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.
Phil Margam
The other pub by the Arcade was 'The Ivorites Hotel'
Fri Jun 12 17:56:07 2009
Nigel of Baglan
Alas the old bay view has gone. More houses being built, the fairs and arcades gone, even the belly flops, as we called it as children, has vanished off Aberavon Beach(just behind the old BP works) we used to make surf boards from old polestyrene discarded from BP and surf the tremendous waves off our glorious beach. Can anyone remember the big waves off Aberavon and the belly flops(sort of sinking sand just at the Ferry River?)
Fri Jun 12 16:26:35 2009
VIC FROM PEMBS.
I remember the old skating rink well! Also "Buffalo Bill" with his circus and bumper cars, great days for us kids! Does anyone remember "Des the cobbler" in Sandown Road?
Tue May 26 16:06:20 2009
Hugh Gibbon from Sheppey
Byron Sambrook, I remember you, we were at the Central Boys School in Daddy Harris's class like you said. I was born 1933 and lived at Number 10 Connaught St. Daddy Harris used to give us tests every week in practice for the 11 plus. He was a great teacher.
Tue Mar 31 10:50:36 2009
Phil Richards from Porthcawl
I am researching my family history and have a Gt,GT Grandfather, John Richards, who was born on Letterston Pembroke the 1881 census shows him working as a Grocer in Aberavon. He had a son who was blind from a small boy, Henry. I have reason to believe through a family story that he became the "blind Mayor of Port Talbot" the family home was in "Blackmills Aberavon" Can anyone shed any light on this for me and perhaps point me in the right direction for more in formation on Mayors of Port Talbot
Tue Mar 24 17:30:15 2009
Phil Richards from Porthcawl
For Cliff Dorman Canada: My mothers family name is Dorman, she was born in Hafod Street, is there a family link that you know of?
Tue Mar 24 17:29:34 2009
Phillip Bennett, Baglan
Hi Mike I was working on the lock gates in 1967 and I wonder what was the name of your father-in-law?There is a site called Retired Swansea and Port Talbot Dockers with photos of ships in Port Talbot - I also went to sea in 1961 on the MV Morar and Clarkavon.
Tue Mar 24 16:20:13 2009
K of Dover in Kent
My grandad came from Port Talbot and his name was Thomas Alfred Dalton. He passed away a few years ago. I was wondering if anyone knew him and who his friends were. I'm really interested to learn about the place my grandad was from.
Fri Mar 6 13:24:50 2009
Ron Morris (son of Ossie) Aberavon
Cliff Dorman how are you? I married Bette Cockings around the corner from the back of your house. Living in Baglan 50 yrs and having a nice retirement. Bette recovering from heart surgery and Aberavon RFC still dear to my heart. I have been connected with them for nearly 40yrs. Baglan has changed, new hospital, new enterprise zone and new houses everywhere. Where have all the sand dunes gone? Someone asked the name of the two pubs opposite the side of the old Arcade, on the left The Oddfellows and along the road towards the bridge, The Castle. I think we met last when Aberavon Male voice choir were singing their way thru Canada in 1979-80
Thu Feb 26 12:28:04 2009
Carl Kirby, Cwmavon, Port Talbot.
John O'Connell, Wolverhampton. RE: post office, the main post office and telephony exchange, was situated in Station Rd, Port Talbot, directly opposite the police station, that now stands there, hope this is what your looking for?
Mon Feb 9 14:28:29 2009
Joan Targett nee Bennett
Talking about the old Sandfields School, Eifion Davies a legend (RIP) as a teacher and Miss Howells still alive and still walking everywhere, what a blast, Eric Lambourne, the suave Mr Burgess with his really flash cars, the smell of polish on the beautiful wooden floors mmmmmm those definitely were the days
Mon Feb 9 14:02:44 2009
Don Thomas, West Vancouver Canada
I lived in Glyncorrwg and attended Maesteg Grammer school until at the age of 17 (1949), I moved in with my grandmother at 153 Margam Rd (opposite the Stalcourt garage).
The reason being that I started working as an articled student in an architect's office in Neath, and the distance was shorter.
