Nostalgia (From Penarth Times)

Nostalgia

READING Mal"s Memories each week jogged some of mine.

The Pickford family from the Penarth Times corner of Plassey Street were friends of my parents Reginald and Beatrice Weeks, who were the previous owners of Wasons.

My mother worked from dawn "til dusk in the business, we lived above and below.

There were six bedrooms and a living, dining room at the back, all kept clean by my mother for years until she had domestic help.

My childhood was idyllic, with good parents, good friends, good food, good times, no drugs, no threats, no alcoholic rows, a couple of hidings which I thoroughly deserved and I was sent to my bedroom.

We had whist drives and parties, no TV, only a "cat"s whisker" with headphones.

Sometimes, after closing the shop, my parents would have a couple of drinks in the Fag in Windsor Road as they were pally with the owner.

Loads of relatives descended on us every summer, staying weeks on end.

My mother"s cooking was a huge attraction, as well as the sea for those living inland - all loved Penarth as I do!

They took trips to Weston or Ilfracombe and to the opera at the New Theatre in Cardiff.

In Windsor Road there was Cuthberts confectioners, selling the most delicious ice cream, there were two daughters to help serve.

There was also Brockington the tailor, the scotch wool shop, a Maypole, the Co-op, a super cake shop and Rogers grocery on the corner of Windsor Road and Arcot Street.

Hardly any traffic, children played outdoors without fear, were not fed on junk food and had a greater respect for older people!

Even the poorest kept their homes clean and had their pride, and could enjoy walks along our beautiful cliffs and a paddle in the sea.

Audrey Adsett

Countess Place

Penarth