May Hewlett (who was born & raised in Briton Ferry) wrote:
All the works closed for 1 week in the summer. Most people saved all year to go on holiday for that week and new clothes were made for this highlight of the year. (When holidays with pay were introduced we thought we were truly in heaven.) Where did they go? Not very far - Barry Island, Mumbles and Porthcawl were all very popular. We always went to Mid Wales - Llandrindod Wells, Builth Wells, Llanwrtyd Wells; and Aberystwyth when we went to lodgings. The holiday in Landrindod consisted of getting up early and going mushrooming, which we cooked for breakfast. Then to the pump room for our drink of sulphur or chalybeate water - it was awful, but father used to drink it and he said it made him feel better immediately - then there was boating on the lake, playing bowls or taking long walks. In the evening we played games like “Tip-up” or sang around the piano, and - ’tis true - all in bed by 9 o’clock.
Here is Mother & Father sitting by the bowling green.