Old Cwmbran Master

.. Old Cwmbran .. (St.Dials-Two Locks-Ty Coch-Oakfield) ..

.. Colin Bowen (formerly of Pontnewydd) contributed this village scene from his postcard collection ..

The postcard has no date but looking at the cars they all seem to be from around the 1950`s 1960`s. In front of the lorry is a Ford Anglia 105E, coming down the road is a Ford Consul and outside the Police Station (now occupied by Cwmbran Community Council), is a Morris Traveller 1000.

The lorry belonged to Wright & Lodge of Newport, they delivered Fruit and Vegetables to the local shops in Cwmbran and Pontnewydd; also the White building with the notice on the side is Kelly's Fish & Chip shop.

The black fronted building was Woodleys the butchers, I believe. Next to the clock tower is the bus shelter.

.. Click here for info on the `War Memorial` Clock ..

.. Ross House ..

This grand, and imposing building is situated on the corner of Victoria Street and Oldbury Road, Old Cwmbran. `Ross House`, presently comprises of private flats but many years ago housed the offices of Cwmbran Urban District Council and a library administered by Monmouthshire County Council.


1956	2008

John Jenkins relates: This view on the left, would have been seen on the corner of Victoria Street and Oldbury Road in Old Cwmbran, the large building on the left of the photograph housed the Cwmbran Council offices, who’s entrance can be seen, and Cwmbran Library, who’s entrance was on the opposite side of the building in Oldbury Road. I think I’m correct when I say the building was originally built as a hotel. The council rooms in the 1970’s and were often used for union or political meetings.

The photograph must have been taken some time after 1951 as the car shown is a Mk.1 Ford Consul which was launched on January 2nd 1951, costing £470 (without a heater) plus purchase tax of £196/19s/2d. Whilst this doesn’t sound like a lot of money now, in those days it was equal to a years wages for the average working man.

Two Locks Road - 1957

Deb Evans relates: This is a photo of George Waters shop `on the hill`, ,just before Ebeneezer Chapel on Two Locks Road, at the bottom of this hill was Nile Street. I remember once, a stubborn pony that I had been riding along the canal, took me inside the shop ... maybe the pony could smell the apples? ... anyway young George Waters had to rescue us both, as I couldn't back him out of there!! ... What a laugh, both of us wedged inside the door and Peggy Waters (George's Wife), laughing her head off .... lovely memories.

Alastair Calder relates: This is Two Locks with the old hump back bridge; the Baptist chapel is in the background and the shop on the right was owned by Ivor Waters, when I remember it in the 1950's 1960's.

Andrew Cruickshanks relates: The old hump back bridge over the canal at Two Locks. The Ebenezer Baptist chapel can be seen in the background with the house I was brought up in (No.2 Two Locks Rd) just behind that. The shop on the right was run by Mr. Waters and his son.

Anne Williams (née Woodford) relates; This is a photo of the canal bridge at Two Locks/Llandowlais Street. Ebenezer Baptist Chapel (where I went regularly for 18 years) is in the background and the end house of the terrace was Waterworth's grocers back in the 1960s. My mum and I would walk from Ty-Coch along the canal bank to Waterworth's which was our nearest shop. I remember the railings at the side of the bridge too and the steep steps down to the canal. Happy memories!

.. John Fielding Gardens - Llantarnam ..

On Saturday 26th January 2008, the annual ceremony of remembrance concerning 1395 Private John Williams (Fielding), 2nd Battalion, 24th Regiment of Foot, took place at his graveside in the churchyard of St. Michael & All Angels Church, Llantarnam.

He is honoured in recognition of a heroic deed, on January 22nd 1879, at the Battle of Rorke`s Drift, Natal South Africa.

21 year old ,Private John Williams (Fielding), and two other soldiers defended one room of the hospital at the garrison, for more than an hour until they had exhausted their ammunition; several Zulus warriors subsequently managed to enter the room and killed one of the men and two patients. In the meantime Private Williams succeeded in knocking a hole in the partition wall and took the two remaining patients through into the next ward. He was then joined by Alfred Henry Hook, and working together, by holding the enemy at bayonet point while the other broke through three more partitions, they were able to bring eight patients into the inner line of defence.

Those attending the ceremony, included Reverend Anthony Turner, vicar of Llantarnam, numerous war veterans who belong to C.A.D.E.S.A Cwmbran & District Ex Servicemen's Association, Comrades Association of the South Wales Borderers (24th of foot) Pontypool branch, Newport branch of the Royal Engineers, Paul Murphy, MP for Torfaen and Secretary of State for Wales, local dignitaries and members of the public.

