The iconic decade of the 1960's exploded upon my adolescence with the colourful impact of a multi-coloured Roman Candle.
The brilliance of the colour, the fashions, the philosophy that we could make a difference to our world, and the music which was represented by it dazzled, and affected me in a way of which I had no experience, given the conventional and somewhat drab perceptions in which my generation had been raised and familiarised with.
It was the age of the mini skirt, flared trousers, mainframe computers, walking on the Moon, and above all politics.
In short an historic design and cultural revolution partaken by millions of young people worldwide who were conceived during the wartime and who had achieved or were reaching out for maturity.
Port Talbot during this period was a place of high industrialisation and high wages.
Employment at the local steel, sales and production levels were soaring, thus giving the local and wider economy a relatively high level of disposable income; particularly to teenagers who had not achieved the dizzy heights of university, but were employed and well paid, a greater sense of independence and confidence, possibly than any other generation preceding them.
The enormous impact of televised scenes of the Vietnam war, and speeches which were made by such giants as Martin Luther King in support of the American Civil Rights Movement, had not only an individual impact upon me, but upon young people globally.
Artistes of the calibre of Judy Collins, Joan Baez and Bob Dylan armed with just acoustic guitars and their talent helped turn the tide of prejudice to one of love and tolerance.
At a local level the folk music revival played a large part in my young life, I learned to appreciate and celebrate the differences of world music and also to perform and appreciate the rich heritage of our Welsh and British traditional music.
Part of everyone's repertoire contained at least one protest song.
Many of us met in the cellar of a local workingmen's club which had become the headquarters of the Afan Valley Folk Music Club, where an extraordinary crowd of talented musicians and artists gathered - this flowering of a largely unknown and unsung tranche of talent at Port Talbot made for memorable and fabulous evenings of traditional music.
Many international folk artistes and musicians were also monthly guests at the club.
One of my most memorable experiences of this period was Midsummer Eve, dancing around a huge bonfire at Cambridge Folk Festival, with hundreds of other young people who celebrated simply being alive!
These influences brought a highly individual and colourful approach to my somewhat rebellious adolescence, and a love of traditional music, which has lasted throughout my adult life.
By the end of the decade I had reached the age of 26, and had become a little more conventional although still radical in my outlook on life.
I still enjoyed wearing the colourful fashions, which although shocked people, no longer had the original impact of their initial introduction.
The false eyelashes and mini skirts of a decade earlier were toned down, and as we got older life's responsibilities caught up with us.
Many married and had families or in turn looked after parents who by then were starting to grow old.
However conventional I have become, the 60's the stance of not conforming and individualism has enriched my life, giving me the ability and confidence to question and the conscience to do something about issues that are important to me.
This enrichment was also initiated by the moral guidance of my parent through the stormy phase of my adolescence and early adulthood, for which I shall ever be grateful.
The wonderful idealistic decade, of flowers, colour protest and young rebellion has passed. Liberties were fought for and gained which had never before been considered by 20th century society. We thought we could change the world. We tried....."
Beryl Richards.
More from town on our Port Talbot site!
If you enjoyed this why not see John's account of life in Neath during the 'fifties and 'sixties.
your comments
We're making some changes to the sites shortly and although this form will be closing, you will have other opportunities to contribute on our new-look site.
Nick Nicholas, India
I often played and sang with David Morgan and Harold Wilson and others at the Afan Valley Folk Cub. Harold is right, the council pursued us from pub to pub, knocking them down, we even met at The Royal Oak in Bryn for a while and also Taibach Workingmans Club. Corner House Cafe was the rockers local hangout, Paul Reynolds(Kickstart Motorcycles) Robert(Stringy)Strangward and the lousy beer at the Grand Hotel.
Mon Jun 29 11:58:42 2009
Nick Nicholas, India
I often played and sang with David Morgan and Harold Wilson and others at the Afan Valley Folk Cub. Harold is right,the council pursued us from pub to pub, knocking them down, we even met at The Royal Oak in Bryn for a while and also Taibach Workingmans Club. Corner House Cafe was the rockers local hangout,Paul Reynolds(Kickstart Motorcycles)Robert(Stringy) Strangward and the lousy beer at the Grand Hotel
Mon Jun 22 11:53:04 2009
Bryn Harris, Beach St , Aberavon
I was born in Beach Street in 1944. I remember nearly all of what other people have written about Port Talbot and Aberavon.
