Hello, while researching the play for next March we (myself, director John and intern Hannah) came across a lot of stories of days out - especially to Barry Island and Porthcawl. There was lots of talk of the miners' fortnight (especially at Trecco) and it brought back memories for me of jumping on a train or bus and heading to the coast as a teenager. I remember going to a Radio One roadhsow in Porthcawl and it must have been around 1984. I can't remember much about it, who was on the bill etc, only that it was mad packed with people. It was rammed. And it was sunny. And I'd gone with my mate Dai Jinks and we'd tried to get served in the Dirty Duck. So I went back to Porthcawl for a look around. It was the same but different - like a negative version of my positive image.
Alan







Views: 1359

Add a Comment

You need to be a member of National Theatre Wales Community to add comments!

Join National Theatre Wales Community

Comment by meredydd barker on December 15, 2009 at 0:15
I've tried to get served in a few pubs with mr DJ myself.....
Comment by Alan Harris on December 14, 2009 at 22:45
Hi Paul, Yes, I'll go back when the weather gets a bit better and see if the fairground area looks any brighter (it was all chained up when I visited). I didn't spend as much time in Porthcawl in my youth as you obviously did (it was a fair trip on the bus from Church Village) but I suppose I always associated it with excitement. Maybe that's a problem of re-visiting anywhere which holds childhood memories when you're an adult? But on a wet, cold winter's afternoon Porthcawl was so unexciting it was almost laughable. It was, in fact, quite ghostly. Maybe I should take the plunge and book a holiday in one of those luxury caravans you mention...
Comment by Paul Hoskins on December 14, 2009 at 12:42
My parents owned a caravan in Newton Bay, the sand-dune end, so betwen the ages of 8 and 14, I spent most spring/autumn weekends, and a great deal of the summer, living there. It was a magical time for me as a kid!
I also visited it recently, and found it a dirty, rundown resort, except for the caravans, all of which seem quite luxurious compared to our gas-light relic(long gone to the scrapheap, I imagine!)
Comment by Alan Harris on December 6, 2009 at 23:43
Hi Tim, I shudder at the thought of you and seven others in a caravan in Porthcawl. I bet those scally kids are still talking about it. Let me know when you are in Cardiff next, we must meet up for a coffee/beer and you can tell me all about your days in Trecco. Al
Comment by Tim Price on December 5, 2009 at 9:13
I had a 7 days in Trecco Bay when I was a student for £20! 8 of us went. We had amazing weather and made friends with the scally kids next door. Best £20 I ever spent.

image block identification

© 2024   Created by National Theatre Wales.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service