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Header: The cutting at Mumbles Head > with the Pier and Mumbles Train, 1930s.
Edited by John and Carol Powell Contact Editors >
AN EASY WAY TO SEARCH for any topic or name
is to open the search icon on the top right of each page,
especially useful for subjects not added to a 'collection' Search help >
You can also examine our new Site Map >
AN EASY WAY TO SEARCH for any topic or name
is to open the search icon on the top right of each page,
especially useful for subjects not added to a 'collection' Search help >
You can also examine our new Site Map >
NEW
More: Some members of
‘C’ Coy (Mumbles) 12th Bn. Home Guard >
Two reproductions which record
'Mumbles
Home Guard'
members’ names
as well as an
alphabetical List
From original research by
by Grafton Maggs
& Duncan Bishop
Druslyn Road VE Party, with many names
A park shelter later used by Mumbles Bay Ski Club at the Village Lane Slipway
Southend Gardens Park Shelter in 1956 from Elaine Coton
Southend Gardens Park Shelter, when used by the Mumbles Bay Ski Club.
Underhill Hub site has reopened
Under development
Fred, the son of Samuel Gammon, who was Killed in Action, during the battle for Mametz Wood, was one of the estimated 2,000 local children orphaned when their fathers were killed during the First World War and were taken to the summer homes at Llangennith for a holiday every year.
John Charles Thomas, with his brother Bertie.
John Charles Thomas was one of three Mumbles Men Killed In Action at Mamet 10th July 1916
Kathryn remembered, “My Gran was a very superstitious woman and, growing up, I was never allowed to see loved ones off on their travels by train car, plane etc. It turns out it was because she was convinced that John (Jack) died because she had gone to the train station to see him off to war, but that Bertie came back from the fighting because she had said goodbye at home.”
Frederick Graham BROCK
Royal Marine Commando
Second World War
Second World War
by his grandson David Brock
by his grandson David Brock
"This photo of my grandfather, Frederick Graham Brock, was taken during the Second World War, while he was on active service in North Africa.
He was a Royal Marine Commando and was on attachment to the Long Range Desert Group."
Jack Evans outside the Nags Head around 1913, before he demolished and rebuilt parts of it. Photo: Caroline Senior.
By Caroline Senior
By Caroline Senior
My Paternal Great Grandfather and grandmother were Jack (also known as John) and Amelia Evans, who ran the Nags Head in The Dunns, Mumbles.
Jack was a stonemason and he knocked the very old pub down and re built it.
Included in the
Mumbles Pubs collection >
Two 4.7 inch Guns were re-established on the top of the Fort on Mumbles Island.
by John Powell
The wartime gun positions and searchlight emplacements are examined, on the Lighthouse Island and on Tutt Head, Port War Signal Station (The peacetime Coastguard Station).
Where the Royal Artillery, Home Guard and WRNs served.
included in the
The Guns of Mumbles Head collection >
More Wartime Memories >
Compiled by Finvola Davies, 2005
to mark the 60th anniversary of VE and VJ days
More Wartime Memories >
Compiled by Finvola Davies, 2005
to mark the 60th anniversary of VE and VJ days
In 1939 I was a pupil in the High School and after the three nights of the blitz we only went to school for half of each day as De la Beche School was destroyed and they had to use the High School, alternating with us.
In 1939 I was a pupil in the High School and after the three nights of the blitz we only went to school for half of each day as De la Beche School was destroyed and they had to use the High School, alternating with us.
Edited by Carol Powell
I hope that you, like me, will enjoy the nostalgia and the sad, proud and happy verses, written in and about Mumbles.
'The Mumbles Train had broken down'
in verse by Harry F Maslen
The exposed pipe. Photo: Pierre Donahue, November 2024.
NEW DISCOVERY AT CASWELL BAY
NEW DISCOVERY AT CASWELL BAY
and The Water Supply by Wendy Cope
and The Water Supply by Wendy Cope
During what was possibly a once in a hundred years event, the tide exposed the Pipe at Caswell Bay, which was once part of the Mumbles water supply, powered by steam pumps and a Windmill.
