Oystermouth Urban District Council: The Final Meeting

This photo was taken on the occasion of the final meeting and disbandment of the Oystermouth Urban District Council in 1918, when the locality became part of the Swansea town Administration area.

We do not know who is who, but the poem by H.F. Maslin reveals a few names of Councillors from that time.

The Last Meeting of the Oystermouth UDC, 1918

Written in the 1920s, by Retired Councillor H.F. Maslen

The Councillors of Oystermouth with methods always thorough,

Had reached their final meeting, ere they came within the Borough.

The meeting was historic, as never, never more,

Would O.U.D.C. nameplate, be fixed above the door.

Now Councillor John Harris, as Chairman did preside,

Messrs. Puddingcombe and Jarvis, sat one on either side.

And next sat H.F. Maslen, to Councillor J.J. Jones,

While F.E. Beer and Davy Beynon talked in undertones.

Then Councillor Cumming Evans to Councillor Peacock spoke,

‘Oh, don’t we all look glum tonight, can’t someone crack a joke’.

So Councillor Harry Davies made Edmund Bevan smile,

And C.P. Bell, the humourist, jumped up and waved his ‘tile’.

And started off the singing, ‘Oh, jolly good fellows are we,

The Ratepayer’s interests only, we’ve served most faithfully’.

And when the Corporation, carry on where we’ve begun,

May some, who knows us best exclaim, oh faithful ones, well done.

And so the Oystermouth Council, for ever passed away,

Yet happy memories linger, which age can ne’er decay.