Dear David
Having spent some three hours trawling through your web site might I congratulate you on a your hard work and dedication. It has been a remarkable journey into the past I am most grateful.

As a 'Cofi' who left home in 1957 to join the army I have kept my town connections simmering over the years. Regular visits to the town topped up many an old friendship culminating a few years ago in a 'Class of 54 reunion'.

Let me introduce myself with a short potted history. I was born in No 11 Maes Barcer on the 24th of April 1940. My parents Joseph and Annie (Nan) Bohana christened me Lawrence and I was the fourth of six children. I attended The Sec Mod left at fifteen and went to work at the Seiont brickworks. After some two years and with the beginning of demise of the brickwork horses (I and Clifford Parry worked with Tommy Carter who was in charge of the horses) I left and went to work with the Corona works on the Quay. As a youngster I had spent memorable times with Caernarfon Army Cadet Force and later the 6/7th Bn Royal Welch Fusiliers (TA) Hence it was inevitable that I was to seek my Biggles fantasy adventures in the armed forces. I signed on the 1st Nov 57 and reported to Hightown Barracks Wrexham on the 17 Nov. My service took me to Cyprus, Malaya, Hong Kong, Fiji, USA, Canada, Belize, Australia, and every non-communist country in Europe. I had a wonderful military career, which ended in May 1991 in the rank of Major.

I have vivid recollections of my Father, Willy 'Napoleon', Bobby 'Snails', Jonny 'White Horse', Robert Owen and numerous others dressed in Viking clothing when a part of the film 'The Vikings' was shot on the slip near where the Seiont is currently berthed. The Cofis were extras in the film. I have memories of watching the Caernarfon Home Guard or were they the early version of the TA marching to the bridge to cross over to the Coed Helen shooting range. Of walking what seemed to be miles along the shore road to get to the outdoor swimming pool which was under the control of Mr Pritchard, Gwynfors' father they lived on the top of Lon Ysgubor Goch.

PS:-
In my letter I made a mention of walking the Shore Road to the outdoor swimming pool, whilst in my studio painting I had a flashback and remembered that we used to pay 1/2 a penny (Dima I think) to cross Bont Seiont to gain access along the Aber front and the term ' Dros yr Aber' meant going for a swim in the Baths. This may not be totally correct and any amendments would be welcomed. (Dafydd:-The Cofi slang for Dima is Magan )

Wonderful days with particularly long summers brought back through your web site.

Again many thanks.

Larry Bohana
See " Say Hello to an Old Friend"

Sent in by Tom Holland

Reading Larry Bohana's "My Story". The tolls for Bont yr Aber were: Half penny ~ One way. One Penny ~ Return

and Six Pence to drive a car over the bridge.

I was lucky because I was friendly with Jack Harding Jones, who was the bridge operator and he used to let me

cross the bridge in my father’s car for free!! Jack and his wife Gladys lived in the little cottage overlooking the bridge.

As children we used to pay the halfpenny to go over the Aber and then crouch down and 'miglo' under the 

ticket hut to get back home!!