Ruth Llewellyn in London
I found this site when tracing my great grandparents, who lived at 40 Ordell Street. Great grandma died in 1898, great grandpa in 1901. Both died in their 40s, and their children lived there for a short time afterwards. They were Horatio and Susanna Doncaster, which will mean nothing to you I imagine, but my question to all you people who seem to know the area like the back of your hand,is do you have any idea where they are likely to have been buried? Is there a graveyard nearby? Sorry to bother you all, and thanks in advance!

Josie, Cardiff
To Kenneth: The Wimbourne or Lord Wimbourne Hotel was actually in Portmanmoor Road. If you were to take a trip to the industrial estate in Portmanmoor Road, halfway down you will come to Moorland Park. That's where The Wimbourne once stood. The black set of gates leading into the park is where the actual front doors of the Wimbourne were. On the opposite side of the road there's an old roa sign leading to what used to be an entrance to the Dowlais works. On that corner there used to be a fish and chip shop by the name of Gregors.

Stella Jones
I wish I was back down Splott
Where I never had a lot
When I was young not old
And I was rather bold.
I would beg and borrow
And I'd do it again tommorrow
And I wouldn't give a jot
If I was young and back down Splott.

Kenneth Arthurs from Cardiff
Does anyone know where the the location of the Winborne or Wimbourne pub was in Splott? I understand it was off Portmannmor Road before the area was redeveloped. Although living in Cardiff all my life I was never familiar with the area.

Keith Walker, Llanedeyrn, Cardiff
Although not a Splottie I was born in Willows Avenue Tremorfa (1949) and moved to Spring Gardens Terrace in 1955. Most of the memories recalled are vivid ... I attended Baden Powell then Stacey Road, but remember the Biscuit Factory, salt and vinegar man who was based in Blanche Street were my mother Irene was from. Also in Blanche Street was Pitts the dairy. Then there was the mobile fishmonger with his Green A35 van, Splott cinema on a Saturday morning, also the cycle shop on Pearl Street was run by an Uncle George Morris. Anyone remember the faggot and pea shop on the opposite corner to the cinema on Agate Street? One claim to fame is founding and running the Tremorfa Juniors FC from 1968-70 before joining the Merchant Navy, and for those who remember the Cardiff Trolleybuses (and are interested) I presently organise/co-ordinate a group who are restoring two ex-Cardiff trolleybuses near the city.

Stan James from Bethesda, Maryland, USA
I attended Splott Road Elementary school in the late 30's, early 40's. The headmaster, Mr (Baldy to us) Thomas, loved singing. He'd come into our class and lead us singing words set to the Jupiter movement of Holst's Planets suite: "I vow to thee my country all earthly things above....." We loved it - Baldy's face was always lit up with a joyous smile as he conducted us!

Gillian Byne nee White, Spain
To Isabel Jones - I think we may have been in Morrland Road school at the same time as I do remember that Shirley Bassey was in a class below the one I was in. My teacher was a Miss Adamson who lived in Morrland Road up near pearl street just past the CWS factory. I lived with my aunts and Grandmother and Grandfather in Clydesmuir Rd Tremorfa. My cousins lived nearby - Marion and Vera Newton. I also remember the outside toilets in the school. We used to go to Splott school for domestic science (cookery lessons) and would march along Marion Street where one of my other aunts would have some lunch for me. I now live in Spain hut often think of my school days in Cardiff. All my relations now live in Pembroke where I try to get back once every other year to see them as they are now in their 80s.

Lee Robert Williams, Cardiff
I have been a fisherman for many years as well as many others in the Cardiff area. Recently while fishing Cardiff foreshore I was asked to move on by security and the police after being told I was tresspassing. Now I have fished this place for many years and have seen hundreds of fishermen there. I was told that in front of the heliport was OK but past there down to the dock entrance was port estate out to the furthest low water mark. I was disgusted by the way they were treating us and would like to know if us fisherman are breaking any laws. We access the foreshore via a public highway and then walk the beach to our favoured spot. How is this tresspass? I would have thought with all the crime in Cardiff at the moment that the police would be more concerned about that, and not a few fisherman enjoying what they like.

Linda Coles (Murphy) Heath, Cardiff
I remember Splott with all my heart. My nana Maggie Ellis and Dolly Coles my Dad's mum. I lived in Smith St, just on the edge of Robinson Square. I used to play in the Square, Moorland Rd arches and up on the railway. Splott park was great with the freezing baths and Jessie the train. I remember Bonfire Night and we would all collect furniture to make the biggest bonfire ever... I remember Nurse Sutton (Midwife) who would dress me in a crepe paper daffodil for St Davids Day and I would often win first prize! I remember walking my brother Stephen over to the docks and coming back with pockets full of iron ore, we would come back filthy. They were the good old days where community was everything.

Anne Haines
My mother was one of 10 in Bridgend Street. My memories were of my grandfather sitting in the back-room, by the black lead fireplace with my uncle, and his underpants drying on a string above the stove. A knock would come at the door and it would be someone with a pigeon that needed a metal ring putting on his foot. I was only little but these memories have always lived with me.

Jeannette Brazier nee Hayes, St Mellons
Hi Mary Rellis. Yes I remember you and your family. You lived next door to the Daintys. I was good friends with your sister Margaret (Margery). Tell her I was asking about her. I lived in the big house on the corner, 19 Portmanmoor Road, next door to the Labour Club. We used to mind bikes there on a Sunday. What fantastic days they were. What a great childhood. Would love to hear from anyone from those days. Three cheers for all Splotties.

John Giles from Ireland
At the same time as David Betty was flying his model airplanes at Pengam Moors Airport, so was I. I was Secretary of the Cardiff Model Flying Club and spent no end of time in the hangars hoping to get a free flying lesson. Once chased by the airport police on a bike down the runway, they did not catch me!! First commercial flight as a passenger, to Weston for seven shillings in a DH Rapide.

John Giles
In 1944 Moorland Road was a main access for troops and equipment going to the docks in readiness for the landings in France. During the day, as a small boy, I remember the constant sound of boots marching in the street, and the sight of endless lines of soldiers marching. Women came onto the streets handing out tea, perhaps remembering when their husbands marched off to an earlier war and never came back...

Ann (Ford) Milton Keynes
Does anybody have any old photos or know of my family which came from Portmanmoor Road in the late 1800s to mid 1930s. My granddad would have been John Ford married to Ann Ford and had 5 children Elizabeth, Mary, Grace, Thomas and George (my father). They had a drapery shop in Splott for many years. Unfortunately they've now all passed on.

Richard Craven
Hello all Splotties. I was born in Pontypridd Street. I went to Moorland Road school until 1961. Since leaving school, I have only met two scool frinds. Susan Pyle from Janet Stret, now in Australia and Jeffery Cook in Tremorfa. There was a boxing club in the old YMCA in Milford Street.

Josie Joseph nee Donoghue
Hello Ernie, I remember you and your family well. I also remember your Auntie Gertie. I was very friendly with Susan. I would love to see her again after so many years. Laverne Brown is still around. He still does the club circuit and is also a good friend of Van (the man) Morrison. You can see him with Van on YouTube. Although we have all moved on I still have very fond memories of growing up in Portmanmmoor Road.

Ernie Silver, Rhiwbina, Cardiff
I remember Splott - I was born in Portmanmoor Road. My dad worked at the steelworks and my mum looked after us as I was one of 11 children. My first school was Moorland Road - I can remember going to Splott Road school and the cafe in Carlisle Street where we use to go and play the juke box after school. Someone was asking what is on the Splott school site now? It is the STAR Centre. We lived next door to the Crofts and close to the Johnsons. Can anyone remember Francie? He was a club singer and his son Laverne was also a singer. My aunty Gertie lived just down the road, and my cousin Lola played baseball for Splott Albion - he to went to Splott Road school.

Maria Sherry nee Xiberras, Sydney, Australia
Hi to Joan Patouillet! Fancy meeting up with on the other side of the world! I always check this site, it's great to find someone from the "old days" that I know. I remember your brother taking photos of my sister Tina's wedding in 1978. When my father came out of the house all the neighbours cheered because they hadn't seen him in a suit before! I wished I had paid more attention in typing class at Lady Mary's. Wishing all Splotties good health!

Joan Patouillet nee Cusack
Hello Peter Cook, I think i may have met you when you were very young, I have been living in Canada for 33 years. I married a French man and now have 3 sons and 3 grandsons, but still loving coming home to Splott to visit my family and friends. I didn't make it home this year as 2 of my brothers came here to visit me but hope to make it home in 2009 and will look for you on a bendy bus in Cardiff. My regards to the family.

Joan Patouillet nee Cusack
Hello Maria Xibberras. I remember your blond curly hair and of course remember all your family. Those Easter parades were always fun. I always loved to hear the church bells on a Sunday. There are just so many memories of Splott and they are all good, even though we were poor we were happy.

