Memories of Gorseinon

By some of the residents of Llys Y Werin Day Centre

 

The Railway station was sited at High Street, near where the Somerfield Store is now. The Railway Line from the Mountain Colliery ran opposite the Mardy Hotel and the Cinema to join the main line behind the station. On a few occasions, trucks came off the tracks and ended up on the street. Mr. William Thomas recalls being called out to deal with these emergencies. The station was closed during the Dr. Beeching cuts in the 1960’s

 

Gorseinon Hotel close to the Railway Station was a favourite drinking place, this is now called the Village Tavern. Also near to the station was the Cinema, with admission prices 6d. (5p.) and 1/- (10p.). Mrs. Mary Evans recalls that the first film showing broke down and all the patrons were given an orange and a ticket to come back again. Mrs. Kathleen Harding was an usherette at the cinema and used to play the piano for the children on Saturday afternoons. The Cinema is now the Riley Snooker Club.

 

The Community Hall in Brighton Road offered a variety of entertainment and activities as did the Institute in Lime Street, where Union Meetings were also held.

 

There were many shops in Gorseinon, Johnny Price, Tom Long, Gibbs Grocers, Davy Jones, Peglers, Timothy Jones, Nelly Hong Kong, Greengrocer Ivor Rees, Gertie Noakes Pastry Shop where Mrs Florence Davies was a cleaner, Temple of Fashion was a gents high class outfitters. The one penny bazaar was in the High Street and further up were the John Bull Stores which Mrs. Beatrice Evans remembers seeing collapsing, one Sunday. Mr. Campbell was a dentist who had premises in High Street. Clients recalled that visits to him to have teeth extracted were always apprehensive, as he could not see very well. Gorseinon has had a market on the same site as today, for several years. The market was burnt down and Mr. Gwyn Freeman can recall seeing it burning. The market closed for many years and the Daffodil Laundry had its business there. A roller skating rink was by the market and several people could recall “having a go”. Near to the rink were more shops, Singer Sewing Machine, Harrisons Fish and Chips, Jones the Shoe Shop and a Music Shop.

 

Rufus Lewis lived at New Lodge, Alexandra Road. This used to be called London Road as this was one of the main roads to London from the West. Mr. Cliff Harris remembers going along on New Year’s Day to receive a brand new penny. Mrs. Sarah Smith worked as a Parlour Maid at the Lodge.

 

Characters remembered were Dai Kem and Daddy Small who used to sell papers on the West End Square. On cold days he would wear spats to keep warm.