REQUESTED MEMORIES

If you have a particular `Memory Request` for a specific place/ area / time period in or around Cwmbran and are willing for any photographs and or related information received via this website, to be published and subsequently shared with visitors to Cwmbran.info then please contact me by clicking here

Date: 23rd January 2012:

Laura Williamson: I've recently bought a Greenmeadow cottage on St Dials road and was wondering if you had any info on the property as i can`t seem to find anything. I have heard, it might have been connected to Greenmeadow Community farm as there are only two cottages together and the are situated opposite the farm please can you help.
Email: click here

Date: 22nd January 2012:

My name is John Lockett and I`m trying to find out some details of a street named `Tranquil Place`. It was behind Miss Osbournes shop over 70 years ago. My Nan, Gladys Love, who was born in the street and I would love to have a photograph to show her and take a `walk down memory lane` with her.

Email: click here

Update: The only house now remaining in the road called Tranquil Place is number 1, and that's where I lived with my parents and brothers until 1952, at that time there were no other houses in the "road" just overgrown and unused land. But I do have a copy of maps dated circa 1900 and 1922 that show a row of houses on the same side as number 1 and running parallel with the railway line, (now Cwmbran Drive). This row of houses were, I'm led to believe, demolished circa 1935, and although I don't know exactly how many houses were in the row I do know from burial records I have seen that one house was numbered as high as 29.

Sorry I don't have a photo for you, but I'm convinced I saw one many years ago but can't remember where.

John Jenkins.

South Africa

Date: 12th December 2011:

My name is David Standing and I am currently a student at the University of Wales, Newport - Caerleon Campus. My dissertation topic will be on the Cistercian water engineering that was developed by the monks of Llantarnam Abbey.

By researching the historical landscape of Cwmbran, certain episodes of her history have come to light, namely the lack of any archaeological research into her old buildings. I aim to change that. At the moment there are varying planning applications in the hands of Torfaen's planners, that will further damage our archaeological record. Namely, the demolition of the Mill Tavern Public House, a massive development at St Dials and the building on a green field site right next to the Abbey itself.

I have undertaken a very small amount of research and have published it on my blog, you can read it here.

I would like to take this opportunity to ask your followers on Cwmbran.info for as many photographs as possible, of The Mill Tavern, Glan-y-Nant Farmhouse, Garth Road, Two Locks Road or indeed anything that is in relation to the mining activities at Henllys. I understand that your pages already hold many pictures but I aim to generate as many as possible to see if I can glean any archaeological clues as possible. Many people may think that some photographs are irrelevant to the cause but I would still like to view them just in case.
Webmaster: I, too, would like to see any relevant photographs and publish them on this website for others to enjoy and possibly generate further contributions.If you can help, please click here and I will forward your emails on to David.

Date: 28th September 2011:
Helene Dobbs requests: I am looking for memories of Greenmeadow Farm - now the Community Farm, particularly members the Hussey Family; who went on to run the Dorallt pub in Henllys, the Adams family who were at the farm in the 1900's and the Barton's who were there in the mid 1950's to the 1960's. Any old photo's would also be appreciated.

Email: hjd_gfarm@yahoo.com

Date: 13/06/11

Email: dangermouse3791@yahoo.com

Hi would love to get a photo of Town Stores old `Woolcos` store 1980 onwards many thanks - Marie Coombes

Check www.old maps.co.uk

year 1886-1887 map shows Llandowlais Place which then changes the name over to Llandowlais street on later maps

Date:31/01/11- Cath Thomas

Email: Click here

I came across this website looking at old photos of Forge Hammer. I was born at No. 23 Woodside Road (Crowley's) is this house shown on the photo? I would love to hear from anyone who knows the area and has any photographs.

Date:31/01/11- Mark

Email: Click here

I have been adding to my collection of Cwmbran pictures and once I find the time will (hopefully) send some more through in the next couple of weeks.In the meantime I wondered if your experts could confirm the location of this picture
I was in Cwmbran last weekend and went to Croesyceiliog to look for the view, as other than the Pontrhydyrun Chapel it was my first Croesyceiliog card. Both I and my parents thought it was at the top of "The Highway" just before the turn, near the Mormon Church due to the side on building which we thought was "Holly Lodge".

