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East Area Memorabilia
25 Year Service Department Awards 1987
The photograph shows long serving employees of the East Area Service Department, receiving their 25 year award certificates from East Area Service Manager Norman Willis.
Photograph provided by Des Larder
Bill Tidball a past apprentice at Pontypool, now living in Oz contacts Memory Lane.
Dear Memory Lane,
My name is Bill Tidball, and I have just come across your web site by the most wonderful accident, and was amazed to see a photo of myself, and the other gas fitting apprentices that I 
trained with during the late fifties/early sixties. I was particularly delighted to see a photo of, and read the reminiscences of Doug Williams, a friend I had lost contact with for the past 46 years. It was a great thrill to read about people I knew so long ago, and to know that Doug is still alive and well.
I would very much like to get in contact with Doug, so i enclose my email address. Provided that it does not contravene any privacy measures that you may have in place, could you please send me any address that you have for Doug, or, if that is
contrary to any policy; forward my email address to him. email =
b1b2@people.net.au.
I migrated to Australia in 1962, and my memory for people and places is nowhere near as good as Doug’s, but if I can be of help to you, please let me know.
Thank you Memory Lane for a wonderful surprise,
More from Bill Tidball
I joined the gas board in 1960 as an apprentice with three others (please see Doug Williams' contribution). My overriding memory is of the friendliness, generosity and general good nature of all of the fitters and main layers. This may sound a bit much, but I cannot think of a single person who did not cheerfully do their best to make the job interesting and fun, and I still feel good today just thinking about it.
I left Pontypool in 1962 and migrated to Australia under the "Big Brother Scheme" this bought out boys to settle in Oz under 17 years of age, not accompanied by an adult.
I had arranged to transfer my indentures and hoped to start work where I left off in Wales, i.e. in my second year. “Unfortunately” when I arrived, I was told I would have start my training again at the beginning. I would have been happy, but the wages were only £4.00 a week, the cost of a single room was £5.00 a week and with costs for food/clothing on top, that was the end of that.
I did factory work, farm work, all sorts of things where no one asked for proof of age. I aged rapidly, from 17 to 21 in a matter of weeks, which improved my pay scale, but of course, they were all dead end jobs.
In my 21st year, I decided to take the entrance exam, and train as a registered nurse, this was my career until I retired in my late forties due to ill health. Later I turned my hobby of restoring old black and white photographs into my occupation, I did this for museums and individuals until computers came along. Computers made this work so quick and easy that I lost interest and retired to the farm. I still live on the farm today and have four children and eight grandchildren.
To keep the last two remaining neurones functioning, I got together two other fogies, we rebuild computers with donated parts and give them away locally, if we can get a big enough batch, we send them to East Timor etc.
I would be happy to communicate with anyone from the "gas works gang" and wish all of them all the very best.
Lindsay Williams who worked as a Typist in Pontypool shares her memories, she tells us:
I started work as a typist at the offices above the Pontypool Showrooms in 1966. The others in the typing pool were June Truscott, Rosamund Davies and Kay Holmes.
Photograph of Lindsay on her wedding day, Feburary 1968
June Truscott, Rosamund Davies, Lindsay Williams. Kay Holmes
WHERE ARE THEY NOW!
Mr. Currier was the manager and other names I recall from various other departments are :- Dave Llewellyn, Paul Catley, John & Judith Grey, Bertie Pitchforth, Nigel Thompson, Jill Cooper, Sarah Timms, Mike Osmond, Gareth Rowlands, Keith Humphries, Freda Jenkins, Mrs. Chesterman, Pauline Suitor, Mary Tratt, Alan Cleaves, Harry Fisher, Graham Davies, Tony Manley, David Playstead, Ron Williams (debt), Reg Burton (driver) and Ted (the slotty) James.
In 1968 I married Doug Williams, a Gas Fitter who worked at the Clarence St. depot. At the end of 1969 we moved to Llangollen and I worked at the Wrexham Offices at Rivulet Road until 1971 when our first child was born. We then moved back to South Wales in 1972 and the rest is in Dougs memories which are also posted on the site.
H J A Davies recalls : 
You will probably remember the great fun we all had either as cast members, or as part of the audience, participating at the premier of the Tudor Jones production "Crinderella". I can remember the cast members, up to a point, perhaps you can fill in the gaps. Mike Osmond, Vernon Griffiths, John Davies, Bernard Walsh, Robin Gallop????? Reply to this address. There will be NO prizes!
Doug Williams called by, do you remember him? he can be found in the photograph of the Parkinson & Cowan factory visit below. Doug relates fantastic memories of is working life, if you concur with him, just enjoy.
