The Changing Face of Mumbles
by Carol Powell
Recently, Mumbles has seen much new development such as the new Oyster Wharf, changes with the resiting of the post office and the Co-op and new proprietors taking over existing businesses - Tim Batcup in Cover-to-Cover bookshop, Ken Higgins & Ben Cripwell at the Front Room Café and Nathan at Mumbles Pharmacy. New companies have, or will soon be, setting up in the village - Tesco Express, Tucker's butcher shop, Peacock's, Joules, Sea Salt, Boo's Vegetarian Kitchen, two new takeaway outlets and Marks and Spencer Food. But changes were ever thus.
The Dunns, Mumbles, 1922
Back on 6 June 1929, our local newspaper, the Mumbles Press printed a letter, which had been published in the London Daily Chronicle under the heading 'Should Mumbles be Developed?'
Some people seeing in Swansea's near neighbour a new Margate, sight for piers, promenade and concerts, but there is no money for such projects. Now it is complained that the name itself is an insuperable obstacle. There is nothing romantic it is argued, about the sound of 'Mumbles,' which must convey to people who do not know its delightful combination of cliffs and bays, the idea of a desolate waste of grim rocky headlands.
Isn't it strange how attitudes change? Nowadays, people come to visit and view online because they are fascinated by the name and most of us who live here, love its title, the beautiful surroundings of five delightful bays and the glorious cliff path walks - yes in all its weathers!
Now in 2018, The Sunday Times 'Best places to live' list has voted Mumbles to be the best place to live in Wales! WOW!
Mumbles and the new village shoreline, 2017
The new Oyster Wharf sits well in the centre of the village