Martyn Watts
I was born in Ordell Street in 1957, and having grown up as a Splott boy, I think I had a great childhood and good friends. We had some good times, alleys in the gutter, swimming over Splott baths (freezing), Whitsun treats. When basball was king and you had a job to see the game over Splott Park as there was so many people, not only in the park but all along the railway embankments - good days. I'm still living in Splott, and still playing sport at Splott Park, but today it's bowls, I've slowed down a bit now, but I still enjoy the best bit of grass in Cardiff. Now a grandfather of six, where did all the time go? Anyone remeber the Willows High School trip to Spain, 1972-73, where we had constant rain for a week, just like being back in Splott. But I wouldn't change the past, and I'd love to do it all again.

Josie from Splott
To Carol, I don't recall a small park being where The Star now stands as Splott School was there before that. Was it somewhere in between? I do remember the underground toilets. Our classroom was directly above them and when the windows were open we used to hold our hankies to our noses!

Josie
As kids many of us used to play in the square,mainly on the rusty bars which left our dresses covered with rust. Im wondering if Robinson Square was ever a park? I used to play there in the 50's.

Carol Williams {Nee Brown }
I was born in Burnaby Street and always remember coming home after school and going to Olwins shop to buy sweets , The shop is still there but now calls S&V News , I also remember Pauls at the other end of Burnaby Street and corner of Habershon Street. Janet's Pantry, mmm I can still taste the pasties. Yummy.

Bryn Davies, Cowbridge
My Aunty Shirley as a young girl from school went to work at CWS's biscuit factory at the top of Railway Street. This huge Victorian factory's gate was a magnet to every small Splott child at 5pm every Friday evening. The factory girls were allowed to take home a big blue paper bag of broken biscuits. This share of the damaged biscuits was heaven to a small child whose household was still under food rationing after World War Two. "Give us a broker misses?" was the call from our gang of kids. When my Aunty Shirley appeared I followed her home where my grandmother Rosie would spread the blue bag's contents over the kitchen table to be sorted the best for the biscuit barrel, sometime we would find a chocolate covered biscuit, a treasure for a 7 year old.

Michael Grandon, Splott
Hi all Splotties and everyone who went to St Albans - what lovley stories to read and good memories. My best times were at the school with Mr Harrington, Mr Ready and Mrs Butcher. I know some of the teachers are long gone bless them but I wonder if there are any other teachers still around?

Vincent Howells, Northampton
Re Diane Morgan and St Alban's teachers - I went there and yup I remember Mr Ready, he was the dep head and lived just around the corner with his sister and I think a housekeeper. He used to play the organ in the church and teach us hymns and always referred to the free milk as "a lovely bottle of cream". Mr Harrington was the head when I was there. Anyone remember Mr Camp and Miss Cummings and Mr Leake? The school is an old people's home now. Also remember the caretaker, Mr Brice? I used to go home for dinner too in those days.

Lesley Keating from Splott
I was born in Dogfield Street, Splott in 1962 and grew up in Tin street for a while before moving to Australia. My father was a shipwright and a real Welshman who passed away 4 yrs ago. I returned a couple of years ago to see if my childhood memories were accurate. The old home town looked the same.I introduced my own children to Clarks pies, Billy the Seal, Ninian park, Cardiff castle and all things Welsh. many of my relatives remain in the homes they were born in. I love wales and there's no people on earth as friendly and warm as the Welsh folk.

Carol Williams nee Brown.
I was born in Burnaby Street alongside all my relatives ... I loved Splott so much that after moving back to Cardiff from London for 11 years I bought a house in Adeline Street. As a child I remember the little park in Splott Road where the Star now stands and there used to be undergound toilets too. I remember Stan's Coach station on the top end of Burnaby that runs along Habershon Street. Splott is not the same as it used to be .. I keep in touch with some of my friends and some I lost touch with sadly. Splott will always be my home.

Philip Culley, Butetown
I was dragged up in Splott in the mid 60's. Lived on the corner of Neath Street and Smith Street. Next door we had the Bowen family, then the Coles family, then the Dilmores. Old man Dilmore used to sell fire wood. As for the bonfires we used to have I remember we stored all the wood in the arches, "guard it with your life" we were told.Too many memories to put here - a great time was had by all us kids then.

DIane Morgan(Caine), Cardiff
Although living in Tremorfa for most of my childhood, my nan Beatty Golding lived in Greenhill Street, Splott. I spent almost all my childhood days with, or visiting her. I went to St Albans School. Anyone remember Mr Ready, Mr Finn, Mr Harrington and the Casey sisters who taught there and Jack O'Connell the headmaster? They were good days. We used to walk back and fore from Deemuir Road to St Albans every morning and home for lunch. Later on I was in St Alban's choir and took part in St Alban's pantomimes for many years. Still occasionally meet up with many of my Splott mates. I've always had very fond memories of those days. My mother Maureen Caine used to work in Baden Powell School during the lunch hours. Someone asked if the Splott Cons was still in Habershon Street, the answer is yes. I had my wedding reception there in 1971 after marrying in St Albans.

Mary Rellis, Waterford, Ireland
My name is Mary Rellis I lived in 5 Portmanmoor Road, Splott in the 60's. I went to school in St Albans and later Lady Mary's. My best friends growing up were Christine Healy and Mary Ryan. I had six sisters, I worked in Marments until I came to live in Ireland. If anybody remembers the old street let me know.

Katy, London
Peter Cook, you said you once lived in Caerphilly Street - does this still exist? I can't seem to find it on any maps! My great grandfather's family owned a butchers on Caerphilly Street, I just wanted to learn more about it... perhaps someone else remembers it?

Mike Crowley, California
I spent many happy hours of my Tremorfa childhood playing on the fore-shore and in Pengam airfield - some of them with Stephen Leadbeatter (see below). Hi, Stephen. Every Saturday morning, my brother and I would spend 3d of our pocket money on the matinee at the Splott Cinema.

Louise Bruton, Bristol
Thank you to everyone who has shared their memories here so far. My Nana, Iris Bruton, was born at 52 Pearl Street in 1920 and lived there all her life, until her death earlier this year. She always had very fond memories of her neighbours and of the area. She told me stories about Splott cinema, Splott US Baseball and working as a uniform checker during the war. My grandad worked in the Steelworks. If anyone has any further memories of the area, of even possibly of my Nan, I would very much appreciate you sharing them with me. I myself have many happy memories of standing on a ladder at the bottom of the garden to wave at passing trains!

Tracy ( Ashmore ) Bray in Los Angeles Califo
I love the fact I came from Splott and Tremorfa, it prepared me for the world, good and bad, and let me tell you Tremorfians and Splotties, we can roll with the best of them and win. Maybe it was the cold water in Splott baths, or the toxic fumes from the steel works or the teachers at St Albans, we can do anything! My Mam was Bootie Miller, we lived in Habershon St and Tweedsmuir Rd. My nana lived in Storrar Rd. I sure do miss them all.

Lynda Sweetman from Ordell Street, Splott.
Does anybody remember my dad Terry Sweetman, and my grandfather Eddy and my nan May who lived in Ordell Street all their lives? Also Lizzy Furnish (my nan's sister) who had a grocery shop in Ordell Street? Fond memories of the olden days in Splott, such as the street parties and old Portmammor Road.Also remebering the Bridle Family and my old friend Kerry who I would like to say hi to.

Pat (Durrant ) Moeller, Indianapolis USA
Cathy Crowther, I remember going to the bakery every morning for a batch and twelve cobs. If we were lucky we would see the bakers taking them out of the ovens with these huge long-handled paddles. Then running home with a bag of hot bread to keep you warm. I've never tasted bread so good since. Kevin Stockwell, I remember the alligator in the chip shop. Wasn't it owned by two brothers - Greek I think? Saturday morning pictures, shopping at the Co-op on Splott Road, anyone remember Miss Hopkins? She was a dressmaker and lived in one room in a house on the corner of Neath Street near Robinson Square - she always made matching outfits for me and my two sisters for Easter and Whitsun - my oldest sister hated them. When we went to be fitted we had to pick up pins for her off the carpet. I used to be able to recite all the streets in Splott starting with Aberdovey, Aberystwyth, Tenby etc. but no more and of course only Aberdovey and Aberystwyth are left now. We always tho! ught we lived in the posh street because we had railings in front of our house (until the council took them away early in the war) and the other streets didn't. We had a bathroom-it had tiles around the tub with swastikas on them-this in WWII! The loo was outside and of course there was no hot water so we had to heat it in mother's wash-boiler and carry it up the stairs. Happy memories.

Robert Calvert from Merthyr Tydfil
Alfie Calvert was my father. I'd like to know if there's anyone left from his side of my family? He entertained most of the UK with his signing but unfortunately has passed on. if anyone can tell me any stories you may have I'd be very grateful.

Sarah Evans, Melbourne Aust.
Thanks for the memories! We lived in Carlisle Street, just a few houses from Janet's Pantry. The smell of freshly baked bread takes me straight back there. My grandmother owned a florist shop in Portmanmoor Road. I went to Moorland Road, Splott Secondary and then on to Cardiff High as part of the new system, in about 1965. Last went back to Splott in about 1999 and barely recognised it - so many streets and buildings gone.

