Get the biggest stories sent straight to your inbox Sign up for regular updates and breaking news from WalesOnline Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Owing to its rural character, the parish of Roath 150 years or so ago was known as ‘Sleepy old Roath.’

In those days Roath could boast many fields of arable and pasture land which were outside the Cardiff Borough.

And where the Cardiff Royal Infirmary now stands and far beyond was nothing but farmland.

But in earlier times the Roath area was a dreaded place of executions.

The Gallows Field was situated at the junction of Crwys Road, City Road, Richmond Road and Albany Road and on the Crwys Road side of the wall of the National Westminster Bank can be seen a plaque which reads: ‘On this site on the 22nd July, 1679, Father Phillip Evans and Father John Lloyd were executed for exercising their priestly duties. Declared Saints and Martyrs by Pope Paul IV on 25th October,1970.’

At their trial in Cardiff, in the reign of Charles II, no attempt was made to convict them of treason; they were simply charged with being Catholic priests. They were first dragged on hurdles to the gallows. Then they were hanged for a few moments and before they were dead they were cut down. Then, while still alive they were disembowelled and finally dismembered.

However, let us fast-forward to more pleasant times to the days of my youth when the area housed the Gaiety Cinema, Andrews 24-hour Garage, Paskells sweet shop, Corgi’s Hardware Store, Globe Cinema and Kennards Dance Hall.

As a pupil of St Peter’s Secondary Modern RC School, Paskells on the corner of City Road and St Peter Street was our tuck shop. The shop always had a good selection of chocolates and sweets and the owner ran a Christmas club where one paid a shilling or so a week.

Roath Park was, of course, our playground when we were kids. Who can remember the slide and swings and, above all else, the Iron Horse which used to seat six children? If you have pictures of that I would love to see them.

:: If you see yourself in these pictures, or find memories sparked by any of our images of yesteryear, email martin.wells@walesonline.co.uk or write to us at the usual address. You can also contact Martin on 029 2024 3805.