your comments
Mark Bridger in Perth, Australia
I started life in number Shakespeare Street in 1952. Our garden backed onto a 15ft high wall topped with brocken glass, that was the rear of Smalls building yard. By leaning out of the bedroom window of our 2 storey terraced house, I could plainly see and hear the town hall clock. I have many fond memories of collecting fossil trilobits and silurian brachiopods at Penylan quarry, wading and fishing in Waterloo Gardens and all of the parks that dotted the course of Roath brook.We, that is my brother and sister, all started school at St Annes in Croft St, then Tredegarville opposite the Royal Infirmary and later at St.Teios in Lannedeyrn. Does any one else remember push bikes 6 deep outside the pubs in poets corner on a sunday afternoon, or the old burnt out shells of houses left from WWII, great places for kids to play 10 years after the war.Speaking of which I have been scouring the internet for pictures of the old Tremorfa Airport where I used to go on Sunday walks with my grandfather Hugh Owen. Again more burnt out shells, but ths time a difference,they were RAF Spitfires.
Jacqueline Hathaway (nee Ferguson) from Roath
I started life in Adeline Street in Splott and then moved to Glenroy Street and finally Connaught Road. I attended Baden Powell Infants, Albany Road Juniors and then Lady Margaret High School from 1955 to 1962. The highlight of my high school life was participating in the Cardiff Nantes exchange in 1959 and as I write this in 2009 I will be meeting my exchangee Annick next week in France to celebrate our 50th anniversary. I still visit Cardiff as my son has settled in Caerphilly. I am immensley proud to be a Cardiffian and especially proud to be Welsh.
Anne Farmer from Newport now Inverness
I worked in the Edward Nichol home in the 70s from September 1973 till January 1975 ish. It was a day nursery at this time. I was 17 years old when I went to work there and it was the best job I ever had. I remember my nursery daughter and still have a photo of her. She would be 37 or 38 now - her name was Nicola. It was a lovely big old house and some of the girls that worked there also lived there. Those were the days - it was a great place to work, I loved the job.
Nick Rowles - Newport
From the age of four I lived in Amesbury Road, Penylan. As a kid in the 70's I used to go fishing in the quary behind the Edward Nichol home and we would always see the kids playing inside as we had to climb the fence that was suppose to keep us out to get there. The quarry is still there with fish in but is a tenth of the size it used to be. Like Phil Thomas in the 60's and 70's I used to climb on the old library roof as well as the old changing rooms and then go and get an ice cream. We also used to slide down the railway embankment as the trains went by. I also have very fond memories of my time at Marlborough Juniors in the 60's and Howardian High in the 70's - those were the days.
Tony Purcell, Godon, Vicitoria, Australia
My brothers and I were children here in the early 50s and the fondest memories we share is the days that we ran wild in Roath Park. We also used to play in the woods at the top of Penylan hill and was sad to see it is no more. From memory there was also a quarry at the top of the hill. We now live in Victoria, Australia. We would love to hear if anyone else shares these memories.
Keith H, Vale Of Glamorgan
Having been brought up in the late 60s and 70s at the children's home on Penylan hill I recall a family type community within the home and the years of adventure around the Roath area playing football and climbing on the library roof to pass time away. I recall running down to the ice cream parlour in Wellfield Road, which is now closed, and not to forget the collecting of conkers from the Penylan home for the elderly, which was challenging annd fun. I shared many years of friendship with other residents within the children's home, and often wonder hows these individuals are doing today.
Christine Davis, Adelaide, Australia
From my birth in 1944 to our departure for Australia in 1948 we lived in Shirley Road. I remember often being taken down to Roath Park by one of my three sisters -in my pedal car or on my tricycle. I remember that street seeming SO steep as we went down it. In the park the big kids played a game of lying down and rolling down some hill and I always longed to be brave enough to do it too. One day there was a tricycle race (I've no idea why) and I won it - I remember some boy with a much bigger superior trike cutting off another kid and I got so mad at ! him that I just won! They gave me a china doll I named Edwin as he was a boy because he had short hair! Probably 1948 - I would have been 4 years old.
Gara Stephens from Penylan
Growing up in Colchester Avenue, Penylan in the 50s and early 60s, I remember so many of the things others have written about - Marlborough Road School (Mr Wainwright was headmaster), best friends with Elizabeth Greatrex in Kimberley Road and later Gillian Davies in Waterloo Road. None of us live in Cardiff now - me in Sydney, Australia, Liz in Ottawa, Canada and Jill Davies in Bristol. Later was Howell's School which I didn't enjoy but made many friends who I'm still in touch with.
