Alun was born on the 30th June 1947, at The Grange hospital in Llanfrechfa.  Where he was born was the source of much amusement as it also served as mental hospital!

His first home was 71 Richmond Road in Abertillery living next door to his Nana, where the family lived for the next seven years. He was a second born child of Eddie and Joan and one of six children and the only boy.  He had five sisters Anne, Janet, Lyn, Irene & Helen.  In 1954, they moved to the Forge Hammer Pub in Risca. Having five siblings and busy parents there was much time for adventure and Alun had a fantastic childhood with many stories:

* Janet becoming drunk, as she tasted the cider slops.

* Alun being knocked out whilst falling off a ladder. Alun & Janet were somewhere they should not have been.  Janet kept Alun’s secret by not telling anyone.

* On another occasion, they could not stand the smell of Nana cooking cabbage, so they ran away for the day having spent the day at their friend’s house around the corner.

* Another time, Alun found a box of fireworks, he lit one inside the pub to see what it was like but accidentally dropped it on the box causing them all to explode; luckily, they found safety in the storeroom.

This was also when his musical interest started; he would make guitars from scrap wood to sell to punters as they left after a few beers. Also making instruments with items from the pub such as crisp containers, broom handles and string. We also remember him telling us about Corey the cockerel that chased all the women.

In 1958, the family moved into 21 Trafalgar Street just behind the pub, where Lyn still lives today. There were many happy memories made here for all of the family including the many grandchildren. It was always a welcoming house full of food and laughter; even Alun’s friends would call in to see his parents. Roy recalling all Alun’s sisters having a bath in the kitchen sink when he called for him on Friday nights!

Cooked dinners and puddings were put aside ONLY for Alun! His sisters joke today how Nana would never let them near Alun’s special dinner! He and Roy even came home early from a road trip to Porthcawl, just so they could have their Mum’s Sunday roast. Nana made him just what he wanted; he was such a fussy eater, but always enjoying much of what he liked, including roast dinners, apple pie and ginger biscuits.
Being the only boy, he would pay his sisters to brush his hair, tickle his back and clean his shoes. A pink hairdryer was used to blow-dry his hair. These things probably helped him maintain his rock star image!

His love of animals started during this time, he had three dogs Ricky, Andy & Pete. He found three baby squirrels, which had been abandoned and brought them home; he called them Jimmy, Red Star & Beauty. We believe they all escaped, one meeting a sticky end as a neighbour mistook one for a rat!

In his youth Alun enjoyed fishing, he often mentioned selling eels that he had caught to local pensioners, who would give him a shilling for his catch. His sister’s also remember Alun keeping a couple of eels in an old oil drum in the back garden. 

Alun had a run in with the law as a teenager, he received a summons for “discharging a missile within 50 yards of a public highway” after getting caught playing with his catapult.  He always had a cheeky streak and once with the help of his cousin (Pam) cut the flowers out of his Nana’s curtains!

Alun attended Queen Street Infants School in Abertillery and then attended Dan-Y-Graig Primary School in Risca, followed by Pontymister Secondary Modern. It was during his school years he met his friends Roy & Colyn. 
Years later, following a visit to Fairwater Comprehensive school, he commented that he could not believe the chaos & disorder and that in his day everyone had to move around between lessons silently in single lines. 

Alun was not one of the bigger boys at school, however on one occasion he put the “hard knock” of the school in a headlock until he passed out! Although he confessed, he only did it because he was concerned that he would get thumped when he let go!  Alun spoke o many school memories, one being a teacher that re-enacted a scene from Zoro, by theatrically returning his imaginary sword to his belt after being attacked by a crazed mother armed with a brolly. Another tale included a not so pleasant punishment from a one handed teacher, who would rub his leather-capped stump into the pupil’s faces!

Alun left school at 15 to start an apprenticeship at South Wales Switchgear in Blackwood as an electrician. He also worked at Pilkington’s Glass, British Steel and Eurocast. In his younger years he travelled overseas with his job (Moscow, Czechoslovakia, Switzerland & Germany are a few).  He told us many stories of these trips, one when his dog Suzy chewed up his passport the night before he was leaving, luckily he just about managed to get away with it! He was never that fussed on travelling in his later life, so we guess these trips may have fulfilled him, in later years he enjoyed being nearer home.