There was a butchers shop called Connies - number 1 Beach St. When I was about five-years-old, I can remember sitting in the gutter outside the butchers and watching them hanging sheep, pigs, etc on a hook each side of the door of the shop, and chopping them up into smaller sizes.
Tue Jun 9 12:10:15 2009
Huw Watts Taunton
A great word picture of the unforgettable 60's in Port Talbot. Left in '67 for Uni and never came back as my parents moved to Cornwall. I am so grateful for the start PT gave me. The folk and R&B I learned to love in the Green Stars, Teen & 20 club etc have been a lifetime's pleasure. Is Harold Wilson the same man who intoduced me to mountains, rock climbing, caveing? If so I owe you a huge thank you for a lifetime's escape from the boring world of work.
Tue May 26 16:48:56 2009
Neil Mort from Crete
I have enjoyed reading all the posts to this site. I was born in 1948 and spent the next 18 years living in PT. My parents' house was very near the Talbot Athletic Ground and I used to follow Aberavon every week - they were very good then!!
I went to Dyffryn Grammar and saw the transition to comprehensive in 1964. I also played cricket at SCOW with my school sports teacher, Val Antolin - quite an unusual experience for the time. I will always be very grateful to my maths teacher, John Argyle. One of the best teachers I ever had. OK - that's all the nostalgia for now.
Wed Apr 29 14:01:58 2009
Lynda MAPP. Now Crowley. PORTSKEWETT
What a brilliant site. Brings back lots and lots of memories. I was born in 1947 and like many others, finished my schooling in Mrs O'Shea's. I loved it there because there was a lot of really nice friends. The Corner House cafe was the love of my life. I thought I was the bees knees when I went on the back of the motorbikes - I remember a Honda owned by a Ronnie Adams and I loved that bike. Loads of good memories. Now living in the village of Portskewett, Nr Chepstow. I get home to see my Sister, Debbie, at least monthly but I hate the town centre now. It is totally ruined. What a mess. Also all the one way streets seem endless and meaningless....
Tue Mar 24 17:33:10 2009
Kay Horrocks, Dorset
I used to work on Sandfields Beach. My main reason for emailing was the folk clubs that Neil and Lou Thomas, used to run in Porthcawl, varioius pubs - fantastic atmosphere. We used to dance around the bonfires in Rest Bay. Also very involved with Christmas morning swims, I was Mother Christmas for a few years before leaving for Saudi Arabia
Tue Mar 24 16:18:32 2009
Geoff Canada
I used to spend my summers at my aunts in 5 Eagle Street, Port Talbot and after her passing I and my family moved into number 5. So I must have seen or known BerylI remember these times with the greatest fondness, regrettably Port Talbot is nowhere what it used to be.
Tue Mar 24 15:41:14 2009
Rose Windman (nee Taylor) Melbourne, Australia.
I lived in North Cornelly until we emigrated to Adelaide in 1968. I went to Cynffig Comp, sometimes my cousin who was a hairdresser as a treat used to take me to Port Talbot, it seemed to take forever to get there on the bus, it was almost like going to another country. Also spent a lot of time in Porthcawl. How times have changed.
Fri Mar 6 13:11:25 2009
Elizabeth Jenkins nee Davies of Cwmavon, Port Talb
I went to Cwmavon School, my teacher in junior school was Miss Grandfield, in senior school the headmaster was Mr Stone. I went to the Teen & Twenty Club, also went to Sandersons.
Tue Dec 16 13:56:12 2008
Cynthia Thomas, Bridgend
Just been reading all the brilliant comments on this website. I had a great grandfather who I never met, by the name of Edward Parry. He had a tobacconist's in Aberavon. I believe it was just called Parry's Corner. The family lived in 2 Sea View Terrace (formerly The Pitman College) Pentyla Hill. Does anyone remember please?
