your comments
Glenda Groves from Cardiff
After leaving school in 1966, I started work in Evan Roberts, a family run department store, a fantastic place to work. I made lots of friends and really enjoyed my time there, I remember the tiny old back stairs and dodging the harridan who ran the department. Great fun!
Susan Pesticcio (Feneck), Llanrumney
I used to live in the centre of town in Edward Street, does anyone remember it? I also used to go swimming in Guildford Crescent swimming baths. They were the best days of my life, going to the ABC cinema which I ended up working in. It has changed so much now that it is all most unrecognisable. Where have the years gone? Still I have great memories of my years in Edward Street and the town centre and will have for years to come.
Roger Verallo, Northampton
I have great memories of walking to school from Station Terrace to St Davids Junior via Love Lane calling into what we called 'oppers shop' just up from 'oppers park'. Once every while I bought a penny lolly which I could never finish before I got to the school and then I had to break it against the wall to make it smaller. I don't think any lollies ever tasted so good! and Mr opper as I called him would also give the children a lolly if they had no money. I am afraid that would be frowned upon now. Tough times but fond memories.
Margaret Wray, Cardiff
Does anyone remember the ballroom underneath the Capitol Cinema in Queen Street in the 60's and 70's? We used to go for ballroom and latin dance lessons one evening a week and then try out the steps at the social dance held there on Saturday evening. It was great fun dodging the four pillars which encroached onto the dance floor. The dances were run by Dennis and Brenda Howell. On Sunday we would go to the Double Diamond Club in Caerphilly which had a huge ballroom and you could watch some of the big named stars in the cabaret. Great times.
Terry, ex Neville Street, Riverside.
In answer to Patricia from Germany's question, Angel Street was between Cardiff Castle and the present day Castle Street. Smith Street was on one side of the houses and Angel Street on the other. Both were demolished to give the present day Castle Street. I remember catching the trolleybus no.5B by Despenser Gardens which went down Neville Street and Cowbridge Road to go to Severn Road School in 1951. The poles would often come off the overhead wires by St David's Hospital!
Audrey Mcgilvery-Davis
Buying school uniform in Roberts Kingsway, Forses coaches nearby -trips in the'50s. Sheltering in the castle walls during air raids, having a lunch break in the War Memorial park, Sarsparilla at Charlies etc!
Pauline Roberts
How I miss my nights out in Cardiff. First stop the Old Arcade to have a good drink and a dance [if we could move]. Then we would make our way to Kiwis more drink and dancing and always round the night off down Chippy Lane with either fish and curry sauce or chicken curry.
Trish James from Cheltenham
My most wonderful teen years were spent round the city centre, it was a lot safer then. Who remembers the Moon Club and Bakers Row, Bumpers, Casablanca, Flagstones, Titos. To name but a few. What was the name of the hairdressers next to Bumpers? Was it Flix?
Terry Morgan, Caerphilly
Living in Riverside in the 1950s I clearly remember the two beautiful Parks opposite to where I lived. The trolleybuses would arrive on time, and on Saturday mornings I would walk to Guilford Crescent baths to swim. On the way home, I'd call in for a bag of "scrumps" in Caroline Street. Sundays I was a choirboy in St Dyfrigs Church which stood opposite the Empire pool. The vicar was Father Bruce Davies - a kindly and special person who always had time for everyone. I'm sorry to say all three are now gone - the Church, the Empire Pool and Father Bruce Davies. But memories are such a precious thing, to bring back and recall childhood; the people and places may be gone, but not forgotten. I look at these places today and I do not see improvements, only deterioration. Where are we heading as a society?
Linda, Cardiff
I agree with Robert Edwards from France about the way St Mary Street is now. I would never even want to be around that area at night, it's so full of drunk people all swearing their heads off falling everywhere. I won't be doing any late night Christmas shopping around Cardiff city centre anymore - it's too rough! Sad though - it used to have a homely feel.
Robert Edwards from Querrien, France
I remember with joy growing up in Cardiff during the 1950s/60s/70s etc. Queen Street when it had traffic, the Kardomah on a Saturday, learning to dance in the Kennard and showing off in the Whisky a Gogo in St Mary Street. Wonderful memories that were ruined the last time I travelled through St Mary Street travelling in a coach bringing me from Heathrow. It was Saturday night and it reminded me of the OK Corral. Yobs galore and girls from hell. Booze - bouncers and violence. Was this the same street that I parked my beloved sports car, with the roof down while I danced the night away, returning to find it as I had left it? From what I saw that night on the coach, I wouldn't park a tank there now. So sad - it was a wonderful place to grow up. They don't deserve the heritage. So sad. I will keep my memories.