B Winstone from Rumney
Re Edward Nichol home at Penylan Hill - we too have fond memories of this children's home. We made many visits and took out some of the babies for daily visits. One litle boy, Kevin aged around 3 or 4, was a favourite visitor to our home. His mother we understood was white and his father black - he had no contact from birth with his parents. This home only took babies up to 5 years then transferred to (in the case of Kevin) to a mid Wales home. We made good friends with a few of the nursery staff who were working away from home and made welcome at our house -we have fond memories of the late 1950s.
Phil Thomas - Cardiff
As a child my life centred around Roath Park Lake. I even ended up working on the boats in the early '70s. Howardian High School with Nigel Matson and Andrew Kier (see below - I believe Nigel still owes me a No 6 from our walks home through the lanes). Albany Baptist and St Peter's Youth club - where I remember hefting Dave Edmund's amps from a clapped out van. Don Creed's dad ran the chip shop opposite the Globe, Phil Kemp's dad owned the golf shop. All have now gone but The Albany! (RIP Michael "Joey" French), The George and The Claude still occasionally beckon. What a place for a glorious mis-spent youth. Still living in the neighbourhood (Waterloo Gardens) but no more running from the parkie!
karen from cardiff
I lived in Cranbrook Street from the age of 5 to the age of 23. Such a fantastic street, playing relego, baseball, london, two balls, and of course roller skating (my absolute fav pastime)Street parties when Charles married Diana,competition with Rhymney street, annual street outings to Weston super Mare. virtually the whole street would go. Everyone knew everyone and in the summer we would be out until 2am drinking tea and chatting with neighbours.Going to old St Peters school via Richmond Road... running down richmond road like mad when it was thundering as we didnt want to be hit by any trees!! hahah Playing over the Sherman, trying to dodge the security guardsthe embassy youth club... OMG how fab!what memories :)
Anne Jarvis nee Smith - Cardiff
I remember St. Peters Youth Club well when Jimmy O'Brian ran it. I think he had a son also called Jimmy. I remember Helen Witty, Phillip Squires, Peter Williams, Alan Dukes, Ann Donovan, Angela Beams.I used to play in the table tennis team which was coached by Peter Clarke. I also used to ride my horse down to the club walk her through the club to the back yard. I used to live in Glenroy Street and was friendly with Pamela Morriaty who also lived in Glenroy St. The neighbours were used to seeing two horses tied to the railings of our houses.My other haunts in the Roath area were the Rec and Donald Street also a huge derelict building over the railway line behind the Rec. Saturday mornings at the Capitol Cinema and then progressing to the Top Rank. In later years the Le Mans Club in City Road, all the car dealers went there. Dusty Miller,Ken Thorne, Gerry Dunn, and I think a singer called Joey S. Scott or Joey Escott. Those were the days.
Jacquie Woods, Nottingham
In the 50s & 60s I used to visit my nan in Newport for school holidays and we were often taken to Roath Park for picnics. I have a vague memory of being on one of these picnics when we were all being dragged on to a bus as a 'fireball' became visible in the sky. I have searched the net and still can't find any information. Do any of your readers remember such an incident or is it my childhood memory playing tricks?
Neil Merchant, Lewes (originally Sturminster Rd, R
Does anyone remember when, in the 1950's some time, our daily 1/3 pint bottle of school milk was replaced by tablets? Do you remember why this was?
Marilyn Beasley ( nee Hatt )
I was born in Cardiff 1950 and lived in Claude Road until 1966. I spent my happy childhood days at Marlborough Road school and so too remember the long hot summers. I also attended St Peter's Youth Club and in fact, I courted Graham Carbis from Milton St during the 1960s! We had some great times together with friends, all harmless fun in those days. The Globe was a popular venue for courting couples. Who cared about the film? On the way home after with a bag of chips and you'd still have change from half a crown! Luverly!!
Ray Burgess in Paignton Devon
I have recollections of Milton Street as a boy. My mother was born there - her name was Maloney. I used to have a bet with Jimmy Crimmins near Frank Small's builders merchants. I knew all the families near my grannies at 62 Milton Street,the Murphys, Harringtons, Nibletts, my Auntie Kate Sargent and many others. Terry Crimmins - a talented bantam weight boxer lived further up the street. Milton Street as we knew it is no more.
