Merthyr Tydfil was once at the forefront of the industrial revolution and home to the largest ironworks in the world. And for more than one hundred years there stood a distinctive link to its manufacturing past, which many residents still fondly remember today.
In years gone by The Triangle housing estate in Pentrebach was where many iron workers and their families called home. Built in the 1830s and demolished by the council in 1972, it housed generations of working class people who all looked out for each other. Built in the shape of a triangle, the homes faced each other head on in a design that deliberately aimed to create a tight-knit community bond between residents.
ITV Cymru Wales' history show Vanished Wales, which reveals the lost landmarks of Wales and is hosted by Adeola Dewis, has explored the unique settlement's past. Marion Gossedge and Jackie Stutton used to live at The Triangle and spoke about what life there was like on the show's second episode of the second series.
Read more: The One Show's Alex Jones shares back to work update as she's joined by son Teddy
Speaking on the episode which airs on Tuesday at 8pm, Jackie said: "I settled in well. This little house came up in Church Street, which was part of the triangle, and we were able to buy it for £50." Marion added: "Mine was more expensive, mine was £250. It was wonderful. I would go next door [because] I wasn't the best cook in the world because I hadn't been married long. They would help you. You could go to anyone for help.
"There was a closeness up there that I can't explain...I'll be lying in bed some nights and I'll think 'we'll never have that spirit back again'. It was a proper community and that could still be there today but it's all gone. They should never have pulled it down, it's as simple as that."
Next Adeola spoke to local historian Christopher Parry who said when they were built, the 50 plus houses were ahead of their time. He said: "The Triangle was top quality of housing that the people of Merthyr could achieve being a working class person. The layout and the spaciousness of having two very spacious rooms downstairs and two upstairs, having a front door, back door garden behind and a large open area in the centre. This was ostentatious in every way for workers in the 19th century. People admired it as a landmark in Merthyr and they still do. Even though it has gone, people still talk about it now."
Where the community once stood, you will now find shops and business units at what is now called Triangle Business Park. Although the name has survived, you will find no trace of the former settlement. In the 1970s the council announced that The Triangle was to be demolished. Adeola said it was met with widespread opposition, protests and petitions to try to save the houses, but the decision was final. You can get more TV news by signing up to our WalesOnline newsletter here.
Catherine Thomas lived in the triangle with her grandparents and remembers the heartache many residents went through when the announcement came. She said: "They didn't want to move. My grandmother resented the fact that the reason for knocking down the triangle was labeled as 'slum clearance' because she absolutely did not believe she had lived and had brought up children in a slum, so that was the worst slur for her.
"They were the very last house to move out of The Triangle. It was becoming a ghost village. Houses were empty and boarded up. It was not a pleasant experience for them but they were determined to be there until they had to move and there was no more choice. The triangle was wiped out and it was never the same." Adeola added: "It's been nearly 50 years since The Triangle was pulled down, [but] those old Merthyr streets haven't been forgotten."
Vanished Wales airs at 8pm on Tuesdays on ITV Wales, with the final episode airing on May 2. You can find episodes of Vanished Wales here.
READ NEXT:
- The legendary gig venue that stood on the site of Cardiff's Capitol shopping centre
- The beautiful Cotswolds-like Welsh village demolished to make way for the M4
- How many episodes of Why Didn't They Ask Evans? are there on ITV?
- ITV This Morning viewers totally bemused over guest's pronunciation of simple word
- Gillian Anderson issues strong two-word response to claims she forced The Crown to make major changes
