Meet Sally Roberts-Jones, a local author who has been living in Port Talbot for 57 years. In her own words, discover what drew her to the area, and why she has put down roots:
“I’m London-Welsh by origin, but I’ve always thought of myself as Welsh.
“In the August of 1966, I was invited to Port Talbot to take part in a poetry in the Walnut Tree, and I just absolutely loved the area. When I went back to London, I began job hunting, and the first job listing that I found was in North Wales. I worked really hard to get my CV and everything sent to them in plenty of time, and then went up to Holyhead to visit my grandmother.
“When I came back, I saw another job opening in Port Talbot, and I thought to myself that I would cover it just in case. I quickly sent off the application, heard back from them, had an interview, and accepted the position all before I heard back from the job in North Wales! It seems that I was meant to come here, and I’ve never gone away.
“From my experience, there’s a big difference between Wales and England. In London, I was growing up during the aftermath of the Second World War, and I never really felt connected to anyone there. However, when I came to Wales, I came to a community.
“The people I have known and the connections I have made since moving here have been absolutely remarkable, and I’d never have known anyone on that kind of level had I stayed in England.
“If I could describe Port Talbot as a person, it would be somebody who is knowledgeable, or anxious to know more. They would be ambitious, welcoming, and friendly.
“I’ve never been made to feel like an outsider, and I can’t imagine being anywhere else. I am so grateful that I decided to apply for that job in Port Talbot all those years ago.”