Marilyn Beasley ( nee Hatt ) from Aberdare
I was born in Cardiff 1950 and lived in Claude Road Roath until 1966. I spent my happy childhood days at Marlborough Rosd school and so too remember the long hot summers. I also attended St Peter's Youth Club and in fact, I courted Graham Carbis from Milton Street during the 1960s. We had some great times together with friends, all harmless fun in those days. The Globe was a popular venue for courting couples - who cared about the film? On the way home after with a bag of chips and you'd still have change from half a crown! Luverly!!
Eubice Leeds St Thomas Ontario
I was born and lived most of my life in Llandaff North. I remember the 24 and 25 buses very well. I also remember the Pineapple public house in Station Road, and the Cow and Snuffers. Also the Tivoli cinema, where during a break between films we used to sneak out and buy chips from the fish shop across the road, and then sneak back in again.
Allen Backman in Saskatoon Canada
We lived in Cyncoed for 2 years between 1990 and 1992 when I studied at the University in Cardiff. Our youngest son was born there and our eldest son began school there. We continue to have fond memories of our Welsh experience. We miss the long walks in Roath Park but we mostly miss the kind and welcoming people we met in Cardiff.
Angella Walton, in Beckenham, Kent
Like Paul Riley, I remember the old quarry and used to visit it quite often with my friends Alison Bell and Tamara Steele. I wonder if Paul remembers Alison and me as we were in the same year at Howardian High.
Amy Day
I would just like to say how heart-warming it is to read your stories. I've lived here for two years and I love it, but I must admit it seemed much better back in the day. I've got a daughter and if she grows up having your memories and childhood, I'd be happy!
Tom Page, Cardiff
My grandparents lived in Milton Street. My grandmother was an avid follower of the horses, and I clearly remember visiting Jimmy Crimmins' betting shop (before betting became legal in 1961) and placing a tanner each way for nanna on horses ridden by Scobie Breasley. I was later in school at Lady Mary with Graham Carbis, and I can still remember the tragic day his father died. Also in Milton Street was Frank Smalls' builders yard, where we often tried to play before being chased off. My grandfather drank in the Rose and Shamrock pub on the corner of Milton Street and City Road. They were halcyon days, never to return.
Hugh Stephens, Brisbane, Australia
I note my brother's observations. The best frogs and tadpoles came from a spot called The Sandies, as I recall. I wonder if that still exists? I remember also Carol Stephenson's pony tail in year one at Marlborough Road, truly a joy to behold. First love!
Nicholas Stephens, Brisbane, Australia
I noticed your story about Peter Scott, who I spent my schooldays with, especially my summer holidays. Next to the railway track at the back of Melrose Avenue, we would sneak down to a little brook and catch eels with Peter Scott, Jamie Leighton and Derek Dean. Oh for the past, but Brisbane has been good to the Stephens twins Nicholas and Hugh.
Chrissy - Cardiff
I used to love going to Groves in Donald Street on the way to school with 10p and coming out with masses of sweets in the mid 70's. Sitting on kerbs in the boiling summers with friends and swapping stickers. Winters where we would get tons of snow. It is a shame that Roath is no longer as lovely as it was when I was growing up.
Dr. Susan Merrell (Nee Lloyd) in Sydney Australia
Copper Street in Roath was my last address before leaving for Australia in 1968. I was one of the original pupils at the new Willows High School in Tremorfa and was destined for Cardiff High if I had stayed in Wales. Cardiff holds a very dear place in my heart as the location of my earliest memories: walking the walls (that is, on top of them) from school to home, collecting conkers in the Castle Grounds and the retail delights of Clifton street (so enticingly near). Note to self: Must visit soon
Clare Devitt (Fearby) in Dubai
Clare Devitt Nee Fearby in DubaiI lived in Brandreth Rd and the lake was a huge part of our lives. Dating, rowing and meeting friends was all done there. We spent hours rowing and landing on the islands all innocent fun. I now take my children there when on leave, walking around the lake I still expect to see people I know. Sadly it is a very rare occurance these days!