Stephen Williams Tonyrefail
Does anyone remember the Sweetman family? My mum Hilda was born in 1912 in 3 Ordell Street her mum was called Eliza and her dad Albert. When my mum married it gives her address as 302 Portmanmoor Road my dad came from Penrhiwfer in the Rhondda they married in 1953 I remember all the kids in the family taking it in turn to have a bath in front of the fire in the old tin tubs.

Ceri Pepper (nee BRIDLE) Elaine Sreett Splott
Well i just found this site now and my eyes sprang open with a few names here. Hi Linda Williams, Katrina Burnett and of course my best friend growing up and to this day, Ann Burnett. Reading through all these posts has taken me down memory lane for sure. Does anyone remember nobby the salt and vinegar man with his wheel barrow? He had one leg shorter than the other. He wore a built up shoe. I was brought up in Elaine st. The upper part of Splott. eg:- Walker rd, Railway st and all the streets adjoining them were considered the posh area. Do you remember when we were all moved from the bottom of Splott to Aberdovey st and Walker rd, playing baseball with all the Mcdonalds using the four street corners as bases. I never did win at that game and Ann was a terrific backstop. I still visit splott from every so often and as i approach splott, i get very homesick for my home in Walker rd. but then as i come back home, i'm pleased to be home. So it shows i think that Splott will always be a major part of my life and i am so proud to say, yes i am from splott.

Rosemary Fenton [nee Bendall]
I lived in Splott for 21 years, I was one of nine children and what I remember was how safe it was, everyone looked out for each other. I also remember Alfie Nealons' shop on the corner of Menelaus st he had just about every thing in that shop, also a shop called Jacks in Menelaus St.Memories.

David Betty, Poole, Dorset
Although I lived in Penylan in the mid fifties to early seventies, I too remember Pengam airport and watching the flying club. Does anyone remember the Halifax bomber on the dump, late fifties, early sixties? I remember climbing through it and up into the cockpit to proceed on my first bombing mission! It was destroyed a few days later by the fire brigade. I took some photos of it and lost the film. Also I used to fly my model aeroplanes there, cycling from home, plane in one hand, steering with the other.

Anita nee Coliandris, Llanrumney
I was born in Ordell Street, Railway Street end. There was my mum and dad and nine of us kids - even though there was a lot of us we never wanted for anything. My mum and dad had a cafe in Bute Street in the early days then my dad later worked in the steelworks as the cook in the mill canteen and my brother George was the cook in the main canteen. We had some lovely times when we were young in Splott - it was in the the days when we would go over Splott Park and swimming without the worries you would have today. When I was older we lived up the top of Portmanmoor Road near the Fluers club. I would go to the Top Rank and think nothing of walking home on my own over the Black Bridge without a worry in my mind. Do you remember the pig swill man? That was my uncle Tony - he used to come around and collect all our food rubbish. I can remember the vinegar man, the rag and bone man, and what about the ice cream man with the bike? Well, I could go on and on. Oh the memories, they are bliss.

Emma Giles
I never lived in Splott but my Dad was born at home in Portmanmoor Road and his wonderful stories of his youth would see me handing over any of the modern gadgets that I have been lucky enough to grow up with in exchange for the freedom and safety of living in such a close community as Splott sounds to have been.

Rosemary Fenton . nee Bendall.
I lived in Splott up until i was 21. I spent many happy years growing up there. Does anyone remember Alfie Nealon on corner of Menelaus Street, he had a shop that was a total mess but he always new where to find every item he had in there.

Susan Torfstein from Jerusalem
Does anyone remember my grandfather Billy Jenkins from Portmanmoor Rd.? He had lots of brothers and sisters and married Adi. We called our great grandmother Nana Jenks and were always made to give her a kiss which we hated as she had a carbuncle on her nose! Billy Jenkins moved to Grangetown, where I was born and then to Rumney. I would love to know my great grandmothers' maiden name. I was always told she was Maltese ans certainly some of her habits (putting dirty knives in the earth to clean them) don't seem to be Welsh. We were brought up on stories of the pig man, the milkman's horse, balls made from newspaper and string. Life must have been hard but for us stories of life in Splott were always full of color, warmth and life.

Alan Lydiard , St Athan
It's good to see some of my cousins writing on here Debbie and Suzanne Dimech, I too was born from one of the Crofts, my mum Shiela bless her since passed away. Whatever happens in life I will always remember growing up in Splott as a child hanging around Gazzies the fish shop (which is now a chinese) and stuffing rolls from Janets Pantry. My dad still lives there and two of my bros are there too Nigel Putbrace is divorced and Angie is married and living abroad somewhere - my auntie June, love her, so Splott has changed so much , for the better? i don't think so.

Rosemary Fenton [Nee Bendall]
I lived in Splott at Portmanmoor Road . Can anyone rememeber Alfies the corner shop by Menelaus St ,he sold just about every thing, his shop was a complete mess but he knew where to find all you asked for. I was one of nine children and am glad to say we are all still living.

Kevin Stockwell Splott
I was born in Bridgend Street in 1942, now where to start. I remember Nurse Sutton, Mrs Leaves fish shop, Mrs Wlliam's shop opposite, Snotty's icecream trike with a big round rubber horn, also a wedding in the street where the happy couple through coins out of the bedroom window, one end of the street was the Arches the other end was the Blue Billy where you could fish for bullheads...my grampy grady said that the Blue Billy was the Original Garden Of Eden, the dopey thing is I still belive Him!!...Remember the chippy top of Portmanmoor Road with a stuffed Aligator!! The first time I saw that I ruined my underpants! ...What about the snow of '47, up to the bedroom window!!! My grampy was upset He coudn't get to Splott labour..My Wife(the Child Bride) Lynette Parsons Born in Wimbourn st wonders where the friendliness, trust and respect have gone, good old days every one was in the same boat, perhaps that's the reason...I passed my driving test on the Buses and my first route was 7a Roath dock Splott to Avondale road, in those days every bus was full, specialy the Last bus from town, talk about a brewery..phew! We both still live in Splott, one of my first long distance driving jobs was in the CWS Biscuit factory in moorland road and now that's where we both live!! I guess I've come home to roost. They say that the good Lord smiles on Splotties, It's a pity that Camelot don't!!

Peter Cook
My regards to Joan Cusack - I'm Peter Kitty Cusack grandson who was Danny's sister who lived in 11 Llanelli Street. We originally lived in Caerphilly St then moved near to my grandmother in 36 Llanelli Street. Hi to everyone, I've been trying to find photos or maps of the area during this era - can anyone help. I'm still in Cardiff but live in Caerphilly with my wife, I drive the bendy buses for Cardiff Bus. I stumbled on this link and am glad I did

Cathy Crowther, Melbourne, Australia
I too remember bonfire night, walking through the mud flats, playing on the railway tracks, the rag and bone man. The two spinsters in the corner shop. "Eddie Potham and The Gunslinger," the ABC Club at the pictures and being dragged to the disco by my older sisters. Bags of crispies from the fish & chips shop, slices of polony from the butcher, tap and ballet lessons and different entertainment at the hall not far from number 40, going to the bakery early to buy cobs and not to forget our claim to fame, we had the first in-built bath in the street. We emigrated to Oz in 1968. I hope you enjoy my memories as much as I enjoyed reading yours.

Ann Burnett, Splott
Do anyone remember what we called the green lady in Moorland Rd school? The toilets used to be in the middle of the playgroud and there was a locked shed attached to them we used to say a green lady was in there I think we called her that because the door was painted green, kids aye, i was frightened at the time though

Vincent Howells, Northampton
I was born in Glossop Terrace and lived in Tin Street, and went to St Albans even though St Germans school was next door but one to our house! Does anyone remember the bike shop that was half way up Pearl Street on the left? Got my first (second hand) bike there and used to get pellets for my air gun too. Also next to the Carylian club on Splott bridge was a sweetshop with a barbers in the back, and an Italian delicatessen next door. I've nothing but fond memories of Splott and Adamsdown.

Patricia Moeller (Durrant) Indianapolis USA
Does anyone remember an air-raid shelter in Aberdovey Street next to Neath Street - the same kind we had at Moorland School? I vaguely remember it being there but it was gone before the war ended. Did I imagine it - I was only six when the war ended? Also who remembers the VE and VJ Day street parties? I have a picture of one which I will send in sometime to see if anyone can recognize themselves. We look as if we are dressed up in our best clothes - the kind we saved for Sunday.

Tess Youd, Queensland Australia
I was born in 1960 in Walker Road and attended St Albans until we emigrated to Australia in 1968. I have fond memories of my grampy taking me to Roath park and Splott Park. I also remember Cardiff Arms as being the place the 'male' members of the family used to get lost in on a Saturday. My father, grandfather and uncles all worked at the Dowlais, which I remember very well! I used to stand at the front gate and watch the men come home from work, faces black with dirt and be fascinated by them, I used to get excited when I saw my Grampy Paddy, he'd always be first coming up the road, My two nannas also worked at the Dowlais as cleaners.

