BACK in the day, and we’re talking the 1950s and 60s here folks, there was a strong Youth Hostel Association (YHA) in Abergavenny.

The YHA’s charitable objective was stated as, “To help all, especially young people of limited means, to a greater knowledge, love and care of the countryside, particularly by providing hostels or other simple accommodation for them in their travels, and thus to promote their health, rest and education.”

Tom Dodd was one such youngster who benefited from his time with the YHA and has kindly shared a few pictures from that period with the Abergavenny Chronicle.

Tom explained, “The Group was a very informal one which was really organised by Joe and Kate Dyer, who we all called Uncle Joe and Aunty Kate. I was involved from about 1957 to about 1962/3. We were away on most weekends meeting up with others from all over South Wales. The usual way to travel was by hitch hiking!

“Some of the hostels we went to were Tyn y Cae in Brecon, Storey Arms at the top of the A470 in the Beacons. Capel y Ffin, Ystradfellte in the upper Neath Valley and Port Eynon on the Gower and many others.”

Tom added, “Joe and Kate were well known for their supervision of Abergavenny Open Air Swimming Pool throughout the summer months. I seem to remember it being frequently crowded with long queues to get in at opening times.”

Recognise anyone in either of these photos or have an old photo story anecdote of your own to share? Then get in touch with Tim Butters at [email protected] or telephone 01873 852187.