The procession then moved across the road to the new Redrow housing development aptly named `John Fielding Gardens` to unveil a magnificent `slate block` memorial, tastefully sculpted by Teucer Wilson. The memorial depicts a `hirlas horn`-Y corn hirlas - (Horn of plenty); which was used by the ancient Welsh as a drinking vessel or when blown to announce an alarm.

.. Click on the images above to enlarge ..

.. The memorial was unveiled by The mayor of Torfaen, Councillor Bill King ..

.. Private John Williams (Fielding) was awarded the Victoria Cross on the 1st March 1880 ..

.. for more interesting info click here ..

... Llandowlais Street ...

.. This is a view from 1955 ..

John Jenkins relates: The building on the right in the photo is the Waterloo Pub in Llandowlais Street, and the upstairs of the building that is central to the photo was used as a barbers shop for a while, now it is Castle Forge; behind it was Doble’s wood yard.

Debbie Evans responds: Wow !, that's the old Waterloo pub on Llandowlais street, there used to be an 'offy' (off licence) in through the Brown door and to the right, you'd have to knock the glass window and Roy Williams, the owner would slide the window up, we used to take pop bottles back as kids and buy Hobo chews with the finds......ahhhhh memories eh !
Andrew Cruickshanks relates: On the right is the Waterloo Inn. The building on the left is now a forge. If you followed the lane between the two you passed Dobles wood yard and ended up on the railway line which ran from the brick yard to the Wire Works.

I also remember that the landlord of the Waterloo before Roy Williams was (Norman?) Grayson. In the 1960's, probably around when the photo was taken, I can remember going to the Off Sales and banging on the glass hatch to get his attention, to buy a pack of Chipmunk Oxo crisps or a bag of peanuts.

.. Llandowlais Street ..

.. Jan 2008: Premises now occupied by Pheonix Taxis and Jade Garden (Chinese Takeaway) ..

Wendy Brackens relates: Up the stairs used to be a hairdressers, then a barber shop. The shop with the green sign used to be 'Hongs Chinese takeway' who had the best curry sauce on this planet. The shop next to it used to be 'Thoms' who always had wonderful sweets. The shop next to that used to be a betting shop.

Towards the right hand side of the photograph (not shown) was Osbournes shop. Gladys Osbourne was one of the nicest shopkeepers in the area. We always used to pop into her shop on the way to work.

M. Thomas relates: I think from memory the photograph is the two shops opposite the old pub at the end of what use to be Nile street in Oakfield.

My first house, when married in 1966 was in Nile street and if I remember right the two shops were Jones the news agents and a betting shop. I think the pub was called the Waterloo.

The gardens at the back of Nile street use back onto the canal bank. Nile street was a dead end and never got sealed off; I believe Nile street was demolished in about 1970.

Norman Nicholas relates: The small shop in the middle used to be a sweet shop owned by Reg Smith a retired schoolteacher from St. Dials Junior School that used to be in Oak Street and the shop on the left used to belong to Derek Pugh the Bookmakers.
Deb Evans relates: This used to be the old `Hong` chippy, next to it used to be a sweet shop run by Mr. Smith, the Headmaster of Fairwater School and above the `Hong` used to be `Ron the Barbers`.

Andrew Cruickshanks relates: Llandowlais street the Chinese takeaway etc.

Used to be Derek Pugh racing Bookmakers and I think Lewis's `fish and chip` shop. I lived about 100 yards away and used to be sent to buy the fish and chip dinner for all the family. Upstairs was a Gents and Ladies hairdressers run by brother and sister; Mike and Pat. The little shop in the middle was a sweet shop for a while. The Chinese take away was very popular with those of us who frequented the Waterloo Inn almost opposite.
Sue Smith relates: This looks like a shop along Oakfield road. I remember a good few years ago there was a Cadburys chocolate machine outside, remember the ones? It was on the wall you needed a sixpenny bit for them. Well, one day fancying a bar of 'Fourboys' and having no money, one of the boys in our crowd tapped the machine gently!!! .. well `flippin heck` the bars just kept on coming. Boy, we didn't know what to do; we had a few bars each then legged it, just incase the local `bobby` (policeman) spotted us! ...... Oh how times have changed .

Graham Skuse relates: Is it the former `Denycamp` grocery shop that used to be by the railway bridge just short of Llandowlais street and the Waterloo Pub, if I am right there used to be a barbers shop close to it that was once owned by a gentleman called Pearce, I am not sure of the spelling of Denycamp but when he left he bought a large house on the end of Cwmbran Drive that is now a private school.

