture of the Grange Farm on my wall at home, it is an original but has been printed. That is another story, my mother had a copy made for her sister for her Ruby Wedding, and I believe a negative was made of it. As I say I have the original it was my mothers. My mother's mother was Elizabeth Jane Burford and my mother's other Grandmother was called Payne and they lived in Ferndale Street. Email marion.richards2@virgin.net
Raymond Smith from Cardiff
My family used to live there, now there all over the place, my Uncle Brian is a farmer so I think that's where it started for him....I see you left a message Uncle Bri....hows it goin???
Jill Williams nee King from Grangetown.
Marion Richards, if you see this please contact the BBC as I have left my e-mail address with them asking if we could make contact. Doris Burford was my grandfather's sister and I would like to share memories with you.
Jenny Rapps from Cardiff
I only wish I had visited Grange Farm as a child. We knew we were related to Samuel and Ann Burford. Samuel is the brother of my great-gandfather John Thomas. I have met my second cousins who still live in the area. I would however like to know how Marion is linked with Samuel and Ann Burford.
Marion Richards in Caerphilly
I was born in Gordon Rd in 1942. My grandparents rented Grange Farm in Cardiff from the Earl of Plymouth. I love my home town. I live in Caerphilly and have done for forty years, but everyday and often on a weekday I have to have my Cardiff 'fix'. I remember so many old areas and people. Tommy the Fish was somebody I talked to regularly. My Aunt Doris from the farm delivered milk to Canton, Grangetown etc. and I used to go with her. My Uncle Windsor, my mother's cousin delivered coal and I have been known to come home from school on his coal cart to my mothers distress. As Frank Hennessy says, "Cardiff born, Cardiff bred and when I die, I'll be Cardiff dead".
Brian Dominguez from Cambridge
I lived in Clive Street until the age of 3 or 4 (1959-1960) before we moved to Ely. Only one memory: watching a tv in a police house/station, mam used to tell us about the farm at the back. She reckoned that's where I aquired my farming bent. I'm still in agriculture by the way.
