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In every community, big or small, urban or rural, there exists a small number of people who walk around with their eyes wide open, seeing and registering things that the majority do not deign to notice. Items that retain a history of the past are of special interest and, in many of these observers, there burns an ardent desire, not only to record and preserve for posterity, but to research a complete background.

Without any doubt, in these days of dramatic change, all local history would fast disappear if it were not for such people. How wanton most of us have been, here in Mumbles, with our past history! Perhaps we have been too close to our heritage to value it, record it and perpetuate it.

Carol Powell is filled with the dedicated passion of the zealot in preserving the history of our lovely village and, supported wholeheartedly by husband John, has, indeed, made her mark on the local scene. Her publications and internet activities have carried the fruits of her work, world wide.

So Who is Carol Powell?

She was born, Carol Symmons in Rhondda Street, Mount Pleasant, Swansea, on 1st May 1943 which, of course made her a war baby. Even as birth, it was evident that she was gifted with a high intelligence because she had the sense to choose a Mumbles Lass as her mother, (Elaine née Bladen of Promenade Terrace) and a father (Harold Symmons) who had been educated at that greatest of Schools- Dynevor (a school not unknown to have produced the odd Archbishop of Canterbury). From the beginnings it boded well for little Carol.

Even at the age of 2yrs 1 week, Carol remembers the VE street party but there was a greater shock to come! 

One year later, a total stranger walked into her home, swept Mum off her feet (literally) in a whirlwind embrace and then turned to face this scared little girl. Daddy was home from the war, In Carol's words, ".......he was a wonderful Dad and we soon got on like a house on fire....!".

At five years of age, school began in the shape of Terrace Road Infants but was short lived. The family moved to West Cross and Carol was transferred to Oystermouth Infants School. 

Forever remembered are the wild flowers of West Cross, the proximity of the lovely beach and that great bonus- the journey to school, and back, each day on the Mumbles Train. So began a life long love of Mumbles and its environs.

In 1951, aged 8, Carol was moved to the 'Big' School- the Church School in Dunns Lane. Forms 2A and 2B were accommodated in the Church Hall (now Ostreme) in Castle Avenue under the excellent tutelage of Mrs. Davies and Mr Boyd. Within a year, it was time to move yet again. 

Easter 1952 saw the opening of the first postwar purpose-built school in Swansea - the Grange at West Cross Avenue, Norton. This school was so fortunate to have, as its first headteacher, the redoubtable, Miss Mildred Roberts, who produced  an enviable academic reputation for the new seat of learning. These were the days of the dreaded "Scholarship" examination and the only chance of a reputable higher education was to gain one of the very few places available in one of the four Grammar Schools, (Swansea Grammar, Dynevor, High School and Glanmor).

Carol won a place in Glanmor and entered the school in September 1954, aged 11. Here indeed was bliss! The school was situated out of the congested, polluted town, on Glanmor Hill, sited in beautiful gardens. Every change of class meant a short walk, through the flowers, in the fresh air. Carol looks back with gratitude to her Glanmor days, it was so rewarding. She was a bright diligent pupil and took full advantage of the opportunities offered by the conscientious staff. 

The halcyon days of the 1950's continued into the 60's. Carol was, indeed blessed with a golden childhood. Caring parents, a warm cosy home in wintertime, the simple pleasures offered by the wireless ("Journey into Space etc"), a piano-playing father etc. Forte's Ice Cream Parlour in Station Square took a regular contribution from her pocket money and the Tivoli Cinema (the Tlv) saw her sigh at the sight of a young Elvis in "Gl Blues". One memory persists! A silk pantalooned Yul Brynner was holding forth in "The King and I" when a cloudburst over Mumbles, flooded the cinema! Amidst much horseplay and laughter the audience was evacuated! Boredom did not exist. The routine of homework coupled with the myriad pleasures offered by Langland and Caswell Bays (so near by bike) and family picnics in Crawley Woods meant that there just were not enough hours in the day. How those school holidays flew by!

It was whilst in Oystermouth Infants School that Carol met a little lad who was going to resurface in her life, in no small way!-John Powell, a member of a wealthy and highly respected Swansea business family. They started dating in their teens and, no doubt, gave mutual support as they started to create careers for themselves. Carol left Glanmor and joined the (then) Steel Company of Wales, in September 1961, as an Assistant in the Physics Department. Her job was the X-Ray monitoring of steel products and new knowledge was essential, so back to the books and tuition in Applied Physics at night school.

By 1964 Carol and John realised that the rest of their lives had to be spent together and following marriage, settled in Kittle, Elizabeth was born in December 1965 and two years later was joined by Cathryn. Shortly afterwards the family moved to the Mayals. The next fifteen years followed the pattern of all happy families, the napkins stage, school runs, taxi service and wondering where all the money was going!

1982 was a momentous year for the Powell family. Carol was becoming restless as family pressures eased. John wished to strike out in a new direction away from his family business. The Arcade in Newton Road (on the site of the old Regent Cinema) was opened. It all came together! Over the years Carol and John had become very interested in natural medicine and health food. Much time had been spent reading, and studying in depth, this fascinating subject. A big decision was made after very careful assessment and that was to open the Granary Health Food Store in a choice shop in the new Arcade. John's retail experience was invaluable and the business filled a very big gap for the Mumbles' shoppers. It has flourished and is still there.

