If you have ever been to Coney Beach there are probably a few familiar faces you may recognise whether that’s an owner of a stall or a regular at The Beachcomber. For many people the seaside in Porthcawl is a second home, but now they are being stripped of that as it closes at the end of this summer after 100 years of providing ageless family fun.
October will mark the last time the Coney Beach Amusement Park and promenade will be open to the public, announced by the owners, the Evans family, in July this year.
The news dealt a severe blow to the people of Porthcawl who were deeply saddened to learn that the Welsh Government has plans to use the area for a mixed-use development that could feature a new housing estate, retail, business facilities, and a new primary school after its purchase in 2023.
We spoke to some of the people who have been familiar faces in and around Coney Beach for decades. Our visit happened before this week’s derailment on the Wacky Worm ride, which saw 13 children and an adult injured on Wednesday and saw the park close until it reopened on Friday.
Most amusement parks workers stay a summer and move on. However there are a few people at Coney Beach that have spent decades serving beachgoers in the same spot year after year.
One person that will be recognisable to many is the man behind Porthcawl’s famous warm doughnuts. Stay informed on Bridgend news by signing up to our newsletter here
Steve, who runs American Donuts inside the amusement park has worked at the stand since 1967 straight after he left school.
Now a sprightly 75-year-old, he chose not to retire as he says his customer “wouldn’t let” him as the park would not be the same without him there.
Customers have been begging Steve to continue, constantly asking where he will be going next. Now that the park is closing, Steve says he is “gutted” about his “forced retirement” as he had no plans to stop anytime soon.
Another fairground favourite at the seaside is Coney’s where you can buy cockles and mussels along the beachfront.
Dave Jones, 60, has been running the seafood stall at Coney Beach for around 20 years and ran a second one alongside at Hi-tide on the other side of the beach for 15 years.
With his seafood stall having to close this October, Dave isn’t sure of his plans for the future but is thinking about downgrading to a cockle bike where he can sell his stock along the beach.
Dave said: “It’s sad. Where are all the people going to go, there isn’t another place like this anywhere close.
“It’s the children I feel sorry for, there aren’t many places where they can get out, get some exercise and enjoy themselves.”
But it’s not just the children that will miss Coney Beach as along with the amusement park, the eastern promenade and the pub, The Beachcomber will be closing due to the new developments.
The Beachcomber has served locals and visitors to the beachfront for decades and some punters have been going there for as long as they can remember.
In the corner of the popular venue is Fraser’s Cwtch, a section dedicated to a man who is practically part of the furniture alongside the friends he has made there.
Ian Fraser, 76, born just outside of Porthcawl, spent many days of his life at Coney Beach where he took his seven children and now his grandchildren.
Like the majority of the people who regularly visit the beachfront Ian is “gutted” that the place that holds so many memories for him is closing.
He said: “I am gutted like the rest of the people here. It’s such a beautiful place that I’ve been coming to for as long as I can remember.
“I don’t know where I’m going to go now, we’ve all been talking about what to do when it closes.
“I brought all of my children here when they were kids and they loved it. Now they bring my grandchildren who are absolutely devastated about it closing.”
Over 60-years-ago Ian worked at the fairground as a young teenager with other teenagers from his school who got a job in the summer there.
Then after turning 18 he has become a regular at The Beachcomber where pictures of him hang on the walls above the seat he has been in for decades.
Having spent a lot of time at Coney Beach Ian has many fond memories there including celebrating his 70th birthday and even meeting King Charles.