.. The Railway Inn once stood on the corner of Llandowlais Street and Hill Street (now Ty Coch Way) .. almost opposite The Waterloo Inn; it was demolished circa 1976 and previous known landlords were Jimmy Strickland and Mr. & Mrs. Blanning ..

Folks don't look for a hill though, Hill Street was named after James Charles Hill, who with his partner, Mr. Forester Batt in 1860, opened the Oakfield Wire Works opposite - (the building with the blocked up windows in the photograph)

.. If you ever drank there or have a memory to share, click here ..

Helen Chard (nee Booth) relates: My grandparents (Herbert and Anne Booth) ran the Railway Inn Hotel from early 1960s until the demolition of the Hotel in 1976. What I remember, it was huge, there was at least 10 bedrooms and my grandmother used to do bed and breakfast mainly for workman that came into the area. There was a big dance hall there as well, although it was very rarely used except by me I played in there all the time, I used to go behind the bar and the locals used to talk to me it was great. I spent most of my childhood there I went to Two Locks nursery just down the road which is still there to this day. I can remember the sweet shop, also opposite the Railway Inn was a cake shop, I can still smell that shop it was delicious I used to have iced buns they don't make them like they used too. There was a milk yard across the road by the Waterloo pub I seem remember buying milk from there. I can't find any photographs of this old place so it was such a surprise to see it again all my memories came flooding back, thanks.

Sarah MacGilchrist relates: My Great grandfather, Stephen Edward Salisbury Baker and my Great grand mother, Olive Beatrice Davies married in 1906 after migrating to Cwmbran from Somerset at the turn of the 19th/20th centuries. they went on to have six children and lived at the Star Inn. Stephen appears in the 1901 census as an "Inn Keeper" and also in Kelly's Directory as a "Beer retailer" and his address is given as Canal Side, Oakfield. He seems to have come to Cwmbran with one of his cousins Mr George Hutchins who was the landlord of the Railway Inn.

Carol Shepherd relates: My grandfather Henry Townsend was born in the Railway Inn, Oakfields Llantarnum 1889. His father Henry Townsend is listed as Beer House Keeper. The family were connected to Nolans and Neale.

Ralph & Margaret Williams from Pontnewydd relate: You are looking up Llandowlais Street from Oakfield Road. On the right is Whiteheads Wire Works. The big white building on the right was The Railway Inn. The road carried on up the street and over the Canal. They used to run a Death Benefit Club in the Railway Inn, you used to pay so much every month then who ever died, they paid so much to the family. At the end of the year, what was left was shared out to the members.

John Jenkins formerly of Llandowlais Street recalls: Nott’s shop was only a little further up the road from where I lived and my father would send me there occasionally (circa 1951) to buy him razor blades, (they came in a green packet and were called 7.0 Clock Blades). The shop sold tobacco, sweets, and newspapers etc.

Graham (Ianto)Skuse recalls: I well remember the Railway Inn, if my memory serves me correctly Cwmbran Town F C were first founded in the Pub, Knott's shop just a little further up the road holds more memories I well remember a large lady working there, was she involved in the scouts? I am not sure if Mr. Knott (Edgar ?) ran two shops at the same time but when he had the shop in Oakfield I worked for him as a paper boy for a wage of Seven and Sixpence a week, and boy was I grateful for it, I seem to remember that he also had a daughter who's name has disappeared from my mind but I am sure that someone will remind me .... Aye, good days long gone.

.. Cameron - High Class Meat Purveyor ..

.. Mr. Cameron stands outside his Butchers shop in Commercial Street, Old Cwmbran , his dog looks on `attentively` ..

..This photograph appeared in the Checkpoint Calendar 1987 ..

Allistair Howard relates: Don Cameron's butchers shop, was just left of the canal bridge as you came up from Abbey Road.

Kenneth Beake relates: This shop was above the tow path of the canal next to the Half Way pub, the casting in one of your photographs was beneath it, Always had sawdust on the floor and you stepped out into the road - no pavement.

.. An Iron `bridge spar` cast at Cwmbran Iron Works 1847 ..

Bill Barton relates: Cameron's was where the pub car park is now of the the Half Way pub, in Old Cwmbran. We had our meat from him in the nineteen sixties ... he would cut a joint from the carcass on request.

