Brynaman Lido or ‘The Baths’ as it is often called, lives in the memories of many local people. We have been fortunate to have this wonderful pool at the heart of our community since it was opened in 1934. Although it is now closed, it still lives in the hearts and minds of those who swam there.
If you would like to make a donation towards its restoration, in memory of a loved one, please get in touch: brynamanlido@gmail.com
IN MEMORY OF DAVID RHYS JAMES & JOHN JAMES
Kathryn Salvesen has made a donation in memory of her father David Rhys James and brother John James. She wrote this lovely memory to our committee member Jessica Lerner:
Dear Jessica,
I was delighted to hear such positive news of the Brynamman Pool from my niece Liz Davies. It brought back so many happy memories of my childhood.
My parents were David Rhys James and Gwyneth Catherine James nee Williams. I was born at Ammanfryn at the bottom of Station Road in 1932 followed by my brother John James in 1934 and finally William in 1936, sadly he died in 1941 in a road accident.
Both my Father and John were solicitors in Pontardawe for all their working lives, my Father died in 1991 and John died last year in August, both of them would be delighted and supportive of your endeavours.
My earliest memories of swimming of time spent learning the breast stroke on the lawn before venturing to the pool. This must have been in 1937/38, when I went to the pool with my Father early in the mornings. He enjoyed swimming early, before going to the office, as you can imagine the pool was not officially open at that time, I can recall clambering over the fence on many occasions totally out of order! my belated apologies.
This has brought back so many memories of walking to school, and Gibea Chapel, the Brass Band practising near the house, the two railway lines that reached their respective terminus at Brynamman, wartime and the bombing in Swansea, the American tanks which parked on the mountainside prior to D Day. During the war we enjoyed concerts from the Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Sir Adrian Boult, these were at the cinemas Brynamman and Garnant. I could reminisce for ever!
I would like to make a donation of £3000, in memory of my Father and Brother and wish you and your committee every success in your endeavours to make the lido a reality once again.
Kindest Regards
Kathryn Salvesen.