Memories 2

Date: 30th October 2006

Name: Judith

Email: jseys@btopenworld.com

Croesyceiliog isn't the place it used to be! I went to school on The Highway until I was eleven. There were fields opposite and fields behind. North Road didn't exist, neither did the Comprehensive School. Woodland Road was known as Black Road - why? Chapel Lane was really country. I often visit and remember the past. Those were the days!

Date: 7th October 2006

Graham Skuse (Ianto) formerly of Cwmbran, now residing in Guernsey C.Islands, relates:-

As I fast approach the bus pass age (three weeks in fact) I have been thinking for a long time now about a 'Memory Competition's who can produce the best memory of the town I left in 1963 to live on the beautiful island of Guernsey and who knows, since we lost mam a few months ago I might never see again.

I was lucky enough to meet several friends today from the world of football and as they will not be on the island on the 29th we had a little celebration in advance, and during the course of the afternoon several good malts were consumed.

Anyway I digress this competition has been in my head for some time now and on returning home I switched on to the film channel, the film 'She Wore A Yellow Ribbon; a film I saw at the old fleapit in Cwmbran so many years ago I am scared to think how long, so you drunken old fool (I can hear people say) what are you on about, well to start the competition off how about these.

(1) Tiller Griffin

(2) Harry Scud

(3) Kelly's chip shop

(4) John Wayne when he makes that immortal order, Bugler Sound The Charge.

I would love to hear other entries from folk who remember what the old Cwmbran was like in the days that I remember.

Graham Skuse (Ianto) D.O.B 29 10 41 St Dials School 1946/1954 Llantarnam Secondary School 1954/1956 email: skusey@cwgsy.net

St.Dials school (demolished circa 1979) Oak Street - Old Cwmbran

.. built in 1883 by Mr. Henry Parfitt (Pontnewydd) ..

Graham Pattimore relates:-

Date: 15th September 2006

I went to this school from 1952 / 1958, I have very fond memories of my time at this school, myself and my school mates used to walk along the canal bank from Forgehammer to Old Cwmbran, it was safe to do so in those days.

I vividly remember most of my teachers at the school, especially Reg Smith, who was a great inspiration to most of the children who attended the school; he was very strict but also very fair.

I remember every morning Mr. Smith, would ask all the class to hold out their hands so that he could inspect them to make sure that they were clean, and if they weren't, then he would send you to the toilets to wash them and re-inspect them when you got back to class. He was a great teacher who was liked by all.

I also remember Mr. Bassett and the head master at that time who was known as `spike` Jones, he was a great character, who insisted all pupils would visit his room at least 4 times a year for a spelling test. I recall that he had a very strong welsh accent and insisted that we all pronounced our rrr`s to the extreme.

I can also recall the huge pile of coal next to the head master's office which was used to run the boilers for the school heating, this was wheel barrowed into the boiler house by Mr. Len Brinkworth, who was everyone's friend,

Gerry King recalls: The Cwmbran Youth Band used it as a rehearsal room at one stage.

Stuart Roberts recalls: A Youth club being held there.