I was a member of the Port Talbot Wheelers Cycling Club, and used to ride my bike most days to Neath, 7-1/2 miles away, [in] under half an hour.
I slept in the front bedroom, and if I leaned out of bed, I could see a smoke stack at the Abbey works, and if the wind was blowing in the right direction, it meant another five minutes in bed!
Good memories of my late teens in Port Talbot, dances in the New Hall (where I met my wife to be, Barbara Sparks from LLewellyn St), looking for girls down at Aberavon beach at the old promenade, on a Sunday night, which we used to call "The monkey's parade", trying to beat the closing of the railway gates on my bike on Station Rd.
How sad it was after many years away to see the Aberavon segment of the town totally demolished in a savage piece of so called town planning, but the great memories of that era passed will always remain with me, and I am sure many others.
Mon Jan 26 15:50:30 2009
Lewis Thomas
Tony, the name of the pub that burned down was the WALNUT in early 'seventies. I was operating the council JCB that night into [the] morning hours, after an old type crane demolished part of it to make it safe for time being - cannot remember actual date sorry.
Fri Jan 16 10:35:15 2009
Alan White, Preston (Lancs.)
My Great-grandparents farmed Goitre Farm, Briton Ferry, at the turn of the 19th/20th century. I have been trying to locate this farm, but the only place in the area seems to be Goytre above Port Talbot.
My grandparents later farmed at Bryncoch, Neath and I have childhood memories of going to visit cattle that they grazed on land somewhere above Port Talbot (some of their cattle were killed by a power line that fell on them) - I wonder if that was Goytre? Would it have been listed as Briton Ferry in the 1901 census?
Mon Nov 24 16:27:06 2008
Mrs Kathryn Bowden
My Great Grandfather (paternal) owned the shop which is now Woolworths on Port Talbot high street. The family name is Hanford (formerly Handford...Great Grandfather dropped the D because it was easier to write Hanford!)
His three sons, one of whom was Oswald carried on as drapers, and the last shop was in Aberavon....Sandfields ...on Wyvern Avenue.
My father sold this one in the early 70's and he and my mother and Grandmother moved down to Lee on Solent near me!My Grandmother (paternal) is now 105 years and 6 months old.
Mon Nov 3 12:41:32 2008
Mike Kelly Southern Spain
Hi all. Has anybody got any photos of the Port Talbot docks with any photos of the ships, as I used to come into there round about 1959 - worked on three ships out of the Oremina Essea Arabella. My father-in-law used to be lockkeeper.
Mon Sep 15 15:18:31 2008
Tony
Can anyone remember what pub burnt down in the 60s in Port Talbot - was it The Globe or The Walnut? I remember going to the fire when I was an apprentice in Port Talbot plant hire and I took the police and the fire chief up to the top of the pub to inspect the damage but can't remember the name of it and the date it happened.
Thu Aug 28 10:42:31 2008
Hilary Mitchell (nee Harris) from Cardiff
I grew up in Sandfields Rd, one of a very large family opposite the Quins Rugby Field (where I must admit. I sneaked in many, many times without paying!) Did get caught quite a few times.
Sheep in the field to keep the grass down. Garage on the old Fairfield with cars up on ramps...Fairs and circuses...until houses were built on site!
Just found this site. Lovely to see old teachers mentioned from Sandfields Junior School. Remembered with affection. Grew up there in 50's/60's. Good days they were. Wonder how many of the teachers are still alive today?
I grew up in Aberavon and remember so much of the old town. Very sad to see the changes especially the Beach Hill being taken down. Remember the two funfairs that were on the beach, and the many hundreds of buses and coaches that used to park there. Sadly no longer. Houses now where there were funfairs. Railway crossing by Chidzoy's Fruit Market etc. No motorway traffic bumper to bumper. Swimming pool in Forge Road. So many, many happy memories. Still go to Port Talbot from time to time. Sadly both parents now gone and many of my school friends.
Wed Aug 27 16:25:55 2008
Viki Howells, Caerphilly
Hiwould anybody have any information on Bryn colliery around 1924 onwards.Also would anybody remember Mr David Jones who worked in the colliery at this time,also Evan Parry and Alec Jones who all lived in Bryn.
