Kenfig Hill

Last updated: 03 December 2005

By Tim

your comments

We're making some changes to the sites shortly and although this form will be closing, you will have other opportunities to contribute on our new-look site.

Graham Loveluck, Anglesey
Loveluck the Shoe Shop 12, Commercial Street. Great to see the site. Nice to meet Glyn Lugg here. We used to walk to school together - first to KH station and then up to the Grammar School Bridgend. I do dispute whether the bomb at St Theodore's knocked the spire off. I was there the next day with my father before the unexploded bomb was disposed of and I remember the spire was on then. You can find full details of the damage in the service book of St Theodore's written up by Vyron Griffith Jones, the newly arrived Vicar. He was fire watching when the bombs were landing and was outside the church gate talking to farmer from Pencastell (David?) who vanished into the ditch and culvert running down from top of High Street. Much enjoyed playing on The Ton and the Back Field behind Moriah Place. I was playing there when my sister Janice (in Cananda now) was born in 1940. They were happy days.

Robert Jenkins from Southampton
These past few days I have been thinking of my late father Gilroy Jenkins who passed away in 1979 age 53. I often wonder what type of life he had when he was a child living in Kenfig Hill. I can always remember the holiday in Kenfig with my cousins down at the beach - the sand seemed to go on for ever. It's funny but visiting this site has made me feel closer to my father if that makes any sense.

Glenys O'Hagan
What a good site - I moved here in 1971 it took me a while to feel like home now I love it. We have countryside and down the road the beach - who wants more? The people are so friendly my 3 daughters were born here. Angela now lives in Pembrokshire but Louise and Kelly live in Kenfig Hill. My husband was a Bridgend towny but also loves it here and doesn't want to move.

Mike Woodbridge, Pyle.
Not been back to Pyle for almost 15 years, living in the Philippines the past 8 years, still have fond memories of Pyle and Kenfig Hill, miss my old buddies, Alan Bessell, Adrian jones, Phill and Tony (Titch) O'Reilly, Stephen Wilkins, Stephen Tipping, Jef Watts (Jaffa) and many, many more. Also miss my old locals too like The Crown, Legion Club, Ye olde wine house (The tap) and the Rugby club. Though life over here is entirely different to Pyle, it was nice to go online and find these comments, some from people I know, I would love to visit Pyle again but don't really expect I will. Hello to all.

Jan Shaddick (Murray), Perth, Australia
Do you remember all the front doors along Pwllygath Street being left open? My grandparents were the Barhams, Phylis and Evan the family of pigeon fanciers. The allotments behind Mynydd Cynfig Junior School. My mum still lives in Evans Street, and thought this site is great.

Keith Williams ,Wakefield, Yorkshire
Interesting site bringing back many memories. I remember going on cross country runs from Cynnfig to the old Pyle railway station and then up to the frog pond diving in ( no health & safety in those days )and then back to school for a shower. To Anthea George I remember your family Dad "Jaffa" Geoffrey George and younger brother Paul"Tange" both boxers, their cousins Carol, Michael and Barry from Marlas Road. To Jeff Jones I remember Miles Jenkins, Jeff Bassett and Doug James who all played in the front row for Kenfig Hill RFC The Mules. To Mike Doyle presumably the one who used to live near Jesse Barrett, Gareth Edwards still lives in Kenfig Hill my brother had a drink with him and Gabby Daniels in the Royal Oak recently.

Stephen Mayhew from Jamberoo, Australia
Stumbled on this wonderful site and took me back to my home Cornelly, Pyle and Kenfig Hill. Nearly cried. Such a buzz to hear others mention those lovely names from my past ...the Ton, Kenfig Pool, Kenfig Hill. I was brought up till 6 or 7 in Cornelly, moved to Kenfig Hill till 11 and moved to Australia in 1964. I will have to return home this coming Christmas as this site has stirred something inside of me and I just want to see home again. Would love to catch up with some of my friends from the three villages. Anne Beattie, Susan James, Ken James to mention a few. I have wonderful first cousins in Pyle and Kenfig Hill - the Dennis family, Peter, Bobby, Jeffrey and Andrew. I will have to see them all again after visiting this great site. Thank you for creating it for us.

Rob Davies, London
Had a great time growing up in Kenfig Hill, fishing for boney, inedible fish in the frog pond, playing for hours on the old railway tracks and the old canteen near the junior school was a world of adventure. I'll never forget the street parties in Pwllygarth Street. Moved to Perth, Australia in 83 and now living in London. Good to see some familiar names.