Also included in the photo are the foundations of the steam powered Pump-house, on the western side of Caswell Bay, thought to have been carried away by a storm, after 1885.
The pipe was recovered by the sand after later tides.
Cpl. Joseph Russell.
'My father, Joseph, often talked about his time at Mumbles, where he served in the Royal Artillery on Mumbles Head, when he was around 29 years old and perhaps one of the oldest Bombardiers in his unit.'
He added: 'My father suffered with Tinnitus for the rest of his life, as a result of the noise from the Guns.
More: The GUNS OF MUMBLES HEAD collection >
Eastmoor Nursery
Updated
Updated
The Home of The Good Shepherd
and Eastmoor Nursery
'After studying the other photos on this website, I must say the home looked a very loving and well run place.”
The Home of The Good Shepherd
and Eastmoor Nursery
'After studying the other photos on this website, I must say the home looked a very loving and well run place.”
The book is now online
Lady and Me
Lady and Me
Amy’s story tells a very different tale of love and companionship, following the breakup of her family.
Photo: Our Grandchildren - Charlotte, Tomas, Harriet, William, Mathew and Megan, at St. Fagans, 1999.
Days Before Yesterday
Days Before Yesterday
The theme, Life in Victorian Oystermouth, is continued in greater detail, the sphere of childhood and elementary education in the various schools throughout the Victorian Parish of Oystermouth.
NEW
NEW
I started school on the Monday after my 5th birthday, in February 1943. I had been longing to go to school and used to spend hours pretending to teach my dolls.
The boys and their teacher, Ellen Howard, 1890s
From 1861
Fishing Nets off Oystermouth
WW2 Coastal Gun, ready to fire.
By John Powell
The Funeral Procession
UPDATE
THE MUMBLES LIFEBOAT 1947 DISASTER
Revealed by Stuart Batcup
Revealed by Stuart Batcup
Glynn Vivian caretaker father
responsible for countless art treasures
Born into an unrivalled world of treasures. Unfortunately, they did not belong to her family. “But I enjoyed them all the same,” Iris laughed.
UPDATED :
UPDATED :
First published in 1990 and edited in 2025
Powered by Horses, Steam and Electricity
UPDATED :
UPDATED :
and
A photographic journey
A Look Back by Carol Powell
In the wake of Storm Darragh, which struck the area in December 2024, it is perhaps opportune to look back at another devastating storm
The building on Snaple Point, Langland, 1970. Photo: Phil Humphreys.
Does anyone know what this building was for?’
Was the question asked by Phil Humphreys
Does anyone know what this building was for?’
Was the question asked by Phil Humphreys
Phil added, 'The WW2 building on the coast path at Langland, is included in my Dad's slides, taken around 1970. (originally posted on 'I Love Langland' Facebook page).
Vital information recorded by John Pressdee, revealed what guns had been fired on Langland Point during WW2, now revealed!
Vera Squire is seated with the wand in this 1930s school production. Photo: John Cundy
by John Cundy
by John Cundy
The photographs in the article were taken during a school productions in the 1930s , with one taken on the Castle Field. John Cundy said, 'My mother Vera Squire , was from Woodville Road, and went to school in Mumbles in the 1930s. She went on to study Shorthand and typing, at Greggs Collage in Swansea'
Cambrian Leader front page, 10, June 1924
The tragedy was appalling, relatives and friends of the two would-be rescuers could do nothing as they watched young Peacock and their loved ones being swept away. All three bodies were eventually recovered and Cliff Harcourt and Tom Evans had heroes funerals.
They died 'As The Result of an Endeavour to save Human Life'.
by Carol Powell MA
Although still spoken by many in parts of the village well into the twentieth century, today, their dialect has all but disappeared.
Mumbles was and is even today, a series of small areas each one with its own distinct 'flavour'.
Loading at Omaha Beach, June 1944
UPDATE
UPDATE
USS LST 317 in action on D Day as revealed in an article from LIFE magazine and one of the crew, Pharmacist Mate, Joseph Chatigny. They made many journeys to France.
The USS LST 317 visited Swansea during the end of 1944.