Wed Aug 27 16:08:16 2008
Keith Lewis,Wollongong Australia
Hi Beryl, great to read all above the old town. Born 1947 Ynys House across the river from Velindre. Went to Trefelin Mrs Davies was the headmistress. Had my first pint at the Craddock arms before going to the Teen and Twenty, it all a long time ago but happy innocent days..Immigrated 1973 to sunny Australia, to join parents May and Rees and brothers Tom and Ray. Best wishes and fond memories
Wed Jun 11 13:29:32 2008
Beryl Richards
This comment is for 'Friend of Oz': I went to Mrs O'Shea's on Pentyla Hill. That one brought back memories of typing to music. The ruler on the fingers if we looked at the keyboard in an effort to make us touch type. She (Mrs O'Shea) always wore a grey overall and one remark of hers which was constantly repeated was 'Be British, gels'.
Mon Jun 2 13:42:23 2008
Gary Lewis port talbot
What a town to grow up in where everyone knew everyone. Red Lion, fish and chip shop run by Monia and Ted, get your broken biscuits from Woolies, Tom Larckman with the donkeys on the beach - fetch back the golden days to Port Talbot.
Tue May 27 14:31:57 2008
Allan Wood from Gosport, Hampshire
1969 - The Prince Of Wales pub (opposite the market arcade, the town clock end) run by Bert Catini (uncle to Clem Catini of The Tornados fame)- My first pint of Evans Bevans Best Bitter (a taste to always remember ... before Whitbreads ruined it) and witness to the best pub dart team ever to grace the oche.
Wed May 7 08:20:23 2008
adelaide south australia
Beryl, did you have a brother Mike and a brother Tom and did you grow up in Barry Dock? (nee davies)? Looking for lost cousins. Regards, Roger Jones.
Thu Mar 27 10:36:37 2008
Beryl Richards
Hi Harold, good to hear from you...okay here we go: how about starting another folk music club in Port Talbot? HAROLD YOU ARE THE LIFE PRESIDENT STILL. I think it should be open to young and older people and be an expression for musicians of all ages. I find traditional folk music my 'thing' but if anyone would like to express themselves in Welsh or any other ethnic music, please please write into this site...Would be interested to hear from ANYONE who has a story to tell a song to sing or an instrument to play, be it contemporary or traditional folk. It is a wonderful musical experience which has lasted me a lifetime and has given men a lifetime of enjoyment and good friends. Best wishes Bee Richards
Mon Feb 18 10:47:02 2008
Peter of Oxford St ,Swansea
My name is Peter Box I moved to Canada in 1957 with my twin brother Jeff with my mom and dad Mr Mrs George Box I was 4 years old. My mother's mom and dad came to canada in 1958 or 59..Mr Tom Vale & Mag Vale nee of Oxford st. Swansea..Anyone know me or my family?
Mon Feb 18 10:44:44 2008
harold wilson still in Port TAbot living in Chidzo
...Yes the Avon Valley Folk Club, I started that with Mike and the boys in the Green Stars, but moved to the Avon Vale pub, (hence the name.) We moved all around town for as soon as we established the council used to come and knock it down - by the way the 4s Company still play in the S.C. Wales club on a Saturday night. It seems everyone went to Trevelin (yes I was upstairs so I can blame it on my spelling.) I was in the Scouts, and on a Saturday I used to take off my teddy boy suit and put on my scout uniform and dare any ted to make a comment (I am still in the scouts) and I still have my M.G. car that I bought for £25 pounds when we didn't have the dreaded M.O.T.s - we should all get together sometime - how about it Beryl?
Fri Feb 8 13:01:00 2008
Jan Murray nee Mizen - Port Talbot
Yes, I thoroughly enjoyed Beryl's article and all the other messages. I went to Heathmont - great school. Worked in the SCOW (62 - 68) before moving on to London, then South Africa. But the call to return was too great and back I came in 1979. So remember them all Teen and Twenty, Will Och's, opp. Ebenezer Chapel. I am quite surprised that Ferrari's hasn't been mentioned at all. I do remember the Corner House, they used to sell a pie called Franchi's and it was fantastic. I Remember Uncle Bryn ran his club with strict rules, which everyone followed. I followed Aberavon Rugby and remember Bobby Wanbon well and his mum Alice, and I agree with them all - we had wonderful times and wonderful memories of a great place.
