Tales behind the pints at village's pubs

THREE old friends getting together to discuss old times is not unusual. There is normally plenty to talk about.

But when Alun Rees, Bryan Yelland and Deric John got round a table, they had an end product in mind.

Now it has come to fruition in the form of a book, delving into the rich tapestry of life at pubs in Pontarddulais.

The old Swansea outpost on the border with Carmarthenshire has seen plenty over the years.

And the trio, all natives of the Bont, have done their best to give a flavour of it in Historical and Hysterical tales of Pontardulais Public Houses.

Written by locals about locals, it seeks to take readers behind the scenes of focal points of community life. Reflections and observations of what went on are there, as are more humorous tales. So historical and hysterical bases, as the title suggests, are both covered.

Sixteen pubs feature prominently in the work, some no longer around, and others still serving customers today.

Some contributions are anonymous, like this one about Tommy Farr, who became British and Empire heavyweight champion in 1937.

"The great Welsh boxer Tommy Farr used to lodge in a cottage near the King Hotel and also with the Davieses at Cambrian Place.

"He fought in visiting fairs as well as in the old gym (later a cinema). He used to collect sawdust for the ring from Abel Thomas's carpentry shop opposite the King. Tommy worked for short periods at Clayton Tinplate Works as a general labourer and had a lady friend in Tynybonau.

"He was friendly with Tom Domachi, whose cafe was near the old gym. Tom's very own pork pies were an attraction to the ravenous Tommy."

The book has been a decade in the making.

The trio are friends from way back, all former pupils at Gowerton School. Deric is the only one no longer living in Pontarddulais after moving to Aberdare. But they and their wives all meet up regularly.

"We have got caravans in Wiseman's Bridge and we were reminiscing about Pontarddulais," said Deric.

"There were all these stories and we thought they were too good to let slip."

So began a 10-year process of meticulous research and collection of good old-fashioned anecdotes.

Other locals contributed in the journey undertaken, which involved a lot of hard work.

Alun, Bryan and Deric would rattle through the stories, which would be recorded by long-hand and then typed up on the latter's home computer in Aberdare.

"It has been very well-received," said Deric. "There has been a positive feedback and it is going really well."

And his favourite story?

That of Blodwen out on the marsh early one morning in 1941 picking mushrooms and coming across what appeared to be a German U-boat crew. Unable to understand their accents, she thought they were from North Wales and let them have a bagful.

Historical and Hysterical tales of Pontardulais Public Houses is published by Llygad Gwalch, priced £6.50.