Message Board 2007

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  • Date: 30th December 2007
  • Name:  Hilary James (nee Price)
  • Email: click here

Message

I am trying to find a photograph of the pupils at Croesyceiliog secondary school year 1957/ 58. I believe there was one taken.
  • Date: 18th December 2007
  • Name:  Per-Olof Starbrant
  • Email: click here

Message

Hello, I live in Sweden. I am the owner of an old British sports car, Lotus seven S3, that was imported from Cwmbran in Wales back in 1977. I have been in contact with the Swedish man that imported the car and he said that he bought the car from a man from Cwmbran with the name David Meryles. I don�t know if the spelling is correct.

Do you know if there is any possibility to find this man in some register or anything. I am very interested in finding out the history of the car.

  • Date: 12th December 2007
  • Name: Andrew Worton
  • Email: click here

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I wonder if anyone can help me, I`m looking for a person who I believe lives in the St. Dials area or Fairwater, Cwmbran.  His name is Tim o` Brian, ( not sure of the spelling), he will be about 45-50 years old. The reason I`m looking for him, is I have reason to believe he is a relative of mine, whom I have never met. Any help would be appreciated.  Thank you.

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 Hi I'm trying to contact Catherine Griffiths nee Strong.  Her last known address was Magor where she lived with her husband Cerith and their son Harri. I am unsure if they still live there and I am hoping someone who knows them may see this.  Many thanks!

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Michael, you recently contacted me after reading my memories on the this website; please e-mail me again, as I have lost your e-mail address and I think your parents were friends with mine.
  • Date: 13th November 2007
  • Name: Ivor Quinn
  • Email: click here

Message

I am currently living in New South Wales, Australia and emigrated in 1971. I have read the accounts relating to G.K.N and No.5 Foundry ... they were the `Good Old Days` and I enjoyed going to work back then, I was employed in the `Core Shop` along with great mates like Brian Fellows, Jack Day, Dai Wheatstone and many more. Arthur Truby, Howard Wilkinson and Jack Martin were the bosses ... it truly was a great place to work, sadly it closed down,. I would love to hear from anyone in Cwmbran or Garndiffaith area .
  • Date: 5th November 2007
  • Name: Kevin
  • Email: click here

Message

I live in an 1800 cottage on Ton Road, Cwmbran and wondered if anyone has any knowledge of this street .It�s now called Woodfield Cottage but was, I believe called something like Cider House. I have all of the deeds and can find out the families that lived in the house.

Hope somebody out there can help us track down some history.

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Hi, I just wanted to let all my friends past and present that I will be in Cwmbran from Nov 1st until Nov 15th. A group of us are planning on getting together at The Crows Nest in Llanyrafon on Wednesday Nov 7th. If there is anyone out there that remembers me and would like to join us then, please do so. We should be in the lounge around 7.30pm to 8.00pm.
Hope to see you then.
Judith Bidgood.(Parrish)
Canada.
  • Date: 20th October 2007
  • Name: Neil Davies
  • Email: Click here

Message

Kenneth Williams lived in Pontnewydd??
Years ago, my mate's mother said that the late Kenneth Williams, British comedy actor and star of the carry on films, once lived above a shop in Pontnewydd village (possibly above where the Silcox store is located now) before he attained his fame and fortune.
Does anyone know if there's any truth in this tale?

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I am looking for an old friend named Flo Dudley. She owned a pub named Flo's Bar on Skinner Street in Newport in the 1980's. If anyone knows anything about where she is, would you please contact me.

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Just a note to inform all  the loyal customers of Sean the piercer formerly of the In Shops, that he is now to be found at Mr Buzz Tattoo Studio, next to Cwmbran's famous 'Tower'. Two minutes walk from his previous shop.

Please come down to see him and Graham (the tattoo artist), as everyone will be made very welcome.
look forward to seeing you!
Graham & Sean

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Can anyone help me obtain a copy of the book `In those Days` published by the Community Projects Centre in 1976

  • Date: 21st September 2007
  • Name: Judith Bidgood
  • Email: Click here

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This is a message to Peter Lloyd who wrote back on 22nd July. It was good to know that he still remembers us. I do believe that Colin and Peter played rugby together or against each other. His wife Riannon (sorry if I spelt it wrong) and I were friends for a while. Our oldest children were the same age. Sarah and Paul I think his name is. We both come home every year and I have seen you Peter down at Llanyrafon Social Club. You don't recognize me..
Anyway sorry it took so long to answer. Sorry we cant help with finding your friends, but keep trying this site has worked for both Colin and I.
Regards.
Judith Bidgood
Canada.

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Hi, Maggie Evans, now living in Bayfield, Ontario, Canada, is trying to locate Gloria and Gerry Coombes, probably in West Pontnewydd area. If anyone can help, please email me. Thank you.    

