I was born in Bridgend in 1951 and lived there up until circa 1973 moving up to Manchester, I remember many of the locations and buildings, Palais de Dance, Embassy Cinema, the road bridge from the town over to the cinema, the old Town Hall and the outdoor baths at Newbridge Fields , whilst Manchester is now full of shinny new buildings it sad to see the decline of the town from what I remember it. Thanks for posting
I lived in Bridgend for a few years and found it a lovely place to live I also worked there at the old ELAC factory on the industrial estate which a short while after was renamed harman motive making loudspeakers for car company's fond memories at times but always wanted to move back to my home town of neath which I did and still do for years I still think of the place and people I worked with and met now and again and wonder how they are lovely place but there's nothing better than being back in the place you are from no place like home as they say
I was born in the old bridgend General hospital lived in brincethin until 1983 when I got married and lived in Lewiston up the valley and had my son in bgh then moved to bridgend in 1985 live in brackla now I live in the town centre
My paternal grandfather went to the prep school and my paternal grandmother worked at Woolworths, pre-WWII. I remember the old Bus Station which, in the 1970s, was the departure point for us going to the St Athan airshow each September. One of my uncles was a driver for Western Welsh, so we'd see him driving sometimes. I saw my first film at The Embassy and remember much of how things were, prior to pedestrianisation and redeveopment in the '80s and '90s.
What an absolute gem of a video to happen across. I grew up there in the 70s 80s and 90's. Your opening shot at the cenotaph brought back memories of my grandfather, a WW2 RSM, who would wander the streets selling poppies year after year. In the early 80's my little legs would often try and keep up with him as he would march toward those that did not know they were about to buy a poppy! Thank you for sharing your memories of Bridgend. I seldom return these days.
Great history Ken of all the spots I grew up with. I'm 66 now and have returned twice from my home in Australia. You are quite right we a memory is something that has passed. Its nothing like the town I remember and my school Heolgam and later Bryntirion up in Cefn Glas
I was born in Cardiff and it is so sad to see many glorious architectural Cardiff buildings continuously being obliterated in the name of progress. When you take away the building you take away part of the past and it's memories. It shouldn't be happening. But, there you go....it does!! It's happening all over the place and not just in Bridgend where I now live.
Yes the A35, funny colour you say Blue/green or turqoise? I had one (also a van) in the early 70's which ?I also loved and it's colour as I remember it mostly purple and I am not sure if there were large parts in Blue or was it black cannot remember, but it was vivid, Nice vid about Bridgend, never been there for decades, it was something about the place I did not like, maybe in late 60's on early 70's so never went back at all, although it looks rather nice now, but there you go! cannot change history?
I lived in Bridgend between '72 and '91, it used to be a market town of character and was considered bustling; but sadly,no longer - charity shops , and down and outs.
Great video, very enjoyable. I grew up in Bridgend and it was a beautiful town. Such a shame so many wonderful buildings have been destroyed. Last time I returned I was devastated to see how run down the place looked, very sad indeed.
I surprise coming to all who stole the wealth and if u think Ur child can inherit it without the curse being added think again. Fools u should have apologize but the thieves didn't in Bridgend South Wales. Now the town is cursed forever more. A fin men
I was born in Bridgend in 1951 and lived there up until circa 1973 moving up to Manchester, I remember many of the locations and buildings, Palais de Dance, Embassy Cinema, the road bridge from the town over to the cinema, the old Town Hall and the outdoor baths at Newbridge Fields , whilst Manchester is now full of shinny new buildings it sad to see the decline of the town from what I remember it. Thanks for posting
I lived in Bridgend for a few years and found it a lovely place to live I also worked there at the old ELAC factory on the industrial estate which a short while after was renamed harman motive making loudspeakers for car company's fond memories at times but always wanted to move back to my home town of neath which I did and still do for years I still think of the place and people I worked with and met now and again and wonder how they are lovely place but there's nothing better than being back in the place you are from no place like home as they say
Wonderful to see this video, grew up in Bridgend in 50s and 60s. Sad to see the closed shops.
