Following on from last month’s photographs from the Brecknock Museum’s collection at y Gaer, this month we have photographs of local wintery scenes.
These images have come into the collection in recent years, generously donated by local people.
The photograph of Brecon High Street full of snow in winter 1963 illustrates the severity of the weather then. Wales was under a blanket of snow from December 1962 to March 1963. This extreme weather was known as the Big Freeze and was one of the longest and coldest winters on record in the UK. The A4067 was closed for weeks before being cleared for a convoy of 100 lorries to carry tin plate from Port Talbot to a car factory in Birmingham that had run out of materials. Many minor roads couldn’t be cleared as the snow was up to 10 feet deep and people had to walk through the fields.
“We know the man in the photo is Colin Parry, a railway firemen,” said Collections Assistant Jacquie Morgan.
“We think he worked in Brecon initially before being transferred to Pontypool. He cycled to work there every day, 30 miles each way, and amongst his fellow-workers had the nickname the Brecon Wonder!”
The photograph also shows us shops of that era, including Stead and Simpsons and Burtons Family Grocers of 49 High Street, which was founded in 1858.
The two photographs of Tal y Llyn in February 1955 show the station covered in snow. That year snow was reported throughout January and February, and it returned in mid-May. The Western Mail on 18th May 1955 reported that a “blizzard swept the mountains of South Wales. Freak snowfalls on the Brecon Beacons … covered the roads with up to 5 inches of snow.” Lorries skidded off the roads and a bus travelling from Merthyr Tydfil to Brecon became stuck in snow for three hours.
More recent photographs show the frozen Pwll y Wrach waterfall and snowy scenes near Talgarth in the winter of 1982-83.
“These images are part of a collection of documents, objects, and photos relating to Victor and Margaret Powney, which was kindly donated to the Brecknock Museum collection in y Gaer by their daughter Carole,” explained Jacquie.
“Victor was featured in one of our articles two years ago: he served Brecknockshire for 45 years as police officer, court usher, and Road Safety Officer. He introduced the National Cycling Proficiency Scheme into schools, and the Green Cross Code to help children cross the road safely. Margaret (née Woodcock) is shown in the photographs, which are likely to have been taken by Victor. The waterfall is frozen and the lane has deep, partially cleared snow.”
If you remember anyone or anything in these photographs or have any related information or photos that you’d be happy to share with us, Jacquie would be delighted to hear from you. Contact us on 01874 624121 or at [email protected] (FAO Jacquie Morgan)