Our wonderful RDN photographer Mike Davies and his twin brother Pat are 75 years old this week. 

Happy Birthday to both of you!

Here is Mike’s account of that day, 75 years ago, (as told to him later of course! )  But it was certainly  a day to remember.

We were born in the front room of our house  in the village of Abergarwed on April 5^th, 1944.  Our mum Maud asked the midwife a week before we were born, “am I having twins, as my father was a twin?”  “Certainly not”,  replied the midwife,” there is just the one heart beat”.   So on the day itself, after I was born, no one was expecting another and  our grandfather Joe was putting on his overalls to go to work, when the midwife said “you can take those off , there’s another one coming”.  Ten minutes later my brother Pat appeared -a shock for Joe, the midwife, our mother and most of all for my dad Vernon, who was in Karachi serving in the RAF!

A single pram had been purchased in Cardiff a few weeks before we arrived. The single would have been far too small for twins, so a large twin pram was ordered, but before the pram shop went ahead, they wanted to see the twins’ birth certificates to verify that there were indeed twins before the pram was ordered.  There was a steel shortage due to the war.

The pram was sent by rail and our grandmother and mother walked to Resolven station waiting for the new pram, which arrived at Resolven station by 9pm. They pushed the pram home to Abergarwed, but  the following morning there was a lot of talk in the village. “What do you think that young girl from Abergarwed has just given birth to twins and was walking them in the evening air-they  will catch their death”  Needless to say, there was no twins in the pram as our grandad looked after us safe and sound!

We started attending Resolven school in 1947

 

Later on,we both played in the Glamorgan Youth Orchestra, .  Then, for many years, we played in our father Vernon’s dance  band and it was there   we met our wives  Both of us worked in the retail sector.

 

Pat and I ring each other every evening, I will go to the phone and Pat is on and the same with Pat.  I think we have done remarkably well to survive to this special date. Let’s pray we can both go on for many years to come

The Abergarwed twins

There was a chance to learn how to use a debrillator in a class held last Thursday in Resolven Community Hall.

 

 

 

 

 

SUNRISE

 

A TOUCH OF FROST

 

RHEOLA LAKE AT SUNRISE

Our RDN photographer Mike Davies was up with the lark to provide  us with these lovely images.

Many thanks Mike!

 

Resolven youth rugby player Bradley Roderick who plays inside centre for Resolven youth has been given the honour of captain for the Welsh youth team. From captaining his local team last year to captaining the national youth team this year is an accolade not seen in Resolven before.

 

 

Resolven youth are trained by Craig Pritchard, Steven Lewis and Kevin Lewis and Bradley  has been part of the team who have qualified  to play in  the final of the Welsh Bowl at the Principality Stadium on May 4^th

 

 

.  He has continued his winning ways by captaining the Welsh team in an exciting win against France where Wales 18’s came back from a 15 point deficit at half time to win 32 – 22 to the sheer delight of his family and friends who went to watch the match .

 

 

 

Mam and Dad Yvonne and Lyn and Grandfather Terry Roderick

 

Achievements such as this come from dedication and commitment along with natural skill and I don’t think this is the last we will hear of Bradley Roderick.  This is just the beginning of what we hope will be a successful journey in his chosen sport .

 

 

Well done Bradley and to you and your Resolven team – ‘may the 4th be with you’ in the final of the Welsh Bowl in May!

REPORT by DIANE SIMS