Linda Williams, Rumney
Hia to Ann Burnett and all the family - yes we we lived next door to you down Robinson Square. Our mums were best friends, and all us kids played together in the square. Brill days - I remember the Burnett girls used to make sugar sandwiches haha, and me and my sister Marie used to sneak in their house to eat them. Sadly my mum and brother passed away now. Long were the happy days.

Ann Burnett, Splott
I remember Linda and Marie Williams - we lived next door to you. I remember all the things you have said about Robinson Square - some of the things that you said had me laughing. Does anyone remember the great bonfire nights in the middle of the square? We used to collect wood and old furniture for weeks before November 5th. It's been great reading all the emails - brought back lots of good memories. I still live in Splott and wouldn't want to live anywhere else.

Bob Davies, Cyprus
I remember working with Stan Garland and his brother Colin at Somerset Wire over Tremorfa, such a long time ago but brings back happy memories. I have never forgotten the good old days. We have to be grateful for such a good life.

Ann Burnett, Splott
I remember you Linda Williams - reading some of your comments has had me laughing. I rembember all the things you were saying - we lived next door to you. I remember the fun we had as kids - those were the days, always something going on in the square.

David Longstaffe, Solihull
I lived in Smith Street in the 60s. I went to Mooreland Road school. We used to hide our bonfire wood in the arches and take short cuts over the railway lines to Splott Park. If you were caught you had a clip across the ear and that was it. We never had a lot but they were happy times.

Sue Harding (nee Llewelyn), Llanishen, Cardiff
Does anyone remember playing in the wind tunnel over Pengam airfields in the 1950s, clambering over the rotating blades, how no-one broke their neck.... There was loads of fibreglass and we'd all go home itching. We'd ride our bikes through the allotments to the piggeries then wade in the mud over the tidefields. Or the old fella who used to sit in Splott Park and teach us corkwork (an empty cotton reel with four small nails in the top aroung which we'd wind wool and make a long tube), or sunbathing on the balcony above the changing rooms of Splott open air baths. Buying jubblies and sherbet from Mortons shop in Storrar Rd (near The Old Airport pub which used to a bit of waste ground where we'd build dens.) In the winter it was sliding down Pengam hill on an old tray in the snow or building a boggie from your mother's old pram. Great days!!

Stan Garland from Alberta, Canada
Lived in Seymour Street with my mam, dad and brother Colin. Got married to Marie Turnbull in 1956 in St Albans church, then lived in Cameron Street. Great boyhood memories of Splott and yes, we too were hard up, but didn't know it and enjoyed our lives day by day. Loved going to the Splott cinema, loved buying peas in shells in Clifton Street. Went back to visit in 2006, and had a great time reliving old memories. I know you Ken Maunders of old. Remember the tandam and Jack Buds car? And your ginger suit and rolled umbrella. Happy days, eh?

Ken Maunder, Habershon St, Splott
1938 to 1956 I went to St Albans school, worked in Mr Kings the grocer and Jack Buddthe butchers in Carlisle Street, played football for Cathays Weds. I remember the pasty shop in Carlisle St which cost 5pencein old money. 8 boys and 3 girls in the family so many happy memories nice people.

Brian Peddle, Adelaide, Australia
I was born in Bridgend St near corner of Portmanmoor Rd. I remember Saunders shop on the corner and Leeves fish shop. My family lived with my grandparents at No 7. Their surname was Britton, Sam and Olive. We also had an "uncle" living with us his name was Ben Reid. My grandfather, my father and "uncle" Ben all worked at the steel works at the end of the street. I've never been back to Splott since leaving the UK in 1966 ... but I will definitely come back one day for a good look around.

Pat (Durrant) Moeller from Indianapolis, Indiana,
I've read a lot of comments about whether Splott was a good or bad place to live. It was both. We moved to Splott in 1940 - Aberdovey Street - to a house that had no heat except a coal fire in the kitchen and one outside loo. To take a bath the water was heated in mother's wash boiler and we carried buckets up the stairs to the bathroom which had cold water only. Air-raids, rationing, a school that had been bombed - it wasn't easy. On the other hand bomb sites were wonderful places to play, you could stay out till dark playing in the streets (no traffic), there was a library with a children's reading room where you could stay all day and because neighbours had to rely on each other there was a wonderful community spirit. We left Splott in 1953. I went back for a visit last September (amazing how many of us come back) and ran into someone who remembered my whole family - what are the odds after 54 years? I guess once a Splottie always a Splottie. I should also say that I was thrilled to find that even though so much has been destroyed there seems to be a push to preserve what is left. I always thought the little houses were beautifully built with lovely plaster and tile work - I wonder how many still have the built-in Welsh dressers etc that our house on 23 Aberdovey had?

Sarah Brennan, Llantwit Major
Can anyone remember anything about the dairyman the Morgan's - dairy called Coedwig?? In System Street or even my great-great Aunty Lyd lived there all her life - her house was never demolished and is one of the last original houses left, while the council built so called "modern" housing around it in the 60's.

Pat Moeller (Durrant) from Indianapolis USA
Does anyone remember the old gas and electric meters? You put pennies in the gas and shillings in the electric. One day Mother was cooking dinner when the gas went down and she didn't have any more pennies. She sent my older sister Shirley to the shop for change. Shirley came home, put the pennies in the meter and went back out to play without telling mother. You can guess what happened-mother was blown across the scullery when she lit a match. We refer to it as the day Shirley tried to blow up Mother.

Another thing, I read Lavinia Dixon's comment about racial remarks when she was growing up - how sad. I came to America in the sixties at the beginning of the Civil Rights movement and was proud of the fact that I had lived in such a diverse neighborhood and that we had never had any segregated schools etc. Since we all played together as kids and as far as poverty was concerned were all pretty much in the same boat (my children can't even imagine what we didn't have - toilet paper comes to mind) I guess I didn't notice any racism. Live and learn!

Alan Willcox
I lived in Portmanmoor Road all of my early years. At the bottom the street were the public toilets, called the shanties. As kids we used to dare the other to jump from the roof of the gents over to the roof of the ladies, a distance of about 2 yards. I remember the American Sailors handing out chewing gum to us kids. World War II was coming to an end, and Cardiff docks was important to the war effort. Essential supplies were brought over from America by ship. A German bomb fell in the road outside my house - it did not explode but left a big crack in the road. We were lucky.

David Weaver from Lincoln
Why so little written on Tremorfa? Was it too posh ?We used to live with my Nan in Clydesmuir Road, Tremorfa, for about three years, although I only attended the Baden Powell School for a year before we moved up to Worcester. I can remember the trolley buses into town, they stopped at the end of the road, just over the railway bridge, where they turned around. The depot was on Newport Road.We had railway sidings with steam shunting engines over the back and Elkes biscuit factory down the road (where you could buy the mis-shapes cheap). Our house had two clothes lines, one over the other. The top one was a loop and you pegged the washing out using an upstairs window and got it in the same way. I also remember Splott Park in the summer and snowmen in the winter with candles inside which were lit at night! Mum woke us up one night to see a real 'blue moon' - I think there was a large forest fire in Canada that caused it. Nan was a Hough and we all lived at number 59, anyone remember the family ?

mike evans weston-super-mare
to maria nee xiberras, sydney. if my memory of the corner shop on ordell street serves me right, and I,m talking pre, last war, the shop owner was one of the few people in railway street who had a car, and I seem to remember him giving my parents and myself a lift to bristol, via the old aust ferry, we lived at number 45, any connection,?

Mike Evans, Weston-super-mare
Anyone remember in the mid thirties an outbreak of either diptheria or scarlet fever? I vaguely remember being in the isolation hospital, and that the Echo published lists of numbers relating to the patients. I was visited by Mum and Dad, but no physical contact. Anybody else affected at that time?

Mrs Marlene F Wilbraham
My father had a china/toy shop next to Norman Smith's sweet shop in Carlisle Street. I was the last one of 13 children and my mother worked so hard, she kept the house and all us children spotless. She lived to be 91, and there are still 5 of us alive, and my sister Dot still lives in Adeline Street. I remember Cecil, Sammy and Alfie Calvert - who could forget them. I remember Sam's Cafe, the jukebox always blaring out. Mrs Sufflings pasties. I had a wonderful childhood and fond memories. Does anyone remember us?

Maureen nee O'Reilly, South Australia
I lived in Cameron Street Splott til 1950. During the "Black-out" in WW2, we had great times around the fish chip shops in the top end of Carlisle Street. At 78 years I am fit and happy in South Australia. I will always remember Splott. One of my friends was Josie at the hairdressers.

Derek Taylor, Cardiff
Great to see Splott is still in the picture - I lived in Adeline Street and can still remember all the great times - Splott school, the tide fields, taking bets up to Harry on the corner for my nan, breaking Hollaways window (third base) in baseball. I will look more often at the site for more comments about a great part of Cardiff.

Chris Standing, Horsham
Does anyone remember Eliza Thomas's pie shop at 158 Portmanmoor Road? She was there in the late 1920's.

