This instalment of “Postcards from Tongwynlais” features a very special image of the village square from the early 1900s. The postcard was sent on the 30th of September 1907. I shared some photos of the Lewis Arms back in 2024 from the early 1900s to 2016. I kept this postcard back because I wanted to … more…
The Tongwynlais, Taff’s Well and Nantgarw Picture Album is a series of books first published by Roger L Brown in 1988. I discovered these books over 13 years ago and eventually managed to acquire a copy of each volume. My collection also includes Roger’s local history books. I’m astounded by the work involved in producing … more…
I have a few postcards that feature a view of Castell Coch by photographer Martin John Ridley (1861-1936). This example was written in 1917 but not posted. The original photo is thought to be from 1905. I have another postcard using this image that was sent in 1908. The postcard is titled, “Castle Coch, Taffs … more…
The Glamorganshire Canal was devised by the ironmasters of Merthyr Tydfil to transport their goods from the valleys to Cardiff. Construction of the canal began in 1790 and the final section that linked the Cardiff docks was opened in 1798. The decline of the canal started in 1876 when competition from the railways affected its … more…
I picked up this photo of two vintage lorries belonging to “Evans Quarries Ltd” a few years ago. Underneath the company name it says, “Tongwynlais” and “Taffs Well 40”. The load beds also have the text, “Use Cefn Garw Stone” on the side so I had a few topics to research. The vehicles are tippers … more…
Samuel Coupe Fox was born Sutton in Ashfield in 1864. He married Alice Chaney and they had a son, William, in 1889. Samuel moved to Cardiff in 1890, where he lived until his death in 1953. He started his career as a printer’s apprentice and became a journalist after his move to Cardiff. Samuel’s interest … more…
Tongwynlais will always be home sweet home to me.