I started work as an apprentice Gas Fitter at Pontypool Undertaking, Wales Gas Board during 1960. together with four other apprentices, these being: Graham Morris, Dai Francis, Mike Reilly and Bill Tidball. Bill eventually emigrated to Australia. We all studied part time at Pontypool College Of Further Education and our tutors included three ex Gas Board emloyees, Don Probert, Mike Westcott and Johnny Bright. Other tutors I recall were George LLoyd, Horace Timms and Ivor Seabourne.
I met my future wife Lindsay at the College. She was taking a shorthand typing course and was later to be employed as a Typist at the Hanbury Road office, see photo below.
The apprentices looked forward to the annual tea party which was held at Trosnant House and hosted by Arthur Facer the General manager. We all enjoyed the annual apprentice outings and I recall trips to: Midland Brass, Sidney Flavells, Parkinson Cowan, B.M.C. and Ascots. Part of our training was spent at other departments. I remember spending a month at Panteg Gasworks, working with Vernon Griffiths - pipe fitter, Dave Higton - carpenter and Jack Martin - bricklayer.
I recall that apprentices recruited by Pontypool Undertaking included: Les Peard, Alan Southwood, Mike Jones, Alan Puddle, David (Pancho) Evans, Stan Robbins, Colin Boyle, Ray Roberts, Ray Watkins, John Knight, Derek Tapper, Brian Robbins, Lyn Harris, Elwyn Davies, Des Larder, Pete Edwards (transferred to Llanelli), John Watkins, Dai Jones, Dick Meredith, Norman Stundon, Alan Hughes, John Evans, Pete Hewitt, Dave Keenan, Phil Watkins, Malcolm Cowles, Paul Powell, Don Jones, Stan Groves, Phil LLoyd and Ken Drew.
Our manager at the Clarence St. Depot was Terry (T.H.) James, the two foreman were Ken Bray and John Matthews. Office staff were Cliff Williams and Reg Watkins. Fitters included John Berry, Dai (Slew) Williams, Basil Jennings, Brian Jeremiah, David Matthews, Dave Edwards, Baden Roden, Ben Curtis, Tom Maloney, Arthur Clayton, Cliff Hughes, Bob Higgins, Albert Isles, Joe Wainwright, Don Wilcox, John Samuels, Brian Allaway, Ken Adams, David Jones, Johnny Duck and Mike Howells.
The stores was run by Don Smith, Les Snead, Ron Fowler and John Kinsey, with drivers Herbie Owen and Ira Scrivens. There was a meter repair shop with Royston Parfitt and Jim Watts. The mains and services department included Ernie Shears, Cliff Stone, Walter Vann, Sam Price the lorry driver and many more (perhaps someone from this dep't can add some more names).
There were only a couple of vans in those days, so we were dropped off in the mornings, you walked from job to job and were picked at the end of the day. I remember the green vans with Mr.Therm on the back doors. There were also two Vespa scooters and sidecars, one was used by John Samuels as a water heater repair specialist and the other one by Ted (the slotty) James, who used to visit the yard to empty the coin meters. I also recall the unofficial tea breaks at places like the Ventnor Cafe in Cwmbran.
There were a number of Appliance Fixers who started in the 1960's, including Nye White, Bob Price, Bob Small, Ty Lewis, Stan Imms, Frank and Dennis Maloney, Don Berry and Tony Holvey, some fell by the wayside but many stopped and qualified as Gas Fitters.
Doug tells us that he left Pontypool in 1969 to work at Llangollen, this was followed by a 3 year period of employment with Crown Engineering before returning to Pontypool in 1975. In 1988 he moved to Pembroke where he was a Service Unit Supervisor until the Depot closed in 1995. He retired from BG later that year whilst working out of Llandarcy as a NVQ Assessor.Following retirement Doug opened a music shop in Pembroke. He now lives in Swindon close to his family, he enjoys bowls at Purton Bowls Club and pursues an interest in classic vehicles.
He advises that his “overriding memory” is of the fun and the camaraderie between the fitters and the Mains boys, there always seemed to be laughing and joking and it was a pleasure to come to work..
Colleagues will recall that Des was a valuable member of the successful Pontypool First Aid Team, taking part in many competitions within Wales. This team became undefeated Welsh Champions in 1970.
Pontypool First Aid team in action
More great memories from Des, he writes:-
This is Reginald Pringle (Reg) do you remember him??
He worked as a Carpenter/Joiner at Crindau Works Newport from October 1964, under the direction of Building Foreman Reg Maggs, until his retirement in March1982 following 17 years service.
