Tredegar Arms, Blackwood
10:43am Thursday 29th March 2007
Last week we visited the Tredegar Arms, Blackwood and received the following replies: Keith Richards, Pontnewydd, Cwmbran: "In tonight's South Wales Argus, the photograph is of the Tredegar Arms in Blackwood.
"I believe the 'Then' photograph was possibly taken sometime in the 1970s because back in the 1950s/60s the window directly under the Whitbread beer sign was a doorway into Cyril Bound's barber shop. Of the three barber shops (Elways and Sutherleys, being the others), Cyril's was a 'Mecca' for the latest in up-to-date news and bawdy jokes, and as teenagers, it was part of our growing-up process to mix with the miners - particularly on a Saturday morning, when he also did shaves.
"I remember my old friend, Glyn Amesbury (sadly departed), earning a few shillings as a lather boy. Cyril was a very handsome man with thick, wavy hair and a pencil-thin moustache (a Ronald Coleman/Robert Taylor lookalike). When he eventually retired, his shop was incorporated back into the pub.
"Another feature of the Tredegar Arms (generally known as the TA) was the back room or snug. On Friday evenings, the members of the Blackwood Operatic Society used to meet after rehearsals at the 'Stute' for a well-earned tipple, later to be joined by the thespians of the dramatic society. One can imagine the mixture of Gilbert and Sullivan and Chekov, all in one little bar. I used to stand in the passage and listen to them ... that was over fifty years ago.
"Back in the 1950's this was a very busy area of Blackwood, which was originally known as Charlestown (the area north of the square) after Blackwood's benefactor, Charles Moggeridge, and there were many shops in close proximity of the Tredegar Arms.
"Next door, at the bottom of Pentwyn Avenue were the twin shops of Hunt Brothers who sold hand-made leather goods, saddles, shoes and most of the local children who passed their 11-plus had their satchels made in the backroom workshop.
"Further up the hill was a major car dealer known as Alfred Chaston who was the main agent for Austin, Morris and other British made automobiles - a few of my friends were apprentices there. Opposite was Conti's Cafe and a large retail establishment known as Babers, who sold high class furniture, glassware and a department selling baby prams (those large wheeled Silver Cross models).
"Next to Babers was the old Palace Cinema, which closed just before the Second World War. I remember Babers using the empty cinema as a stockroom and depository. If I am wrong on this point, I am sure my friends, Councillor Leon Gardiner or Mr Ricco Minoli will put me right. Both have extensive knowledge of old Blackwood.
"A little further was the wooden cabin used by Mr Joe Walker, the cobbler, who used to fill his mouth with tacks when repairing boots and shoes. I wonder did he ever swallow any? It would have been painful when nature took its course.
Opposite Mr Walker's cabin was the Blackwood Miner's Institute (known as the Stute) built on the subscriptions of local mineworkers after the First World War. This large building housed several separate areas to provide amenities for the local populace. It housed an extensive library and reading room where all the popular daily papers were displayed on angled boards and you read them standing up. However, you had to sit down to read the Picture Post and other weekly magazines.
"Then there was an eight-table snooker and billiards hall, used daily from 9.30am until lights out at about 10pm. The manager was Mr Wilf Alderman who cleaned and ironed every table daily, and occasionally repaired a tear in the baise cloth where some careless player had miscued. Back in the 1950s, a thirty minute session cost 6d, just enough time to complete a game. Many up and coming stars played in the Sirhowy Valley Snooker League, among them Ray Reardon (world champion) and Cliff Wilson, who played for clubs in Tredegar.
"Upstairs was a large ballroom with a Canadian maple floor - supposedly the best surface for dancing. Back in the 1950s and 60s, the Earl Hambly Band was in residence, and I can remember Eric Bell, the drummer, playing Louis Bellson's classic solo, 'Skin Deep', at which time all the dancers stopped spellbound at his expertise. Mr Harry Brookes was the Master of Ceremonies, who introduced the dances. He would call out "The next dance will be a modern waltz and I will ask Miss Pauline Munday to accompany me." They would then dance the introduction before inviting couples onto the floor.
"Both Harry and Pauline were accomplished competition dancers and many a romance blossomed at the 'Stute' even when the rock'n'roll era started in the mid-1950s when bopping and jiving were popular.
"I trust my thoughts about the photographs will be of interest as I do enjoy the 'Now and Then' item, especially when Blackwood and district are featured.
This week we visit Llanthewy Road, Newport Last week's photograph from South Wales Argus archives