Oral History collection: Bryn Thomas (born 15 Aug. 1902, Western Road, Caemawr, bargeman) interviewed by Geoff Thomas.

  • This material is held at
  • Reference
      GB 216 D/D SCS 16/24
  • Dates of Creation
      26 Jan. 1987
  • Language of Material
      English
  • Physical Description
      1 audio recording on cassette; also digital copy in MP3 format

Scope and Content

Track 1. [00:00:01] Personal Details: Bryn Thomas (B), of Clydach, aged 84. [00:00:40] Education: Ynystawe, then Pontardawe Secondary, left at 16. [00:01:56] Industry: Worked at Victoria Foundry, Morriston, as apprentice moulder' for 2 years. [00:02:36] Industry: B to Players Works as father's mate - blacksmith. [00:03:26] Industry: Players Works rolled tinplate, uniquely thin. [00:04:16] Industry: £3/7/6d pw at players, then to ICI copperworks, then building materials, then Llandarcy, then Mond Nickelworks for 20 years. [00:09:03] Industry: Clydach: 2 tinplate works, foundry, colliery, fuel[00:?] works. [00:09:40] Industry: Glanarafon works: turnplates, heavy gauge, to Russia. [00:10:55] Canal: Very dirty: acid from tinplate works, and animals drowned. [00:11:40] Canal: Canal well-maintained, still had barge traffic, coal. [00:12:12] Canal: Barge builders in Ynystawe. [00:12:41] Canal: Barges: coal from Trebanos to Swansea docks. [00:13:35] Canal: Frequent barges, horse-drawn. [00:14:03] Canal: Locks: one by Mond works, lock near Players Works, one at Morriston. [00:14:48] Canal: Many children drowned in canal. [00:16:00] Industry: Father made cutting shears for tinplate, only local blacksmith for this.