My great-grandfather, Edward Rees, who lived into his 90's (d. 1950s) owned a store (tobacco, boots) in Oakdale c.1920s, his son William was conductor of a choir - all the family sang in it (Phylllis, Bea, Frances, Horace, Owen, Elizabeth (my grandma).

I don't live in Oakdale but remember visiting for Pa's 90th birthday when I was around 5 years old, so about 1956. I have patchy but vivid memories. The party was held in a hall in the village and everyone in the family had to do a 'turn'. My g.uncle Horace was a member of the magic circle ('mysteries by Mr Rees' was on his business card) and did a magic show - magic painting, disappearing eggs and mysteriously appearing other objects - rabbits and flowers I expect.

My Grandma (Elizabeth) and g.uncle Owen did a comedy double act involving a violin, dancing and dropping bloomer legs (don't ask!). I imagine my mother sang, although I can't remember that, and my g.uncle Billy probably did something musical as well. I expect my grandma also did one or more recitations - she had a number by heart. The hall was packed so I expect many locals were there.

I stayed in someone's house in a very high bed and remember falling off the side and into the po. My great- grandfather had a harmonium in his front parlour - I was fascinated by the pedals. I was a bit scared of this very old gentleman because he had a thumb missing, from a pit accident I believe - I was told a story of using cobwebs to help heal the wound. I seem to associate the missing thumb with the smell of the house, a bit fusty and decaying.

I assume from what I read on the website that Edward Rees brought his family to Oakdale in its earliest days. I have no idea where they came from before that. I know nothing about his first wife, who would have been my great-grandmother, and there was some sneering in the family about his second wife who (I think) came from Tredegar. To me it sounded like it was as much Tredegar that was frowned upon.

Pa did well for himself because he must have originally been a miner and I believe he could not read and write, but his wife could, and he went on to have the shop. I have been told that she was an early fitness fanatic and that he built her a gymnasium in the back yard where she used swinging clubs, but she nevertheless died relatively early.

I have also been told that they were a centre for music - each child HAD to learn an instrument and g.uncle Billy went on be a professor of music and involved in setting up the Blackpool youth orchestra. I don't know if it's apocryphal but he was said to have conducted the Halle too.

I vaguely remember that visiting musicians used to stay with the Rees family too.