Tue Feb 5 12:53:58 2008
david maunder,Canada
Remember the Corner House Cafe well. In 61/63 had a BSA Gold Star bike, used to push start it often, used open megaphone exhaust, what a wonderful noise,ha,ha. Can't remember many names now - there was Hawkeye, Glyn, Allan, Joe and many more bikers. Married Babs from Goytre. Pat Jones my sister owned Hems and Hobbies in Bethany Squ. Wonderful times. Too bad the town has been spoilt by modernisation.
Mon Dec 17 11:17:54 2007
Wayne McGrath MBE Royal Navy
Thank you for the memories. I am still serving in the Royal Navy as a Lt Cdr. I left PT in Jan 1974 to fulfil a schoolboy ambition of joining the RN and seeing the world. I have seen the world and a lot more. When asked, where is the best place that I have ever visited I always say my home, PORT TALBOT, and if anyone wonders where PT is I tell them that it is where Anthony and Richard grew up and not far from where Tom sung his songs, near where Gareth, Barry and the boys strutted their stuff; the heartbeat of South Wales.
Tue Nov 20 14:50:59 2007
Eryl Penhalagan Aberavon
Although I was married in 1961 Ihave very fond memories of the late 50s...dancing in the New Hall, to The Ambassadors band, yes the good old Corner house! Plenty of bikers there then too, although Mods and Rockers hadnt been invented yet!
Does anyone remember the cafe behind the slot machine arcade, on the beach front? Brilliant juke box! I think it was run by a Mrs Greenberg? I also remember Will Och! I had a hairdressing salon next door to him...his cat had kittens in the attic of my shop!
I went to Trefelin too...loved it there. But I passed the scholarship and went to Glanafan after, and I absolutely HATED it there! I never fitted in, and mitched at every opportunity! I have loved reading everyone's comments...what a brilliant website! Good luck to you all!
Wed Nov 14 12:09:56 2007
Colin Williams - Bridgend (formerly Pentyla)
I went to the Mountain School and also Heathmont School. I remember the old town of Port Talbot and Aberavon. All the old memories of the shops, cinemas, bus station/garage all still firmly fixed to my mind.
There have been mentions of various local "pop" groups but none of Mike and the Sundowners. Mike Davies vocal, Ritchie Waters lead guitar, Stan Williams rhythym guitar, John Williams bass guitar and Peter Lindsey (later replaced by Gerald O'Brien) drums. Regular bookings at Tonmawr Rugby Club, The Carlton Club and Bay View Social Club.
My brother still lives in Margam and often go to Port Talbot but it is not the same as the old town. Progress - who knows????
Wed Nov 7 10:44:33 2007
Bernie from Baglan
I was brought up in the street behind thered lion me and my cousin billy used to sneak in for an illegal pint with billy coombes the manager of bailey street co-op highlight of the winter was scow dances in the main canteen
Mon Sep 24 12:00:05 2007
Phil Bennett Port Talbot
I was a Rocker in the 1960s I remember the Corner House Cafe; knew most of the boys by there bikes not their names!I had a Norton Dominator 600 "cafe racer" with no kickstart so you had to run and bump start it ( I loved showing off!). In the summer we used to gather on the prom and race down to the Four Winds rounderbout and back.Are there any girls out there who used to ride on the back?? Great days and a great town.
Mon May 14 09:54:54 2007
Terence Samuel, Port Talbot
I served my appreticeship with the Western
Welsh Omnibus Co at Margam Terrace. When going home for dinner I could do some
maintainance work on the buses stuck in the traffic jam at the railway gates on
Station Road, many a motorist blew their tops here.
Wed Feb 28 12:53:11 2007
Fred of Oz.
Thank you all for the touch of nostalgia. I still entertain my grandkids with tales of Will (Och) Evans and his horrible fish and chip shop(with the strategic bucket under the counter) and the old police station in Pendarves Terrace, opposite Sandfields school (Sgt Powell and constable Giddins). Does anyone remember Pitmans College on Pentyla Hill? We saw the best years.
