How lucky was I to grow up in Mumbles
by Julia Young
More: Explore collections A to Z >
More: Local Schools >
by Julia Young (née Grey) April 2015
'Fortes ice cream parlour in the square was a popular meeting place.
It had the first jukebox.
Their ice cream kiosk at the top of Rotherslade Hill was a welcome break after a day on the beach'.
After the blitz on Bristol in 1940 we moved to Mumbles to my paternal grand-mother’s house at 19, Kings Road. (As seen in the photo with Willie, my grandfather, it had railings, but these were taken for the war effort!) Then Swansea had terrible bombings. The family said Hitler was following us. I vaguely recall an Anderson shelter in the back garden. It was fun to climb on. I can`t say I ever remember sleeping in it.
At the end of the war V.E or V.J celebrations, a large marquee was erected at the top of Oakland road for a celebration. It was hastily evacuated when a large dog had diarrhoea by the food table (I recall that dreadful smell).
Oystermouth Infant’s school was just down the road. We had to cross the yard to get to the loos, boys’ one end, and girls the other. I remember one Saint David`s day crossing in the snow. I think we had a half day. The school smelled of onions because the boys wore huge leeks pinned to their clothes and they kept chewing on them.
The boys had a great time trying to tap the top of our Welsh hats.
If you remember any names, please let us know
Oystermouth Senior School 1949/50
Back Row L-R, ?, Margaret Griffiths, Ken Pickard, Penny Hayes, ? , Lynne Leleu, ? , Edna Thomas, Jimmy Dowdle.
Middle Row L-R, Ann - , ? , Gloria - , ? , Julia Grey, Mrs. Lavender, ? , Ann Ridd, ? , Mr. R O Smith (Headmaster).
Front Row L-R, ? , ? , ? , ? , Joan Thomas, Michael Sully, ? , Jacky Ritchie, ? , Tina Kostromin.
Oystermouth School
Oystermouth School, February 2011
Mr. Smith was the headmaster in the senior school, Mr. Thomas was the welsh teacher and used to converse in welsh with Margaret Griffiths. I remember being in Mrs. Lavender’s class. Domestic science was in the hut; sports day was in Underhill Park; nature walks to Rotherslade rock pools; art classes was going to Oystermouth with a bucket to collect mud and mould into models. On occasions I remember gypsy children coming to school. They were very nice. I think their name was Smith.
I recall lots of children walking in a crocodile line (on a very hot day) to Victoria Hall. The hall was full of camp beds. The next thing sitting in a chair, a smelly rubbery thing put over my face and then waking up lying on one of the beds with all the other children, having had four teeth extracted and a mouth full of blood. Then out we went to our mothers who were waiting outside the gate.
Newton Road, Mumbles
1947 was memorable because of the snow. Kings Road was brilliant for sledging on old trays. Janet and Mary Nicholson (Councillor Harry Libby’s nieces) had a proper sledge, and we were fortunate to have a go on Langland golf links. Neighbourhood chums were, Elizabeth Holden, Judy Porter, John Llewellyn and Michael Coles.
Guy Fawkes was a neighbourhood event. A bonfire at the cross lanes between Kings and Oakland Road, the fathers in charge of the fire and fireworks and the mothers supplying food.
When the lifeboat maroons went off, we would run down to the front and wait for another rocket. Chills would go through us.
The dreadful disaster of the 1947 Samtampa with lifeboat crews losing their lives was a terrible time. It affected the whole country. Margaret Gammon was in my class. I remember the funeral cortege processing through the village going to the cemetery. Absolutely ghastly.
I remember upstairs in the `Tiv`, on a Saturday morning, everyone stamping their feet with the horses galloping along with the Lone Ranger; Alf trying to keep order flashing his torch.
Fortes ice cream parlour in the square
Fortes ice cream parlour in the square was a popular meeting place. It had the first jukebox. Their ice cream kiosk at the top of Rotherslade Hill was a welcome break after a day on the beach. We used money we had collected from returning pop bottles to the cafe at Langland. We also made money collecting deposits from abandoned beach deck chairs.
We used to go roller-skating on Rotherslade prom.
Kemp`s (where the Co-op opposite to where the post office is now) is where we bought our school uniform.
Summertime we used to have water shortages, it must have been very difficult in guest houses. My father used to complain, saying we sold our water to England but had none for ourselves.
Tar was another big summer problem. The ships would wash out, and the oil works were across the bay. It left `blobs` on the beaches. We children were unaware of the problem for our mothers and shoes were lined up outside the houses not to tramp the black muck inside.
I used to run down to get the weekly laverbread from a house opposite Rees the butchers.
I caught my first Bass with my father (Dai Grey) fishing off Knab Rock.
Oystermouth Castle
We clambered all over Oystermouth Castle, no one had ever heard of health and safety.
Mumbles Head was intriguing, we never realised the wartime importance of the ditches we hid in.
On some Sunday afternoons, Judy Porter and I visited most of the chapels in the village, exploring/investigating what different Sunday schools had to offer! I remember the kindly welcome by all except My Lady Star of the sea.
Recycling is not a new thing! Remember the horse and cart? The rag and bone man used to come round weekly, ringing his bell. We would then go out with a shovel to recycle the droppings for the garden. The same happened after the coal man - out with the shovel and also to pick up bits of dropped coal.
Christmas we used to go carol singing at the big houses in Langland and Caswell - very generous with their cash.
On New Year’s day we would decorate an orange with ribbons and wish neighbours happy New Year.
'I enjoyed brownies'
Boots the Chemist, The Dunns
We knew when the Spring tides were and enjoyed the thrill and power of the waves. I am sure I remember Boots basement getting flooded, and the tide reaching the steps of the Methodist church.We had a TV especially for the Coronation, and our dining room was full. Hugh Porter had a friend from Pakistan who kept standing to attention every time Pakistan was mentioned.
The smell of springtime garlic was very potent in the wood at the top of Kings Road.
The smell of baking bread from Pressdee’s at the bottom of the road was delicious.
Occasionally we went roller-skating on Rotherslade prom.
I enjoyed brownies and guides in the Loft.
The Miss Blair`s were absolute saints coping with us all. Jo Richards (Pressdee) and Wendy Williams were leaders. Afterwards we usually ended up at Johnnie`s for chips. To this day my very special friends are old guides:- Janet Snow, Margaret Meyrick (now Mrs. Tony Edwards), Penny Burnett (now dr. Mrs Harding). Sadly we lost touch with Judy Porter (Mrs. Adams), Hugh, Alison and Denise Porter`s little sister. She went to South Africa.
Janet`s father Arthur was so patient with us. I remember him taking us crabbing on Crab Island.
I remember catching the Mumbles train to Rutland Street. Squashing a penny on the rail. It was a competition to see who could get the largest coin before it broke. Cyril Secombe (Pauline & Pam`s father and Harry`s Uncle) was the inspector in the square. He was always so good natured and jolly with us children.
I even wrote to Jimmy Saville to `Fix-It` to have a picnic on the Mixon Sands. How fortunate was I that he didn`t reply!!!
The Mumbles Train
Our summers were spent on the beaches, mainly Langland or Rotherslade. In the winter we either walked to Pwll Ddu or played hockey on Caswell.
I was confirmed at All Saints; married Des Young at All Saints on 2nd January 1960 and Judy Porter was my bridesmaid. Our wedding reception was at the Osbourne.