A TRIP BACK IN TIME

A few weeks ago I travelled across to South Wales to visit the town and place where my Grandmother was born. Aberdare in the Rhondda Valley, was a one-time mining town, nestled deep between steep sided hills and even reflected in Gran's maiden name of Pitman.

Jane Elizabeth Pitman was born at 'The Bush Inn' on August 2^nd 1881 – a pub that still exists despite many changes over the years, and now situated among the shops ina pedestrian only Commercial Street. The name of the pub, it's address and the date of Gran's birth are all recorded on a very pretty china Christening mug which I am delighted to possess. It came to me together with a black iron grate or miniature fireplace – made by the town Blacksmith especially for Gran when she was a little girl. As I used to dust and care for the grate, which I made a centre-piece for my own display of ornaments and knick-knacks, Gran said it was to be mine! I attach a photo of both mug and grate.

I also include a photo of the present day interior of 'The Bush Inn' – you can just see the Christening mug on a table... Oh, I should mention that the pub serves a very reasonably priced pint and g&t – just right on a warm afternoon in June!

My third photo is of St Elvan's church – up the hill from Commercial Street, full of interest and light, and a welcoming and friendly hub for the town's community.

Gran left Aberdare at the turn of the 20^th century and never returned....but I think, even with the huge changes that have taken place, she would have been pleased that the Welsh language, both written and spoken, is still going strong with a real sense of revival.

As a footnote, if you would like to find out more about Gran, how she left her homeland and came to live in the West Country, also her influence and the important place she held in my life, apart from reading my book, look out for my next News bulletin which continues the story and may help to button things up!

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