Fri Dec 15 09:01:58 2006
Ray LewisWollongong Oz
We remember the Carlton club well.The trio that played there led by Russ on the piano. We were there when Richard Burton brought Liz. I to am an old Trefelinite. I enjoyed Beryl's article. Must have known her,I left Trefelin in 54.
Mon Oct 30 09:16:29 2006
Geoff Rozenberg, Thailand
Just found this site, wonderful memories. I lived in Porthcawl and worked at David Evans when Port Talbot was such a fantastic place, we used to go out at lunchtime to a small club and listen to records and dance. Thought we were so cool, also remember The Eyes of Blue they played at the pavilion in Porthcawl.
Mon Oct 2 12:34:13 2006
Ray Hall, Gosford, Australia
Born 39 Adare Street opposite the Vivien Hotel which on a recent visit to PT I see is now all boarded up. My youth was spent dodging Bryn Carlton and much preferred the old Sanderson dance club where the boys were to the right and the girls to the left of the dance hall. My mates included Bobby Wambom whos mother used to run the pub down from the Odd Fellows. Those were the days when you could start at Wamboms pub and slowly move up the main drag calling into the Odd fellow, Prince of Wales, Walnut and end up at the Angel. Many of my mates have sadly passed away but I still keep in touch with Alwyn Isaccs and John Evans ex Park School where I spent early shool days dodging the likes of the Rowlands and Margeson boys. First casual job was picking up glasses at the Bay View another building about to fall down. So may stories of a wonderful youth where we called everyone Mr or Mrs, respected the elderly, stole from no one, however, was drinking wee before the legal age down at Wamboms pub.
Fri Sep 29 08:50:28 2006
Geoff Jones, Toronto Canada
Although I was born in Port Talbot I lived in Shropshire until I was 15 but every summer I would spend the whole of the summer with my aunt in Eagle street and remember fondly the town. The Thomas Bros busses to the beach, the plaza cinema chidzoys, mrs richards shop, also the long long lines of traffic crossing the footbridge over the railway,( recantly I was sent a book of old pictures one showing people crossing after the train and there was me right in the picture at least some kid who looked very much like me but with no grey hair.) I returned to live there until 1974 when I came to Canada but I still have many many memories of those times.
Mon Sep 11 10:05:59 2006
Phil James town
I was brought up in P/Talbot and my wife is from Velindre Webber/Borkett. I played for the ymca rfc and the mustangs played for us at various fund raising events. The old town with its many pubs was a great place in the evening. The old labour club now st oswalds with beer 1 shilling and 3 pence a pint. The beach then had the old fairgrond with the ship wreck by the old wooden pier. Good old days.
Mon May 8 10:54:17 2006
Ray Heard Bridgwater
The record shop in Cwmavon Square I previously mentioned was called Derricks. Remember Fine Fare supermarket, I started work there at 15 years old in 1962. The manager was a lovely man called Harold Sheppard. In those days it shut at 12pm on Thursdays! Happy days in the greatest decade ever.
Sun Mar 26 20:22:28 2006
Ray Heard Somerset
Remember the Corner House Cafe by the railway station. In the mid sixties it was the unofficial meeting place of us rockers; we sat at the tables and the girls stood up. Also a record shop in Cwmavon Square I think the owner was called Eifion, he wore an alarming wig.
Mon Mar 20 19:02:23 2006
Peter Williams, Porthcawl
What a great article. The memories just came flooding back Port Talbot was the place to be in the super sixties. What about the two Woolworths? The old one with the squeaky floor and the new one in Station Rd. No pub crawl could be complete without a vist to the Odd Fellows, Red House and Hong Kong. What caractures you would meet.
Fri Feb 17 18:17:00 2006
Ann Bray (nee Thomas - Baglan)
This is a ps to earlier note - does anyone remember the Bridge Cafe just up from the Walnut Tree - used to frequent the cafe when I was in Margam College - it was a great meeting place for teens!