Within the next four years, Cathryn married and eventually moved to a new home and Elizabeth left for University. The dear and much loved Labrador died. Empty-nest synrome reigned! It was like a ghost town! Carol, being Carol, got her head down and, in 1989, returned to the books! She started by learning how to research her ancestors, then followed a GCSE in Local History. This was not enough! She enrolled at Swansea University and completed a two year Diploma Course in Local History. With appetite truly whet, Carol went the whole hog and read a Master's Degree in Local History at Trinity College Carmarthen, graduating in 2000. It should be mentioned that this degree course, on its own, is a formidable task to complete, yet Carol, still active in the business and involved in other ventures coped admirably.

During the courses, encouraged by Tony and Dinah Cottle, under the banner of 'InAlong Publishing, four local history books were researched and published. First to appear was "Inklemakers", (Gower dialect="Busy People"). The public reception to this first work was more than encouraging and, so, its success inspired production of "Glanmor Remembered" a tribute to this wonderful school, now long gone. Mumbles, itself, was the stimulus for "Once Upon a Village" and, more recently, "Days before Yesterday". These publications are clever, cross-section, collections of local anecdotes, now preserved for posterity. Many have gone far overseas to Mumbles folk in exile - many an eye becomes moist reading them! Meanwhile family life was ongoing and Elizabeth was now married. Cathryn had become a teacher and Elizabeth an accountant, practising in Cheltenham. In spite of these professional commitments, both daughters had produced offspring. The Powell's now had six grandchildren.

In the late 1990s, Mumbles Community Council paid Carol the compliment of offering her the post of Editor of its Community Website, following the adage that if you want anything well done - ask a busy person! Backed by an enthusiastic John - she accepted. www.the mumblesbook.co.uk now communicates with the whole world. 

This website offers over 150* articles written by locals and Carol, herself. It is a wonderful window through which, the world can see our village life, past and present.

(UPDATE: Carol noted that in 2025, the website which John and she co-edit. is named A History of Mumbles and has around 500 articles. Please, see below for more details)

In 1998, "the Mumbles Community Action Group" was formed by Carol and her colleagues, this body was later renamed, "the Mumbles Development Trust". One of the groups aims was to establish a local history centre in the village. It came to life in 2000 in Peachey's ancient, and disused, garage. Over ten thousand people visited this exhibition in that one summer alone! A permanent home was found in August 2002 in Dunns Lane, opposite the Library (in Leslie House of old). It is a fitting site because Mr. Morris. builder and undertaker, who lived there, built it and Lowther's the Chemists (now Boot's) and all adjoining properties up to the Tivoli. The exhibition is a dynamic one, constantly having its photographs and memorabilia, added to. It has been an outstanding success.

With husband John and a stalwart bunch of volunteers, regular exhibitions are staged in the Public Library. These are very professional, carefully researched and well presented. The time involved is immense but both Carol and John feel that every minute spent, is more than justified.

This year, 2005, is the 60th Anniversary of the ending of the wars in Europe and the Far East and, for many months preparations have been made to stage a show, "Mumbles at War, Home and Away". This is a tribute, not only to the Mumbles lads and lasses who served in the Forces but a tribute, too, to those Mumbles people who kept Mumbles going through the conflict.

So, here in Carol Powell, one sees an example of a person who turned an academic interest into a practical vocation. There is no pecuniary return but Carol has riches, beyond her wildest dreams, as she sees a tangible contribution manifesting itself in the Mumbles Community in the shape of publications, exhibitions and tributes.

She is the first to pay tribute to husband, John, for his active support and brilliant conceptions but there is not enough room here to enlarge upon that!

John, is, indeed, another story! This article finishes with a warning!

"Be very careful when you are in conversation with Carol. If you dare utter those words "I remember.....", she'll have you! She'll third degree you, if necessary, until every fragment of information is gleaned!"

Long may she do so!

Our children and our children's children will be the beneficiaries of the noble work carried out by Carol Powell and her team. Thank you Carol.

• This article from 2005, written by Grafton Maggs, came to light 20 years later when moving files in our office and is republished on, 'A History of Mumbles', which has grown steadily in size to around 500 articles concerning Mumbles and the immediate area.

•  The editors: John & Carol Powell are taking a step back in 2025, from researching new local history projects, but still intend to ensure that this website and our Facebook page are updated and available. 

• We thank all who contributed to this site over the years and ask that in future, any donations of local photos or memorabilia are sent instead, to our good friends
  The Story of Mumbles > 

It is with great sadness that we heard the news that Grafton Pearce Maggs has passed away on 13th November 2022. 

Beloved husband of Wai Chow and the late Irene and the late Maureen. Loving father Neil, Glen and Lyn (Bobby), dear father-in-law to Heidi and Cath, proud grandfather to Richard, Alex, David, Georgia and Josie and great grandfather to Joe, Caitlin, Seb, Scarlett and Finlay. Cherished brother of Colin and dear uncle to David, Roger, Nigel and Sarah. Grafton will be sadly missed by all his family and many friends in the Mumbles community. 

 An amazing person, a local Mumbles Boy, who led a long and eventful life. He has left behind so many stories, which could make you laugh and cry. His book 'Didn't Quite Make It!'  is a treasure trove of memories.

He was the first person to ask about anything which happened in Mumbles over the many years of his life. He was always very willing to talk, perhaps about a recently discovered photograph or query and often these chats, using email, ended up as articles on these pages. 

Generously, he gave his time to film-maker Peter Hall, who produced two impressive videos, published on YouTube concerning his life and times.

It's hard to imagine Mumbles without him.