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Wales Online
Wales Online
National
Estel Farell-Roig

The moment a cowboy hat-wearing Port Talbot homeless man got the keys to his first home in 30 years

For the last three months, life for Terry Allen has felt like a dream - he would wake up every morning not believing where he was or and what was about to happen.

Instead of having to worry about where he would sleep that night or how to keep himself safe, the 70-year-old was able to enjoy simple life comforts like a bed or having a bath.

With his brown cowboy hat, piercing blue eyes and a long, silver and ginger beard, Mr Allen has been a familiar face in the streets of Port Talbot for the past 30 years.

He was known for regularly wearing a kilt around the town but, for the last decade, has had the cowboy hat as his trademark.

Terry Allen just wants to enjoy a nice, quiet life now (Jonathan Myers)

However, in January he revealed how hard he was finding it at the moment , saying the cold was killing him.

Within hours of WalesOnline publishing his story , Mr Allen was in a hotel thanks to an intervention by Neath Port Talbot Council .

This week, for the first time in more than 30 years, he has been given the keys to his first proper home in Cwmavon .

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He said: "The last few months have been wonderful - I was not expecting this. I thought I was dreaming.

"I am very excited - it is peaceful here and that is what I like. 

"I just want a simple, quiet life.

"I am going to keep to myself."

Have a look inside Terry Allen's new home:

Inside Terry Allen's new home

On Monday morning, he was so excited about getting the keys to the property he got up when it was pitch black to clean the room and pack his clothes, Mr Allen said.

The property is looking a bit bare at the moment. However, within minutes of him moving in, a sofa and a bed arrived. More donations will be coming in the next few days to make the place more homely.

Mr Allen said his plan was to have fish and chips on his first night in the house while he was waiting for everything to arrive.

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"I am looking forward to enjoying the garden," he added. "I am going to do it up and plant lots of veg.

"I might plant some flowers too.

"I can't wait to get a table and sit out here.

"It has lovely views of the mountains - I used to sleep in all those mountains and now I can enjoy their views.

"I think it will be very nice to spend my last years here."

He is also looking forward to doing some gardening (Jonathan Myers)
Terry looks out of the windows in his new home, which has views of the mountains where he used to sleep (Jonathan Myers)

Mr Allen - who was born in  Sandfields  in 1949 and has lived in Port Talbot all his life - had previously said that, for his 70th birthday on Valentine's Day, he would love to have somewhere to live as it was getting harder and harder to be homeless.

With a few weeks delay, that dream has now come true and he is looking forward to small pleasures such as enjoying his coffee and toast with orange marmalade every morning.

Spending the last few months in a hotel in Port Talbot had made a big difference, he said, and he felts and looked much better.

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While he was in the hotel, he used to wake up in the morning and think it wasn't real. Having a home would be even better, he said.

"They really looked after me in the hotel - they were saying they were going to miss me," he said. "I never realised how many people liked me - there are good people here.

"I would like to thank everyone for helping me.

"I was not expecting this, it is brilliant.

"I can just enjoy my life now - I feel ready to have a home."

Terry Allen is now known for wearing a cowboy hat (Jonathan Myers)

Life has changed dramatically for him in other ways - for example, he now wears glasses. He also been to the doctor for the first time in a very long time.

He had also reduced his drinking a lot, Mr Allen said, and his mental health had improved in the last few weeks.

The stability of having somewhere to live has meant he can now make plans, he continued, and he wants to learn to read.

"I am going to look after myself a bit better," Mr Allen added. "I feel like a new man and I am chuffed."

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Claire Maimone, director of housing for Tai Tarian, said: "We are delighted that through our shared lettings procedure, we have been able to offer Mr Allen suitable accommodation and we wish him well in his new home.”

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