Ted Williams, Splott
Jane - I remember your grandparents' shop well. It was a great place to shop - Archie and his wife sold groceries including fresh meats, loose butter and sugar, and, best of all, every kind of biscuit you could wish for. They also gave us kids broken biscuits. Fond memories.

Daphne Salter nee Coliandris
Born in Ordell St Railway St end - we used to call it the posh end, ha ha! Went to Splott school till 1958. Do anyone remember Sammy and Cecil over Splott park and the late Alfie Calvert entertaining us with his singing over there? They were good times. I only moved to tremorfa - I still see a lot of my old friends and still attend the same doctor's surgery from the day I was born 65 years ago. Hello to Joan Cames and Billy Aus. I was in the same class as Anne Wright. As for Maggie's comments about Splott houses being slumlike that's very unfair because the majority of houses were kept very clean even though people didn't have much in those days. My mother brought 9 children up and she would always be washing - no machines then, only the old scrubbing boards - and we always looked nice. I love Splott but alas everything changes over the years. Gone are a lot of neigbours and the community spirit we had then.

Keith Voisey, ex Roath.
Two Lancaster bombers were parked just to the right of the main gate at Pengam. The furthest one was used by the fire service for practice, but at least at the time I knew it, about 1954, the nearest one was undamaged except for the collapse of the r/h oleo undercarriage leg. It was possible for us children to enter this bomber - the biggest toy I ever had! It was almost totally complete with moveable turrets, all seats for the crew, bomb release switches etc. I well recall climbing over the notorious main spar to reach the forward positions. According to a SW Echo report (traceable thru Cardiff library) both models were eventually burned for scrap. What would they be worth now eh? Incidentally, the hangar shown above is a Bellman type, similar to the T2.

Josie
Jane - I remember Mr and Mrs Saunders. I lived in Portmanmoor Rd. I'm thinking of all the sacks of pototoes and corn stacked near the back of the shop which had wooden floorboards. I seem to recall your grandad wearing a cap. Was his name Archie? There was a really long wooden counter with jars of sweets in the front. If it was raining, many people used the shop porch as a shelter whilst waiting for the bus. If I remember correctly, your gran wore her hair in a bun?

Maria Sherry (Xiberras), Sydney, Australia
To Richard Murphy - are you related to Mr Murphy the caretaker at St Albans in the 50'S &60'S? Mrs Murphy was a great dressmaker - she made my holy comunion and corpus christi dresses. We lived at number 10 (the corner shop).

Jane Baker
I was wondering if anyone can remember my grandparents' shop - it was a grocer's shop on the corner of Portmanmoor Road and Bridgend Street. It was demolished in the 1960's. It was run by Mr and Mrs Saunders and they had 13 children in the 3 rooms upstairs, from about 1915 to 1960. I only have one very battered photo and was wondering if anyone has any memories of this area at all.

Julie Evans from Newport Gwent
I discovered some years ago now, my grandmother was born in (22 PEARL STREET) her mother's name was Elizabeth Ann Thomas, that was 1912-14, I'd love to find out if anyone knew of this lady after that date, and what happened, she called my nana Glenys at the time. Though it was a long time ago I'm sure there are still some neighbours about somewhere that lived in pearl street then - looks real community spirit type place.

Robert Sansom, Cardiff
My uncle Viv worked at Pengam airfield on WW2 biplanes. I've got an aerial photograph showing all the site taken during the war.

Richard Murphy from Taffs Well
I was born in 24 Railway Street in 1964. I consider myself very lucky to grow up in Splott. I made friends then who I still see today! Once again, Splott - thanks.

Mandy Peters
My dad Fred Williams is 92. He and his mother moved from Abergavenny to Splott and lived in Pontypridd Street (off Portmanmoor Road) for 12 months in about 1929/30. He remembers the Toc H club. He worked for Mr Taylor who was a second hand furniture dealer, and my Dad used to drive the pony and trap for him, picking up and delivering the furniture around Splott. I guess that area is all knocked down now, but it would be great to be able to show him some old photos of the place, maybe bring back some fond memories! Is there any more information about it, or maybe pictures?

Joan Came nee Wright, Melbourne, Australia
I went to school at Lord Baden Powell. I still remember going to the Splott park and the swimming pool. The little house that we all lived in was on the corner of Tenby and Portmanmoor Road at the back of the little shop. I loved going to the Splott cinema on Saturdays and later as I got older going to Bingo there. Like all the other kids in Splott we loved the Sunday mornings listening to the Salvation Army band and at Easter time watching the Easter Parades. I married William Frank Came - his family lived in a large 3 story house on the corner of Silver Street and Pearcefield Street. I have fond memories of taking my 2 daughters to Barrie Island.Every year for my older daughter's birthday we would go the Pantomine and we would always book the box area. It was like tradition. Every Chritmas we would attend St Germans Church to watch my girls perform in the Nativity play or listen to them sing carols witht he rest of St Germans School children. Mr Walters was the headmaster of St Germans and my mother was the caretaker of that school for many many years. Growing up in Splott in the 30's 40's was very hard - families were very poor but we were a very close community that looked after each other and it was great to have that extended family around you. Splo! tt will always be in my heart.

Bob David, Cardiff
I was born in Splott in 1946. Most of my family worked on the docks - my grandfather was a coal trimmer, he was killed on the Dock in 1930. I went to Metal Street school later St Germans - it was a great school and I had some really happy days there. The headmaster was Hugh "Polly" Waters but all the teachers were excellent. I remember Wakelin the Ironmongers on the corner of Diamond Street and Clifton Street, with Clifton Furnishers across the Road on the corner of Metal Street and Clifton Street. I remember each Christmas staring at the toys in Clifton furnishers window and playing Bags eye. I rememember Tuckers Teleradio on Splott bridge where I bought my first Dinky toy, and Pengellys toy shop on Splott Road which I thought was the best toy shop in Cardiff. I remember going over Pengam Airport and watching trainee parachutists doing practice jumps from a cradle under a barrage baloon on warm summer evenings. I remember looking after bikes outside the Grosvenor pub on the corner of Splott Road and Moorland Road. We'd ask a penny a bike and then sit on the wide pub windowsills until the bike owner would come out, often a little worse for drink and give us sixpence. I remember Cans Scrap yard in Portmanmoor Road Lane, and Chapmans Fuel yard where you could buy fuel blocks and push them home in a little wooden cart ... I agree with 99% of others comments - Splott was a great place to live and grow up in.

Katrina Burnett, Cardiff
Me and my family lived in Robins Square. There was me, Georgina, Ann, Terry and Frankie. My dad George played baseball my mam Kitty always made toffee dabs for the kids. It's nice to read some stories about my growing up days and nice to see some familiar names. Hello to Linda Williams and Maria - always in my memories, love to all the familly. My mum is still living in Splott but I'm living in Llanishen - now bring back the great community spirit we had then.

Josephine on Splott
Hello Maggy, I read your comments with interest. Yes many "Splotties" emigrated but, how do you know they went to get away from Splott? Maybe many had already been relocated to other areas of Cardiff before they emigrated or perhaps it was during the 60's when it cost just Ģ8 to go to Oz. I've never looked upon Splott as a slum. OK, we had outside toilets but so did all the other older areas. My mother kept our house spotless as did many others. As for fresh air etc, we had Pengam Moors with apples in abundance plus the fun of blackberry picking. Speaking for myself, I'm proud of my upbringing in Splott and I truly believe if those little houses would have been allowed to remain they would still be standing proud today albeit modernised and maybe handed down to sons and daughters. I know people who emigrated but came back and now live in Moorland Rd. The older areas were the best Maggy so I shall take it you speak for yourself when you say the houses were slumlike.

Theresa, Llanrumney
I remember my nan's house in Bridgend Street - the outside toilet, coal fire place and big table in the room. The chip shop was next door. Anyone remember Constance Sallows - Connie the cow to her friends. Sadly her house burnt down and she moved to Llanrumney - always remember Splott with fondness.

Maggy, Germany
I notice that most of your submitters couldnīt get out of Splott fast enough. I lived there for about 10 years and although I had lovely neighbors, it was, quite frankly, a dump. Yes, the community spirit was wonderful, but I hear from all old friends that still live there, that it hardly exists anymore. The best thing I ever did was to make sure I got myself and my two children out. They finished their childhood in the country and got at least a couple of years climbing trees all day. The white nappies that I hung out and brought back in pink and smelling of sulphor ... carrying two small children out to the cold, damp outdoor lav ... the memories would rather be forgotten thanks.

Josephine (nee Donoghue)
I was born and bred in 219 Portmanmoor Rd in 1948. We lived on the corner of Cornelia St, next door to Trotters grocery shop. I remember the milkmen - there were two. Eddy Kaillar, his horse was named Dolly. Eddy used to shout out "Alaya poo", whatever that meant! Bobby Beal drove a milk float and always had a red face. I remember the Croft family, mainly Alomah, Pearl, Victor and Steven. I remember Magees Pie shop and I remember Ethel Workman - she was my aunty! My friends were Theresa Payne, Susan Marshall, Pamela Harvey and Isobelle Moore, now sadly gone. Such sweet memories of days long gone!

debbie
does anyone remember the croft family? they were a big family from portmanmoor rd, im 38 right now but i remember going to aunty junes(dimech). i used to play with a girl called yasmin/jasmine ullah

debbie
i also spent a lot of time as a kid in coveny street, with alison lydiard, what a tomboy! friends nigel putbrace, angie i remember the evans family. janets pantry still on the corner?