His love of guitar started when he was around ten years old, he was in many bands spanning over a 50 year period. The first group was the ‘Valley Men’ started in 1963 with Wally (how Alun was known to friends) on bass guitar, Chris Williams and Ray Rees on lead and rhythm guitars, Gwyn Jones singing and Colyn Stafford on drums.  Initially Dai Hopkins had hoped to be the band’s drummer, but he was not able to play.  A failed attempt to persuade his father to sign a hire purchase agreement for a drum kit resulted in him learning to play the harmonica.  Roy Sanders would help to carry the equipment and drive the van, as he confessed that he didn’t have a musical bone in his body! Dai & Roy were both very close friends of Alun.

Alun shared many stories of their adventures, his friend’s remember themselves walking the streets of Risca, each with a transistor radio trying to connect to ‘Radio Luxemburg’. They also attended bible lessons at the Trinity Methodist Church, the trade off allowing them use of the hall every Saturday to practice, until a firework incident at the youth club put a stop to this.

In 1964-65 Alun was in a band called ‘The Third Degree’ with Dai Hopkins now playing the blues harmonica and backing vocals, joined by Colyn Stafford & Rod Farmer.  During the summer of 1964 they played a number of times at the Pontywaun Memorial Hall, earning half of the takings on the door. Alun, Roy & Dai would also hang out in Boss café playing the jukebox and pinball machine and meeting up with other band supporters.

Alun then joined the ‘Shapes of Things’ in 1966 with Lyn Filer, Dave Pontin, Glyn Witcomb, Gwyn Roberts & Roger Parsons. This band became the ‘Midnight City Soul Band’ in 1967. They had considerable success winning a Top Band competition in ICI, Pontypool and supporting Status Quo in Abergavenny Town Hall. The band had a change of name to ‘Morning Coffee’ in 1969, they were joined by Eddie Preece playing lead guitar, and again supported ‘Status Quo’ at Pontypridd Uni in 1971. ‘Morning Coffee’ disbanded in 1973. Alun then had a break, during this period got married and had both his children. 

In the 1980’s and until the end of the decade Alun was involved with ‘Freelance’ with Robert Ovens & Gwyn Roberts. In 2000 ‘The Midnight City’ reformed with many different players and over nine years maintained a very high standard. After this time Alun stood in with ‘The Vampires’ alongside Gwyn Roberts several times. He was a true Soul Fan and one song he was known to love was ‘I heard it through the Grapevine’ by Marvin Gaye and he always loved ‘The Shadows’.

The main band we all remember is ‘The Midnight City Soul Band’. They used an old Monmouthshire County Council ambulance to transport their gear, which still had the siren attached, which he confirmed was used at times when in a rush!

Alun’s band mates were lifelong friends who he cherished and they meant so much to him throughout his life. Alun had so many friends, there are too many to mention them all.  Alun told many stories about the fun he had and the places he played. One gig remembered by his sister’s was a charity concert in Risca Park, raising money for the Royal Gwent Hospital and another to raise money for the Aberfan disaster.

He carried on playing with new members for many years, with breaks for family life here and there.

He met the love of his life Wendy in 1971 at Croesyceiliog social dance. A song they played on that evening that they both connect to is ‘Albatross‘ by Fleetwood Mac, it was then dedicated to Wendy on many of Alun’s bands performances. Alun knew Wendy’s twin brother Peter, as they both worked together at Dimo Die Castings; he sent a handwritten pencil note via Peter asking her out. Their first date was at Cardiff Ice Rink. Wendy often laughed about why they ended up there, as they both just fell over and got very wet.

Their engagement party was at The Manor in Ty Sign and soon after, they married on the 21st July 1973 at ‘St Michael & All Angels’ Church in Llantarnam. Followed by the wedding reception in the ‘Green House’ pub next door. One memory that would make Alun & Wendy smile, is Alun’s mispronunciation of his vows, instead of holy ordinance, he said holy h-ordinance. They looked so happy on their wedding day, which has been lovely to look back over in recent times. The way they looked at each other with love in their eyes. In the days of his illness, he would often tell Wendy he loved her and look into her face and say how pretty she is, then kiss her gently on the lips.

