Preswylfa Cottage Homes Bridgend.
I live in what was formally the Bridgend County Children's home and the history of the place fascinates me. I would love to hear from people who lived in the home before it was developed by Lovell's in the late 1980's. The old stone buildings are built in the Arts and Crafts style and have a grade 2 listing to preserve the exterior character of the site.
My late uncle was director of social services for some time for Rhondda Cynon Taf and I remember him telling me how one of his most enjoyable tasks was to visit the home before Christmas with presents for the children. The old administration block was developed within the last few years or so but I understand that the building used to contain a stage where Christmas pantos were held.
Memories of places fade with time so I would be really interested in writing something about the former children's home off Merthyr Mawr Road in Bridgend. It is relatively easy to find archive evidence about what is now Preswylfa Court but what interests me in the personal anecdotal evidence from people who lived there. I have reproduced below an extract I found on the internet but I am sure there are many more of you with memories to share.
I grew up in Merthyr Mawr Road Childrens' Home, named Preswylfa. Candleston and Merthyr Mawr sand dunes, scout's pool, and the dunes were our playground. We loved the old ruins where we would scare each other to death in the dungeon. The walk from Bridgend was only a few miles and we would walk to Ogmore Castle via the stepping stones when we had time. Many a hot summer we played until exhausted on the sand dunes at Candleston. We were safe, happy, healthy and it was the best time of our lives. We had no computers, no money, no video games, no mobile phones, but we were so happy and contented and there was no such thing as antisocial behaviour. We had the best upbringing ever and I thank Idris Jones and Joyce Jones the superintendent and wife who brought us up as decent citizens at Preswylfa Cottage Homes, Bridgend. Lots of kind regards and best wishes to everyone who were at Bridgend Cottage Homes, Preswylfa with me in the 1960s, you were my family and I always remember you all with great affection. My thanks also go to Eric and Olwen Jones, my housemother and housefather at the childrens' homes in Bridgend for ensuring I saw the value of a good education -I now practice law in Bath, and without them I would have never reached for the stars.
Stephen Joseph.
If anyone is willing to share their experiences I would love to talk to them. Please get in touch with me by email bridgend@thebestof.co.uk
Jan