Ynyshir in the Rhondda Valleys

Rhondda Valleys Information and History

Ynyshir in the Rhondda Valleys, Glamorgan.

Rhondda Valleys, Ynyshir, St Annes Church Choir in 1928 - this has to be one of my most favourite images of Ynyshir people. I bought it in September 2009, when the photograph was 81 years old. The image must still be as crisp as the day it was taken. With the image containing over 60 people, I suspect that several of us who are from Ynyshir, may well have ancestors in this photo. Please show it to the older members of your family and ask them if they can identify anyone and email me here to let me know.

Byron Young has kindly informed me that three of his relatives are in the above photo:-

Back row, extreme right, his mother Muriel Young (nee Coleman).

4^th row. 1^st on left his mothers brother Kenneth Coleman.

4^th row, 8^th in centre with arms folded, his mothers other brother Cyril Coleman.

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Ynyshir (meaning - Long Island) was I believe the location of the first deep coal mine to be sunk in the Rhondda Fach, and is therefore one of the earlist built villages in the Rhondda Fach. Building began in earnest, and the building of the terraces needed to house the influx of colliers only ended - if my memory of what I have read serves me right - with the building of Heath Terrace in about 1905.

Ynyshir once had a thriving shopping street in Ynyshir Road, where almost every house was a business. These shops were still fully in evidence right up until the 1960's, when they began to close one by one, with just a handful of shops remaining today.

Ynyshir Park is located on the site of one of the local coal mines (Jones Navigational), and the area known as the Maendy, the site of another (Lady Lewis Colliery - closed 1926). The site opposite Bryn Awel estate (once the home of the mines owner) was the site of the Standard Collieries - now a trading estate. The streets Standard View and Standard Terrace are so named because of their position relative to that Colliery.

Mansell Kettley - a one time top Rhondda Valleys footballer and prolific goal scorer - has kindly allowed us to share in the photographs from his extensive footballing archive here.

There are four pages of Ynyshir photographs, and three of just school photographs - you will find the links at the bottom of the pages. See photos of a typical Rhondda family who lived in Ynyshir almost one hundred years ago here.

Glamorgan, Rhondda Valleys, Ynyshir General View circa 1950's

A famous visitor to Ynyshir in the 1960's was Jimmy Saville - who had a relative in Gynor Avenue. This photo - courtesy of Mike and Jean Reakes was taken during one of those visits:-

Photo includes Blod, Iris, Jean and Ian Harvey, Charlie Palmer, Gatchy, Brian Kettlety (and is that Colin Seldon?) and others whose names I have forgot.
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The next six photographs are courtesy of an ex neighbour of mine - Adrian Dumphy.

Celebrating the wedding of John Williams of Vicarage Road.

Back Row: Steve Williams (Porth), Adrian Dumphy (Upper Gynor), Johnny Williams (Vicarage Road), Michael Jones (Aldergrove Road), Michael Kettley (Upper Gynor).

Front Row: Robert Phelps (Gynor Place, Peter Howells (Upper Gynor Place).

Porth Technical Grammar School (Porth Sec) Rugby Team 1969

Upper Gynor Coronation Celebrations 1953.

Back Row: Left - Mr Walter Bloomfield (No 22),?,?,?

Front Row: Evelyn Jones [nee Collins], Peggy Lewis (No 32), Hoppy Jones (No 50), Evan Dumphy (No 31).

Ynyshir, Upper Gynor Coronation Celebrations 1953 - in the Gully between numbers 46 and 47.

Ynyshir, Upper Gynor Fox Hunters I.

Identified by Colin Harvey are:-

Tom Evans, John Rowlands, Jack Williams, Creighton Lewis, Mal Gully, Evan Dumphy, Jack [Edward John] Collins, Valentine Rees, Bill Webber, Billo Davies.

Ynyshir, Upper Gynor Fox Hunters II.

The only identified person is Evans Dumphy at the back - extreme left
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The next three photos were donated by Janet Collier nee Isaacs, and are all of the residents of Aberrhondda Road.

Rhondda Valleys, Ynyshir, Aberrhondda Road street party in the council yard c1950

Rhondda Valleys, Ynyshir, Aberrhondda Coronation Celebrations 1953

and also from Janet, this photograph with everyone named:-

Rhondda Valleys, Ynyshir, Aberrhondda Coronation Committee 1953.

left to right back row: Phyllis Isaacs, Marg. Denty, Nora Adams, Violet Coburn, Delcie Honey, Ceridwen Thomas, Gwen Bluett.
left to right front row: Lillian Simms, Mrs Welsh, Greta Williams, Mrs Williams, Florrie Gould, Megan Lynch, Eira Roberts.

General Photos of Ynyshir.
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Ynyshir School - Winning Football Team 1967 - courtesy of Mike and Jean Reakes.

Reverse of the football team photo with all names

Ynyshir Junior School winning football team 1967

The write up in the paper

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Ynyshir Views by Mike Reakes.

Ynyshir, The hill leading to Upper Gynor 2007	Ynyshir, The hill leading to the shops from Gynor Avenue 2007	A view of Ynyshir taken from Gynor Place 2007
Ynyshir - another view from Gynor Place 2007	Ynyshir, Upper Gynor Hill and Gynor Place back lane 2007

If you have any photos or postcards to share with us please email us here.

Ynyshir Page 2>> Ynyshir School Photos>> Home

If you have any old Rhondda family photos or pictures of the towns and villages please scan them in at least 1280 pixels width and email them here.

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