Having been there however the buildings on the opposite side of the road do not match up with what is there now (back of Pettingale Road ?) and neither of the buildings side on to the road look right either. The houses on the left, with bay windows and the porch, do look similar to those further down The Highway opposite the cricket ground, so the building on the right may have been demolished to be replaced by the modern Cricket Club Pavillion (and those in the background for other more modern buildings).

The postcard was posted in 1942 so it is pre-New Town

Date:20/01/11- Gwen Backhouse

Email: Click here

My Grandmother was born in Tranquil place and I just wondered if anyone had any information on the place, I have found it on an old map but it appears to have been demolished now. I would love to hear from anyone that knew the area or has any pics?

Many thanks.

Terry Griffin responds: My mother was born in Tranquil Place, her name was Dorothy Akerly.

Date:15/12/10 - Phillip Hayes

Email: Click here

I came across your website when looking for information about Pontnewydd.

Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Phillip Hayes and I am the son of the the taller of the two airmen in the attached photograph. His name was Douglas Hayes and his nickname was 'Tiny' because he was 6' 1".

This was taken after my father had completed his tour of duty with RAF Bomber Command in the North Africa campaign. He was then put on secondment to BOAC and based in Cairo. I think that the cap badges are for BOAC.

I have other photos of my father with names and dates written on the back, taken around the same time, but this one is undated and has no information. However the parcel looks to be addressed to a Miss Susan? Poulton? This part is unclear but Richmond House and Pontnewydd are clearly marked.

The photo was probably taken in 1944 outside the officers mess in Heliopolis, which a suburb of Cairo next to Al Maza airport. (Al Maza was the main airport for Cairo at that time and is still there but is now a military base, with the domestic and international air traffic moved to the newer Cairo International).

I wonder whether someone from Pontnewydd may know who the other airman is, or perhaps the recipient of the parcel?

My father passed away in the early 1980's but perhaps the other airman is still alive. I would be very grateful for any information
Update: Jan 2011

Ralph Williams responds: I had a word with Amy Poulton now Amy Roberts who lives in Ladywell and she said his name was Wilf Bodger and he married Sybil Poulton who is a cousin of Amy. The Poulton family lived at Richmond House just up the road from Ladywell by the canal. Wilf passed away about 10 years ago,

Date:15/12/10 -Peter Howells

Email: Click here

Can anyone find some information about the Carver family for me or try and chase up some photos please?
My Grandmother was called Rita Maud Carver. Her dad was Wilfred Carver born in Pontnewydd in 1879. I noticed you, (webmaster), have a photo of my Great Grandfather's brother who was called H. C. Carver, he is pictured in 1911 playing cricket for a Wesleyan team.

My Grandfather is standing in the back at the left of the picture. Opposite is H C Carver; seated is my Great Great Grandfather, William Carver, who was born in Bucknall Dinam, Somerset but came to live in Pontnewydd in 1870. Seated is his wife, Sarah Anne Phillips. Her father was Richard Phillips a Blacksmith.

.. This is an absolutely fabulous site, thanks for gathering all this information ..

Date:13/12/10 -Madeline Brown

Email: Click here

Date: 21/03/10 - Carol Lewis

Email: Click here

Hi I was wondering if anyone has any information on Cwrt Plythin Farm. My great great grandfather owned it on the 1881 census. I believe it was located in Two Locks possibly where Cwrt Bleddyn? is now. I was wondering if anyone knows anything more about it?

Date: 09/02/10 - Christine Brooks

I am hoping that someone out there is able to help me in my search for information. I have recently moved into Machine Cottage, Incline Lane, Henllys and would love to know the history of the property. I am aware that it was originally used by the Colliery for weighing coal and was later sold at auction. If anyone has any further information relating to the history or it's occupants please respond. Click here

Date: 19/01/10 - Lisa Hillman

Hi, I was wondering if anyone knows anything about Ty Coch farmhouse in Llantarnam, (built 1613) it used to be just off Ty Coch lane before Cwmbran drive was built and the lane cut in half. The house itself is now behind the Parkway Hotel and has been integrated into another building as part of one of the industrial units. I lived there for a few years as a child (approx mid to late 1970's)