The Dunns from Mumbles Hill, around 1890
UPDATE
UPDATE
By John Powell
The changes which occurred along the Dunns to many of the shops and public Houses which are featured down the years, from the1850s to today. This included a change to the coastline.
The Prince's Fountain
UPDATE
UPDATE
By Carol Powell MA
Perhaps not many realise that the original purpose of the fountain near the Rugby Club at Southend, was to mark the marriage on 10 March 1863, of the then Prince of Wales (later to be King Edward VII) to Princess Alexandra of Denmark. A communal fountain was decided upon for a village that, as yet, had no proper water supplies.
A 'Duck' is also caught in this photo of the Train.
This photo of the Mumbles Train at Oystermouth Station, has also captured an ex American Army 'Duck' (DUWK) on the beach.
More is revealed in this article, with information from Terry Peters.
WHITE ROSE BOTTLING STORES MUMBLES
By Carol Powell
By Carol Powell
The inside of the old Coastguard Hut at Tutt Head, in the 1960s.
The old Coastguard Hut, Tutt Head, which overlooked Bracelet and Limeslade Bays. Including details of second world war additions. As well as the Coastguard Cottages at Church Parks and Westbourne Place, Mumbles.
West Cross House . Photo: W Glam Archive
Updated March 2024
Updated March 2024
In June 1807 West Cross House was advertised as being for sale together with 12½ acres of meadow and pasture land which is now occupied by Grange and St. David’s schools.
The camp on the Mumbles Hill was a big part of my early life from 1939 to 1945, as I was a child living nearby in Michaels Field. I can remember my time with the men on the Hill, where the Royal Artillery manned the Battery.
Oster Skiffs, 'The Snake' and 'The Hawk', off Mumbles Pier. Photo: RJ Lloyd .
'Will they no' come back again?'
by Mumbles News, 1976
'Will they no' come back again?'
by Mumbles News, 1976
What has happened? Why did the oyster-trade decline so rapidly and at last pass away almost entirely?
By 1873, the signs were already very ominous, and the old hands were cautious. The year's haul was only a little over nine million, and two years later it was to drop sharply again to just under four million.
Langland Camps,
Inspired by Penny Hehir
In the late 1920s Redcliffe was the family home of poet Vernon Watkins, a contemporary and close friend of Dylan Thomas. The house stood until the 1960s when it was demolished to make way for the Redcliffe apartments that now overlook the west side of the bay.
Langland Camps,
Updated February 2024
Updated February 2024
by Joan Gleig
We had a glorious view of the sea and Langland Bay, with the three points—Langland, Caswell and Oxwich reaching out into the water.
When I knew it, each owner had a small hut and a large tent for sleeping, also an earth closet in the garden.. It was a friendly place, which had a sports day every summer which everyone joined in. I remember some of the names—including Dickson, Drury, Pride, Taylor and Searle.
This shelter along the Promenade, at Southend Gardens, is thought to be one of several constructed by Swansea Town Council, around 1930.
Along with a glimpse of the area over the years.
Village Lane Slipway
The quay or breakwater at the Village Lane slipway, Southend, was built by the Railway Company, around 1895, to shelter the Oyster Skiffs, but was not maintained by them after sustaining damage in a storm and was slowly allowed to rot away.
Map of the Mumbles Railway land for sale in 1898.
The Mumbles Railway
Today this includes the site of Boots The Chemist, at Oystermouth Square and along to and including Cornwall Place.
The Tennis Courts and Bowling Green were reserved for public use and is maintained by the City and County of Swansea.]
Updated January 2024
Updated January 2024
by Wendy Cope
This house was possibly built about 1860 on land leased from the Duke of Beaufort. In 1865 it was owned and lived in by 28 year old John Ivor Evans and his wife Henrietta. He was an accountant with an interest in property . . .
Susan and Jacky Dodd, 1954
West Cross
By Jacky Dodd
We moved into our new home on 22nd December 1952, when houses were still being constructed all around us on West Cross estate.
Medieval Town to Copperopolis: 13
(Town & City Historical Maps)
Medieval Town to Copperopolis: 13
(Town & City Historical Maps)
The detail is beguiling.