Natalie was born in 1976 followed by Adam in 1979. He was such an amazing father; always supportive in time of crisis and whom we all sort for advice on how he would do things. He could fix anything and everything he put his mind to he completed with the utmost attention to detail, which may have caused his lack of desire for any ‘cowboys’ to come into his house and mess things up in later years. No one could do it like Dad!

Alun enjoyed the social aspect of work and for 21 years worked at Saunders Valves, for 13 of these Adam worked at the same factory. At a time when Adam was unsure of his next steps post High School, Alun was able to offer guidance, which lead to Adam entering an Engineering Apprenticeship. Alun was very proud of his achievements, enjoying the connection of them working for the same company.

Alun was extremely proud of both of his children. When Natalie moved away to Maidenhead, he took over the care of her dog Suzy, he was happy to grow our family with the inclusion of Ralph with whom he shared many jokes usually at the expense of poor Wendy! Alun very much enjoyed Natalie & Ralph’s wedding, especially as he was able to play with his band (Midnight City) following the ceremony. Alun was the only original band member playing that evening. What a ball everyone had. So many people commented on how fantastic the music was and Alun at this point was 60!

Alun always loved his animals; there were many family pets over the years, Suzy 1, Cavatina, Suzy 2 and lastly Stella who he absolutely adored, even looking for her in his last moments. He walked her for miles and he revolved his life around her companionship and care. In the last 10 years, she really was Alun’s best friend and we look back with admiration for the care and attention he gave her, and the rest of the family.

Holidays were never first on Alun’s list of priorities, but when someone else organised one for him he loved it. We visited Kinsale in Ireland for his 60th Birthday as a family and for years, we have talked about the happy memories made.

Zachary, his beloved grandson born in 2010 is following Alun’s footsteps as a guitarist. In recent weeks Zachary has seen photographs of Alun taken during his 70’s band days and commented on “how cool Pa looked”! After Zachary came along, we all regularly visited Padstow in Cornwall. We would describe it as our happy place. We always stay in the same cottage with a lovely garden where Alun enjoyed his cup of tea and a jammy scone, whilst talking with us all and watching the birds. He enjoyed his early morning walks with Stella, crabbing with Zachary and many pints of beer and watching the world go by with us all. Such a shame he will not be with us this year, but he will be with us in spirit and in all our hearts forever.

We are a close family unit and although many miles have separated us in recent years, we see each other regularly and have spent many hours walking, talking and laughing together. Holidays and especially Christmas spent together making memories. Family has always been so important to Alun.

Alun also enjoyed many trips to air shows; he shared this enjoyment with Adam and occasionally Mervyn Wendy’s father. He even took Zachary & Ralph one year. His favourites being the Spitfires, Tornados, Harrier Jump Jets and he loved the roar of the Vulcan. We can remember him coming home with a sunburnt nose & neck from his day out in the sun, looking up at the sky enjoying one of his passions.

He loved a story and a favourite one to retell, was how he and Adam, were hit by lightning during the same storm. Adam was hospitalised following a lightning strike while playing golf in Llanyravon and at the same time Alun while working on the electrics at Connie’s house, experienced blue sparks spitting out from the circuits as the lightning hit the telegraph pole outside. He joked that someone was after the Walton family line that day.

Connie (Wendy’s mother) thought the world of Alun, always favouring Alun’s side if ever a cross word with Wendy. Frequently telling her she had a good man in Alun!

So many things we should have done, but we will still do them in Alun’s memory. We will always raise a glass to Alun (Dad) whenever we are together.

We recently commented how he would always describe brewery delivery trucks as emergency vehicles, and give way to them. Something that made us all smile in recent times!

Alun was such an amazing funny, generous, gentle man, whom many people will miss incredibly. His memory will always live on through his children & grandchild, we will make sure he is never ever forgotten!

Wendy, Natalie & Adam

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