A Decade of History
In 1982 the Newsletter printed an article written by the wife of a much valued churchwarden, who, on his sad death, became a new and equally valuable churchwarden. We reprint the article here:
Only ten years have passed since some of us arrived as ‘new-comers’ to Penallt. The past decade has continued to welcome new arrivals and has regretted departures. Familiar faces have disappeared from the scene while the younger generation have progressed from infancy to school and on to adolescence.
What events spring readily to mind during these past ten year? Perhaps festivals at the Old Church, festivities at the Pelham Hall, gatherings at the Bush, fêtes at the Rectory, the Argoed and Moorcroft and many other occasions. Above all, the celebrations for the Royal Wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana will be remembered for the whole-hearted participation of all in Penallt. Last winter 81/82 will also be recalled as much for the depth of snow as for the kindness of neighbours.
There have been many changes among people and their dwellings. In 1979 our present vicar was appointed Priest in Charge of Penallt and Chaplain to the Society of the Sacred Cross at Ty-Mawr. Restoration work at the Old Church has been continued and we now await the sound of bells. St Mary’s has also been redecorated. The foundations of a new Vicarage have been laid in the garden of the ‘old’ Vicarage and the walls are now rising rapidly.
Over the years cottages have been renovated, remodernised, pushed upwards, outwards and backwards according to need. New houses have sprung up around Cross Vane and the white-faced Baptist chapel stares across to new dwellings on Pentwyn Park.
The Pelham Hall had a face lift at the time of the Royal Wedding and a previous extension has now been enlarged. Tennis courts and a car park – non-existent ten years ago – are busy in the summer with the activities of a flourishing tennis club.
Penallt has many travellers who have journeyed far and wide in recent years. Age has been no barrier. In several cases family links have been renewed in Australia and New Zealand. In 1981 three church members joined a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
In the village each road and lane seems to have its own identity, separated one from the other by hills and woods. We are a mixture of young and old, working and retired, professionals and amateurs, all the ingredients of village life today. During the last ten years many newcomers have been absorbed; others, temporary dwellers, have moved on and so there has been ebb and flow, decay and growth, death and rebirth.
[from: Penallt – A Village Miscellany]