Ralph and Margaret Williams relate: Don Cameron outside his butcher's shop, which was on the bridge in Old Cwmbran. You can see the Halfway Hotel on the right of the photograph. The old bridge was where the new bridge goes over Cwmbran Drive. He had a brother who had a Butchers in Victoria Street, his name was Len.

Andrew Cruickshanks relates: Cameron's butchers shop was on the bridge over the canal and railway in Old Cwmbran. The roof of the Half Way pub can be seen in the back ground. When I used to go there with my Mother in the early 1960's it was run by two brothers Don Cameron (forgotten his brothers name). Don was always chopping the animal carcases in the shop which had a floor covered in sawdust. His white apron was always covered in blood. They also had a butchers boy who delivered our meat on one of those bicycles with the big pannier on the front. The `bill` was always covered in blood as it was attached to the paper meat wrapping by a special wire pin which went on into the meat joint.

.. The Olympia Cinema ..

The Olympia cinema was fondly remembered as the `Flea Pit` and was situated next to the Rose and Crown public House on Victoria Street. The film showing at the time, going by the poster next to the entrance, was the 1955 M.G.M. film `The Blackboard Jungle` which starred Glen Ford, Anne Frances, Vic Morrow and Sydney Poitier. The film was also credited with sparking the `Rock and Roll` revolution by featuring `Bill Haley and the Comets' playing `Rock Around the Clock` over the opening credits.

Andrew Cruickshanks relates: I spent many a Saturday morning queuing along that wall with my three penny bit in my hand waiting for it to open for the kids films. I remember the original Batman (not Adam West) and Jungle Girl episodes in black and white which always left you with a cliff hanger so you would go back next week to see what happened.

I also saw my first James Bond film there, From Russia with Love (1963).

Colin Bowen relates: In the 1940s 1950s we would go to the Olympia on a Saturday morning to see Flash Gordon it was on every Saturday for along time. At the back of the cinema was the male toilet right next to the railway line in Abbey Road; if a train went by you could hear it in the cinema. When the film finished if you had any money left you could go across the road to Harry Summers for an ice lolly; if you had more than 3d. left, you could have chips ! A long time ago ... 50 odd years have slipped away.

Lawrence Skuse relates: This is the "Flea Pit" in Old Cwmbran, next to the Rose & Crown. It was much favoured by Pontnewydd children, as they had a much more lax attitude to age limits for horror films than the 'White Rose' in Pontnewydd. There we could watch early Hammer and older Universal films such as 'Curse of the Werewolf'' and 'Dracula' merely by giving a patently untrue assurance that we were over 16.

I do remember my father taking us there to see 'The Alamo' on its release.

Stories about the place were always circulating, not necessarily true, but we liked to believe them; "a kid was bitten by a rat last week, but they've given him some free tickets to keep him quiet", "a piece of ceiling fell on someone's head there". Whatever, the White Rose cinema in Pontnewydd, was always considered a "better class" of establishment!

.. Oak Street .. .. Commercial Street ..

.. Oak Street early 1900`s ..

.. Victoria Street early 1900`s ..

John Jenkins relates:- This is a view of the Conservative Club entrance taken about 1970, the building was situated at the end of Oak Street, Cwmbran and was originally a school, the inscribed stone built into the wall says, British School 1884 and pupils had to pay a 1d a week for tuition, ref. Cwmbran Projects book “In those Days” page12.

.. Wesley Street ..

Wesleyan Methodist Church - Wesley Street early 1900`s

.. The Church is now Wesley community Centre (2007)

John Berry relates:- I was born in Wesley Street, Cwmbran, 1936. just about opposite the Wesleyan Methodist Church. In those days there were six small terraced properties between Clark's shop and the Catholic Church. My mother's sister and family lived in number six and I lived with my mother, Gran and brothers in number five, the property was over crowded and we were re housed as soon as possible, my father was away during World War Two.

Stephen relates:- Jarrett's shop was on Wesley Street. I remember she used to have a chair for us to stand on to reach the counter and pick the sweets we wanted

.. Oakfield shops ..

John Jenkins relates:- This photo was taken on the corner of Green Willows Road and Croeswen in Oakfield Park, and shows the shops newly built circa 1957. The first tenants or trade from the left of the photo were, the Co-op, Notts the newsagent and tobacconist, a haberdashery, a butcher, a greengrocer, and finally the Home and Colonial. On the right of the photo but out of view is the Oakfield Pub, built after the shops circa 1960.

.. The Oakfield Public House .. April 2008 ..