Webmaster: I am pleased to announce that I have been able to contact Gloria and reunite `Old Pals`. 20th September 2007

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Hi, I am looking for Rhys Barry Fletcher born in 18.04.1978. He used to live in Cwmbran with his mum Jeane who works in the cafe in Cwmbran Stadium. I know he has got brother Gareth and two sisters the little one's name is Kristina. His father lives in Cwmbran as well, with his second wife Sandra and her children. These are only details I am able to give .If anyone could give me any information about this person I will be very appreciative. Thank you in advance.

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Hello, I'm currently attempting to assist in researching my friend's ancestry ; the gentleman I'm searching for is Michael Jelly and was known to have lived in Cwmbran during the 1970`s. Michael was born around 1950/55
We would really like to hear from you as it is very important to the lineage. I would be so grateful for your help on this.
Thank you.

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 Hi, I`m looking for my younger brother - Riaz Ali, he was in contact with my `ex` and asked him to get me to contact him - I did post a crimbo card to his former email address in in Holylbush but nothing came of it. I would love to be in touch again ... please, please get in touch with me if you know where he's at!!!   Many thanks Maria x x

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Hi all,
This is Peter Lloyd born and bred Oakfield Llantarnam school and so on.
See quite a few people I know and some I think I know so would like to pass on my best wishes to Cuz Shenko over in South Africa and Judith and Colin in Canada, Rossie Australia :)
Does anyone know what happened to Robin Carter? (Oakfield) Last I heard he was in New Zealand anyways I am looking for a cheap holiday:)
Robin also had a brother Mark who was the first person to bring an artist by the name of John Martyn to my attention.
Just to let him know I am part of a six piece band Grace&Danger, a Martyn covers band.
We are playing in the Queens Head, Monmouth tomorrow evening but with the right offer we would participate in a tour to perhaps; Australia or somewhere else where it is not RAINING.
Anyways
Love to DJ
All love
Peter

Message

I have been researching my family history. I was born and brought up in Newport and didn't realise until I got going with my researches that I had connections with Cwmbran. I am researching two linked families.

Millerships - I think there may be more than one Millership family, but the ones I am interested in are descended from George Millership who was baptised 14 Sep 1838 in Oldbury, Worcestershire. He was variously a Puddler, Roller in Iron Works, and Bolt Forge Maker and moved to Llanfrechfa between 1861 and 1867, in which year he married Hannah Read. They had the following children - Richard Thomas, George Edward, William John, Alfred, Henry, Albert, Emily, Arthur Charles and Florence, born between 1868 and approx 1884.

Reads -  the Hannah Read who George married was bapised in Llanfrechfa on 18 Jan 1854, one of ten children of Thomas Read. The other children were John, Mary, Ann, William, Thomas, Sarah, Eliza, Charlotte and Jane, all born between 1835 and 1858. On 1851 and 1871 census Thomas is a lock keeper, living at Canal Side or Canal Cottage, Llanfrechfa Upper.

Hannah Read had an illegitimate daughter (my  great grandmother) before she married George. The daughter, also Hannah, was born 8 Jul 1861 in Pontypool Union Workhouse. According to family legend (!), the father was a member of the local gentry and at the time everyone knew who he was, since he had very distinctive red hair and so did baby Hannah!

I would be interested in making contact with anyone who is descended from the Millerships or Reads, or any aristocratic redheads (only joking -  but can anyone identify him?)

Best wishes

Joss

Update: 7th July 2007 - Paul has now made contact with his son

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I am trying to locate my son Vincent Morse. I live in California and lost touch with him..Can anyone who knows him please tell him to ring me on USA 9516393392

Or E mail me at [email protected]

Ta, his Dad, Paul

P.s  I lived in Cwmbran for many years before moving to California in the USA. I want to get in touch with any of my Old friends ... Any out there?.

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I am trying to trace Steven Mark Watkins of St Dials, Cwmbran. He left to move to Peterborough in the mid 1980's, worked as a tyre fitter then I believe moved back to Cwmbran possibly in the early 1990's. His mum, Sheila Watkins, worked in a post office in the St Dials area at this time.
 
I have a photograph he may want.

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Cefn Ila Maternity Hospital.
I'm in the process doing a brief history of Cefn Ila maternity hospital which burnt down in 1973, if anyone has any information, photos, memories etc. they would care to share, please could you contact me. Some photos of the hospital can seen here https://www.bikebrothers.co.uk/cefnila.htm  More would be nice! Thanks.

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Fab website!! Hello I`m Maria Jones (nee ali)  I  lived in old Abbey road with my parents and brother Riaz. My grandparents lived in the same street (Irene and George Fisher)

I was known as ali many many years ago ha hah  ... any former classmates of Brookfield Juniors & Llantarnam Comp out there?  remember me?... I was painfully shy but good god look @ me now........... email 4 a chat! Many thanks & tc 2 u all !!!!

