The People | Senghenydd: A History in Photographs

Don Anzani, my grandfather

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 19:30:12 -0400

May Anzani, my grandmother

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 19:26:54 -0400

Mr. Bill Vizard, explosion survivor

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 19:15:58 -0400

Frankie "Pudd"

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 19:11:16 -0400

Frankie "Pudd" was a village character, beloved and revered as a man of many talents with a heart of gold.

Pauline Thomas

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 19:08:23 -0400

Pauline Thomas, formerly Anzani, looking like a film star from a portrait session. Such stylish portrait sessions were expensive, and were special occasions for those that could afford them. It's amazing how photographic technology has so advanced, yet the pictures made today are so often inferior to those of the past.

Photo

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 19:06:14 -0400

Ivor Thomas, miner

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 19:02:41 -0400

Ivor Thomas spent his working life as a miner in the Windsor Colliery in Abertridwr. An unusual fact about him is that he almost made it in to the Guinness Book of Records once. On the same weekend, two of his sons, Senghenydd boys, Martin and David, were selected to be capped by Wales at full international level in two sports, football and rugby. Such a feat was to have been an unique achievement for the proud father. Unfortunately, David, the rugby player, twisted his ankle during practice for the game, and was sidelined, as was, sadly, the entry into the Guinness Book of Records.

Charlie Anzani, my great-grandfather

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 18:58:45 -0400

Charlie Anzani was a violinist and leader of the Anzani Jazz Band. He played most nights of the week in area clubs and also was a fixture in the local cinema playing the accompanying music to silent movies before the advent of talking pictures.

Betty Lewis

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 18:54:56 -0400

Mrs. Betty Lewis of No. 54 Stanley Street, stands outside the derelict neighboring house, No. 56. This picture was taken on April 1, 1969 for a story in the South Wales Echo.

Photograph courtesy of Media Wales Archives

Pugh the Butcher

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 14:51:07 -0400

Mr. John Pugh, owner of the butcher's shop on the Square pictured here in 1987 for an article in the South Wales Echo. The story states that he had put out a public call "on local people to help form a 'midnight patrol' to drive out the villains." Mr. Pugh was quoted as saying that "businesses are attacked virtually every week." I don't know how successful his noble efforts were, or whether they even got off the ground, but I do know that my grandmother always insisted on buying her meat from Mr. Pugh.

Photograph by Rose, courtesy of Media Wales Archives

Children of Ysgol Ifor Bach School

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 14:37:28 -0400

What a wonderful, happy photograph to begin. Children wrapped up to rebuff a typically chilly day at school in the village. This undated picture, by Alan Grist of the South Wales Echo, shows four year old, Harley Clarke-Perry (in red), jumping on a trampoline. I wonder where these children are now? According to the original caption, the new play equipment was donated to the school by parents. Alas, the school has been demolished and is no longer there. Any more information would be greatly appreciated.

Photograph by Alan Grist, courtesy of Media Wales Archives

Historicals

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 08:47:35 -0400

This picture, shot for the South Wales Echo on April 8, 1987, shows Bill Gallagher outside the Salem Chapel which was in the process of being demolished. The caption states that Mr. Gallagher waged an unsuccessful campaign to save the building.

Photograph by Marshman, courtesy of Media Wales Archives