Sun Jan 1 14:53:34 2006
Ann Bray
Thoroughly enjoyed reading all of the above and it brought back wonderful memories of my teens in Port Talbot. Alas not the place it used to be!! Yes, what a great man Bryn the Carlton who only recently passed away. Would like to advise that Wyndham who used to play in the Eyes of Blue is still doing gigs round Swansea in band called Faded Glory and they are brilliant. Ann Bray (nee Thomas - Baglan)
Sun Jan 1 14:17:33 2006
Beryl Richards
Jean, I lived in Velindre and was "educated" at Trefelin, what a place. Do you remember the 'art' department? Gym
with Lily May? Oh dear oh dear!
Miss Thomas on the piano and Dewi on his fiddle. I think the teachers were madder than the kids were. If you went 'upstairs' it meant that you were an 11+ reject. But for many of us the system was a load of rubbish anyway. We had careers, went on to university, college and what have you.
Does anyone remember school milk, other peoples black daps so they made you wear socks not to get foot rot?
Sat Nov 26 23:42:55 2005
Jean from Perth Australia
Wonderful memories of old Port Talbot, beat night in different clubs for every night of the week, sneeking to Teen & Twenty on our lunch break from Trefelin, removing the lipstick before afternoon class. Afon Lido on a Saturday Night. Aberavon Beach in the Summer. Easter Bank Holiday at Porthcawl, freezing in our frilly blouses, but we did look good in our stilettoes. I worked in David Evans until it closed and we nipped to the Walnut on lunch break. Love to all the Trefelinites!!!!
Mon Nov 21 07:50:30 2005
Viv Ellis from Calgary,Canada
Left Port Talbot in 1968 before it was destroyed in the name of progress.Never forget playing cricket with Mr Bryn Thomas for the YMCA @ the Baglan pitch when we were a few players short, no problem "uncle Bryn" bowled from both ends.Still visit about once a year with my parents in James St. Always look forward to coming home
Mon Nov 7 17:48:09 2005
Beryl Richards
I remember Chdizoys. I spent my misspent youth in the Charlton, the Grand, (remember the barrels of sherry there) lunatic soup that stuff.
All the kids coming out of the Odeon on a Saturday morning. Then the place was know as 'Treasure Island' because of all the high wages earned here.
They say about Taibach it is the only place in the country where the birds cough!!!!!!!!!!
Sun Oct 16 11:45:32 2005
Christian Morley fron Sandfields
Once got lost on Aberavan beach in the sunny days when the place was packed. There were two fairgrounds on the promenade. One in the middle and the other at the end, though my memories see Porthcawl fairground as on the up and these at the end of their tether. My aunty assured me that the Thunderbirds flew out from over the surrounding hill and by god I believed her.
Thu Sep 29 18:20:38 2005
Les Davies
Enjoyed Beryl's article. I lived up the valley but spent a lot of time in Aberavon. Often slept in the Western Welsh busses parked behind Bethany Square. Friday nights down the Four Winds. The Walnut tree, The Globe and all those lovely pubs. The Grand run by Dan Tobin. Good fun.
Thu Sep 22 07:58:10 2005
Dilis Gumberp Sydney
Port Talbot is a piece of art. I have just got back from staying there for 56 years and i enjoyed all of it except the thugs.
Wed Sep 14 11:58:13 2005
Grace Smith, wales
this stuff is so helpful for my school research!thanks!!
Mon Sep 12 19:43:44 2005
Alan Beynon - Sydney Australia
Bryn ran the Carlton for some years. His sons ran it after him (David & Jeff). I remember the Teen and Twenty - happy days! The Mustangs - magic!! The Grand.
Can't believe what they did to the old town. Cut the heart right out of it. Remember Chidzoys / Illtyd Rees / the Walnut / The Globe / Will Och's / Salmonella / Traffic jams when the train came through / Evans Pies?
Sun Sep 11 01:38:12 2005
Bryan Headon
Beryl is a friend of my moms and even though I grew up in Port Talbot in the seventies I loved Beryl's article. Nice one Beryl! I live in the USA now and I still miss Port Talbot at times, hoping to come back over for a visit with my wife next year so hopefully I will see you then Beryl.
Wed Aug 24 11:06:25 2005
Pete Bennett from Aberavon
The teen and Twenty club, then the Grand not to mention the YMCA.Great venues for a young kid on a Saturday night. What happened to the Mustangs? The members I remember were Alan Sutton (vocals) Glen Rees (Lead guitar) and Ray? Bennett( Drums)
They were a great band and should have gone far.
