Under The Twmp

Under the Twmp is a documentary photography project of an area that I grew up in and have fond memories of. Under the Twmp is a phrase used by many who live and once lived in Ty-Sign, Risca situated in the South Wales valleys. The phrase came from the housing estate being built under the Twmbarlwm mountain. Ty-Sign is a large housing estate built in the 1960’s for LLanwern Steelworks based in Newport.



This book shows an insight into the areas that I have personal memories and relationships with from houses I lived in, to the streets where I spent time with childhood friends. Each image will represent somewhere that I have a fond memory of from my past.



Ty-Sign is an area with an unreputable reputation for crime and disarray, but my memories are showing that the area is not what you hear through Chinese whispers and has always been family orientated within its community. I lived in many parts of Ty-Sign and had friends that lived throughout the widespread streets. These streets catered to us all and many of us that still communicate now have fond memories of family life and growing up within this estate.



To complete this project, I spent time over a 12-month period capturing images that reminded me of the old days and memories that I had there. I reminisced about memories of my family and friends that are sadly no longer with us and the joy it brought back was comforting. The streets of Ty-Sign have not changed much over the years and I have not lived in the area for nearly 20 years. All the houses that I shared with family and friends are still there and many of the areas remain the same. There is a newer estate built towards the end of Ty-Sign which was not present when I was child, but life does adapt to new beginnings.



Here is an insight into my childhood…



Hope you enjoy…