Wed Jul 30 12:31:41 2008
Vance from Sandfields
A reply to Nic from Derby and Chris from Porthcawl regarding World War One German P.O.W.'s. My grandfather, Walter Broad, was born in Capetown but was invalided to Port Talbot to recover after being gassed in France.
As a 15-year-old horse soldier with Brandt's Greenpoint Kommando, he had earned the Silver Star for Valour in German West Afica in 1915. His mother, Johanna Verwey, was an Afrikaaner and he spoke Afrikaans, Dutch and German, which is why he was posted to Taibach in 1917 to take charge of a group of German Prisoners of War who were building the Abbey Works at Margam.
He met my grandmother, Mabel Hettie Beddoe, who lived at Mill Row, married her at St Theodore's and became a sidesman at the Church. He died young aged 39, never fully recovering from the mustard gas. The prisoners at Goytre were most certainly German.
Mon Jun 30 10:13:22 2008
Philip from Khartoum
Cellulloid Factory Goytre: Chris...The factory was manned by a number of French workers before, during and after WW1. They most lived in and around the East Street area. My step grandfather married into one of the families called Neuve. Hope this helps.
Mon Jun 23 14:58:25 2008
Islwyn David, Felindre, near Brecon
Has anyone ever heard of a pub called the Bird in Hand, the address of which was 97, Water Street, Aberavon? My great-grandfather Thomas Hopkin (sometimes written as Hopkins) kept it in 1871, though it doesn't appear to have been able to provide him with a full-time living as he is described in that year's census as a "Tin Man and Innkeeper". By the time of the next census in 1881 he had moved to Mansel Terrace, Aberavon, and was working full-time as a tinworker, having apparently given up keeping the pub. I would be grateful for any information as to when it closed any reference to it on old maps, etc.
Wed Jun 11 13:27:10 2008
Hilliard Burryport Carmathen
I was evacuated to Burry Port 60 Silver Terrace living with "the Purvis family" have photo, of "the Church family".
Fri Apr 18 08:31:35 2008
Paul from Neath
Nice to hear the Jerusalem Chapel in Bryn is converted. My grandfather played the organ there, aunt was married there, and grandfather's funeral service was held there.
Wed Apr 9 12:37:29 2008
Jim from Bryn
Colin from Pentyla the two pubs in Water St were the Castle and Oddfellows with the Railway Tavern just beyond the railway bridge. Facing the other side of the arcade was the Prince of Wales. The only pubs I can recall down the sidestreet were the Red Lion and the Crown
Tue Mar 25 10:19:42 2008
Thomas of Bryn
I have recently bought Pen-y-Castell Farm in Bryn. I am aware of its history for the last 20 yrs but no further back. Can anyone shed some light on the "medieval fortress" that was once situated at the top of the hill on the entrance to the farm?
Mon Feb 25 09:58:00 2008
James Zeruk from Los Angeles, USA
Can anyone please help with several questions regarding Port Talbot? 1. What was the population in 1908?2. Does anyone know what the address "5 Broad Street" was in 1908? (Was it a hospital, a house, etc?) 3. Does anyone know of a family named "Entwistle" having residence in Port Talbot in 1908? Any help is very appreciated!
Wed Feb 13 08:52:01 2008
Belinda of Milford Haven
Can anyone help? I am trying to find out how many people, if any, have died in Margam Castle, and who they are, plus dates please and the reason for death.
Fri Feb 8 10:37:57 2008
Robert from Baglan
Can some one enlighten me on the so-called underground tunnel leading from the Williams farm on the Bwlch road, all the way down to St Catherine's church, and what its purpose was? Thanks, Robert.
Mon Feb 4 09:07:17 2008
Chris from Porthcawl
There was a German WW1 POW camp near Goytre at the old Celluloid factory near Glen Hafod colliery. In 1917 the Port Talbot Railway ran a workmen's train for the use by POWs from Celluloid Sidings to Copper Work Junction to construct blast furnaces for Baldwins. Does anyone have information on the Celluloid factory? I believe it was an early form of plastic which tended to be inflamable hence the isolated location. It wasn't in business long around 1910.