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Hi, from Canada

Great Message Board keep it going! I'm Sharon Garnall, originally Sharon Kerr, I lived in Northville and went to Croesy until 1975. I left for Canada in 1981,with Stephen Garnall from Southville; he went to Llantarnam till 1975. It would be great to here from some of our old friends

            Message

Hi, I have just stumbled across your site and really enjoyed going through the various messages, it brought back many memories of Croesyceiliog and the Cwmbran area in general.
I lived in Croesyceiliog from when I was born in 1952 until I was 21, we then moved to Griffithstown, I went to North Road Primary and Junior schools then onto West Mon Grammar before doing an apprenticeship at Girlings.
I now live in Australia, have done so for 24 years and love it but I still miss Wales, my family, my old mates, the beer, watching the rugby and the countryside but not the weather.
While I think of it does anybody know how I can contact Stephen Webber, I have not seen him for many years and would like to drop him a line, the last I know he was still in the police force, also Lionel Jones (Chunkie) he was a dental technician in Pontnewydd.

            Message

Hi, my name is Margaret Jenkins, (nee Robertson). I moved from Wellingborough England to Two Locks in 1961 and attended Coed Eva School from 1961 to 1964. That same year I moved to Court Farm and then in 1981 my family and I emigrated to South Africa where we are still residents. Whilst in Cwmbran I was friendly with Audrey Tamplin, Elizabeth Blunt, Myfannwy Morgan, Wendy Brain, Dorothea Grant and Judith Carter to name just a few. If anyone out there remembers me and would like to get in touch that would be great, look forward to hearing from you.

            Message
Good afternoon,
you don't know me, so I introduce myself.
I'm Italian, and I'm trying to find an old friend of mine: Helen Margaret Davies. She was born in Coed Eva on 18th Feb 1966 and I met her in London, summer 1990.
Since then I'm trying to find her, even if we've been pen pal for a while, but we lost each other's track.
While surfing on the web I found your mail and your surname...
Sorry to bother you, but I'm  trying every single way to find her back.
If you have any hint or news...
Thank you very much.

            Message

Hi, My name is Pamela Thomas (nee Jones) and grew up in Cwmbran, I worked in Eyelure from 1968 to 1974, when I emigrated to New Zealand. I now live in Perth Australia, if there is anyone who remembers me and would like to send me an email that would be great.

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Hi, I've recently started a Mountain bike club running out of Cwmbran as there is so much terrain around here for the sport yet no info on where to ride or who to ride with, we are a group of about 20 mountain bikers all living in or around Cwmbran; our main aim is to get people more involved with biking and the outdoors. If you would like to join or have more info please email me.

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My husband and I live in Canada.  We moved here in 2000.  We have been trying to trace a friend of ours for a couple of years now with no success.  We have even called the local police in Cwmbran who knocked on his door for us and that is how we found out he no longer lives there.

Anyway, his name is Owen John Duffy and he goes by John.  He is in his late 60�s.  His previous address was 17 Neyland Path, Cwmbran.  If anyone has any information at all regarding John we would really appreciate it if you could drop us an email.

Thank you very much,

Beth & Paul Lewis

             Message

I'm trying to trace an old friend of mine.
 
Gareth Morgan, age 40-45yrs now, was stationed with 1RHA in Bergen/Hohne in the 80s. We lost contact when he went back to Cwmbran. I'd like to know how he's doing. If someone can help, kindly contact me on:
Anne Melchior
Hasseler Str. 4
D-29308 Winsen

            Message

Does anyone Remember Ashley House Youth Club 1965/ 66. Or GAZZIES CAF� in Pontnewydd.?

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I left Oakfield Park Estate in 1960, and am now living in the center 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'.......Dear Wales, I miss you so much.  I must really get back for a holiday this year.  I bought my bakestone at Tothill and Bodinhams in the village....I have six French grandchildren and they love bakestones, or should I say Welsh cakes.  

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Hi all,
            My name is Tony and I live in Llandybie, south Wales, I am at present doing a diploma course in Photography, one of my projects is to photograph and write about an area which might be suffering from some urban decay, my particular interest is that of the Tower block in Cwmbran, which when built was considered prestigious but these days there seems  to be different opinions on its impact to the surrounding area which has under gone much improvement and indeed is considered one of the best shopping towns in Wales. I would really appreciate any feed back from local dwellers on how they feel about the Tower block and how it may be an influence on crime or any detrimental affects it has to the area. Please do not think I am saying Cwmbran is run down its the Tower block only I am researching as it has so much interesting history.
Thanks to Nigel for his idea of pursuing this topic on here.
Tony. 

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Hi does anyone have any photos of Cwmbran between 1970 and 1990 ? I would be especially interested in town centre photos and any memories of shops in the town centre now long gone, also any photos of General Rees square before the new Asda store was built

Webmaster comment "Me too, please "

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My name is Roger it was with great interest that I read Graham Pattimore`s article in the Memory Lane section (ref. G.K.N.and # 5 foundry), as a youngster I to worked there with Jimmy Williams, Ray Cook, Tony Loader, The Herbert Boys, Richard the Pole who made the paste and I am sure I remember Graham, I too have fond memories of the rough diamonds I worked with, There was a time I had a serious accident outside of working hours and these tough Guys would come and see me in hospital with all sorts of banned goodies. I lived in Cwmbran for nearly 40 years I now live in Utah USA and by reading your Web Page I find out even more than when I lived there, so good luck to you all and a Happy New Year.

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