Available in English and Welsh from Swansea Museum and Cover to Cover, Newton Road, Mumbles: at £10.99
by Stuart Batcup
My Scoutmaster Bill Barrington encouraged me to earn my ‘Observer Badge’, and I’ve been on the lookout for other such shapes in the stone walls around Mumbles ever since.
The Story of Mumbles www.storyofmumbles.org.uk
The Story of Mumbles Digital Archive is now live to the public following its launch on 17 November 2023.
We are delighted to share the lovely memorabilia we have been inputting on there and would welcome contributions through the website of any photographs etc that you have.
Remembrance Day Service at the Cenotaph in London. Photo: Wikemedia Common
by Carol Powell (née Symmons)
'As I grew older I learned from my mother, more of her grief, the death of her favourite cousin, Flying Officer Trevor Bladen, aged 22, in 1944.'
Norton Air Raid Shelters
In 1940, Mumbles got its first taste of high explosives and incendiaries, probably aimed at Swansea and the docks, raining down on the locality, lasting spasmodically from August 1940 until June 1941.
and Fort
In 1940 a narrow concrete causeway was constructed to connect the mainland to the lighthouse island.
Today some remnants can still be located.
Assembled by Kate Jones and John Powell
Displayed at Oystermouth Library November 2018
'At the going down of the sun . . . '
'At the going down of the sun . . . '
More: Mumbles at War >
By Carol Powell
Close on one hundred years ago, Robert and Margaret Todd ran a greengrocery-cum-sweet shop, at The Parade.
The displays were gradually and tragically transformed into spontaneous tributes to those who failed to return home, becoming Mumbles' unofficial Memorial.
More: Mumbles at War >
Herald of Wales Newspaper Report The library was opened on 21st, September 1935
By Edna Davies (née Harris) and Doreen Peregrine (née Harris)
on behalf of the Harris familyPrior to the opening of the library, books were very difficult to come by
Oystermouth Library
The Library housed two large paintings by the artist George Dixon Dixon
MA Clare Post Card Shop, The Parade, Southend, MumblesPhoto: OHA Archive
Updated March 2004
Updated March 2004
The Post Card Shop, The Parade, Southend
by Kate Jones
There are hundreds of photographs by MA Clare within the A History of Mumbles archive and many are used on this website.
An advertising pamphlet revealed :-
You will see us operating daily on the sands at all Bays. Do not hesitate to stop us and have that snap taken of the little ones, etc.'
On 19 April 1919, while in a heavy fog, the Royal Mail Lines steamer “Tyne”, ran onto the rocks at Rothers Sker, just east of Rotherslade.
But where were they?
But where were they?
by Carol Powell
A trawl through the Victorian censuses of Mumbles reveals a number of addresses not in use today. At that time, people could erect a row of several houses and give it a name of its own. But where were they?
Inside Ron's Rendezvous in Rotherslade.
A look back at the place to be seen in the 60s
Across South Wales there are many couples who remember with nostalgia the hip place to meet in the early 1960s.
If you were young and with it the only place to go was Ron's Rendezvous in Rotherslade.
YouTube link https://youtu.be/INPaQknbPqQ?t=1
Mumbles An Amble Through Time >
By John Powell
An Amble Through the village of Mumbles, Swansea:
showing how it looked in Victorian times and the contrast with now. This video includes the changes made to the shoreline, by the extension of the Mumbles Railway to Mumbles Pier and the developments on the land reclaimed from the sea.
The website editor, Carol Powell, viewing The Mumbles Train
The entrance to car number 7, with stairs and drivers cab.
The visit to the upstairs, brought back many memories of travel on the train.
The Mumbles Train at the Swansea Museum 'Tram Shed'
See the Mumbles Train at -
See the Mumbles Train at -
Swansea Museum's tramway annexe >
which houses the last surviving section of a 1929 Mumbles Railway electric car, fully restored. Car No. 7 Archive material and photo graphs add to the display. A continuous video shows the railway in action, as it once was. Please check opening times.
You can also follow:
by South Wales Transport c.1995
The details noted on this 1995 Trail may have changed and should be checked.
