SUMMARY
00:00:02 Introduction
00:00:29 Memories of Pen-y-Graig infants and junior school; and going back to Hendre Cafan school to attend its centenary
00:02:49 Childhood activities – games such as hopscotch, weak horses/strong donkeys; picnics up the mountain and swimming in the “feeder”
00:04:12 A happy childhood despite the fact that Annie’s father was very sick and reliant on the “pink notes”, issued at the discretion of the parish relief officer, which could be swapped at shops for goods
00:06:54 Childhood chores, cleaning steps with sand and stone. The older siblings leave South Wales for London
00:09:16 The radio brings news of the outbreak of World War II, at age 14 the news is met with more excitement than fear
00:10:36 The war brings the coming of the Home Guard, ARP Wardens and Fire Watchers; yet the local area escapes the war relatively unscathed
00:11:45 Leaving school at 16 to work for a short spell in a local factory and then Simmonds Aerocessories Ltd, Treforest Trading Estate. Travelling by train means an early start and personal gas lamps for lighting the way
00:14:41 Social life as a young woman including dancing at the library and church hall (foxtrots and gypsy tangos)
00:15:28 Though her husband-to-be was a keen dance skater at the rink in Tonypandy, he could not dance unless on ice, so courting brings an end to the dancing and more trips to the back seats of the cinema; popular films of the time and the “penny rush” serials
00:17:33 Annie’s apprehension of the newly arrived GI’s, who are largely welcomed by the wider community
00:19:43 Rationing and the black market; her mother walking to Tonyrefail for tomatoes; food parcels from America for the miners; the rest of the family gives up sugar so that her mother can enjoy sweet tea
00:22:24 The end of the war party in Tonypandy Square. Her husband is fined for breaking blackout regulations; navigating Tonypandy is treacherous during the blackout
00:25:51 Air raid sirens; cycling past the Island Farm prisoner of war camp at Bridgend, rumours that Field Marshal von Rundstedt was interned there (which were true)
00:27:49 Outro