Welcome to Port Talbot
Today, after having some friends visit, I went to a small, industrial town in Wales called Port Talbot. It’s known for it’s huge, billowing chimney’s, and the idea was to be able to get close enough to get some interesting shots of the smoke and see what the town was like. I was joined on this momentous journey by:
Tom
Tom Cranmer of www.tomcranmer.com
Gawain
Gawain Ruby of www.munkeegee.deviantart.com
Stepping off the train we headed into the town and was immediately greeted by this once grand, and now severely dilapidated building. It was a sign of things to come.
The Old Plaza
Side Door
Sign
Bricked-up window
Port Talbot turned out to be the single most depressing place I’ve ever been in my life. Now, it important that you know I am not talking about the residents here. In fact, everyone we came across during the day were friendly and approachable, and very, very normal – but this just made it more difficult for me to understand why they would choose to live in such a badly run down and polluted town. The shops were old and unhappy, and the air smelt of rotten eggs (probably sulphur from the factories).
We left the high street and attempted to venture out towards the factories but it’s difficult to get close so we ended up wondering around for a bit. I have been trying to find a way to describe what we experienced but I’ve realised that the pictures do the talking. It was truly sad.
8 Responses to “Welcome to Port Talbot”
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hey your blog design is very nice, neat and fresh and with updated content, make people feel peace and I always like browsing your site.
- Murk
Chris says: Hi Tom,
Came to your site from a link on Derelict Places and just wanted to praise your work, your efforts and your humble approach to, dare I say, preservation of the places being forgotten around us. Thanks for your posts!
Best,
Chris
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Hi Chris – thanks for popping over and leaving such a nice comment – it’s very much appreciated.
cheers
Tom
Dale says: Hi… Thanks for posting – some really good shots here. I was born and raised in Port Talbot, and it used to be a lively and prosperous town. Seeing these familiar sights – particularly the old Plaza – in their run down state is made all the more poignant by the contrast with my childhood memories.
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Thanks for posting Dale. I won’t lie – it was very run-down and despondent, and I would not like to go back. If you ever post some old photos of Port Talbot during the better years on the internet be sure to send me a link.
Leave a Reply
hey your blog design is very nice, neat and fresh and with updated content, make people feel peace and I always like browsing your site.
- Murk
Thanks Murk – glad you like it and thanks for stopping by to comment.
Tom
Another great series of photos Ashmore! Love the site…
Thank you very much indeed sir. But Port Talbot… never again.
Hi Tom,
Came to your site from a link on Derelict Places and just wanted to praise your work, your efforts and your humble approach to, dare I say, preservation of the places being forgotten around us. Thanks for your posts!
Best,
Chris
Hi Chris – thanks for popping over and leaving such a nice comment – it’s very much appreciated.
cheers
Tom
Hi… Thanks for posting – some really good shots here. I was born and raised in Port Talbot, and it used to be a lively and prosperous town. Seeing these familiar sights – particularly the old Plaza – in their run down state is made all the more poignant by the contrast with my childhood memories.
Thanks for posting Dale. I won’t lie – it was very run-down and despondent, and I would not like to go back. If you ever post some old photos of Port Talbot during the better years on the internet be sure to send me a link.