Linda, Cardiff
I remember going to the Guildford swimming baths on a Saturday morning with my friends. There were three pools in there - girls, boys, and mixed, so you could take your pick. Do you remember having to go up the stairs to get changed on the veranda in full view if the cubicles were full? When we finished in the baths we all used to go to Woolworths in Queen Street and buy sweets off the pick and mix trays. God, that was about 30 odd years ago - good times though.
Graham Williams, Canton
The seating area at the rear of the Old Library and St John's Churchyard has been restored. Lots of benches to sit on to watch the world go by in peace and tranquility. No more drunks sprawled out on the benches either. New flagstones have been put in alongside the many overturned old gravestones. The new St David's Shopping area is also coming along nicely. The old David Morgan's Store is now closed and the building has been converted into upmarket flats.
John Gregory, Essex, Connecticut, USA
Been in US 7 years. Missing the mother land. Missing Cardiff. Reminiscing about 1989 - first dinner date with my girfriend (now wife) at Waldo's near St John's Church. Great pizzas - is Waldo's still there? Great times, so different here in US. Cardiff, you're always in my heart.
Paul Okolo from Lagos, Nigeria
The City Temple, Cardiff was a place I loved to visit. It was during my days as a student of the University of Wales, Cardiff, from 1992to 1993. I remember with great clarity the presence of the Spirit of God in that lovely auditorium. Pastor John Lancaster's undiluted messages also used to draw crowds. It caught the attention of BBC Wales which one Sunday evening filmed the service as part of a documentary on growing churches in Wales. Needless to say, the City Temple was among the growing ones. May the growth continue till the return of the Owner of the Church.
Rita Evans, Cardiff
I wonder if anyone remembers the Empire Theatre? I had a family member that was on the stage as having the largest family in Wales at the time. I believe she had about 16 children and she lived over the docks, my dad was very proud to have had a family member on the stage. the thought of 16 children now - oh dear.
Audrey Kilburn from Droitwich
My Mother lived in at James Howell shop, as a Milliner. Does any one know if there are any records of the life of these boys & girls? I can tell some stories, but not enough!
Robert in Sussex
Llanblethian Gardens? Maybe you mean Llanbleddian Gardens in Cathays, just opposite the entrance to the Sherman Theatre/Student Union block.
Hugh Gibbon from Sheppey
I've been looking on the maps but cannot find where I had lodgings when in college 1952/6, it was Llanblethian Gardens. Don't say it's been knocked down - those lovely trees. In the digs opposite, the landlady was so careful she used to hang her teabags on the clothes line to dry to re-use them the next day. And if you wanted a bath it was an extra two and sixpence, for that you had 2 inches of luke warm water, we could only afford it once, just before end-of-term Ball.
Nigel Hall from Cardiff
Frances Cloughly: The Bear Shop's now in the Wyndham Arcade, though the eponymous bear is inside.
Adam
When I was growing up I used to walk down Westgate Street holding my mum's hand looking up at the big red apartments next to the Arms Park and wonder what posh people lived there! Now that's me and I'm so not posh. I'm still waiting for them to turf me out! It's the best place to live. Classic old apartment with floor to ceiling windows and wooden floors. Rugby days are great! I love my flat!
Imran, Roath
Back in the winter of 2000 I once posed as a bouncer outside the Clwb Ifor Bach Club. It was amusing as there were no bouncers around at the time and I was too trollied to care. I turned a number of paying customers away that night. Oh the Power!!
Gary Meyrick
Whilst researching my family history I came across some colourful names located in either a workhouse or school in Union Street, namely King Haddock in 1841. This was all found on the census of 1841 whilst searching for my ancestor Thomas Meyrick. There were about 25 residents of this establishment and I was wandering if anyone knew more about it.
Carol Johnson Nr Dover
The department store which had a restaurant like the inside of a ship was David Morgans. Our Mum would take us there on a Saturday afternoon after shopping. I loved the porthole windows which were illuminated and had sea scenes.
Carol Adkinson (nee Ward) now in Suffolk
So many memories brought back - does anyone else remember the wonderful smell of coffee from the Kardomah, and the smell of hops in the Hayes? Even now, when I smell either, I can close my eyes and be transported back to Cardiff. We are both retired now, and hope to return to Cardiff to live - and I am sure it will more than live up to the memories.
Mike Harris
In the early 70s there was a row of chestnut trees opposite the museum/town hall where people would collect chestnuts autumn each year. Sticks went flying into the trees trying to knock the best bunch off. I have great memories of collecting and later roasting them on the open fire in our terraced house in Grangetown. I wonder if the trees are still there.