Peter Scott Ealing London
Great memories! My father died last year at the ripe old age of 95, and the family home in Earl's Court Road has now been sold, so no more family ties in Cardiff. Anybody remember the 'top park' and the putting green, making dens in the undergrowth over 'the fields' where the Three Brewers now stands (Colchester Ave). Getting a ride in a steam engine on the old railway line. Sorry to see Lady Margaret's disappear, and Thayers Icecream in Wellfield Road - tragic! Howardian High School 1961-67 and falling out of bed at 8.45 each morning, yet still getting to school on! time - ah, those were the days!
Carol Pilsbury
I worked at the Edward Nichol Children's Home. Penylan Cardiff in the late 50-60s. I still live in the same area. I am still in contact with two of the staff I worked with after 45yrs. Some of the babies I looked after went to be adopted. That was a wonderful time. It was a lovely place to work.
Ken Evans
Following on from the Hugh Hughes story - after Marlborough School was bombed part of the school transferred to Albany Road School. George Thomas still looked after the cricket team and we played on the matted wicket at Roath Park Rec.
Mary Hayes nee Sutton, Manitoba, Canada
I used to walk through Roath Park just about every day on my way to work. I lived in Cosmeston Street and worked for Thomas Shadwell, Dental Surgeon on Lakeside Drive.I worked for him until I married in 1966. He was such a lovely man. My sister Shirley took over my job when I left until she married. I often think of how fit I must have been walking so far every day; (wish I HAD to do it now.) I am now living in Manitoba Canada with my husband, we have 3 children married to Candians and have 8 wonderful Canadian granchildren. But I think my roots are still back in Cardiff.
John Hope, Tywyn
Anyone remember the old Corporation '24' bus that provided a regular service between Penylan and Llandaff North? For anyone travelling the whole distance, it paid to get off at the Capitol, walk along the congested Queen Street and rejoin another number 24 that had left Penylan 90 minutes earlier!!!
Jean Lane nee Woolley, Cardiff
I was born in Cardiff in 1937, returned in 1944 and attended Rumney Junior School. I attended Lady Margaret High School from 1949 until 1956. I cycled from Thornhill Road to school, beret pulled well down on my head. I remember the excitenent of the girls when Howardian School for boys was built next to our school and later the joint Christmas dances arranged by the teachers. I remember the comradeness of the girls and the hockey games played in the huge playing fields in front of the school. We were five sisters and four of us went to L.M. - it was a sad day when the school was reduced to rubble.
John Hope from Tywyn
I lived in Colchester Avenue from 1944 until 1953. I remember the quarry at the top of Waterloo Rd. Also the 'Up and Down Way', all built up now. Any one remember the Night watchman down Colchester Ave, and the bonfires we used to build in the early 50's. Great days indeed, recently hiighlighted when I met up with on old friend whom I had not seen for more than 50 years.
Peter Barros in Spain
I lived in Arabella Street, yes I remember Miss Coonbes from St Martins and the Dates dairy. There seemed to be a dairy on every street then, sometimes two. It was a good area to grow up in, Roath Park one end of the street with the stream to fall into, or somewhere to go with a pocket full of bangers in the weeks leading up to Bonfire Night -what a nuisance we must have been! I went to Roath Park Infants and Juniors from 1953-1959 and remember Mr Clark, Mr Cook and Mr Fielding (Fido to us). I then went to Caer Castell in Rumney where I was in the same class as Peter Young's brother Philip, and knew Kathleen Boulton's brother Mike - small world.
Judith Sprudd (nee Edwards) in Cardiff
With response to Sue Doughty's memories, I also lived in Inverness Place and attended Roath Park School. I remember playing in Gabby's dairies with Susan and Sandra Stephens and going to church with Miss Coombes on Sunday mornings!
Margaret Matthews, Cardiff
I used to live in Milton Street. I remember the Carbis, and the Whitfields. I also used to go to St Peters youth club, next to the Tavistock. My first job on leaving school was in Leslies stores in Clifton Street. Annie Carbis was the cleaner at Leslies Stores. If any of us were hungry Annie would stop mopping and make us all the best egg and bacon cobs I have ever tasted. Wonderful days!!
Andrew
Paul Riley in Brisbane, Australia, asks about the quarry at the top of Waterloo Road. Well I'm happy to let him know that the A48 road building didn't destroy it. Still intact but quite difficult to get to. As a child, I used to dig up fossils and find bits of pottery. I told people it was Roman remains and they woud laugh at me. But then they discovered a Roman pavement and designated it an important site. I wish I'd kept my relics!