If anyone knows any more please leave the information here.
Another band from the YMCA days were the Telemites. Anyone remember them? Tony Bennett (Rhythm guitar), Chris Hughes (Bass guitar) and he nicked my girlfriend of the time. I was heartbroken. Innocent days eh !!!
Fri Aug 19 12:58:18 2005
Kevin Jones from London
I was born in Port Talbot in 1960 so my memories are mainly confined to the latter part of the sixty's in PT. I went to school at St Joseph's Primary where I spent most of my dinner times wandering around the old market in Water street with either a rissole & chips or a bag of broken biscuits from Woolworths. The town had so much character then. I also have really fond memories of my Dad taking me to see a fantastic Aberavon team play at the Talbot athletic ground (now renamed the World of pain or something just as ridiculous). By the way the Aberavon player Bobby Wanbon who was mentioned on this page is a relative of mine, another uncle of mine Ken whelan also played for Aberavon around the same time.
Tue Jul 19 18:00:47 2005
Ann Moore (formerly of Margam Port Talbot)
Reading about the policeman on traffic duty, down by the old Maypole! Brings back memories (having served as a WPC in Port Talbot for a number of years) Bryn Thomas the Carlton, what a place! But remember Uncle Bryn on the Seafront? All those competitions? I remember too seeing the Spencer Davies Group in the Afan Lido, the times of the Mods and Rockers! Just great. The YMCO too was a place of great times, the Saturday night dances, yes those were the good old days. I remember seeing a group called The Eyes of Blue to us then they were terrific. It is so nice to reminise. From this site too, nice to hear other peoples comments.
Thu Jul 14 15:30:58 2005
Beryl Richards, Port Talbot
The policeman used to conduct the traffic right in the centre of town opposite the Teen and Twenty club, which formerly was the Octagon Library. The Railway was a great pub just opposite the market situated right by the railway which cut the old town in half. Does anyone have memories of the Carlton cub? It was run by Bryn Thomas a very well known gentleman in Port Talbot and had I think the first night club licence in the country to be granted outside London. Oh! my misspent youth. Port Talbot was then a great place. But now...
Tue Jul 12 00:32:19 2005
Beryl Richards
Good to hear from you King. Would love to contact you. We did have a good time in ol' Port Talbot. Pentyla Hill is no longer there,it is now just a sliproad off the motorway. It was a local joke that people who went to the Mountain School were in higher education. Typical of the gritty humour of a much altered town. Heigh Ho! Bee
Fri Jul 8 00:37:12 2005
Kingsley Matthews from Paisley
Exiled now in Scotland, I'm a second cousin of Beryl's. I remember it all well, the Teen & Twenty where I was a regular, remember the Mustangs too. I played rugby for Aberavon Boys' Club, one of the best youth teams in South Wales at the time. Mike Nicholas played for us, last I heard of him he was manager of the Welsh rugby league team, he was a good pal of Bobby Wanbon.
Thu Jun 30 21:36:37 2005
Allan Wood from Gosport, Hampshire
Does anyone remember the "Teen and Twenty" club, opposite the "Maypole" on the Water Street/Station Road junction? It typified the "swinging sixties" and was P.T's own version of the Liverpool Cavern.
Thu Jun 30 06:46:52 2005
Paul Morgan from South Africa
My brother Haydn was a member of a local pop group called the 'Mustangs' and my memory of them are the rehersals in my Dads garage and their summers at the beachfront with 'Bryn the Carlton', a great man. Happy days....
Tue Jun 7 11:46:19 2005
Don from Billinge
Was in a beat group in the 60's (The Lyrics), toured South Wales often, stayed with Mr and Mrs Ted Quick, Baglan, wonderful people, good times, spent our days in The Railway Hotel. Mr and Mrs Wanbom, parents of Bobby, played rugby for St Helens, he was a hero of the group, great welcome by everyone. Thanks to all the people in the area, great place to be.
Thu May 5 14:14:02 2005
Did you grow up in Port Talbot or SW Wales in the 1960s? What was life like for you? Did you enjoy Beryl's article? Add your comments here.