Barbara Jones nee Savoury, South Africa
Both my parents were from Splott. My father Bunner (George) used to work at the Dowlas. He played baseball for Grange Albion. Passed away 3 years after the Dowlas was closed down. I used to know Alika InnocentsUncles Adrian & Vaughen. I grew up in Arthur Street off Broadway but remember visiting friends and family in Splott. Loved shopping in Carlyle Street. Used to go toa hairdresser there. The conversations were an eye opener. I can taste the rainbow sherbet now. Also used to buy cockles at the Cardiff market, walked around stinkingof vinegar. Had my wedding reception at the Splott Labour Club. Is it still open? Used to go to a Youth Club in Tremorfa. Then as we got older it was the Top Rank.Can't imagine what the Rank is now. Had my first daughter in Glossop Terrace. That must be gone now. Haven't been back since 1989 but reading all these letters brings back so many memories. Keep this page going.

Michael Evans, Weston-super-mare
Yes Lavinia, I do remember the rhyme. I did say in one of my early letters that where I lived in Railway Street we had a coloured family. In fact I went to school with one of the boys, Wilson Annan - this was in the early 40s. Nowadays I'm afraid that PC has reached in some cases absurd heights, and really we need to get back a sense of proportion. People are people, no matter what colour, and there's good and bad in all races.

Richard Atkins
I lived in Hinton Street overlooking Mooreland Road School in 1953 which I attended. I was also in the choir at St Francis Church. My father was an aircraft engineer at Pengham Moors. Every Saturday I would get the bus into town (1 1/2d each way) and then spend the afternoon train spotting at Cardiff General station (1d platform ticket).

Marie Williams, Rumney
Do anyone remember the Splott fetes in Splott Park? As a kid we would stay there all day with half a crown while the adults were boozing it up in the beer hall. Also the outings to Aberavon from the Splott Labour club, also do anyone remember the first Asian shop on Portmanmoor Road, the Continental store? Good days.

Lavinia Spottiswoode (nee Dixon) Palm Island Austr
How many of you Splott people of the 40's and 50's can remember this, "Nigger Nigger pull the trigger bang bang bang"? That was said to me and our family so often, yes we were the black family, like everyone else poor, and poorly educated at Splott School. But we did change our ways, from a family of ten, three girls made high achievments in nursing. One has made high achievements in the business sector, and the rest of the family have made achievements in other areas. Oh yes I remember Splott - my mother Mary lived till she died 5 years ago, and my brother still lives in Splott, and I shall bring my friend to visit Splott, when I return at Christmas.

Linda, Rumney
I remember the Salvation Army band going all around the streets on a Sunday morning. My cousin used to be petrified when she heard them coming! She used to hide in the coalhouse. Also do people remember when there was a wedding coming out of one of the houses the grown ups used to throw pennies out of the bedroom windows to all the kids?

Maria nee Xiberras, Sydney, Australia
My parents had the corner shop on Railway & Ordell Streets. Eileen & Carm (both no longer with us), my 3 brothers and 2 sisters had many happy times growing up in Railway Street. Because of the shop we knew many people in the area - hello to Joan Cusack, I remember your family. Does anyone remember the Easter Parade coming through Railway Street or the Salvation Army Band on Sunday mornings? Sweet memories!

Linda Williams, Rumney
Also remember my old friends when we all lived in Robinson Square - the Debonos, Donalstons, Burnets, Westons, loads of us all. We used to have loads of fun (and scraps) in the square - we didn't have much, but we would play out until it was dark. Then all the mothers used to call us all in for bed - those were the good days! Remember we all had to have a good scrub on Sunday night ready for school errr, haha.

Bev Debono nee Came, Melbourne, Australia
I was born in Pearcefield Place but my grandmother and grandfather lived in Splott for as many years as I can remember. My grandmother was a wonderful woman who was the caretaker at the old St Germans School. I can remember her taking me to the town hall every Saturday to pick up her pay, then we went to the Cardiff Markets to get some cockles and winkles with lots of vinegar. I remember Splott as a wonderful place for friends and playing down at the docks, my grandfather working at the Steel works, going for his regular pint at the Bomb and Daggers pub. I went back to Wales in 83 and all those wonderful memories came flooding back. Even seeing the old Splott Cinema where I went every Saturday to watch the flicks. No matter how long I live in Australia I will always love my home town Cardiff.

Ted Williams, Splott
The STAR Centre now stands on the site of the old Splott Road School. STAR stands for Splott, Tremorfa, Adamsdown and Roath.

Chris Fishwick, Chippenham
My dad was born in Pearl Street, and my Nanna lived there for over 50 years. Her name was Amy George and she had quite a big family ... Thomas, Leslie, Sid, Eadie, Violet and more ....they lived the railway side and I have fond memories of visiting my nanna and waving to the passing steam trains at the bottom of the garden.

Chris Standing, Horsham, Sussex
I was so interested to read Eileen Shaw's account of her childhood, as she was born at 213 Portmanmoor Road. I wonder if she remembers Eliza Thomas's Cooked meat and pie shop at 158 Portmanmoor Road. I would love to know as I believe she was my Great Grandmother.

Mike Evans, Weston-super-mare
I understand that where Splott School was, there is now a club of some sort. Any info on this please, as it may be used by people I used to know.

Julia Shantz, Calgary, Canada
I was born in Pearl Street in 1958 and moved to St Mellons in 1964. I remember the Splott cinema on Saturday mornings, Mrs Williams Shop, Stratto's Fish Shop and the Tattoo man at the top of the street. I went to St Albans Infants and then on to Our Lady's Convent. I love coming back to Cardiff a few times a year and I am amazed how cosmopolitan Cardiff has become!

Alika Innocent
I have lived in Splott since the day I was carried home from the hospital. My dad, Eugene Innocent who passed away 7 months ago was born in Portmanmoor Road in 1945 and he lived in Splott for the rest of his life. He never wanted to move away as Splott was his roots. The thing I love about Splott is that it is so close to most things like town, only 2 miles away, parks and shops and supermarkets. Back in the day when people had respect everyone knew everyone and Splott was a close knit community. It is a shame that people have no respect for each other nowadays because Splott is full of strangers as all the old timers have either died, or moved away. Splott to me is one of the best places I ever lived and you won't catch me ever moving too far from it, if I ever do.

Chris Fehrenbach, Port Lincoln, South Australia
During school lunchtimes at the old St Illtyds College, two of us would go to the baker to buy a round loaf cut in half, eat the inside on the way to the fish and chip shop where the (Greek?) owner would fill the crusts with chips, a shilling for the loaf and five pence each for the chips. Unhealthy but yum!!!!

Linda, Rumney, Cardiff
I remember the lady that sold the toffee dabs in Robinson Square (where I lived). She lived on her own, I think her son was away at sea. Every Friday afternoon she would stand on her front door and all us kids used to run over with our pennies - the toffee dabs were lush! She used to sell toffee apples as well.

Eileen Shaw formerly Workman
I was born at 2l3 Portmanmoor Road, two doors from Trotters Shop, between Greenhill Street, and Cornelia Street. I remember the milkman with the horse called Neddy, his name was Bobby Beale. I used to run up to the butchers at the top of Portmanmoor Road, called Charlie Lowes. Some times there was a poor man in there who used to sell the Echo, we used to call him the Pig man because his face was deformed. Anyone remember him? I was born in l943, and can remember my childhood as if it was yesterday. I went to school at a sort of nursery called Ainon, then on to Moorland Road, then onto Splotlands Girls School. Miss Powell was the head teached and we were frightened to death of her, five feet of dynamite we used to call her. Oh happy happy days, what a wonderful childhood I had. Many people would remember my mother Ethel, she used to take in sewing, and would work for hours on her old Singer treadle machine.

Christine Hayward, Trowbridge
I was born in my nan's house in Bridgend Street, right next door to the chapel/mission, in 1957. I remember Saunder's shop on the corner where on Saturday morning (with sweet money from nana) I loved to buy rainbow coloured sherbet or loose coconut. Also I remember going with my cousins to buy coal from the coal merchant and borrowing a bogey to wheel it home and as I was the youngest I always rode on top of the coal and the others pushed all the way home to Smith Street. I too remember how cold Splott baths were even in summer. Remeber Greggors chippie? The first time I ever saw crinkle cut chips were from that shop, but my very favourate chippie was Mr Leeves's shop - he used to give me a load of batter crispies to munch. Can anyone remember the lady who made toffee apples and toffee dabs in Robinson Square? I loved them especially coconut toffee dabs! We moved when I was six - Dad had bad asthma, my nana still lived there though in Layard Street. Even moving to a brand new house didn't stop me getting back to Splott every weekend/school holiday. I pined for my old home and way of life even at six and a bit - I knew where I belonged, in Splott. It will allways have a place in my heart.