Thu Jan 17 11:49:56 2008
Colin of Pentyla
Can any person help me? What were the names of the public houses in Water Street facing the Arcade? Also the names of the two pubs in the side road again facing the arcade when turning right off Water Street towards Richard Street. I think one was on the corner of the back lane from High Street and Richard Street. I can remember Woolworths and Dan Morgan electrical shops but not the pub names.
Tue Dec 18 10:27:55 2007
Islwyn David, Felindre, near Brecon
Having just "discovered" this site, I am rather late in commenting on the item by Bernard Thomas of Tennessee. Like him, I was born in 1936. My grandparents, Dan and Ann David, lived at 42 Vivian Square, just four doors from him. My father, Will David, was born there but moved to Taibach when he married my mother and that is where I was born. My aunt, Mary David, continued to live in The Square (as it was always known) until it was demolished due to the town centre re-development. Did he know any of them?
My father died in 2003 and his sister, Mary, in 2005 - both aged 95. Incidentally, their youngest brother, who died in infancy in 1916, is shown in the Aberavon Parish Records as having died at 42 Wern Square. Can anybody tell me whether or not that was the former name for Vivian Square and, if so, when did it change?
Thu Dec 13 09:56:20 2007
Jeff from the Brombil
Re-"S Lew's"comments on the "look out towers"above the Steel works.They were built in the early 40's and were one of the first examples of RADA installations. They were known as RADA Location.I lived in the Brombil valley and well remember the secrecy. No one except the people working there were allowed up the Hill above Groes village.In the Bombil valley itself were about 15 Nissen huts and a searchlight unit manned by the Army. Later the RAF took over and after the War,the Huts were occupied by "squatters". I lived in a thatched cottage opposite the Camp.
Mon Dec 10 13:35:36 2007
K Ellis Lancashire
My mother was born at 71 Tydraw Street in 192O. Her father worked on the railway and is likely to have moved there on promotion to engine driver however they moved on again soon after to Plymouth. I wonder if there are any local history books which might show the area at the time?
Mon Oct 15 11:04:20 2007
Phil James, Tydraw Street
Marlene Husband/Cliff DormanI was born in Tydraw St and still live there. I knew DAVID WALT/DORIS and would like to get in touch.
Mon Oct 1 10:03:49 2007
Paul Withers, Llanfyllin, Powys SY22 5BX
Taibach Workingmen's Club issued octagonal aluminium tokens. Can anyone remember what they were used for, and when they were in use. Also any details of the WMC ?
Thu Aug 9 09:46:56 2007
Henry Williams, London
Chris Thomas may be interested to know that Mr Lamborn, whom he mentions as one of his former teachers at Sandfields School, is still going strong. (NOTE BY WEBTEAM: Henry tells us that 79-year-old Eric Lamborn has qualified for his Private Pilot's Licence at the Cambrian Flying Club.)
Mon Aug 6 15:20:41 2007
erica williams bryn
Although not originally from this area, I found the whole article fascinating. I am very interested in finding information on the 'Square' pit. I believe it was a drift mine in Bryn in the 19th century
Tue Jul 17 08:18:36 2007
s lew
I'm a Port Talbot resident, always have been, always will be! I'm hoping to get some information about the three lookout towers overlooking the steelworks. I've always been interested in what it must have been like for the boys stationed there. I know it's a long shot but you never know?
Mon Jul 16 11:26:56 2007
Ritchie Wood from Cardiff
Born in 1938. I lived in Olive Street. In the war came the news "there was a German prisoner down the beach". Off we ran and there he was with a swatsika on his cap. What we expected I don't know but he simply smiled at us. We ran away!
1947 we moved to Baglan. The woods, the trees to climb, the 'look out',the cricket field. We played "test matches" every Sunday rain or shine. The great friends I made. Playing for Baglan football and cricket teams and Aberavon schoolboys.