Dennis Thon, Caerphilly
Who remembers St Peters club, Love Sculpture. Dandruff shining brightly on your collars in the ultra violet light?The massive Scalextric track in the tyre shop at the top of City Road. We used to build and race our cars there, (now a social security office block). Marlborough Rd School and the "hangmans gallows" in whitewash on the red brick wall opposite. The "Yog Jog" led by Jimmy Saville from Sophia Gardens to Porthcawl. The memories just keep on coming. Anyone else remember these things in our wonderful capital all those years ago?
Dennis Thon, Caerphilly
Oh such happy memories! The Lake 1 penny on the trolley bus, the globe cinema, bogey building and racing in Claude Rd, Squeezy bottle soakings in Claude road lane. Cowboys & Indians after Saturday flicks in City Road, nicking fog lamps and steering wheels from abandoned cars in the Claude Hotel car park. The old airport (flying) sitting really, in WW2 planes. "The boys and girls well known as the minors of the ABC". Church opposite the Claude, cubs in Wellfield road, bob a jobbin', penny for the guy opposite Collins grocers. Fishing for sticklebacks and redbreasts in the streams at "the rec" following the stream to the railway line in Penylan and getting our pennies flattened by passing trains. Into the 60s and Saturday mornings at the Top Rank. The Sasperella bar in the arcade flicking ash into our drinks as we thought it made us high, scooters, parkas & music to die for..... bliss.
Gemma, Cardiff
So many memories, so many people. My childhood was fascinating, watching people come and go through the shop door in Waterloo Gardens, the fond noise of gossiping customers, the rustle of sweet papers and the smells; sweet sickly smells of boiled sweets mixed with the comforting smell of freshly printed newspapers. The characters that frequented the shop ... I loved the routine of people, watching their habits and selection process. It was wonderful ... for all these reasons and more. With one place comes so many different emotions and feelings. A fondness mainly, evoked by the people that graced my life!
Andrew Keir from Forster NSW Australia
I lived in Ladysmith Road, Pen-y-lan from the late 1950s until 1972 when I travelled to Australia ... and stayed here. I have so many memories of the people and places I could write pages. Much of what has been written above is very familiar ... as are many of the names mentioned. I attended Marlborough Road Junior School and later, Howardian High. My Mum still lives in Melrose Avenue and I visit every few years. I will forever mourn the loss of Thayer's Ice Cream ... gone forever the last time I was in Wellfield Road in 2004.
Edwin Williams from Roath
Does anyone remember the Band of Hope in Plasnewydd Road or St Peters youth club next door to the Tavistock pub?
Sue Doughty (nee Date), Crawley, West Sussex
I lived in Inverness Place in the 50's attending Roath Park Infants and Junior school, and also remember Miss Curnow and Mr Cook. My grandfather Charlie Date was a local dairyman delvering milk by way of a horse drawn cart to all areas of Roath Park. The horse was stabled on the premises with a cousin of my father's making furniture and doing upholstery in the area above. I remember helping him and often received coins from our customers. A large outside fridge stored all his stock and we sold both milk and cream from the back door of the house at any time - day or night. The milk often sold in half pint bottles - the early beginings of the local convenience store perhaps!I have many happy memories of Roath Park and the lake before leaving to live in West Sussex in 1958.
Nigel Matson from Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Grew up around Roath Park Lake and attended Howardian High School in Penylan from 63-68. Still recall the trolleys turning around at FairOak roundabout. Graduated to the Three Arches Pub and enjoyed Brains Beers and Clarks Pies for a few years before heading stateside.
Tony Styles from Peterborough
I was brought up in Florentia Street (recent host of Doctor Who) in the 50's. As far as I can make out most of the action centred on No. 32 which, anyone who lived there in the 50'60/70's, would have known as Nurse Davies's house. There was such a sense of community. I'm sure that crime was far less because anyone strange in the area would have stuck out like a sore thumb as we all knew each other so well. I used to attend Roath Park Infants and Junior schools. It was around 3/4 mile walk in each direction and I used to come home for lunch. No 4x4's in those days. I remember teachers like Miss Singer (headmistress), Mr. Cook, Mr. Thomas, Mr. Clark and Miss Curnow. Happy days.
Wendy Rayner, Bridgetown, W Australia
We lived in Cecil Street Roath before emigrating in 1951. Although my memories are a bit hazy, I remember the Splott Cinema and my days at Stacey Road School between 1943-50. I spent one year at Heathfield House School after passing the scholarship. My memories of the air raids are very clear and three houses were bombed in our street. My mother was one of the first cinema usherettes at the Capitol Cinema and told us many tales of the horrific hours they worked, but with enough money to support her family.
