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Victorian visitors and Mumbles Boatmen crowd the shore at Bracelet Bay, 1905.
A new Information Board, September 2019
Mumbles Lighthouse and Fort overlooks Bracelet Bay, with swimmers and a pleasure boat departing for a turn around the bay in 1956, from Elaine Coton
For many years in all weathers, I have enjoyed visits to Bracelet Bay. In the 1950s, nature had designed a large 'bathing pool' between the mainland and the Middle Island, which attracted many families, where we could enjoy bathing and paddling in safety when the tide was out
There was a cave to explore, rockpools to examine, sandcastles to make, laverbread to pick and ice-cream cornets to enjoy. In the winter you could watch the stormy sea thunder over the Mixon Shoal (also called Mixen).
Bracelet Bay fun, in 1956 from Elaine Coton
In the latter years of the nineteenth century, the Edwardian era and into the 1920s, there were bathing machines along the shore, operated by James Webborn and his family, which allowed people to change into their bathing attire in privacy and then transport them down to the water's edge to bathe. At the top of the pebble beach was 'an old established Refreshment Shed’ overseen by Mrs Webborn and her sister.
Bracelet Bay Tea Rooms, with bathing machines for hire
A closer view of the bathing machines for hire.
Storm damage to the Tea Rooms in December 1910.
A glimpse of the roof of the old 'Refreshment Sheds' in the foreground. Slide c.1895 by A History of Mumbles.
The site of the old 'Refreshment Sheds.' by A History of Mumbles.
A Donkey Ride at Bracelet Bay, with Penny Hehir's grandmother Margaret Wood on the donkey. Margaret was born in 1899, so the photo could be dated - early1900s. Photo from her granddaughter Penny Hehir
More: My family photos through the years > by Penny HehirIdyllic days at Bracelet Bay
Idyllic days at Bracelet Bay
Gertie Thomas, at the tea room at Bracelet Bay, before it closed in the 1950s. Photo: Robert James Thomas.
Eileen's daughters, Elaine and Jill with auntie Elise (Eileen's sisters in law, Doug's wife. Around the 1950s.
Photo: Robert James Thomas.
Owner operator of the Tea Rooms at Bracelet Bay (my aunt) Eileen Thomas, her brother Bernard and his wife Gertie (my parents). Photo: Robert James Thomas.
Bracelet Bay Tea Rooms in the 1950s, before it was closed due to storm damage.
There were boat rides to enjoy and more and more local boatmen gathered to take people on trips, but by 13 July 1911, 'A Visitor' wrote to the Mumbles Press complaining of the inconvenience caused to bathers by boatmen plying for hire. When trade was slow with these and they were awaiting passengers they had their boats all crowded together at the edge of the water, so that bathers could scarcely find room to pass. 'Coming out of the water the other morning, I struck my foot against the grappling iron holding one of the boats, cutting it severely' He added that he did not wish to interfere with these men earning a livelihood, but suggested they should keep to one side instead of completely obstructing the narrow strip of sand.
Victorian visitors and Mumbles Boatmen crowd the shore at Bracelet Bay, 1905.
Edwardian ladies waiting for a boat ride, pre 1914.
Mumbles boatmen gathered at Southend for a yarn
For many years after the demise of Bathing machines and full-length costumes, the Boatmen continued to ply their trade from the shore near the station at Southend. I remember that you could go for a trip perhaps rowed by Tom Ace, round the Pier supports and back again for 6d.
For more of our stories on Bracelet Bay, visit these links:-
More: The Mixon Sands collection >
More: The Guns of Mumbles Lighthouse
Also: Memories of Visits to Bracelet Bay
... long hot summers of almost a century ago, were indeed a sight to behold. Bracelet Bay tea room Mrs. Gwladys Ferris (nee Bowen), now over ninety-five years of age ...
... the road from outside the Beaufort at Southend onwards towards Mumbles Head, thence to Bracelet and Limeslade and eventually around the cliffs to Langland. The proposed route caused much objection ...
Cricket, Tea and Tragedy on the Mixon Sands by Carol Powell >
The Mixon Sands Adventure, Bracelet Bay
A stroll around old Thistleboon by Brinley McKay... Archie and William Thomas who, one day saved a young boy from drowning at Bracelet Bay and who was destined to lose his own life in the 1947 lifeboat disaster ..
by Carol Powell MA A fantastic sight, The waves on the Mixon February 2012 Even more incredible are these paddle-boarders on the Mixon.It is not recomended that you ...
... that came to the rescue in the tragic death of two young men off Mixon Sands. They had gone out in a canoe with a young lady, Beryl Batchelor’s ...
... which was to warn ships of the hazards off the Mumbles Head, namely the Mixon Sands and the Cherry Stone Rock. Mumbles Lightouse in 1841, Drawn by W H ...
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