Reg carefully documented his life for future family purposes and his writings include his life as a Joiner in the Gas Industry. His manuscript describes in detail, the changes to his working practices, the demolition of Mill Street Works and the regeneration of Crindau Works, which took place following the introduction of Natural Gas and “Regionalisation“.
Reg can be contacted via his family.
Ken Pinnell called by
Retired employees who worked in Newport will remember freindly, helpful Ken Pinnell. He spent 46 years working in the industry. .
Ken writes:- I started in Mill st, as an apprentice Gasfitter on 7th May, 1934, age 14, (Newport mon. Gas Co..)...Joined the Army, Jan.1942....came back Feb. 1946. and retired from Crindau, April 1980.(Wales.Gas)...
Below: Ken receiving his long service award from Wales Region Chairman Patrick Gallager, at Snelling House, Cardiff.
Below: Ken with some of his working colleagues at his East Area retirement presentation. Who can you remember??.
During his employment Ken worked in gas light servicing, maintenance of industrial meters / governors and central heating. In 1968 Ken transfered to training appliance fitters and in 1971 he entered the stores. Ken worked unders six managers, his last Area Service Manager, John Davies made this presentation.
Ken served in the Middle East during the war and is a keen photographer.
Ken is now 88 years of age and lives close to Tredegar House, Newport. He can be contacted :-
Ken Magness - Nigel Thompson - ? - ? - ?
Pontypool
Retirement Presentation:- Baden (Jim) Roden Service Engineer and Barry Currier General Manager at Pontypool
Ponypool Group Apprentices, Parkinson & Cowan factory visit 1962, are you here, who do you remember?? can you name anyone? if you can please email the info to me. Have you any photographs like this??
Back Row: ?, David (Pancho) Evans, A Puddle, Les Peard, D Blake, J Knight, C Boyle.
3rd Row: Kari Davies. A Price, L Roberts, ?, S Robbins, D Tapper, M Davies.
2nd Row: ?, ?, B Robbins, B Tidball, D Williams, ! Sutcliffe, D Watkins, ? ? G Morris, A southwood.
1st Row: ?, A Iles, K Adams, R Watkins, ?, Dai Francis, M Reilly, M Jones, J Berry.
Front Row: ?, ?, Pontypool General Manager F Facer, A Sddler, Parkinson & Cowan.
Can you remember any of the old British Gas properties in the photographs below??,
Mendalgief Gas Holder, the family of Gas Fitter Fred Parsons lived in the Gas House on the site for many years.
The gates at the entrance to the old East Area Office, Crindau Newport. Over 300 gas employees worked at this site and there must be many memories of days gone by.
John Berry Recalls:
I moved to Newport from Pontypool in 1972 and worked on this Crindau site untill I retired in 1988, at this time the Newport Service Administration department was temporary accomodated in the old appliance store, this was a trial for everyone. Later in 1972 we all moved into the newly constructed open plan East Area Crindau Office, I am able to recall many of the "gas people" who worked on this site and I list a few names below, who can you remember??? Please email your memories.
John Grey, Jim Watson,Terry Dunn, Bev Jones, John Mathews, Olga Maggs, John Pope, Sreve Hoskins, David Ells and the Bayliss family(3).
This property was the Gas Showroom at the bottom of Stow Hill Newport. Do you remember anyone who worked there?.
This Building was the Gas Showroom and office at Pontypool. The Managers office was directly above the showroom and I belive the last Mnager here was Barry Currier. Do you have memories of anyone who worked here?.
This was the Service and Distibution Center at Pontypool, it is being demolished Over 70 gas men worked from here and it is a site that saw many changes, what do you remember.
John Berry Remembers:
I started my working life at this Service Center during 1951, the Gas Industry had just been Nationalised and many changes were taking place. The construction of The New Town of Cwmbarn also resulted in much expansion of the site and the appliance store held a large number of Warm Air Units ready for installation.
There was a meter repair shop and an appliance re-conditioning workshop on this site, these were seen as valuable assets but they disappeared as a result of the Regions re-organisation.
Here are a few of the "Gas People" I can recall: Don Smith, Cliff Williams, John Bright, Dave Edwards, Ray Watkins, I could go on but what about you??
This was the entance to the Service and Distribution Depot at Blackwood, it is now home to a Rugby Club.
The Blackwood Building, this was a purpose designed Service Center where about 70 employees worked. The Manager here was the energetic Mal Davies. Blackwood Boys what are your memories?.
Newport Service team 1987
Sorry about the quality, does anyone have the original??
Can you remember anyone here???
Long Service Awards. when???
R Watkins, R Marshman, T Pitt, J Berry, C Watts, T Dunn
T Nash, D Tapper, Brian Robbins, P knight
Ken Powis from Aspect Magazine 1984
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