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REMINISCENCES OF BRYN-MAWR as told to my daughter, Mabel E. Robinson, Librarian, Bryn-mawr By JOHN C. BAINTON* A LITTLE while ago, in a weekly newspaper, I came across an article entitled 'This is Brynmawr'. I read it with interest and appreciation, and it gave me considerable food for thought. I recalled my boyhood, ninety years ago, spent in this same town, and I wondered if anyone would be interested in the past of Bryn-mawr not in politics or economics as such, but just the ordinary everyday life of the people as seen through the eyes of a child. Encouraged by the interest and questions of my daughters and my grandson, I have tried to give a short account of my boyhood, hoping that if it gives pleasure to my children, it may do the same for at least a few other people My family came to Bryn-mawr from the West Country, as did many others, encouraged by the opportunities of work offered by the Industrial Revolution, and were regarded in those days as immigrants, much as today we tend to look at the coloured immigrants I remember my grandparents remarking that they were called 'foreigners from across the water', the water being the Bristol Channel. No Severn Bridge in those days My father's family originated in Somerset, from near Bath, and my mother's from Temple Cloud, near Bristol. There was one marked difference between the Welsh women of the town and the English. The Welsh women always wore flannel aprons, the English wore white aprons, and were referred to as 'the Sais'. I was born, as indeed was my father, at the top of Hill Street, in one of our houses, all of which were occupied by members of our family. My birthday was April 11th 1875. The houses faced South East, and the view was marvellous. One could see a whole panorama, from Blaina, over Nant-y-glo, Bryn-mawr below, to Llanelly Hill, and the Holy Mountain and the Sugar Loaf. Indeed, not long ago, I re-visited the spot and was again enchanted with the scene, though of course, the houses are now demolished, *Mr. Bainton celebrated his 98th birthday on II April 1973, seemingly in good health and spirits. But, regrettably, he died on 19 May before the publication of his article. (Editor).