I am always fascinated by my grandparent’s stories of their upbringings in Newport, as it sounds so incredibly different to my early years here. The way they described living and working in Pill is a far cry from how one may describe it today.
They have told me stories of the excitement as boats were arriving with materials and foreign goods such as rum, fruits, cheese and ales. They often speak of the thriving docks describing them as a bustling industrial port, at the very heart of the city.
When my grandparents would visit family on the south coast of England they would hop on the back of my grandfather’s motorbike and with no M4, it would take them hours. But it was such fun, they say.
They often describe the feeling of excitement when Llanwern steelworks officially opened in 1962. It was the first oxygen-blown integrated steelworks in Britain and a major post-war investment in South Wales.
Houses were being built to accommodate the workforce and my grandparents remember being excited at the prospect of higher wages and better transport links across the city. “We all thought we were going to be rich,” they said.
Before the NHS, they recall how if they ever fell unwell, there were doctors their parents would call to the house, they would use the one from Bassaleg. They would have to borrow money from neighbours to pay for the visit, and they would also have to offer the doctor an alcoholic drink to show their appreciation for him stopping by.
The streets were quiet, there weren’t many cars, and to them, it felt safe. Newport town centre was busy, with barely any shops empty. Then a town, Newport had a bustling market and people were busy working to pay their way.
In 1967 the M4 opened a corridor for Newportonians between the big cities. At this time, my one grandfather was working at the steelworks while the other was installing central heating into homes across Newport for the first ever time.
I would love nothing more than to have seen Newport in the ways they have. Perhaps then I could understand the love they have for the city, and the way it plays such a huge part in their identity. Despite such vast change, for them, the heart of the city still beats the same as it always did.
These pictures show the journey of Newport in the 60s. Let us know in the comments what your treasured memories are of Newport. I, for one, would love to read them.
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