There was some sort of link to Llantarnam Abbey, in one of the rooms was a trap door, which growing up I was told that it was an underground tunnel that went to the Abbey. There was also a priest hole in one of the rooms. I vaguely remember a story of either a priest or perhaps the son of the farmer who would secretly meet one of the nuns in the disused tunnel and that at some point she became pregnant and so he stabbed her in the stomach to kill her and the unborn child and then walled her up in the tunnel. I remember that if our dog went near there all her fur used to bristle and she would growl. It was such an amazing house to have lived in, with the big open stone fire places, one also had a bread oven, it had window seats and wooden shutters and the original leaded windows, I would love to find out more about the farmhouse and it's stories but so far have found nothing. It would be great if anyone could tell me more about either. If you can help click here

Date: 07/09/09 - Janine:- I am trying my family tree and my great great grandmother lived 8 Newtown (New Town) Cwmbran Llantarnam UD, I was wondering whether anyone knows where this could be and whether the houses still stand? If you can help click here

Phil Jenkins responds: In 1886 the terrace row was known as Fairwater Cottages, with a house (farm?) called Wern Fawr just to the Southwest. On the 1902, 1922 and 1954 maps the row was marked as Newtown with Wern Fawr still shown. Between 1902 and 1922 there was a second terrace at right angles to Fairwater Cottages which may have been known as 'Masters Row'. It had gone by 1954.

Colin Rowlands responds: Number 8 New Town was part of a row of cottages that are still existing today; it is now called Fairwater Close and is adjacent to the Fairwater Shopping centre.

June Tamplin responds: Newtown was around the area of Glan Rhyd and just above towards Coedeva. On the 1911 Census my Great Grandfather, John Peterson was living with his family at Fairview Cottage Newtown, but I think it comprised just a few cottages and farm buildings dotted about.

Date: 30/01/09- Joanna Griffiths:- Hi to all, I unearthed an old picture of my Grandfather, Richard Mckenna, he passed away in the early 1980's, was married to Evelyn Mole, was in the Parra's and worked for Llanwern steel works, lived in Pontnewdd, just wondered if anyone had any memories of him to share?, also my Great Grandfather Ernest Mole, former Mayor of Cwmbran? Thank you in advance for any info/stories you may have. If you can help click here

.. Richard McKenna ..

Date: 08/06/08- Darrel Beake:- If any one knows any history about the row of four houses No's 187,189,191 and 193 Llantarnam rd in particular No 187 and any old pictures would be great. I know the road was originally called Cwmbran Road and I believe the houses were somehow linked to the Star brick works. Any hints to the history of this property would of interest. If you can help click here

Date: 07/2/08- Tracey Aceto: - I wonder if anyone out there can help, I live on Llantarnam road in one of the old tin miners cottages, just opposite Llantarnam school, I know they were built around 1888, and they used to be called STAR ROW, I've been trying to find some information, photographs, etc, on them. So if anyone out there can help I would appreciate it. If so click here

Date: 14/12/07 - Lynda Strong:- Can anyone remember what the butcher's shop was called, the one that was directly opposite Mark Roberts in the Town Centre prior to the demolition of the Strand?

Date: 12/12/07- Lynda Strong-I was wondering if anyone has any memories or photos of Cwmbran town centre and surrounding areas. My parents moved to Salisbury Court in 1967 while it was still under construction, does anyone have photos etc of this area and of the main road Greenmeadow Way when it was just fields? Also my parents remember when the now closed Post Office that was in Blenheim Square used to be a cafe/bakery in the late Sixties but can't really remember what it looked like or what it was called. And does anyone have memories both recent (1985+) and earlier of both Cwmbran Town Centre and Old Cwmbran? I do remember going to International (now the In-Shops) when I was about five in the late Seventies but can't remember when it closed. Any memories/photos would be greatly appreciated! If so click here

.. Let's stop Yesterday's `History` becoming Tomorrow's `Mystery` by recording what we see and hear Today, for `Posterity `..

.. Any photographs, memories, Checkpoint Calendars, Cwmbran related memorabilia, info etc; very much appreciated ..

.. click here to contact me ..

Date: 4th August 2008

Can anyone provide information reference M.Jarret and or Cwmbran Male Voice Party?

.. if so please click here ..

Webmaster: George Compton's son has informed me (Feb.2009) that the gentleman is Maurice Jarret and sang with his father; the choir practised in the Rifle club in Ventnor Road - Old Cwmbran.

Date: 28th October 2007

Sharon Herridge

I have been tracing my family tree now for ages and thought that perhaps someone could help?

My father Thomas Donoghue was born in Cwmbran in 1909 and lived in Llandowlais St. I have managed to trace his parents and have found his grandfather came over from Ireland. The problem I have is that on the census record there is no place in Ireland mentioned and I wondered perhaps immigrants to Cwmbran came from a particular part of Ireland ?