Ron Scott
The Cardiff I remember was a truly fascinating place. Saturdays were shopping days. My mother, baby sister, and I, would catch the bus at Caerphilly X roads and alight at Kingsway. We would throw a few pennies to the boys swimming in the feeder canal to watch them dive for them. Then it was down passed the Rose & Crown, sometimes a visit to Roberts on the corner. I also remember a ride on the open top tram in Queens Street. Marcross would be visited and out into Duke Street. Always plenty of barrow boys selling their wares, their lookout watching for a copper, with a tarp to throw over the goods and a quick move.
There would also be the spivs selling watches, stockings and whatever was hard to come by goods out of suitcase again for a fast move. I used to love to go in to Duke Street arcade to look at Stevens Toy shop. There were hardly any toys soon after the war but I could dream of toy pistols, castle forts, lead knights and soldiers,and the ultimate - a clockwork car.
The Co-op was always on the agenda with a vist to the market. Lunch was usually in the remains of the Carlton restaurant, Queens Street with the knight's armour on the stairs, or the Dutch cafe. The afternoon was spent in Howells, David Morgans Royal Arcade, Morgans Arcade, and the Wyndham Arcade. Then a trip up the Hayes to Kingsway and the bus home, totally wacked
Dave Robinson nee Jansen in Ridgeville, USA
I remember the wonderful smell from the Kardomah. One of the department stores had a basement cafe set up like a ship's cabin, with tanks of fish placed behind fake portholes to add to the illusion.
Philip Davies in Saudi Arabia
In the 50s and early 60s I used to enjoy dancing and going to the cinema. How many people remember dancing in the City Hall to Eddie Graves and his Municipal Dance Orchestra, Sophia Gardens, Victoria Ballroom and the Kennard Dance Hall to mention only a few? The cinemas were many with few now remaining. These included the Park Hall, Capitol, Queen's, Empire, Odeon, Olympia, Central and the Pavilion not to mention the out of centre ones viz. the Plaza, Globe, Gaiety, Coronet, County and Splott. I remember Queen Street before pedestrisation, walking on a wet day on crowded pavements trying to dodge umbrellas as you walked past Woolworths and Kardomah.
Brian Lee
Like thousands of other Cardiffians I learned to swim in Guildford Crescent Swimming Baths. It cost us sixpence to swim and we would jump from the top of the diving table shouting 'Geronimo' as we plunged into six feet of water.
We changed our clothes in a box with a stable door and then had to place our clothes in boxes attached to the wall. My friend Keith Colley had his underpants stolen and was afraid to go home knowing he would get a hiding from his mum. Afterwards we would place a penny in the Brylcreem machine for a dollop of that creamy substance made famous by cricketer Dennis Compton.
The baths closed in 1984 despite a petition to keep it open and now a car park marks the site of a building which since 1862 had given pleasure to adults and children in their thousands.
Shanne Cano
I remember the the brass numbers which were placed in walk ways in the grounds of St Johns church. These used to be grave sites, but as the city enlarged and roads and paths were cemented over to make room for this growing city, the graves and remains were removed to another site.That's why the numbers were placed in the ground to remind the people what was once there. Thank you Carol for reminding me that I too was terrified in case the bishop would ask me a question - your letter has certainly brought back a flood of memories."
Frances Cloughley nee Chambert in Sydney
I had a quick stopover in Cardiff centre - 45 minutes between buses to have a quick look around. It was the week before Christmas. Town was full, and oh, what you remember if you are there! I had a route in mind - out of the bus station, through the arcade past the Treasure Galleon shop - still there. Past David Morgan with the little alley way still with the paving stones. Up to Working St where the guide shop was the city library. Working Street had an open-air market, but I had no time to stop. Around the church and down to the junction where Evan Roberts was. I'm sure there are plenty of us who remember going there for the big school uniform. Around the corner, past Thorntons then on to the Castle Arcade - by this time looking very run down. Up to St Johns Church and into the Market. Through the market, then upstairs. Do you know it still had the same smell, with the pet stalls. Out by Howells exit and a quick check of the time on the clock in St Marys Street. Jog along past where the Big Bear used to be outside the tobacco shop, now all boarded up. Around the end of Mill Lane, no market there anymore - and into the bus station again.
Jon Davies in Sydney
David Morgan has closed - what a crime. I worked there for years in the furniture department. Left in 1981 and came to Australia. They were the best working years of my life. Couldn't wait to go to work, and drank tea on the Hayes when the boss wasn't looking.
Dorian Williams in Santa Cruz, California
As a boy living in Bedwas I was entrusted by my mother to take the proceeds of the Shopping Club to a shop on Queen Street - I believe it was Marks & Spencers - on Saturdays. The store was so crowded I used to take a deep breath fold my arms and hold my shoulders out and get carried along by the crowd feet not even touching the floor. I used to do it simply to see if it were possible, granted I was small and light in size, probably 10 years of age at the time.
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