Trehafod 1931 To 1955 And Beyond

A Memory of Trehafod.

I was born in 1930 at Rhydyfelin but moved to 37/38 Trehafod Road during 1931 and 1932 via Llwyncelyn. Both my father and grandfather worked at the colliery for a number of years. My grandfather, George Richards, worked there for some time before 1930 and I have an original letter dated 1910 from Captain Seaton in connection with his application for employment. My father worked for a time at the 5ft Hafod pit but he was well known as a dance band drummer and played with the Frank Wride band at the Coronation Hall, including the time when an unknown Tom Jones was starting out. The Lewis Merthyr Colliery figures often in family discussion and I remember going to the colliery with sandwiches for my father when he used to operate a small Telpher crane at the boiler house.
Most things revolved around the river which was often in flood, covering parts of Lewis St, Wayne St, Fountain Terrace, River St, and most of the houses near the old 'swing bridge' which, for young boys, was both exciting and devastating when the terrible damage could be seen - no insurance at that time.
I remember fondly the celebrations for V.E and V.J days and the friendliness of a close village community. My memories are still very strong, to the extent that I have composed two pieces of poetry reflecting on the state of the river in the 1930's and the huge change during a much more recent visit.
Memories of the blonde evacuee from London who never showed up for my first date, the 'Bomb and Dagger' building where we local boys would try and chat up the girls practising ballet by climbing high on the wall, despite the glass fragments set into the concrete, to prevent us. Some of my family lived, and continue to live in the area, after I left to get married to a local girl and travel, often through many countries, including a 5 year emigration to South Africa, but the magnet of Wales, family and the Rhondda Valley was too strong to resist.
I enjoyed my time with Pontypridd Male Voice and Pendyrus choirs, only possible because I was lucky to live in the Rhondda Valley during tough times, but with such wonderful rewards.
I have some photographs of Trehafod which might be worthwhile putting on this site, hopefully I can dig them out shortly.