Listen to Sue (Need help?)I'm sat on the stool at the back of the shop on Caerphilly Rd in Whitchurch, Cardiff. My brother's mobile in hand, I start phoning through the last meter readings for P Thane Ltd.
Seventy years ago, my dad set up this business on these premises. He opened a cycle shop and later expanding it to sell petrol and carry out car repairs in the large garage he'd had built at the side of the garden.
He devoted himself to the business, put in long hours and was successful. My brothers, Peter and Mike were destined to carry on, Mike spending more than forty years here - the whole of his working life.
My childhood and the shop were inextricably linked. There was a solid brown door that connected house and business.
When I was around 8, I was allowed to 'work' in the shop. My corner would be behind the counter with a seat on a set of folding steps.
When the cigarettes arrived I'd fill up the shelves. I liked the smell of Swann's matches when they were first unwrapped. I would admire the rather delicate pink and pale green design on the woodbine packet.
I loved working the till too. It was large with wooden compartments, and full of money. I was allowed to give people their change, which I did with varying degrees of success and confidence!
I can also remember dad training me to serve from the pumps. To pay attention to the gurgling sound of petrol coming up towards the cap as this would warn you that the tank was reaching its capacity. Overflows happened very quickly and were dangerous.
The business survived and prospered, even after the opening of the big petrol station opposite. Dad had his customers and his way - we must have been one of the only garages that hadn't changed to self-service!
However by 2004 the world of business had changed and the concrete had to be dug up and the last petrol tank removed by JCB.
Something that has always been part of my life has gone and I can't help feeling sad. Last night I wrote the notice to go on the door "We ceased trading today, and thank you."
This radio story was made as part of a
Digital Storytelling workshop run by BBC Wales.
your comments
Chris Jarrett, London
I remember this garage so well, endless summer days on my BMX in the 80's, getting a puncture in Hill Snook park and then getting a puncture repair kit from Mr Thanes, ahhhhhh this is making me feel rather sad.
Duncan Williams, Stevenage, Herts
Sue enthused making this recording for the BBC. The Thane garage was more than a garage to the people of Cardiff, it was a place for brief social gatherings which Mike kept going until his retirement. During the shop's busiest times there was often a collective group of customers queing to be served as well as taking part in the topic or the banter of the day. Unfortunately shops and garages don't operate in the same way now but at least we still have a glimpse of the past from this recording.
Sue Butler, Hengoed, Mid Glam
Reading the article on 'P Thanes Garage' has brought back a lot of good memories. I was brought up practically opposite to the garage and my mother, Nancy, worked opposite in the Deri Cafe for Kris Savas and I am still very close to his daughter, Christine. Anyway, back to 'Thanes' - my father, Stan, was always back and fore to buy petrol, etc, for his beloved motors. Those were the days!!!
Audrey from Abergavenny
Went with my Dad to Thanes Garage to get our accumulator charged for the radio. That was in the late 30s - I lived in Keynsham Road then.
Merridy Crook (nee SIMS) Renmark, South Australia
P Thane was my Grandmas brother (She left Wales when she was 13) and we have always known about the famous bike shops and were shown photos of it from 40 or more years ago. When I made my trip to the UK, it was a must to go and visit the bike shop. It was exactly the same as I had seen it in the photos, only Philip Thane was not out the front any more, it was Mike! The saddest thing for me when reading this article is that Sue williams (pictured) has passed away. She passed away in October 2005. A beautiful lady taken too soon.
Ron Scott from Qld, Australia
I used to buy my bike parts from Thanes or Jimmy Lendon in Llanishen. Thanes had this large petrol pump with a big glass tank on top. The motorist drove in the quantity agreed and the required amount pumped by hand to the glass tank - the quantity on view to the motorist. The nozzle was put into the petrol tank inlet and the lever would release the petrol into the tank - a fascinating procedure.