.. Oakfield Shops April 2008: Newsagent - Creations (Hair & Beauty Salon) - Oakfield Cantonese Take Away - Oakfield Mini Market ..

.. St.Dials Football Team 1966/67 ..

Ron Cooke kindly contributed this photograph of the football team he once played in, back in the late 1960`s; it was taken outside the old canteen opposite Old Cwmbran Park. Some of his fellow team members he remembers are:-
Back Row (L-R) Martin Gibbons, ? , Steven Chamberlin, Charloton (that was his nickname), ? , Ron Cooke
Front Row (L-R) ? , Wayne Young, Dennis Hurley, ? , Ian Purcell.

The Manager was Mr. Cox.
.. The football pitch now has houses built on it ..

.. Cwmbran Wesleyan Cricket Club X1., 1911 ..

Back Row L to R :- I. Jones, F. C. Scott, E. Jones, G. Nash, A. Kelly, G. E. Bert.

Front Row L to R:- W. G. Stimson, H. C. Carver, G. Prangley, A. H. Couzens (Capt.) C.B. Fry, R. T. Rees, T. Thomas, W. Fry.

.. St.Dials ..

.. Pen y Waun Congregational Church- Waun Road - Old Cwmbran .. (now demolished)

.. The Church/Chapel opened on January 17th 1907 ..

.. Photographed in 2007 ..

.. Cwmbran Pen y wain Harriers ..

Back Row :- W. Appleby, A. Stead, J. Burke, H. Ross.

Third Row :- G. Petherant (committee), T. Elsmor, H. Granger, M. Senior. M. Petheram, E. Stead, S.L.Duffy, ? (committee)

Second Row :- H. Hamm, E. Howard (Captain), M. Laughton (president). A. Bevan (secretary), J. Kennedy.

Front Row :- J. Smith (trainer), B. Fry, H. Stiff, W. Smith., J. Iles., P. Beech (committee).

Allistair Howard :- my cousin who resides in Cwmbran sent me a copy of this photo of Cwmbran Pen-y-Waun Harriers 1906-07, photo courtesy of In those day's publication. The reason being is that my father`s cousin (Edwin George Howard) is featured. Edwin was the father of Roland Reginald Howard, the Esso garage proprietor, which was once situated next to Pontnewydd Workingmens Club.

Andrew Cruickshanks :- notes his Great Uncle, (Peter Beech) appears on the photograph.

.. The photo was taken in the field, where now stands Ysgol Gymraeg Cwmbran Infants School (3 Bears) on Henllys Way .

.. Cwmbran Football Club ..

(Season 1904-5 )

Back Row ;- L. Jordan, W. Thomas, A. Saddler, G.P.Jones, J.B.Jones, T. Waites, J. Tamplin.

2nd Row :- T. Bingham, C. Holloway, J. Jones, R. Jennings, B. Dewfall, W. Jones, W. Williams.

3rd Row :- H. Evans, P. Cunningham, J. Leyshon, D.M.Thomas (Capt.), W. Gay, T. Spillane, A. Sutton.

Front Row :- C. Hewings, R. Baker, W. Lawler, T. Hutchins.

.. Photograph contributed by Torfaen County Borough Councillor B. John Cunningham MBE KSG ..

.. Abbey Road early 1900`s ..

.. The Abbey Public House ..

This pub demolished, in the late 1970`s, was once a popular `watering hole` on Abbey Road - it was also well known for the Monkey Puzzle tree within the garden.

John Jenkins recalls: The first meeting of the Cwmbran Gun Club was held upstairs in The Abbey Pub circa 1969

.. Abbey Stores ..

.. Eddy Thomas and his dog `Bell` ..

Alison Pattimore relates:- This was Eddy Thomas`s shop on the corner of Abbey road and Belle Vue road. I used to live in Belle Vue in the 1950`s and remember Eddy who was loved by all the kids and people of that area, the picture was taken when they were clearing Abbey Road for the houses that are there now. Eddy tried to save his business by barricading himself in his shop, which was sadly a hopeless cause. The picture of Eddy and his dog brought back many memories of a lovely man and wonderful time.

Andrew Cruickshanks relates:- That's probably one of the last buildings left as ABBEY ROAD was being demolished. Opposite was the main railway line which had been closed before this photo was taken as is now Cwmbran Drive. I spent many hours as a child playing on the derelict line looking for slow worms which could be found there.

I cannot remember who owned the shop in the picture but further up the road towards the Abbey pub and Cwmbran there was a watchsmith`s shop which I believe was owned by Mr Jones.

