I was born in the White City, Rhydyfelin, during the 1930s, and went to Hawthorn school.

We would very often jump on the Canal barge at the bottom of Maggies hill, and carry on to the lock at upper boat, where we would turn down the pathway past the gypsy camp and cross over Joes line, and carry on down Prings lane, crossing the Cardiff road and on to Hawthorn school.

During the early part of the Second World War, we were all made to leave our classroom one day, and made our way to the air raid shelter. This underground shelter I believe is still in the grounds of the school.

Can you picture over 200 children sitting quietly either side of this long corridor underground, and the panic caused when the master shouted, 'everyone put on your gas masks', half the children there, not having their masks with them? There were many tears shed that afternoon. Thank goodness though it was all a practice.

A few months later the German air force, during their nightly raid over Treforest trading estate, dropped a land mine on the mountainside in the Groeswen area. The next day the school was only half full. Children were collecting the hot shrapnel from the large crater left by the bomb up the mountain.

The rest of the war carried on until 1945, most of the youngsters were in one or other of the cadet forces, later called for military service at 18. I was in the sea cadets later to join the army with active service in Germany.

Pontypridd during leave time was a sea of various National Service uniforms, Army, Navy and Air Force. The summer of '47 was a very hot one and I remember swimming in Ponty baths, and more often up in Shoni's pond up the Graig.

During one of my leaves I met my wife at the Coronation local dance hall. I was 22 and Joyce 21. We were then married in 1951 at Coed Pen Maen Baptist Church and will celebrate our 59th anniversary this coming August 2008.

All great and very happy memories.

Griff Watkins - Pontypridd - January 2008