Date : 7th September 2007

Gill Morris

I left Oakfield Park Estate in 1960, and am now living in the centre of France. I went to St. Dial's school and then Llantarnam Secondary. My dad, William Morris was the local free-lance reporter and the kids called him 'scoop'....

Enclosed is a photo of Court Farm Youth Club taken in the 1950's. My dad (William Morris) is on the far right. Also included, Mr. Parsons, Mr. Joy, Mr. Sutton and I just can't remember the names of any more ... Perhaps some visitors will though!

If you can help Gill out please click here

Date : 8th October 2007

Garnet (Chippy) Chapman responds: With reference to the photo of court farm youth club in the 1950s, here are some more names.

Joan Robertshaw(now Taylor) who worked in personnel department of Girlings, Cwmbran. Alan Robertshaw. Horrace Siddaway. Dennis Crowley. Chris Smith (my best pal who emigrated to Australia in 1964 ), Christine George. Royston Doughton. Billy Turnbull. Dianne Goulding.

Through your web-site I am now in contact with two of my old pals, John Jenkins (Shenko) and Allistair Howard (Popeye)

Keep up the good work!

Date : 6th July 2007

Chas Black

Excellent website - brings back a few memories of my early life in Cwmbran - One memory that does bug me is the location of the Masonic hall in Old Cwmbran - I seem to remember the building being near to where the current Doctors surgery is (opposite side of the road to the Rose and Crown pub) ! I can not find any info about it but I'm pretty sure that was where it was situated. From my distant childhood memory I seem to remember the building being large yellow with dark blue windows !

Response: The Masonic Hall was housed with in the old Wesleyan Methodist Church on Wesley Street.

Date: 23rd April 2007

Name: Shaun McGuire

.. Weston's Biscuit Factory circa 1937..

Shaun McGuire relates:-

The young girl, 2^nd from right near the back is a cousin named before she was married, Sonia Jones.

She is aged about 14 then so the photo would be 1937.

Her family were Hugh and Ethel Jones (nee Morgan and sister of Penry) and her brothers and sisters were named Lionel, Glyn and Glenys.

The family emigrated to Seattle, USA in the late 1940’s or early 1950’s and I think that Glenys came back for a few years and attended Llantarnam Comprehensive school.

Beryl Zolek relates: Feb.2009

I worked for Westons for 16 years; Dot Harris was the Manageress, Mr. Moye was manager. In the photograph where the girls are `traying` was, in my time the `tin wash`. `Leading Hands` were Margaret Barton, Elsie Jackson, Joyce Howard and a few more names I just cannot recall. It was a good place to work ... this would have been 1956 to 1972

.. If you can add any information about this photograph or Weston's Biscuit Factory etc; please click here ..

Date: 3rd January 2007

Name: Shaun McGuire

Email: Click here

This is a photograph of my mother (Gwynneth) aged about 6 months, sat in rocking chair and her brother and sister, Jack and Anne Gillard. Anne went on to later run the Forge Hammer hotel with Jack McGuire my father’s brother who she married. I believe this photo was taken at the `wooden houses` and the date would be mid 1911 as my mother was born 27^th December 1910.

.. Can anyone confirm that it is the Wooden Houses? ..

Date: 3rd January 2007

Name: Shaun McGuire

Email: Click here

.. This of a group of people on some sort of outing or meeting ..

It would have been taken probably in the early 40’s; On the photo is my cousin Tessie Powell, born probably in the mid to late 1930’s.

The ones I do know are :-

Top row :- 6^th from left - Harry Powell, my aunt`s husband.

Bottom row :- 2^nd from left holding child - Jack Gillard, child 3^rd from left – Tessie Powell, daughter of Harry

There is a black person at the top far left and I wonder if anyone knows who the gentleman is ? or the names of anyone else ? or what the occasion was ?

Date: 3rd January 2007

Name: Shaun McGuire

Email: Click here

.. Again what is the occasion and who are on there? ..

The photo dates prior to 1949 as my aunt Muriel Powell (nee Gillard) is on this one and she died in 1949.

My guess is about 1946+ as Tessie Powell looks now a lot older than the previous photo.

