Steelworks

I've sketched the steelworks several times. The top sketch was sold in 2019 to raise funds for Oxfam.

The Abbey Steelworks in Port Talbot was opened in 1951 and it was fully operational by 1953. At its peak, the steelworks employed over 18,000 people. 

 

Majestic (Odeon) Cinema

Here are 2 views of the Majestic Cinema in Forge Road, which was also called the Odeon before closing.

The Majestic opened in 1938, just 2 years before the Plaza. It was taken over by the Odeon group later in its life, and during the 1970s became a bingo hall. The building finally closed for good in 1980, and was demolished as part of the development of the new Tesco site in 1995. 

 

Afan Lido

Continuing with  a selection of Port Talbot's lost buildings, this is the Afan Lido, on the sea front. The Afan Lido was Port Talbot's Leisure Centre. 

The Afan Lido was opened in 1965 by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. The Lido boasted one of the only Olympic sized swimming pools in Wales, and the venue hosted large-scale concerts with world famous bands. In 2009 the building was gutted by fire, and had to be demolished, with a new facility opening in 2015.

Aberavon Seaside Station

 

Aberavon (Seaside) Station was opened on 14^th March 1895 by the Rhondda and Swansea Bay Railway Company. It was incorporated into the Great Western Railway in 1923, and was finally closed on 3^rd December, 1962. 

I believe that the Afan Way was built along the old track bed of the railway here - Hence Beach Hill and the Gas Works off Victoria Road in the background

Aberavon Miami Beach Funfair

 

This is another view of the funfair based on a different photo. The funfair stood more or less where the Mariners' Quay development is now. 

Aberavon Miami Beach Funfair

 

These are the two versions I've made of this sketch, both based on the same photograph. The Miami Beach amusement park opened on Aberavon seafront in the early 1960s, and closed in the late 1970s/early 1980s. It was long gone by the time I moved here in 1986. 

The earlier sketch, which is the top one, was sold to raise money for our local Oxfam shop. 

Ore Unloading Cranes

 

A very familiar Port Talbot landmark, these cranes were designed for unloading ships with consignments of ore for the steelworks.