I worked abroad for 35 years but if any newspaper was available I would always look for Aberavon and Baglan results. Great days. If anyone remembers these times please reply on the excellent site.
Mon Jul 9 10:44:47 2007
Lewis Thomas Goytre Port Talbot
There was a prisoner of war camp at Goytre I believe it was WW1. My grandmother lived in Tyn-y-Ffrem farm just up the valley from the camp, one of the prisoners worked on the farm and made her tablecloth or similar out of silk cigarette patches?
Sadly lost now , my mother the late Gladys thomas could remember the Flannel Mill working when walking to school prob early 1920's.
Both my mother and father worked at Glenhafod coliery. My mother was the canteen manager in the early 1940's, my father was the hostler (think thats how it spelt) he looked after the horses that worked underground, described by many as a character Jim Tyn-y-Ffrem, Jim Canton, Jim Blanci, Jim the Hostler, Jim Afon Wen , proper name Jim Thomas , there is lots more on other subjects but too much for here
Fri Jul 6 12:29:11 2007
byron sambrook
I wasn't born in Port Talbot, but lived there from 1937 until I moved to Neath, where I now live, but like Graham Edwards I was in Daddy Harris' class and lived next door to him with my grandparents in Connaught St(Richard Burton lived opposite) and remember Daddy Harris asking to see the results of my maths exam which I had sat that morning.
He whooped with joy, saying, that I had everything correct and had done so well I need'nt do much in the afternoon, which was English, resulting in me just putting my name at the head of the exam paper and sitting back in contemplation. I failed by five marks. My memories of life in Port Talbot and the friends there are endless.....
Fri Jun 15 17:49:23 2007
Chris Thomas Port Talbot
Born in Penrhwtyn (Neath) hospital in December 1945.Great memories of Sandfields School with Miss Baker, Mr Burgess (who later became a TV actor,) Mr Lambourne, and Miss Annie Thomas, scholarship-class teacher.Remember all the people going down the beach to see the 'Michael Svendon' a ship which had beached on Aberavon sands in 1958.Dyffryn Grammar School, and blue Thomas's buses, nose to tail along Talbot Road and Station Road in that vibrant,pulsating town of the 50's and early 60's... before the 'planners' changed the character of my wonderful town for ever.Long hot summer of 1959 spent all and every day of the school holidays down the beach. Amusements and fairground as evening approached... smells of onion and hamburgers wafting across the sands... and I can still hear, across the fairground, Bobby Darren singing 'Dream Lover' while Jo the fairboy spun our 'skids' car wildly and we all shrieked with joy. Then, in the warm evenings walking home along Victoria Road, chips from the shop which is still there today...walking over beach hill, watching the last train of the evening leaving Aberavon Seaside station heading for Briton Ferry and Neath... full of people who had had shared the same wonderful day as my friends and me. For me, a magical time indeed, and I carry in my heart still, a thousand wonderful memories of the great steel town I still love and which is always with me wherever I go in the world.
Thu Jun 7 10:51:32 2007
karen from port talbot (originally)
I remember the funfair at Aberavon beach and also the roller skating rink near the funfair.Anyone else remember these? Now everything has been taken over by houses!!
Wed Apr 25 15:40:21 2007
Karen from Port Talbot originally
I remember the funfair at Aberavon beach and also the roller skating rink near the funfair. Anyone else remember these? Now everything has been taken over by houses!!
Tue Apr 24 09:27:44 2007
Marlene Husband Canada
For Cliff Dorman Canada, my husbands family was from Tydraw street. Doris and Walter Husband, they first lived at 84 then moved to 26. I married their son David in 1960,then moved to Canada in 1964. Port Talbot was a great place to live, still miss it.
Mon Apr 2 18:35:27 2007
morgan of goytre
There was an italian pow camp in goytre ww2 low risk prisoners, guards local miners, a number of pits in goytre valley. My dad emrys was miner and guard seargent. At weekends the italians where allowed out to town, on honour to return monday morn, always did bar one lad did a runner. Give himself up 2 days later cold hungry and lost on the mountain. Lots of them stayed after the war, cafes sprung up everywhere. The railway line behind the plaza went up behind the rugby ground across the ffrydwyllt river, to the main yard and repair depot at the bottom of goytre hill, from here either down to taibach and into the steel works or up the goytre to bryn and beyond. Hope this helps.