I remember the double seats at the back of the County cinema in the late 70's a bit after your time.
It's great to listen to you . I am Spanish and Iwas able to understand everything you said about Bridgend.
I was born in the old bridgend General hospital lived in brincethin until 1983 when I got married and lived in Lewiston up the valley and had my son in bgh then moved to bridgend in 1985 live in brackla now I live in the town centre
A lovely, affectionate collection of memories of our town. Thank you
My paternal grandfather went to the prep school and my paternal grandmother worked at Woolworths, pre-WWII. I remember the old Bus Station which, in the 1970s, was the departure point for us going to the St Athan airshow each September. One of my uncles was a driver for Western Welsh, so we'd see him driving sometimes. I saw my first film at The Embassy and remember much of how things were, prior to pedestrianisation and redeveopment in the '80s and '90s.
What an absolute gem of a video to happen across. I grew up there in the 70s 80s and 90's. Your opening shot at the cenotaph brought back memories of my grandfather, a WW2 RSM, who would wander the streets selling poppies year after year. In the early 80's my little legs would often try and keep up with him as he would march toward those that did not know they were about to buy a poppy!
Thank you for sharing your memories of Bridgend. I seldom return these days.
Thank you so much for you very kind and heart warming message. It's exactly why we make the films so that we can remember our history
A wise decision
Great history Ken of all the spots I grew up with. I'm 66 now and have returned twice from my home in Australia. You are quite right we a memory is something that has passed. Its nothing like the town I remember and my school Heolgam and later Bryntirion up in Cefn Glas
Fascinating glimpse of local history. Great timing with the classic car show too.
Seeing the cars was a very pleasant surprise and the owners were so kind to let us film them
I was born in Cardiff and it is so sad to see many glorious architectural Cardiff buildings continuously being obliterated in the name of progress. When you take away the building you take away part of the past and it's memories. It shouldn't be happening. But, there you go....it does!! It's happening all over the place and not just in Bridgend where I now live.
Bang on, modernity is cancer. Erase the past to shape a future YOU didn't vote for.
Yes the A35, funny colour you say Blue/green or turqoise? I had one (also a van) in the early 70's which ?I also loved and it's colour as I remember it mostly purple and I am not sure if there were large parts in Blue or was it black cannot remember, but it was vivid, Nice vid about Bridgend, never been there for decades, it was something about the place I did not like, maybe in late 60's on early 70's so never went back at all, although it looks rather nice now, but there you go! cannot change history?
Excellent walk through history.
Luv hearing the history
I lived in Bridgend between '72 and '91, it used to be a market town of character and was considered bustling; but sadly,no longer - charity shops , and down and outs.
Very interesting - thank you.
Great video, very enjoyable. I grew up in Bridgend and it was a beautiful town. Such a shame so many wonderful buildings have been destroyed. Last time I returned I was devastated to see how run down the place looked, very sad indeed.
But it's a work in progress, we have some new restaurants and tapas joints !
you were one of the elites
Hi my name Natalie Jones I was one of the girls in the children's home ❤
I am 55 now but I never got over the past ❤❤
I on photo in the corner you put up l think I know you thanks u for the fantastic blog l been try to look back on life to move on ❤
I love to meet up for a coffee to see if you know me ❤
We need british restaurants again..
I would guess the masons and the bridge re build are connected
There's was nt a decline in wanting entertainment , the entry and refreshment prices were to much sbd the venue owners don't maintain them..
They’ve ruined Bridgend town on purpose , blame the councils , criminal it is
Bridgend town is a dirty rough place, boarded up windows and drug addicts on every street begging people for them to buy their next fix!
Cefn Glas Boarding School four Girls
I surprise coming to all who stole the wealth and if u think Ur child can inherit it without the curse being added think again. Fools u should have apologize but the thieves didn't in Bridgend South Wales. Now the town is cursed forever more. A fin men
It's gone a SHITHOLE
Look at what 25 years of Labour have done, keep voting the same and I expect good change........