Allistair Howard relates:- The photo of Eddie Thomas brings back a lot of good memories, I was born in Abbey Road No8, as it has been said Eddie`s shop was No.1. Abbey road was in three blocks or rows of houses. There was another shop at No.10 that had several different owners two I remember being Villers and the other Taylors, between this shop and the next row in Abbey Road was a walk through leading to Belle Vue Close. The first house on the second row was at onetime a vets. The first building on the third row was a garage followed by one or two houses then an alleyway that led to a couple of cottages; after the alleyway was, as Andrew Cruickshanks pointed, out a jewellers and was owned by Mr. Jones, then just after `Jones the Jeweller` was a cafe and then my local watering hole the Abbey Hotel ........ memories eh.

Elizabeth Haynes relates:- The shop was located at the bottom of Belle Vue Rd in Old Cwmbran. The area now has a row of houses there called ABBEY ROAD. Directly opposite it was an area of grassland that us kids used to play (and smoke) in. This grassland went under the bridge and you could climb through the fence into the Cwmbran Stadium. This grassland is now part of the Cwmbran Drive. The bridge still runs over it.

The Abbey store was a damp dark little shop. All the sweets were damp but very cheap. Looking at the picture, if you continued up past the roughland you came to the Abbey Pub. The pub had the famous "monkey tree" in it.

Sarah Knell relates:- That used to be the `Sweety` shop at the bottom of BelleVue Road. The old railway track was opposite and served as a shortcut to `Kwik Save` where I worked in `Bakerboy` every Saturday.

Ralph Williams relates:- The Abbey stores was No 1 Abbey Road. The chap in front of the stores was Mr.Eddie Thomas. I lived in Bellevue road when I was a boy. We used to buy our sweets from there.

John Jenkins formerly of Llandowlais Street, now residing in South Africa relates:- The shop was on the corner of Abbey Road and BelleVue Road, in the early 1950`s it was a Green Grocers.

Catherine Lewis relates:- The picture on the site is the old Abbey Stores which used to stand on the green area at the bottom on Abbey Road and BelleVue Road in Old Cwmbran.
My house and driveway is exactly where that old shop used to be.

.. Abbey Road 2006 ..

.. Cwmbran Celtic Football Team 1927-8 ..

Back Row:- J.Foley, W. Slade, M.Hurley, J.Reardon, W.Dudman, R.Cunningham, C.Gimlett, C.Spillane.

Front Row:- R.Gray,T.Muldowney, R.Powell, A.Smith (Captain), W.Cunningham, L.Cunningham, G.Waygood.

Mascot - Joseph Crowley

.. Photograph contributed by Torfaen County Borough Councillor B. John Cunningham MBE KSG

.. A paper bag from Woodleys - The Family Butchers ..

.. Allistair Howard formerly of Abbey Road believes it's around 50 years old ..

.. If you have memories to add or old photographs you would like to share please click here to email me ..

.. St.Dials School ..

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

.. built in 1883 by Mr. Henry Parfitt (Pontnewydd) ..
Margaret Williams relates:- I attended St Dials School (Girls). The small building on the left (colour photograph) was the toilets. The yard in front was the play area.
Graham Pattimore relates:- 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.

.. Click here for St.Dials School Photographs ..

This Great Western Railway ticket admitted one person to "C" Seats of the Olympia Cinema - Old Cwmbran

.. The ticket is not dated but must be pre 1948 because the railways were nationalised in that year ..

The Olympia cinema was situated next to the Rose and Crown Public House - Victoria Street.

Click here for Clomendy Farm info

.. St. Gabriel's Church ..

.. Ty Coch ..

.. The inset photo is part of the Route 46 Mile marker, adjacent to the canal tow path/cycle path at Ty Coch ..

One thousand mileposts, provided by The Royal Bank of Scotland, help guide cyclists along the main 10,000 mile National Cycle Network.

The cast-iron mileposts are being made available through Sustrans, the charity developing the £400 million Network, which is supported by a £43.5 million grant from the Millennium Commission.

.. The mileposts are designed by Andrew Rowe, Jon Mills, Iain McColl and David Dudgeon ..

... Move your cursor over any photo below to identify and click to enlarge ...

Local watering holes ..Do you drink here? why not write a review?

.. Click here to meander down Memory Lane ..


.. Oak Street early 1900`s ..	.. Victoria Street early 1900`s ..


Wesleyan Methodist Church - Wesley Street early 1900`s	.. The Church is now Wesley community Centre (2007)