Peter Murphy in Slovakia
Re Peter Young's query on Milton Street. I remember one Sunday morning after mass at St Peter's Church when on my way home with friends. It was during the 50s and I was living in Grouse Street, off Partridge Road. The fire brigade and police were in Milton Street as a fugitive had hidden in a chimney to escape the police. When they coaxed him out he clambered over the roof and instead of using the rungs of the ladder, just slid down by holding the sides. This impressed all the spectators and a warm round of applause ensued. During the 50s I was a paper boy for the newsagent's in Shakespeare Street and an errand boy with an "Open All Hours" bike for Downmans on City Road.
Peter Young
I seek any memories of Milton Street in 1955-1960. My wife spent her childhood there and in 1957, when she was just four, she lost her father in an accident on the junction of City Road, Albany Road, Mackintosh Place, Crwys Road and Richmond Road. Her name then was Carbis and many years later her mother married a Whitfield who was related to one of my wife's aunties. I am now writing a novel based around those traumatic days and if you can help with memories I would love to hear from you.(Editor's Note: Responses will be published on this website for everyone's benefit)
Peter Young of Cardiff
I went to Caer Castell school in 1961-65 and knew the Boultons. Small world isn't it. I knew Kathleen by sight, she was gorgeous as I remember, but I knew her brother more. He was in the same form as my pal of those days, Robert Conners.
Chris James, Holland
I used to live on Albany Road above a doctor's surgery and by my mid-teens around 1970 I would often hang out with friends up in the Roath Park Lake area, usually getting up to no good. Later on I joined a band and moved over to Holland with my Cardiff friends Steve Phillips and Ian Moffatt. After living in Holland for about 25 years or more I wrote a song about Cardiff which can be found on my Singer / Songwriter webpage at www.chrisjames.nl. It is entiled Cardiff Re-visited.
kathleen boulton
I now live in alberta, canada. but I lived in rumney( ty-fry road) and went to school at cear castell,1961-1966,I have very fond memories of those days, I get over to wales every couple of years, and would not miss a trip to all the old haunts, if any one out there remembers those days. lets me now.
Ian Cowburn, now in south France
I lived in Cardiff from 1972-75, first in Richmond Road, then in Penywain Road then in Roath, in Claude road. I worked in the East Moors Steel Works, sampling the coke, on that terrible "continental shifts" system. My favourite pubs were the Crwys, where we would play Irish music upstairs, and the Mackintosh. I also used to go to the Westgate, and I think it's still more or less as it was ! I was briefly in Cardiff in the 9Os for professional reasons and wandering round what was the Docks and the Splottlands, made me a bit sad, because even though there was dirt and smoke and mean streets, there was also life and comradeship and comunity, and I couldn't see any of that in the redevelopment. One of my friends lived on Windsor Terrace right down the end of Bute Town and the view out to sea and over to the Holms was terrific; those houses had preservation orders slapped on them, and the bathroom was magnificent :) And I think the pub just behind was called the Windsor, and I think there's amnisty if I say that when closing time came around, the curtains were drawn and we just carried on :) I shall always remember Cardiff in those days, and say up front to anyone that South Wales was a place for living life properly.
Carol Adkinson (nee Ward)
I was re-reading the items above - and it brought back many happy memories of Roath Park JMI School, and later on, Lady Margaret HS - now apparently a housing estate. I remember Paddy Bryce, Garth Crandon, Lindsay (above!) Pamela Seaborne, Roderick Moulder - and many whose names I have forgotten. I'd love to hear from any of you, and catch up with 50 years.
Carol Adkinson - nee Ward - in Suffolk now, but still Welsh at heart!
kate james
I am so honoured to have Ted Peterson as my grampy. He was a kind and considerate man. He would do anything for people especially his sport, Baseball. I will always remember him and miss him. Love from Kate and great grand child Jackxxx Good night God bless gramps xxx.
Paul Riley in Brisbane, Australia
I was born in 1958 in Hampton Court Road, Penylan. Mum tells me she used to pick blue-bells in the woods before they built our house and the Howardian High School there!! I used to watch the girls from Lady Margaret School playing hockey from our back garden. I remember chucking snowballs at the goods trains running up behind Melrose Avenue - it's all houses now. There used to be a quarry on Penylan Hill where I used to fish. The motorway put an end to that.
