Born in St. Clears in 1920, John Rees grew up in The Railway Hotel which was run by his parents Annie and James Rees. From the age of 5 to 15 John attended Glasfryn School in St. Clears. On leaving school he became an apprentice motor mechanic with Evans Motors of Carmarthen. World War Two saw John seeing service with the RAF in central Africa and in 1945 he married Bridget Evans of St. Clears. After returning to Carmarthenshire John worked with the MOD in Pendine, and during this time he and his wife ran The Railway Hotel.
Here John talks about some of his childhood memories -
"Even though I was brought up in The Railway Hotel I wasn't allowed to help out there when I was a child. But I do remember being asked questions of who had been drinking in the bar the previous night. I was always told by my parents to say I never knew! At this time there were fourteen pubs in the village - very different to the four of today. There were far stricter drinking hours with the bar being closed between 3 pm and 5.30 pm. The hotel was a very busy place as it was next door to the railway station, locals would often wait in the bar before catching a bus out of the village.
When I was 9 years old (1929) I clearly remember the great excitement of local boy Ira Jones landing a plane in St. Clears! He was the first person to do such a thing! Ira Jones was a fighter pilot who fought in WW1 and WW2. It happened on Good Friday and I was sitting on the railway platform with a group of friends. We heard the plane flying over the village and then landing in a field, it was a total surprise to us and we all ran to take a good look at the plane and it's occupants. Ira had brought his wife to visit his family. Ira's mother ran a sweet shop in St. Clears and I can remember that when ever you went in there she would always tell you to 'Look but don't touch!'
During the 1930s sales of Irish cattle were held 3 to 4 times a year in the village. These were organised by a character called Morris Tomey, a cattle dealer from Cork. He used to bring over about 30 head of cattle from Ireland by train and boat. The cattle would be brought into St. Clears during the day and then at around 10 pm, my father, myself and other locals would help to drive the herd to a nearby field which was owned by my parents. A cattle sale would be held there the following afternoon. Basil Jones was one of the auctioneers who would travel across from Haverfordwest to conduct the sale. We would make a human ring in the corner of the field and the cattle were sold to local farmers.
When I left school my life changed drastically. I became an apprentice motor mechanic in Evans Motors, Priory Street, Carmarthen. I worked there for five years before joining the RAF and travelling to Rhodesia (Zimbabwe today). This land was a million miles away from St. Clears!"
John Rees
Take a look at our historic slideshow of St. Clears
your comments
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Gordon Barrett, Bristol
I just love hearing these stories. Im 34 now but best part of 20+ years growing up in St Clears circa '75-'95. Great place for a childhood and i dare say i explored every road and field for miles around. Naturally my teenage years i was hankering for the modernity of life that bigger and brighter city lights promise. Yet now im more captivated with the retrospective stories relating to a place i know so well, but a recent history of it, i dont.
Sun Jun 28 18:45:16 2009
Dave St Clears
Have you any information on the OLD BLUE BOAR INN which stood in Pentre road please - especially any photos. Would love to hear.
Tue Mar 24 15:56:45 2009
Nigel Williams
Remember hearing pigs squealing in the slaughter house next to Glasfryn primary school in the 1950's.
Remember the homemade lollipops of Mr James,at Pentre Stores.
Mon Dec 18 16:12:35 2006
Claire Lewis from Penllergaer
I lived at 'Penarddwylan' not sure that this is the correct spelling which was on Salem Road. My primary school is now a bed & breakfast and I remember the excitement of the Vale of Taf sports day and the fair arriving in the car park by the doctors surgery. I lived in St Clears from 1977 to approx 1986. Very fond memories but my mother still lives just outside Laugharne so I still get to 'come home'.
Mon Sep 11 10:23:16 2006
Alan Evans from Bristol
Born at no. 5 Station Road in 1940. Brother Gerald is four years older & now lives in Aberporth. He's also retired. Father was Percy Evans the signalman. He worked at the station for over 30 years & was quite well known in the community.
Many happy memories, mainly sporting! Played & was secretary of the cricket team, played for the soccer team early '60's. Attended Whitland Grammar School 1952-58, then worked for a year in Lampeter at the Ministry of Agriculture. Didn't like it so managed to get in to Trinity College 1959-61.
Taught in Nottingham, Rochester Kent and finally Bristol where I still live. Been here 40 years, but still visit St. Clears a couple of times a year. Always brings back the good memories. Certainly changed a lot in the last 47 years but still has a lot going for it.
Sun Nov 27 19:36:55 2005
Katie Hughes
I've been living in St.Clears all my life. I wish today was more like when John was young!! It sounds like so much fun!
Great story!!
Wed Jul 27 17:39:37 2005
Gordon Johns Swansea
I worked as a Relief Clerk on the railway and worked at St Clears Station.
During that time which was around 1959, St Clears Station supplied cattle feed to the surrounding farms. I had a call from Harris Mydrim requesting some supplies.
Being of total ignorance,
I mentioned that I was not aware of Harris Mydrim. On reflection I realised what the person was referring to, and then remembered that the barrister involved was a Jenkin Jones whom I knew.
Sun Jan 30 19:24:08 2005
Did you grow up in St. Clears? Have you any memories you'd like to share?