Suzanne Dimech, Whitchurch
I came from a large family (Dimechs - Victor, Anne, Anthony, Michelle, Pauline, Suzanne, Carmelita, Olivia and Vincent) in Splott. We lived in Bridgend Street and then Portmanmoor Road - they were the good old days. My mum used to sing on the street corner with Shirley Bassey - she is a Splott girl. No computers, but we had great fun.

Wayne Sweeney from Ashby de la Zouch
I was born in Layard Street which was off Portmanmoor Road. Not there any more of course, but when I was 11 I boxed at the Splott Gym. One of the trainers was Roy Agland. Went to school with other Splott boys. They were poor, but very good times.

Mary Harding formerly McCafferty, Old St Mellons
Lived in Adeline Street Splott for 40 years. Attended St Albuns School until 1955-56. My memories are similar to most from same area. The open air pool, salt and vinegar man, Rag and bone man, Snotty Ginotti the ice cream man who sold lovely ice cream from a push cart, but always had a dripper on the end of his nose - UGH. We used to lie in bed listening to the ships calling for a tug boat. The bedroom would suddenly glow when they opened the furnaces at the steel works, also the huge explosions when the red hot slag was dumped on the foreshore. I could go on for ever. Steve Pain: I don't recollect a Rumney Street in Splott.

Rosita Percival nee Parry, Chesterfield, Derbyshir
I was born in 1951 in Seymour Street and from a big family. I was like all the people there - not much money, but happy. I still remember the horse and cart - the horse was named Neddy. So many happy days, not stressed out like now. Yes, Shirley Bassey was born in Splott - she used to sing barefoot at the pub doors for money in her very young days. We used to sneak into the biscuit factory and pick up broken bits for a treat at home - tut tut!

Stephen Parsons
Lived in Adeline Street, Cardiff Arms end until I was seven. Splott really had an impact on me particularly only living there such a short time. I can remember people who lived in the street like I moved away yesterday, names like the Price family who lived opposite us, Mrs Peggy Barnes, the Bartolo family, the Taylors, Colemans, Mrs Regan whose dog used to chase me every day on the way home from school, the Lewis family who used to take me on the tug boats at Cardiff docks even at such a young age. We played football at the end of the street. Woodleys the butchers used to be on the corner - we had been warned so many times about playing there and yes, you've guessed it, the window was broken and my dad had to pay not only for the glass but also the meat in the window. I am 52 now but even so, Splott had and has so many memories of those days gone by.

Linda Williams, Rumney, Cardiff
Remembering Splott baths as well they were freezing. The little pool was free to go in but the bigger pool you had to pay. So we used to climb up the pole and sneak in. We'd stay there all day long even though it was so cold - then run home starving hungry. Also remember playing on Jessie, the train in Splott Park!

Linda Williams, Rumney, Cardiff
To Amen Sulman - I remember playing over the arches, and on the railwayline (tut tut), also the biscuit factory on Beresford Road - my mother used to work there. I also remember the rag and bone man - as kids we ran in and begged for old rags to swap for a cup/saucer or a balloon. Do you remember the milkman that used to come round with the horse called Neddy? God I feel old now - I'm only 45.

Steve Pain of Brisbane, Australia
I was born in Rumney Street, Splott, 1950. My parents immigrated to Australia in 1956 because of my mother's asthma. My father (in Splott) would go downstairs & light the fire early to warm up the house. Then us kids would go down & put socks on our cold hands. Our gloves would be drying out from getting wet in the snow the previous day. We would make snowmen & throw snowballs. We went next door to watch 'Cisco Kid' on their TV. I remember being pushed in a pram up the road to see my older sister start grade 1. I remember going to Cardiff Castle and catching goldfish in a jar. I remember sitting on the fence in the backyard of the neighbours opposite & watching the trains go by. I would spit out the cod liver oil tablets my mother gave me. My father worked in the steel works. I remember him cooking us rice & bread puddings. My mum made Welsh Cakes. I have revisited Rumney Street & the house where I was born it had changed alot. We went straight to the mines in Mt Isa in Australia where my father had work.

Stephen Parsons, Adeline Street, now Marshfield
Oh such memories - I went from Splott infants to Moreland Road school. My form master was Bill Barrett - he used to write a piece for the South Wales Echo, quite an historian on sport, especially baseball. I went to Cubs in St Saviours on Splott Road in the church hall which used to be opposite St Saviours on the corner of Carlisle St. Sadly now a block of flats. My dad was the youngest from a family of eleven. He worked over the steel works. One of his jobs was to rebrick or reline the furnace stack. Many a time I can recall coming home with my brother after a day at Barry Island with my mother only to find my dad in bed. The ambulance had brought him home and put him to bed after inhaling fumes or gases from the chimney stack he had been repairing. He would somehow sleep it off and be back in work for the next shift. Dad passed away recently - funny how things stick in your mind. I can remember the soles of his feet being black where they were subject to intense heat from the furnace floor.

David Cosslett now living in Indonesia
I grew up in Railway Street, at the Beresford Road end in the 1950s and early sixties and remember the buscuit factory. When dark smoke was coming out of the chimney we used to say that they were making chocolate buscuits. When it closed, they turned it into a supermarket called Leo's which was quite a novelty. I also remember the salt and vinegar man with his barrow, and beautiful big shire horses delivering beer to the Moorland pub. Does anyone remember we used to have pig-bins which you'd put vegetable peel and stuff in, I can't ever actually remember anyone collecting them! I don't know where they used to go to. I went to old Splott Road school, and from there to Howardian we were the first year of the new comprehensive system in Cardiff. I sound like those old men who used to talk about the past, but it wasn't really so long ago. People always laughed at the name Splott, they couldn't believe it was a real place, but I had a great time growing up there.

Amin Suleman, Ely, Cardiff
I lived in Caerphilly Street then moved to Smith Street right by the square. I remember the bonfire nights - they were huge. But can anyone remember the blackhills were we use to play? Our mams use to go mad when we came home covered in ore. I always remember my mam going mad when she took her washing in and sometimes it used to be dirtier than before she put it out, due to the smut from the steelworks behind portmanmoor road. The most exceptional thing I remember about Smith Street was you could leave your door open all night with no worries - not that we had anything to pinch, mind. Can anyone remember the rag and bone man and the salt man? He also sharpened our knives and scissors. I went to Moorland Road infants and junior school and then to Splott school. We used to try and climb up into the arches which were behind Moorland Road school. What about Splott open air baths were we use to do our school swimming contests? Sometimes it used to be freezing. And we use to play on the railway lines and got chased by the local bobby - if he caught you he used to give you a good clip but you couldn't tell mam because she would give you a lot worse. Classic memories every one of them.

Andrew Mae, Ontario, Canada
I was raised on Habershon Street in the 60's and left there in the mid 80's. As a kid I used to love going to Norman's sweet shop on Carlisle Street. I can still taste the rainbow sherbert. My mum still lives in the house I was raised in. Despite living on the other side of the world I am still a Splottite and proud of my heritage.

Linda Williams, Cardiff
Also remembering the good old days in Splott, everytime near to bonfire night all the parents and kids used to collect the firewood for the big bonfire in the middle of the square (Robinson Square) and the older kids had to take it in turn to guard the wood from being pinched by rival groups. That was the best bonfire down Splott!

Linda Williams from Cardiff
I was born down Robinson Square in Splott. There was a row of houses on each side of the square. My grandfather was Les Paterson - he had a big family, he used to be a bookie. All us kids used to play in the square making houses out of the old bricks. I went to Moorland Road school - there was a shop round the corner called Teenes. She used to let all the mothers save a couple of bob a week for a Xmas chicken. And there was Mrs Trigg who had the fruit/veg shop - she always had curlers in her hair.

Ivor Davies, Rumney, Cardiff
Hello Mike Evans - Mrs Richards was the name, I lived next door to her and the clinic was the other side of our house. Do you remember the shop on Splott Bridge where we used to take our glass batteries for charging and the underground toilets in Splott Road?

Joan Cowler nee Blakey, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
My father, David, was born in Splott in the late 1800's. He had a paper round in Tiger Bay as the family were quite poor after their father died. The tales he told were always colourful.

Mike Evans, Weston-super-mare
Yes, Ivor Davies, Rumney, I well remember Sellicks fresh fish shop, and if memory serves me right, nearby was a Marie Stopes clinic and a little further up was a shop run by either Mrs Richards or Richardson. I do remember that one of her children had a projector and we went into the bedroom to look at silent films. As for Splott school, as I left at 14 in July 1943, probably a bit before you. I remember a Mr Fielding and a woman teacher, a Miss Buckley, and a choir conducted by somebody called Mr Bumford-Griffiths. A few others will come to mind, no doubt. By the way, we also had a coloured lad in my class, Wilson Annan, ring any bells with anyone? That's all for now, keep it going.