Robert Jones in Great Dunmow
No mention of Roath is complete without a mention of the Globe. What can you say! The foreign film season with subtitles, old men in macs, orange peel fights, getting in without paying, clambering over the seats to get out before the national anthem to get front of the queue over the road for a Clarkes pie, the projector breaking, mixing up of reels from the wrong film, the rain coming through the roof - oh happy days !!
Dave Robinson nee Jansen in Ridgeville, USA
I remember taking the bus to Roath Park Lake. In the early 50s you could swim there as I recall, and they had changing rooms there. I mainly went to fish for minnows and sticklebacks, which I caught in a net and put in a jam jar to take home to our little fishpond in the back yard.
Neil Merchant
We lived in Sturminster Road, and I attended Marlborough Road Infants and Junior and Cardiff High School. Memories are legion - playing in the brook that ran through all the parks, early dating experiences, rowing on the Lake, snogging in the lanes behind our houses (Marilyn Richards, where are you now?!), the Claude and the Discovery as favourite pubs, frog-spawning in the quarry behind Penylan Road, losing a balsa motor-boat model on the Lake when it sailed straight out rather than loop around, fishing and swimming in the Lake as well.
Phil Davies in Saudi Arabia
I grew up in the Roath Park area and attended Roath Park School between 1944 and 1954 - the highlight of which was playing for the school team in soccer and baseball. As a youngster I would follow Penylan Baseball team and watch them at the 'rec' or playing away games against Splott US or Grange Albion. In those days Penylan had many Wales international players - Ted Peterson, Jackie Thompson, Graham Pimble etc. What a great team with hundreds and sometimes thousands of supporters surrounding the diamond - it's hard to believe now.
One of the highlights of the year I remember was going to watch the 'Taff Race' with thousands packed on the promenade and around the edge of the lake.
David Evans in Kuala Lumpur
Roath Park Lake was just a stone's throw away from Pen-y-wain Rd where I lived with my bros and sisters....The fishing at the lake kept my bro and me occupied for years. Does anyone remember the tunnel that used to connect the Cardiff dock area to Penarth docks? We used to cycle through - although very dark and scary. The steam trains that used to run under Monthermar Rd - we used to run into the smoke from the engines. What fun! The good old days. Where did it all disappear.
Diane Shail from Ontario
I entered nursing school at the Royal Infirmary in 1964. I have many fond memories of frequent treks along Newport Road and City Road. I went to the Kardomah when I could afford it and the Capital theatre. I remember I lived in Wellfield Road near Roath Park, in a flat above a furniture store, with three other nurses, before I returned to Toronto. Cardiff is close to my heart as is the rest of Wales and its people.
Shaun Daly
With my grandfather sadly passing away aged 71, I would like to thank Roath Park for giving him years of pleasure - the cultural and beautiful scenes made him proud to walk there every Sunday for many years of his life.
Anon
I well remember the bombing by the Germans on Cardiff in 1940/41. They dropped an oil bomb on a house in Penylan Rd. I was thirteen and became a bearer at the funeral to a little girl who was killed in this raid. The school room was an ARP post.
Arthur Brown
I used to go to Roath Park with my young sisters and brother. I remembered once carrying him all the way home to Splott from the park at Roath as he had cut his heel. That was back in the late forties. We fished the wild gardens for the young trout that were there but keeping an eye out for the parkeeper - also the stream that ran all the way to the twin cooling towers at the bottom of Rumney Hill.
Lindsay McNally
I was born in Fairoak Road, opposite the parks, and my memory is of sitting on the balcony outside the house, and watching the people getting off the trams, and later on the trolley-buses, then buses. With the children in tow. Also my earliest memory is of the floods under the bridge in Lake Road West, and they people had to bring the boats from the lake to row people across the floods.
Penylan Road was my home for many years between 1937 and 1950. My local was the Claude. I played tennis for the Penylan Club in Marlborough Road. I was a member of Albany Road Baptist Church for many years, and a loyal member of the Scout Troop there. Happy days with lots of friends, and lots of happy memories.
While at Marlborough Road School before WW2, I was taught to play cricket by no less a person, than Lord Treorchy - George Thomas as he was then, a teacher at the school. Happy times on Roath Park rec, on a matting wicket!!
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