Huw Walford, Kenfig Hil
Born, bred and still living in Kenfig Hill. It has gone down hill slightly in the last few years bit it is still a lovely place to live. You have the Ton, the Frog Pond, Cefn Iron Works and Park Slip Nature Reserve all within walking distance. Within a short car drive you have miles of coastline including the Kenfig Nature Reserve and Sker beach. Nice to see some familiar names leaving coments too.

sheila waite from Kenfig Hill
Hi Sarah, Just noticed your comments on this page. I think the site is great and to think one of my relations helped to create it. Well done, keep up the good work, and to Tim. I love reading all the comments of people from all over the world. I don't agree with Dai (Dal) Runnals, Squamish, BC, Canada when he says the bomb during WW2 did not hit St Theodre's Church. It certainly did - took the spire off the top of what was the bell-tower. Blew all the windows and doors out of the cottages in high street where it fell first and then bounced right over the Church steeple hitting the top off. We all had to be evacuated from our houses on School Road and High Street, because the bomb did not explode when it landed on the land that bungalows now stand on at the bottom of High Street.

Barbara Jones, Kenfig Hill
As you can see, I haven't moved far. My maiden name was Thomas, the grand-daughter of Bryn Thomas of "Thomas the Steps". How many of you remember the penny glasses of pop, rows of sweet jars, and the single fags? It wouldn't be allowed today, but those were the good old days.

Sheila Cane from Kenfig Hill
In reply to Anthea George - I remember a family of Georges lived in Bryn Llawen, Kenfig Hill. One girl in particular, Marilyn George. Any help?

Sarah from Pyle
Hi Sheila, I am Brenda Williams' (Cane) daughter and Wyndham Cane's grandaughter. I helped make this site and noticed that I knew you. Thanx for your comments. Hope you liked the site!

Sheila Waite (Cane), Kenfig Hill
Have lived in Kenfig Hill all my life, never moved away. Loved it all my life and am amazed at all the letters from around the world. Some of the names jump out at me and some not so familiar. I went to the old school at School Road, it was terrific. From there to the Girls Grammar School at Bridgend. I also remember catching the train at the bottom of Crown Road for the five mile journey by rail to school. What great times.

Sue from London via Basildon
I never visited Kenfig Hill but I used to write to Michael Doyle from North Cornelly. Is it the same Mike Doyle from further up the page? Here's a clue - Scout Camp in Guernsey circa 1968

James from Pyle
Great place to live, however Pyle and Kenfig Hill are getting a little rough in some areas. The council needs to do something about it but it's a nice place and Cynffig comp is great.

Ken Clatworthy, Blenheim, New Zealand
I was brought up in Pwllygath Street. Had a wonderful childhood there. Will never forget the trips to Rest Bay and Kenfig Pool. My family still live in Kenfig Hill and my wife and I are visiting them in July and August this year.

Dan Ellis, Iceland
I spent my teenage years in Kenfig Hill, what a place. Spent all my Friday nights "hanging" down the stand and all summer down Rest Bay. Currently living in Iceland it's a bit too warm over here, so i do like to come back once a year and visit Kenfig Hill to remind me of good old Welsh weather.

Shirley Rose from London
I was an evacuee from London and lived in Pwllygath Street with a Mrs Edwards and her sister Miss Roberts. I was there for two years. I loved being in Kenfig Hill, except for being separated from my parents. I remember Kenfig Pool, and the sand dunes, and going up the Ton. We used to go to the Welfare in Pyle where they always had concerts during the War. I remember the Gaiety cinema and the hut where the Home Guard used to meet. I have revisited Kenfig Hill twice. My old school was burnt down. I still send Christmas cards to two of my friends who are still living there.

Robert Bismuth from Seattle
The first year of my life was spent in my grandmother's house on North Ave . in Kenfig Hill, right behind Pisgah Chapel. As a boy, my family moved all over the world, returning to Kenfig Hill between each 3 year overseas stint. I always enjoyed "coming home" and attending the local schools for a spell. The Ton was my favorite "playground" and I was touched to read Tim's description. There are many a pretend battle or game of hide and seek that have been played out along the public paths over the Ton ...

Glyn Lugg from Newport
Found this website by chance. It has brought back so many happy memories. I left 40 years ago but still visit my relations there. I lived in Pwllygath Street with my parents and my brother Jim. As was the custom in those days many of our relatives lived in the same street and some of them still do. There was no senior school in Kenfig Hill so we had to travel to Bridgend a distance of approximately 5 miles. What a crazy journey to make, I walked a 1/4 mile to the railway station, caught a train to the main line railway station at Pyle, then a train to Bridgend and then walked a mile to our school. O happy days.

Mike Doyle : Belfast
From North Corneli and went to cynffig comp from 65 to 71. Been away a long time now and bumped into this site.I still rabbit on to everyone about how great the whole area was and what a place to grow up. I hope all my old school mates are fine. Does anyone remember Gary Williams, Gareth (Edless) Edwards, Viv Howe and the school love of my life Maureen Ormstone.

marion bullivant, louth, lincolnshire
my mum was born in kenfig - lucille maureen jenkins, my grandad was evan john jenkins, lovely to find this page.

Den Harman Kenfig Hill
About the bombing of St Theodore's church, It was hit and the porch was damaged, A new porch which is there today was built,I remember being a choirboy at the time.

Ryan Woodbridge From Pyle
Lived in pyle all my life went to Cynffig Comp, still living in the local area, Margam Park Village Just one mile from pyle.Life has changed a little since i was a young boy, still love Pyle & kenfig Hill loads of friends still here, was shocked to see so many people on this site from all over the world.It's nice to move on but it's good that you all still remember where you came from and don't forget it!

