A tiny village in the Upper Swansea Valley was abandoned nearly 60 years ago when its residents fled a moving mountain after families feared being buried under landslides. This week, I set out to find the remains of this once thriving community and discover more about the village which has now been lost forever.
Hundreds of villagers of this former community marked on some older maps as Pantyfynnon were evacuated in the 1960s, turning the area in to a ghost town almost overnight. Now all that remains are ivy-clad crumbling buildings which were once full of life.
Search for the street today and you won’t find it on Google Maps or any modern day streey plans, however the forgotten village which branched off Graig Road, in Godrergraig was once a bustling community with houses, shops and a church.
It was in this town now dubbed the ‘lost village’ that children would visit the local Alvers sweet shop, wifes would pop to the nearby butchers and men would plant seeds in their gardens after a day working in the mines below.
Sadly, the landslips in the area which saw families ordered to leave their homes for their own safety over half a century ago remains as much a concern for residents today. In December 2012, thousands of tonnes of soil and rock struck Pantteg, forcing people to leave their homes once more.
And in 2017, the residents of 10 homes on Cyfyng Road were given demolition notices and told they had to leave because of the possibility their houses could also collapse.
Despite the fascinating history and cherishes memories the moving mountain is a very real reminder to residents that nearby houses and businesses remain on ground that has a tendency to move.
Here are just some of the memories you have shared with me on Facebook:
Norton Harries "Read your post with feelings of sadness. My father owned the property known as Brynteg, 3, Graig Road with his half brother John Delme Williams ( and his father Dafydd Williams) who both lived there until it had to be demolished in the 1950’s. (at our cost) . It was opposite the junction of Turnpike Road and Church Road on my map . I still have the deeds to the land and all there is now is a retaining stone wall, built by the council, and the mountain above the road"
Judith Lovering "My dad worked tirelessly to find places for people to move to live in safety. It was a harrowing time for him. I remember it well. His name was Gwilym Alcwyn Rees xx"
Phyllis Price "I remember Norman & Norma Blakesley who lived in Graig Rd had to get out of they'r house a few days before Christmas ,my late husband & I helped them move to a flat in Trebanos , it was pouring with rain all of us who were helping absolutely drenched.The Christmas tree which had been decorated ,Brenda's who was a little girl her presents among all furniture & house hold items. It was so sad!"
Diane Thomas "I lived in Pantyffynon terrace,which is below the church when this happened,remember it well"
Steven Thomas "I was born in Sunnybank Cottage just up from and opposite the school. My parents, Margaret and Malcolm Thomas lived there in the sixties. Before that my Grandmother Annie Graham, her father Iori Davies. Iori worked in Tareni colliery. We moved out in 68".
Rhidian Bevan "Remember it well, on the same day as the Aberfan disaster my grandparents house was swallowed up by that mountain. They were told that they were outside of the danger zone but was the first house to be completely swallowed up by the mountain in Godrergraig. Unlike Aberfan we were lucky that none of my family lost their lives and we were extremely thankful for that."
Chris Davies "I remember visiting Alvers shop on this road to buy sweets after spending all day picking winberries on the mountain."
Hilary Bryanston "There was a billiard hall on the left as you walk towards Godregraig. I think it's near to the blue shop .It sold old great pasties from a hot glass cupboard and Coca Cola in the shop
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