Brigend Road

[miketrevethan]

Hi.  I am trying to locate any photos of Bridgend Road in the proximity of the Royal Oak.  Reason: my wife's Grand father, Albert George Hayes, born in Somerset lived at 4 Brigend Road in 1901. with Mark and Sarah Gambling (nee Hayes), whilst working in the local mining Industry.  On the 1901 census their residence was close to the Royal Oak and it appeared to be multi residence with possibly 14 families living there.  So I assume it was a rather large building unlike the surrounding addresses which were all single families and presumably houses.   I can see from Google street view there currently exists a large piece of shrub waste land between the Royal Oak and probably number 13 Brigend Road,  so I assume number 4 has been demolished along with its neighbours.

Can anyone confirm my thoughts or does anyone have any photos that would shed light on number 4 Brigend Road.

Thank you in advance to anyone who has any comments or thoughts.

[ffaldauboy]

It's the Royal Hotel that you are referring to. My father and Grandparents lived at number 13 which was demolished in about 1966.There was a murder in number 7 in 1907 which I have written about here. There is also a photo of number 7 in the article. Number 13 would have been exactly the same. Hope this helps.

[miketrevethan]

Hi and thanks. Your right its the Royal Hotel, I cant read! I have seen your article which I thought was very interesting. The picture of number 7 is in line with my impression that all but number 4 were single dwellings. Unfortunately number 4 is the key for me as this is were my relative lived for a short period with 13 other families before he returned to Somerset and married in 1904. I did assume number 13 was still standing as next door I can read number 14 from the Google Street view. Anyway thanks for your comment.

[ffaldauboy]

Number 4 has been demolished even longer. That is on the other side because it's an even number. It was demolished well prior to 1959 and as kids we referred to this part as "The Brokies". (ie: broken down houses.) Number 4, therefore, was on the same side as the Royal and two doors up.