Fri Mar 30 10:48:00 2007
Arianwen of Bridgend, Kenfig Hill
My daddy works in the steelworks, and because that's near the Abbey I should know a lot about it. Also, my auntie got married there and I go there a lot of the time. I love Margam Abbey, it's really interesting . . . I hope nothing bad ever happens to it!
Thu Mar 22 13:46:08 2007
Cliff Dorman Canada
I will always remember Port Talbot prior to the development of the M4 and changes to the centre of town. I was born in Tydraw St. in 1928 and remember well the level crossing by Chidzoys and the train up the valley to Cymmer as we used to go from there to Glyncorrwg on a South Wales double decker that never failed to scare me as it careened around the hairpin bend down the hill from the station. I remember the marshes and the lake at Margam where the Abbey works now stands. There were swans on that lake that would chase you away from their nests if you got too close. I was an air cadet in 499 squadron. We had an Avro 504 sitting on top of the building where we met. I think Richard Burton was in the cadets when I was there although I can't remember him now.
Mon Mar 5 09:53:37 2007
Steve Harwood, Taibach
For Nic in Derby, there was a prisoner of war camp in the First World War it was in Goytre I believe. My grandfather, a small boy then , remembered them being brought down to Taibach to dig the foundations and help construct steel works in Taibach. He also told me of being picked up by one of the prisoners of war and being dangled over the pit of the foundations, hope this helps.
Mon Feb 26 14:13:35 2007
Peter Dixon, Victoria Australia
Hi to everyone in Port Talbot and the Bryn where I was born and bred, attended Eastern Comprehensive School 1949/53, worked in the Bryn Colliery, also drove Thomas Bros bus company in the 60s. Also worked at Steel Co Wales before emigrating to Australia in 1965, have been home a few times and am hoping to visit later this year.
Mon Feb 26 13:57:54 2007
Bill Kelly, Las Vegas
Did any town of approx. 38000 people have as many railway stations? I remember the following - and there may be more:
Margam Halt, Port Talbot General, Baglan Halt - all on the Main Line. Cwmavon, Aberavon, Aberavon Beach plus the one behind the Plaza, name unknown. 7 stations - no wonder the GWR couldn't make a profit.
Tue Feb 13 09:05:24 2007
David Bird, now Wolverhampton
To Nic, from Derby, the only Prisoner of war camp near Port Talbot was an Italian camp that was at Stormy Down, which is in between Port Talbot and Porthcawl. It then became an air base, now it is a site for car boot sales
Tue Jan 9 09:03:10 2007
John from Sandfields
Drove down to the beach the other day and it was sad to see that the Bay View Club was boarded up. How many people can tell stories/memories of this institute?
Mon Jan 8 11:08:43 2007
Anne Mellows Port Talbot
Having read the post from Shirley From Taunton - originally a Port Talbot girl of course. Everybody remembers the railway line going behind the Odeon years ago, but no one seems 2 remember the Central Railway line near the Plaza cinema further down. If anybody has any info on that could they let me know?
Tue Jan 2 11:31:23 2007
Jeffrey Thomas Piper from Perth Australia
Haunted House now the Bell Pub.I was born on the 27th June 1951 in Taibach, the house where i was born, they now call the Bell Pub in Taibach. From my early years of growing up in the Bell which was my house i found it was Haunted, none of my school friends would stay over night as
they were to frightend of the gosts which
Haunted the House.
Mon Dec 18 18:14:20 2006
Nic, Derby
I am looking for a German POW Camp that was cited as being in Port Talbot during the First World War. I have found an instantiated reference to the commandant (viscount Melville) resigning in 1917. Can anyone help?
I am not aware of Italian POWs in WW1, re Anne Lewis. Could these have been Germans!
