Accomodation in Newport (Gwent ) area for us - visiting our roots ya see.

[flatdog]

Taking my elderly Dad and us three bros to Newport friday night 17th for 1 night, check out the area, then head north wales to where father's family came from- sat night.
FYI (Father's family owned Wynns Heavy Haulage Contractors in the 40's through to the 60's then Dad went to Africa to branch out on his own)

Just a last minute thing as none of us has been back since the early 60's and the old chap is 'frail' and we want to have a first/last look at the place together.
Got money just don't know the area for better B&B's than than the 'chain ones'.
Father is still deciding on the north wales area on Sat night, so just need the Newport area accomodation friday night sorting first.
Any advice /pisstaking welcomed...in anticipation

 

[wessie]

If money is no object then stay at the Celtic Manor.

If you want something about the same price as a Travelodge but family run then have a look at Newport Lodge http://www.booking.com/hotel/gb/newport-lodge-hotel.html?aid=309825 - shame it actually looks like a Travelodge!

I don't know anywhere in the city centre - the Kings Hotel is linked on the webpage above and seems to get decent reviews.

Personally, I wouldn't want to go anywhere near Newport city centre on a Friday night. My dad was born in Liswerry and he was never inclined to go back there once he escaped to the Wye Valley...

 

[flatdog]

Thanks Wessie, we'll steer clear of the town centre - especially as its Friday.
The Lodge looks like an interesting proposition, will check it out today.

 

[Dickieboy]

Flatdog I can remember Wynns Transport they used to have a depot in Shaftesbury Street Newport, they were the specialists in very heavy haulage around South Wales. As a boy I saw them take some pretty spectacular loads to and from Newport Docks, I think the boss had quite a large yacht he used to launch at the docks as well. The lorries which were monsters used to be a dark maroon colour iirc.

 

[BlueBird]

it aint that bad

most of the good B&B's were bought by asians and are flop houses for the homeless,But there are 1 or 2 which are good on the a48 chepstow rd into the town centre near beechwood park.

As for town on a Friday its no worse than any other in the UK,full of kids on the piss,including Abergavenny,have you seen the riff raff that hang around the bus station!

I actually know a few of the old Wynns lads from back in the day,ask yr DAD if he knows Ian Trick,
a bit of a racer in his day and still riding,all his jap bikes are converted,with the gear and brake swopped over to british spec.

I can get you his number if you wish.

Any problems finding yr way around the Port let me know blad

 

[flatdog]

Flatdog I can remember Wynns Transport they used to have a depot in Shaftesbury Street Newport, they were the specialists in very heavy haulage around South Wales. As a boy I saw them take some pretty spectacular loads to and from Newport Docks, I think the boss had quite a large yacht he used to launch at the docks as well. The lorries which were monsters used to be a dark maroon colour iirc.

Hi Dickieboy.
Thanks for commenting, yes the tractors were huge and caused much delay on the roads in those days (before my time) Actually there were 4 brothers - my Grandmother's brothers so - my great uncles who ran (grew) the place once the old guy retired in the 40s I think. Hopefully find out more on our visit. Lots of stuff about Wynns on t'internet though.
(unfortunately we are the poor relatives - so no 5 star hotels for us)

 

[flatdog]

most of the good B&B's were bought by asians and are flop houses for the homeless,But there are 1 or 2 which are good on the a48 chepstow rd into the town centre near beechwood park.

As for town on a Friday its no worse than any other in the UK,full of kids on the piss,including Abergavenny,have you seen the riff raff that hang around the bus station!

I actually know a few of the old Wynns lads from back in the day,ask yr DAD if he knows Ian Trick,
a bit of a racer in his day and still riding,all his jap bikes are converted,with the gear and brake swopped over to british spec.

I can get you his number if you wish.

Any problems finding yr way around the Port let me know blad

Ta Bluebird, I'll ask the old man when I see him tomorrow (his memory is still excellent) Ian Trick may know my Dad (Roger Gordon Wynn Young) if he was there in the early 60's Dad and his cousin** were junior clerks learning the ropes. So in the event Ian wants to chat I'll be pleased to take his contact details.

** who I believe ended up running the company as the other 3 brothers retired, he had a son -my second cousin- who ressurected the company's name in the 80's)
Regards Flatdog (aka the POOR relative)

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

My Partner stayed at the Old Rectory last week, she couldn't recommend it highly enough and is still talking about it

http://www.the-oldrectory.co.uk/

She said it was a brill B&B and there is a good pub across the road

If you're going to Newport.................show him this

<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/m3hsvi6iCns?fs=1&hl=en_GB"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/m3hsvi6iCns?fs=1&hl=en_GB" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

 

[flatdog]

Nice song BOYO. he is very proud.
That B&B looks nice - i'll give them a call, thanks

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Here you go Flatdog......................show yer old Dad

Vids No. 3 and 4 are superb (No1 won't embed)......................you must be very proud of your roots

Lovely nostalgia..........................I used to marvel at some of those heavy trucks in the 1970's......................stuff like put the GREAT ...into Britain


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNTyf4Zsmsc

<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/cSQwzOH90nE?fs=1&hl=en_GB"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/cSQwzOH90nE?fs=1&hl=en_GB" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/C3R8qevunx8?fs=1&hl=en_GB"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/C3R8qevunx8?fs=1&hl=en_GB" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/9UckW4EBwY0?fs=1&hl=en_GB"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/9UckW4EBwY0?fs=1&hl=en_GB" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

 

[flatdog]

Thanks JohnnyB.
Yes us 3 boys are very proud - errrr and surprised, of the family's roots, Dad being a quiet man, not revealing much, never really told us much of his/our family, although as a kid I always wondered at the connection with the Wynns toy steam trucks he had on the mantelpiece on the farm in Rhodesia and his middle name, it was only when I searched on the net for Wynn's related material 3 months ago and I asked him a direct question, that he finally revealed the past.
So this is hopefully an introductory trip for him/us and we will plan a longer one - time permitting (he's frail) for summer next year.
Any other snippets of info gratefully recieved.

Bluebird, Records I have, show your mate Ian Trick was a Lead heavy driver - I think in the 70's so he would have had a huge responsibility in positioning the route of the lead tractor (Scammel) correctly for the load to follow. Would like to have a chat if possible, though understand it's short notice.
Regards ........Flatdog