Ivor Davies, Rumney
I used to live opposite the Cardiff Arms. Remember Mr Sellick the fishmonger in Railway Street? Live flatfish on the slab, and the one man band. Newport Road Saturday morning picking up tar blocks from the old tram lines outside the library. Bob Ord the music teacher and Mr Price - Splott Secondary Modern were the good old days. Also Mrs Dollins in the infants - any one else remember those three? Also Harry the bookmaker on the corner of Railway Street opposite the Cardiff Arms.

Colin Evans from Maesllyn
Like my cousin Michael Arthur Evans, I too have many memories of my childhood in Railway Street. I remember the day that the slaughterhouse was bombed and the cows were running wild on the railway line behind my grandmother's house. Anybody recall playing baseball on the corner of Janet Street and running when PC49 was around?

Mike Evans, Weston-super-mare
Looks like there aren't many silver surfers in the Splott area who came from the beginning end of Railway Street. Anybody remember the wartime water tank on Splott Bridge? It gradually filled up with loads of rubbish. Also the telephone box, ever hopeful pressing button B.

Terry Williams, Splott
I lived in Smith Street in lower Splott in the 50s 60s 70s. My mother's family was the Patersons - my grampy was Les Paterson. Fond memories.

Catherine Blakey
Born and bred in Railway Street Splott, still living here, now in Walker Road. It's a wonderful place now ... I used to love to watch the trains as a young girl as well, and also sorry to the Barry family who lived next door who had a huge allotment before the railway line - I used to go picking their fruit and veg. Yes we were also poor lol ... but a wonderful community spirit was there. I also went to Splott Road School just before it transfered to Willows High in Tremorfa. Ohhh the meories are flooding back now...

Arthur Leonard Brown
When I went back to Splott I thought that the old school in Splott Road would still be there but it had gone to be replaced by the hall on the corner opposite the church in Railway Street. Opposite was the bakers shop which used to be a television shop. The top of Railway Street used to be the biscuit factory - it was such a shock that I have not been home for quite a long time and I won't be home for a while.

Val Jenkins in Australia
My aunt Mabel & uncle Fred Elliott lived in Seymour Street, Splott. I lived in London, and during school holidays each August, while my mother went to hospital, I was sent to stay with my aunt & uncle. This went on from about 1938 until sometime during the war. Opposite me was my only true friend by the name of Johnny Pedrick, who had a cleft palate. All the other kids used to taunt me with "Cockney, Cockney". Needless to say, I had many fights. I also remember when, after a long period of peace and quiet, the Germans made a big bombing raid, and my uncle assured me I had brought the Luftwaffe with me from London. The only one who ever beat me into the Anderson air raid shelter was Bonzo our dog.

Viv Gregson
I married June Morgan from Hope Terrace in 1965. We got married at St Saviours church in Splott. Hope terrace was about 3 houses tacked on the end of Railway Street. We used to drink in the Cardiff Arms quite a lot. Anyone remember June Morgan?

Mike Evans from Weston-super-Mare
Robert Davies comment about Lady Margaret Teraace caught my eye. I'm in the middle of researching my family history. I've found out that in the last part of the 1800s and the early part of the 1900s, all the members of my father's side of the family lived in Lady Margaret Terrace. They then moved up to Raiway Street. I went to Splott Boys a bit before Robert though. Thanks for awakening a few more memories.

Berni Brumby Manchester
I'm hoping someone has information as regards to my mother, Joan Margaret Dempsey, daughter to James and Mary. My mum was born in 1931 and lived in Portmanmoor Road. Her siblings were mary, James, Jack , Terry, Dennis and Kathleen. Unfortunately my mum passed away in 1985 and don't know of any of her family please help.

robert davies cyprus
Born in lady margaret terrace, went to Splott school until 1953, Played for Splott us and worked at the Rover co, but still remember the good days of Splott school. and the local community. I have pleasent memories when i get the chance to visit the area

Mike Evans, Weston-super-mare
Is the Splott site dead? Have not seen any new comments for some time now, or has everybody over 70 from the bottom end of Railway Street (i.e. Nos 21 to 45) emigrated or died? Say something, if it's only goodbye.

Mike (Arthur) Evans, Weston-super-mare
Re Dave Griffiths, Splott cinema - I worked in the Splott for a short while round about 1944/45 as rewind boy and operator. First job was the worst - had to rewind the news, then jump on an old boneshaker of a bike out to the County in Rumney, one of the Splott circuit cinemas. My god, that hill was hard going - easy coming back though. Happy days...

Mike (Arthur) Evans
Born in Railway Street in 1929 - used to watch the trains from the bottom of the garden, then moved to Pearl Street, 2 doors up from the Tredegar pub. Got caught by the RAF sp's coming out of pub without cap on in 1946) - 14 days jankers. All the Evans's and Perrys any left??

Wayne Mullins
I am looking for my mothers family who lived in Marion Street, Splott. Sandra Leonard in Ireland if you see this could you please reply to this message. The name of the family was Griffiths.

Sandra Leonard in Ireland
I first lived in Walker Road, Splott then moved around the corner to Marion Street. I have great memories of my childhood there. I can remember the swimming pool nearby being outdoors and being rebiult as an indoor pool. We had several parks to go to. Street parties for the Queens silver jubilee, Prince Charles marriage to Diana and street bus tours annually. Everyone was so friendly to each other. It was a great place to grow up.

Joan nee Cusack, Vancouver, Canada
I lived in Railway St (by Ordell St) with my Mam & four brothers. Went to St Albans school from 1953-59 then to Lady Mary's and Splott school until 1963. Worked in Leslies stores in Clifton St and Curtess Shoes, then went to work in the Brains Brewery. I left Cardiff 31 years ago but I still love coming HOME to Splott. Such great memories - although we were poor then I wouldn't change a thing.

Dave Griffiths, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
I remember Brenda's dad & uncle at Wakelings Ironmongers - I used to go in there for stuff for my Mam & Dad. When you walked into that shop, oh the luverly smell - I can still smell it now as I write. Brenda's Dad was a very pleasant man who treated his customers like they were the only ones in the world. Good memories!! I may have even seen you in there Brenda.

Brenda Ridler nee Wakeling
My father and Uncle had the Ironmongers shop corner of Clifton St and Diamond St from the 1930s until, as far as I can remember, the early 1970s. It still exists but is no longer called 'Wakeling Bros'. I used to help out, under protest, on Saturdays in the days when paraffin was two pence, halfpenny a pint and bleach was nine pence a pint (bring your own bottle)!

Isobel Jones
I was born in Splott before the second world war. It was a close community and very poor. But we were happy. I went to school at Moorland Road Girls School. I was in a form above Shirley Bassey. It is not true that she came from Tiger Bay. She was born, I believe, in Portmanmoor Road. I went to church in Splott Road - the Baptist Church, opposite the old Co-op grocery. Many happy memories of the pantomines we performed. My best friend lived in Janet Street, off Carlisle Street. A big family called the Parsons. A family of thirteen children. Now only two remain. I used to meet! my boyfriends outside the Capitol cinema. It has now been demolished and on a visit there I could not believe that it had been destroyed. My father was born in Splott Road on the corner of Walker Road. Nothing stays the same and on a visit there I was angry that things had changed, but not for the better.

Stephen Leadbeatter
I went to Splott Secondary modern in 1961. What a school - no mixing. Boys one side, girls the other. Great days.

Derek Welbourne in Mangakino,N.Z
My family moved from Leeds to Willows Avenue in 1950. Cambrian Airways were operating D.H.Dragon Rapides in those days. As an aviation nutcase I was in 7th heaven as my bedroom overlooked the runway! In 51, we moved to Rumney Village but I still kept biking to Pengam Moors for the aircraft!

Carol Johnson NR Dover
My father lived with his family in Splott. They had a shop but I cant remember the name of the road. They had to sell up and move out in the 30s because of the Depression. My Aunty Lyd use to live in System Street. My great grandfather, William Morgan, owned a dairy called Coedwig - I think also in System Street. My father told me that many people were very poor and some children would have to go to school without wearing shoes because they didn't have any to wear.

Dave Griffiths, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
I lived in Pearl Street on the railway side. I remember John the salt & vinegar man pushing his barrow down the street and the rag & bone man swapping stuff with my mam, the horse & cart coming down the street and my auntie & a neighbor fighting over the manure to put on the garden. They were good days (1945 -1968). I didn't know that we were poor - everyone was in the same boat. Remember the Splott Cinema? I spent a lot of time there especially at the saturday morning pictures - oh happy days!

Arthur Brown, Splott, Cardiff
Looking at the photos of Splott railway where we used to live brings back memories to me.

Prudence Hubbard in Cumbria
My father used to run a club in Pontypridd Street which was for young men who could not find work at that time. Things were very bad for families because of the means tested dole. He ran it on behalf of Toc H who did a lot of work for the hard up people of Splott. They used to meet in Crown Court Cardiff. Does anyone know if the Association is still active? Are they still in Crown Court?