Fri Nov 17 15:09:46 2006
Barry Rees from Port Talbot
I am currently doing research for my 3rd year dissertation at Aberystwyth Uni. The topic is 'immigration into the parishes of Port Talbot from 1801 - 1914'. If anyone could point me in the direction of some juicy sources (any would do), I'd be extremely grateful. Cheers.
Mon Oct 23 10:16:28 2006
Graham Edwards Bristol
Born in James St 1931 and then Holland Street with the back bedroom windows overlooking the Aberavon rugby field and the clanking steam trains on the old PT line at the top of Evan Street where the M4 runs today. Watching the Wizards free from the bedroom we could never quite see the climax of passing movements during matches for the chimneys in between! The 'Majestic'in Forge Rd was always our favourite cinema but well remember the first film in the Plaza -'Dodge City' When I was much younger the 'New' cinema not far from where the Plaza stood burned down one night-it was showing the film 'Firefly' would you believe. Passed scholarship 1942 from'Daddy'Harris' class at the Central School and was at the Sec till 1949. Richie Jenkins(Burton) was a senior when I was in the lower school and I can still remember his performances in the school plays particularly as professor Higgins in Shaw's Pygmalion. 'Pop'Reynolds was the Head when I started, then later, Gomer Rees. Wartime memories include the bombing of Swansea on 3 consecutive nights with the family crouched in our Anderson shelter, me more afraid of the mega spiders than the throbbing Dorniers overhead. There was a balloon barrage manned by the RAF in Aberavon's Rugby ground much to the disgust of the 'Wizards' fans and their long serving groundsman Dai Hornidge. American soldiers,ever friendly, generous and boisterous were stationed in Margam Castle On one occasion two of them shared a bike to pedal dangerously around the war memorial outside Margam church. Tragically, I understand that many of these young men were killed in France in the last year of the war. I particularly remember one of them, known as Frank the Yank, a tease,legpuller and free spirit. So many vivid memories of childhood Port Talbot although my wife and I have lived in Bristol since 1964.Always glad to hear from anyone I might have known in those faraway years.
Thu Oct 12 11:59:16 2006
Cecelia Patterson, Montgomery al
I was born in Port Talbot and attended Dyffryn Grammar. I also have fond memories of stopping at the railway crossing and watching my class mates and the students from the County getting of the train and walking to their schools. I would walk home with my friends and stop at my grandparents home on Courtland Place for some Welsh cakes and pop, in through the front door and out through the back door. We would walk to the market where we would separate and I would take the bus the rest of the way. Now there is a McDonalds where the slaughter house was. I remember watching flairs go up on stormy nights and ships aground on the beach.
Mon Sep 25 09:12:10 2006
Rosser , Port Talbot
I live in Port Talbot (Bryn) I live in Jerusalem Chapel which we have converted into a house and I was wondering if anyone knows any stories or any history about it. I do know that Charlotte Emily Talbot used to own it and thats about it.
Wed Sep 13 16:12:02 2006
john o'connell wolverhampton
I am looking for my grandfathers place of birth. His birth certificate says 8 old post office buildings port talbot?The year being 1923 could some body please tell me were that is.
Fri Jun 30 09:10:50 2006
Shirley - Taunton
Born 1933 my happiest memories were going to the beach with all the family playing in the sand dunes. We used to walk to the beach and on the way used to stop and watch all the people getting off the trains from the valleys it was a very popular place; the worse thing they ever done was take away the sand dunes and build a housing estate it was never the same after. I lived in Pellau Road until 6yrs old, our house backed on to the mountain. Mum and Dad used to take us for walks across to Margam Castle and then across to Morfa beach which I think didnt exist in later years because the works took over the area. There were also lovely fetes taking place in Margam Grounds at holiday times.
We moved to Courland place in later years my Grandfather had a Taxi Fleet and used to have a contract at the docks. We never went short of anything during the ration period and when bananas first started coming back we were told to go and queue at the large greengrocers I beleive it was called Chidzoy which was right next to the railway crossing.