David Davies ex East Ave. K H now in Blackpool
Came accross this site by accident but amazed how far afield former residents of kenfig Hill now reside and still have fond memories of the old town. Attended Pisgah Chapel 2 years ago when we had the funeral of my younger brother, it still has its fondest memories from over 60 years ago.

Vanessa Lloyd (Tombs) Ontario, Canada
Thanks for this great website, brought back many memories of my childhood growing up in Kenfig Hill, wouldn't have wanted to grow up anywhere else. Spent many a day playing on the Ton with my buddies. Still have loads of friends there, family now lives in Porthcawl. Thanks, Tim.

Clive and Christine Tarr from Kenfig Hill
Chris (formely Smith from Groft Goch) and I have lived in Perth for the past 24 years came across the site by accident. Brought back many happy memories of our younger life in the village both of attended Mynnydd Cynffig, leaving school in 1962. Any old class mates around??

Peter Thomas, Omaha Nebraska
Great to see a web page on Kenfig Hill. I moved there when I was 6 from Aberkenfig. Went to Cynffig Comp from 57-64. Keep up the good work.

Anthea George
Phillip Summers! Wow! imagine you remembering my old man "Jaffa". Well I am one of his 5 daughters.He still lives in Pyle and still going strong.

Philip Summers - Sydney Australia
Stumbled upon this site while reminicsing -I lived in Pyle until migrating to Australia in 1969 - I remember Cynffig Comprehensive as Mynydd Cynffig Secondary /Grammar School also the little picture house at the bottom of Pwllygarth Street was called 'The Gaiety' - or more affectionately as 'The Flea Pit' before it became a Hardware store & I think it then burned down. Anthea I think I remember a Geoffrey George - known as Jaffa - a good boxer if my old memory serves me correctly.

Jeff Jones East Ave, K H - New Zealand
Very good infor site Tim. Spent my first 23 years in KH.Still have family & friends in the area look forward to visit them when I return on holiday. Hopefully a visit next year. One of the first intake of pupils to attend Cynfig Comp in 1953 with others in form 1, like Miles Jenkins,Jeff Bassett, Doug Evans,etc.

Noreen from Wellington New Zealand
I was born in Pwllygath Street and lived there until I married then moved to NZ two years later. I have returned to K.H. on several occasions for holidays and it still retains all the charm I know & love. I hope it will always be that way.

Megra from London
My family's home until my grandfather's death was in Pwllygath Street. I went back a few years ago and so much I remember had gone - the little cinema at the bottom of the street, Jack Jones' Modern Stores, the Co-op. I still have happy memories of my summers there as a child.

Anthea George
Chad Davies, what I blast from the past. I sure do remember you. We went to Cynffig Comp together (those where the days when we buncked off double maths to spend the afternoon down the frog pond). I was only talking about you the other week to my partner Leon Harper (remember him...Chopper).

Chad Davies in California
Born and bred in Kenfig Hill. What a great place to be brought up! I grew up there at a time when I could go out and play with many of my good friends (Jason Lewis, Matthew Wintle etc)and have no fear of getting into any serious have travelled all over the world and now live in California, but I come back once a year or so. I can tell you this - there's no place like home. It's a unique location.

Hannah and Becky, Bath
Kenfig Hill is beautiful, this website really reinforces it's outstanding valour, Chip Up Gillians Hannah and Beckster xx

Tony Odell, Kenfig Hill
I was born in North London and moved to Kenfig Hill in the mid eighties. During my short time in Kenfig Hill I have seen many chages for the good, the major one being the creation of the Kenfig walk. Houses backing onto it feel that is there for them to dispose of their garden waste and worse. What a shame that all of the good work carried out by the council and others is destroyed by a small minority of mindless vandals. The area from the Heathbridge Surgery to the frog ponds has seen some of the most damage. There have been stolen cars driven on it, crashed into the wooden bridge and set on fire, fencing has been ripped down and the frog ponds themselves have been filled with rubbish. It is depressing to be so negative about the people who have vandalised this wonderful amenity both young and old.

Anthea George, Lisburn Northern Ireland
I was born at 59 Beach Road, Pyle and grew up in 7 Pyle Road until I moved to Northern Ireland 15 years ago. I was a pupil at Pyle infants and juniors and went on to Cynffig Comprehensive. I still go back to Pyle to see relatives and enjoy taking my children round my old stopmping ground, Pyle Woods, where I spend may a long summer holiday. Anyone remember my family the "Georges"?

Dal Runnals, Squamish, BC, Canada
My dad lives in Kenfig Hill and attends Pisgah Chapel. I remember the bomb. It did not hit the church but made a big crater just outside St Theodore's Church.

Larry Myers. Windsor, Ontario.
As a young boy I travelled from Tondu to Kenfig Hill for Piano lessons! Interesting updates!

Jeremy from Bridgend
Wow this Tim is the best person ever.

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