Again the ones I know are…

Top row.. 4^th from left – Jack Gillard, 6^th from left – Harry Powell

Lady with dark hair below Harry Powell – Anne McGuire (nee Gillard)

Bottom row :- 4^th from left – Muriel Powell (nee Gillard), 5^th from left, child seated holding something to her mouth – Tessie Powell.

Date: 6th August 2006

Name: Val Beechey

Email: Click here

Hi There, Browsing, as ever, in the hope of finding some reference to any of my ancestors, found your site and wondered if you could point me in the right direction for info. on employees of canal and railways in Cwmbran during early 1900's.

My Mom says she remembers visiting as a child and remembers a blue house on the canal. She also says there were so many Copps (Surname) living in the same lane it was known locally as Copps Lane. Seems one uncle was a lock keeper, another worked on railway, one of these uncles was a William Maddox.

Would appreciate a nudge in right direction.

Date: 12th July 2006

Name: John Rye

Email: Click here

I was interested in your information about Henry Parfitt.

I own a Spirit Level that was presented to him after he had rebuilt the

Cwmbran Furnace of Messrs R S Roper and Co May 31 1860.

I am interested to try and discover how it came to be in the possession of my

father who was a carpenter in Bristol.

I would love to here from any of his descendants who can throw any light on

the problem

John Rye

.. On Saturday 22nd of April, 2006 - the Cherry Tree Club burned down ..

The Cherry Tree Club, situated on Graig Road, Upper Cwmbran was completely destroyed by fire, fortunately the Club building had not been in use for several years.

.. Click on each photograph to enlarge..

If you have any memories of your time spent at `The Cherry Tree Club`, or if anyone has a photograph, when the Club was open please click here to email me

Photographs are copyright©cwmbran.info

Glyn Tucker relates: I remember coming home from school one day in the Nineteen fifties and someone said that a beer lorry had overturned, due to the lane subsiding next to the Cherry Tree Club; so we went to have a look and came away with bottles of beer and cider. My parents lived opposite the Bush inn (Closed Autumn 2009 ) owned then by the Constances. We had a demolished pub called the `Crown` in our garden, hence the saying. "The Queen lost her Crown in the Bush near the Cherry Tree".

Can You Help ?

Two photo's attached showing two young ladies and a fella.

.. Does anyone know where they were photographed in Cwmbran? ..

They were taken about 1930 I would guess and the lady on the right is my mothers sister Muriel Gillard. She was born in 1912 and died in 1949.
The other lady died, I believe a couple of years ago, aged about 90 and I think she lived in Belle Vue Street.

The chap I don't know and it may be possible for me to find out their names.

The backgrounds are interesting in that you can see houses and chimney stacks.

Shaun McGuire (March17 2006)

.. if so please click on the crow to email me ...

Webmaster :- At the bottom of Chapel Lane, Croesyceiliog is a yard that contains several derelict buildings I am interested in their date and usage ... Any ideas?

*Bryn John (now living in Port Elizabeth South Africa ) recalls: With reference to the derelict buildings at the bottom of chapel lane; this used to be Metro-Mon Engineering Company.

I served my apprenticeship there from 1959 until 1964, and on returning from South Africa worked again there from 1967 until 1975.

Some of my workmates were Colin Belcher, Lennie Carr, Bob Bowden, Len Charles, Percy Hillier, Allan Dibble, Clarence Rogers, Dai Ealy, Les Daniels, Derek Clarkson, Fred Orum, Cyril Granger, Gareth Jones, Robert Weston

The owners were the Jeffries brothers until Bill Smith took over after they retired.

We made anything, from the garden gates still installed at the Croesyceiliog council houses and ornamental burglar proofing to structural steelwork and hoppers for the mines.

* Bill Barton (now living in Mandurah, Western Australia, formerly of Croesyceiliog) recalls:

Metro Mon Engineering Ltd. until 1971, their original use believed to be as a Tin Plate works.

* Jan.2007 Sue Price responds : I couldn't believe how these building have deteriorated over the past five years; that is when I used to work for the company who was there following Metro Mon Engineering. A company called R.C.P. Engineering Ltd took over the site - you could still make out the name of Metro Mon on one of the buildings. The name of R.C.P. was taken over by Lewis & Manley in Newport (approx 1999/2000) and the company was then known as R.C.P. Site Services Ltd.

Pontnewydd Co-operative stores opened in 1899
Can anyone recall when it closed it's doors for the last time?

.. if so please click on the crow to email me ...