Fifty Sheds of Grey

Back in the 70s the old Washery at Blaengarw was demolished to make way for a more modern building. I was lucky enough to get a job on the new site as a ‘handyman / teaboy’ which involved generally helping the site craftsmen, steel erectors, welders etc.

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Garw Gleanings

These comic newsy items appeared in the Glamorgan Gazette over many years a century ago, contributed by a Blaengarw schoolmaster under the pen-name Lloffwr Arall. The persons written about were never named but most readers would have known who the item referred to. During WW1 in particular they often provided light relief and a contrast…

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The Flying F.R.O.G. or Flight of the Phoenix

When I was about 13 years old I remember getting for Christmas what I considered the best present ever. This was a F.R.O.G. model aircraft kit, a huge step up from the Airfix type kits made of plastic which had adorned my bedroom ceiling for years. The model Spitfires, Stukas,  Dorniers and Lancasters hung from cotton threads, and at night…

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The Betws Pioneers

It was in September, 1949, when Betws saw the beginning of an influx of new residents that changed the little hill-top village forever. Turning what was incorrectly called by some the ‘off the beaten track’ hamlet into a bustling community. In a matter of a few weeks 149 families came to live in Betws from…

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