Nostalgic memories of Pontycymer's local history
Share your own memories of Pontycymer and read what others have said
For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our web site to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was when the photographs in our archive were taken. From brief one-liners explaining a little bit more about the image depicted, to great, in-depth accounts of a childhood when things were rather different than today (and everything inbetween!). We've had many contributors recognising themselves or loved ones in our photographs.
Why not add your memory today and become part of our Memories Community to help others in the future delve back into their past.
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Displaying Memories 11 - 20 of 22 in total
I was born in 193 Oxford Street, Pontycymer in 1935. I left to go into the army for National Service at the age of 18 in 1954. I returned for just 1 year in 1956 when I returned to the Midlands, to Birmingham. The house I lived in was the Morris's shop opposite the chapel and at the top of the hill leading to Blandy Park football ground. My grandmother and aunt ran the shop. I now live in Shirley, Solihull. I haven't ...see more
I'm still living here today, a few streets have now disappeared, Wood Street and a lot of Bridgend Road as well as some local landmarks like the Ambulance Hall (The rink) and more recently the Ffaldau Hotel; but it's strange trying to imagine how life must have been back then. Much more community spirit then, the good old days when the front door was never locked and everyone looked out for each other. The times have obviously changed; Not necessarily for the better.
I remember the houses opposite St.Theodore's as my cousin Veronica (Non) lived in one and the "Turners" (Pat, Shirley, Roy and others) lived next door. These houses had front doors in Higher Church St, while the back doors were accessed from Lower Church St. I lived in Lower Church Street until I was 20, then married and moved to Alexandra Road, opposite the Memorial Hall (now demolished and replaced ...see more
I well remember the doctor's clinic referred to - it was halfway up the hill on the same side as the Squirrel. I have unpleasant memories of getting "the needle" there when I was about five or so. The smell of that purple meths/alcohol stuff (can't remember the name) that they used for wiping the puncture site of your arm/leg still reminds me of that evil place. Anyone remember the pictures/bingo hall that was at the junction of Alexandra Road where it met Meadow St?
My mother Joan Marion Jones nee Gibson from Nantyrychain Terrace worked in the Home and Colonial Stores (on the right hand side of this photo) during the war and has many memories and stories, especially about rationing. She also knows many of the shops. Starting on the left corner was Peglers (grocer) - now a Chinese, I see from another memory, then Morgan Hughes (ladies outfitters), Powell (butcher), Wellingtons ...see more
Some years ago my mother came across this postcard and looking carefully saw herself! She is the woman, Joan Marion Jones, nee Gibson, carrying a child on the corner by what was a barbers. That child is my sister, Christine Jones (now Howell) and the boy by the side is myself. The other lady with her is my Auntie Beat. We were on our way to the railway station in Pontycymer to catch the train to Porthcawl. Christine was born in Dec 1950 and I was born in Nov 1947.
I spent the vast bulk of my childhood in this area. The centre of the cricket pitch is a strip of concrete that was used for boys club and school's cricket matches. Mostly, a game of soccer or rugby was played either side of it too. Down the grass bank is now the "Swings" at Waun Bant. These were built in about 1968/1969. In the foreground is the rubbish tip that became Lawrence Park rugby ground in 1970 and at ...see more
This photograph has changed little I think apart from the demolishing of the public toilets on the right. The wooden notice board on the railings advertised the weekly films featured in the "Mem" and always drew my attention as I walked past it. The Squirrel is visible just up from the post office and was formerly called "The Pontycymmer Hotel" but I am not sure as to when this pub changed its name. Just past the toilets on the right was "Sid's", the gent's hairdresser. He was there for years.
It is great to see a photo of the Welsh School that I attended from 1959 to 1963. (Bottom right hand corner). Miss Winnie Bisset was the Headmistress and I remember her teaching three classes of kids at once. My class only totalled four and I was the only boy. She died in 1976. I also remember the large house pictured in Bridgend Road. That was demolished in about 1961 and I remember seeing that they ...see more
The hill at the front, sharp left is indeed Alexandra Road and the pub is the Squirrel. The shop on the front left is Peglers Grocers and this became a Chinese Takeaway in about 1970 and is still one today. Just up from that is Emlyn Powell's butchers shop. Front right is Joe Polledri's cafe. Joe was a lovely man who only died about two years ago, well into his 90's. I remember that chewing gum machine well. Further ...see more