We left Port Talbot after my father came home from the army and went to Taunton to live, but 6yrs later went back to take over my Grandfathers firm when he died. Even in that short time there were so many changes
not for the better old Port Talbot had really gone. The trains were still running we lived in Cwmavon and I used to travel to town in the guards van with the baby in the pram,the people had stopped coming from the valleys then as the beach was spoilt so the trains were empty,and eventually they stopped. Waiting at the crossing for them to pass was a thing we all missed,it was a part of Port Talbot.
We moved back to Taunton 17 yrs later and still live here. I still go back to see friends and cousins but never considered returning there to live have many more memories too many to write down.
I used to go to the chapel in Croft St which was just behind the Maypole corner where the pokiceman directed the traffic, every Whitsun after the March where we were all dressed up in our best clothes we were taken on to the mountain for tea and games. Good days and wonderful memories...
Tue Mar 21 17:52:07 2006
Bernard Thomas, Nr Nashville, Tennessee, USA
Born and raised (1936)( circa Anthony Hopkins) in Aberavon.I was one of the Square boys (circa 1940s thru mid-1950s)Mother: Sophia (Soph) Ready Thomas, 38 Vivian Square.
Memories are: Cinemas like the Grand, Majestic/Odeon, Plaza, Regent and "Cach" in Taibach We ("doped/sneaked in) every single one. Railway crossing near Wilshires book/comic store (when gates closed for a train, all traffic from Fishguard thru to London, and probably Paris came to a halt).
Sgt Giddins on traffic duty by the Maypole/Globe/Water St/Town Centre. Us kids would watch the "bobbies" and their hysterical (arm/hand) gestures while directing traffic. They were heroes, and I believe there were no casualties.
Station Road on Saturday afternoons (girl watching)and WH Smiths bookstore. Down to the beach in the summer with your towel/bather roll and of course the Amusement Arcade, while girl watching.
Watching the Wizards.
The war years speak for themselves. Bombs in Corporation Rd/Penycae. Troops ala US/Canadian/Australian/Polish/French and our begging?"any gum, chum/any candy Andy" ....Oh! such memories to conjure up (the good, bad and ugly) Hope my memories stir a plethora of inputs from 1940s Aberavonians/Port Talbotonians. Cymru Am Byth.
Mon Jan 23 08:33:11 2006
Linda Mills Port Talbot
I too remember my frequent rides on the train as a 3 year old with my mother brother and sister I often caught that train up to my Grandmother's in Cwmavon and Pontypridd Park, I was devastated when it closed.
Thu Jan 12 21:30:42 2006
Gordon House Mansel St (len house the butcher
Born 1935 Trefelin and Heathmont schools. Pals with Graham Bowden Duncan roberts etc. Left for RAF 1953. Still alive living in Caerleon.
Wed Dec 28 20:55:06 2005
Anne Lewis, Port Talbot
Does anyone know anything about Italian prisoners of war being housed in Goytre during WW1? I have a tape of an elderly Aunt taking about how beautifully they sang and how she and her friends would sit on the mountainside listening to them on summers evenings.
Tue Dec 13 17:24:56 2005
The Morgan family from Sandfields
I found myself trawling the local history pages for my son who is in comprehensive school, and have found information that I missed in my school!Keep our local history alive in these articles. Much thanks, the Morgan family.
Thu Oct 6 19:37:13 2005
Harry Krane, Florida
I was housed at Margam Castle in 1944 to be debriefed and rebriefed to do battle, as Battalion Intelligence and recon, in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. I was befriended by the family Williams, with three daughters, Dorothy, Beryl and Mair. I have been searching for them for years but have not been successful. My stay was pleasant and I attended Church Choir rehearsals with Mair. The family made me feel very much at home and welcome.
Thu Sep 1 14:39:24 2005
Gaynor Harrison from Llandovery
Lovely to hear of the memories. I too was born 1943,in Margam Terrace,that was. In hot weather, milk stood in cold water,in the pantry, as was any other perishables, these were kept on the cold slab...
The Aberavon train line going through town. The traffic jams on "Walnut Tree"/Maypole corner. The policeman on point duty. One never knew if a bus or large vehicle,would crash into the Maypole..
An old historian was Leslie Evans, my art/history teacher.
Tue Aug 30 19:18:41 2005
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