Updated
Updated
by Wendy Cope
In 1883 a windmill was erected on the hill above Caswell Bay. In conjunction with a series of ropes it was used to pump water from a well at the foot of the cliff to a small reservoir at Summerland Lane. It was part of a scheme to provide a public water supply for Mumbles Coming from a limestone source the water was hard but was otherwise praised.
British Legion Hall in Oystermouth Station Square
By Betty Sivertsen
The Red Gross, together with St, John’s Ambulance, A. R.P Wardens, Car Drivers, First Aiders and a band of wonderful volunteers, who would turn up immediately the siren sounded, at the wonderful old British Legion Hall at Oystermouth Station Square.
With full details of this journey, including some landmarks and people who lived along the road through the years,
by Carol Powell Mor
The route of the 'Old' Road from Swanzey Town to Oystermouth >
A briefer version of the route to Oystermouth Castle
Three Huts were built by the Americans in late 1943,
by John Sutherland
Cliff Edwin Guard
Cliff Edwin Guard
Webpage collection
Passed away peacefully at Hillside Care Home in Uplands, Swansea, aged 99 years. Cliff was born in Swansea and proud to have served in the US Army. He was the recipient of numerous medals including the French Legion d’Honneur following his distinguished service with the US Army throughout WW2.
Cliff also supported a number of veterans groups and causes throughout his life. He was a proud member of the Veterans Association, the American Legion and the Royal British Legion where he was well know for selling poppies every year in Swansea Market. He made other charitable donations to veterans groups, including his share of the proceeds of his biography “G.I. Limey, a Welsh American’s Second World War”.
After earning his degree at Perdue University, he went on to have a distinguished career with the United States Government before returning to his beloved Swansea where he helped to create and establish the Swansea Centre for Drug and Alcohol Abuse. Helping veterans and others overcome their struggles providing him with a tremendous sense of personal satisfaction.
His final resting place is at Arlington National Cemetery, USA, where he is interred with full military honours.
Cliff Guard (GI Limey)
17/09/1923 - 12/05/2023
Click You Tube to view Ciiff Guard's story
Cliff Guard on active service during WW2
NEW DISCOVERY -
NEW DISCOVERY -
Mumbles Primary Mixed Church School (No date or names).
Mumbles Primary Mixed Church School (No date or names).
Fancy Dress - 'The House That Jack Built.'
Thought to be dated around the 1930s.
If you can help supply and names or memories: please contact us
King Charles III and Camilla, waving from from Buckingham Palace Balcony, 6 May 2023
Coronation of Charles III and Camilla
Coronation of Charles III and Camilla
Took place on 6 May 2023 at Westminster Abbey. Charles acceded to the throne on 8 September 2022, upon the death of his mother, Elizabeth II.
At the outbreak of war in 1939, the tunnels took on another role precious items from Swansea were removed to a place of safety, using the sewage scheme access tunnels and other locations.
Few people know what lies behind the doors protecting these tunnels. Large quantities of stone were mined from Mumbles Head and much of this used to create the Bracelet Bay car park and fill in the old Iron Mine on Mumbles Hill.
Also known through the years as: The Promenade, Sea Wall, Foreshore, Footpath, Cycle Path, Rail Track, The Concrete and Burrows or Dunes.
Also known through the years as: The Promenade, Sea Wall, Foreshore, Footpath, Cycle Path, Rail Track, The Concrete and Burrows or Dunes.
by Carol Powell M.A.
Ystumilwynarth, meaning a wooded bend is the Welsh name for the Oystermouth area and describes its most notable feature of long ago-its heavily wooded nature.
My grandparents kept ’The Fulton’ public house on the corner of Oxford Street and Portland Street. On the third night of the blitz, a fireman told her that she had better move, because the whole place would soon be up in flames and she just had time to get me out . . .
by Edith E Robinson
The Mumbles Lighthouse, 1814
By Sarah Monks
By Sarah Monks
Born in 1954, here, I am with my parents, Ivor and Jacqueline at the Higher Lane bungalow
Here I am in 1959 at the new house on Village Lane
The Cutting at Mumbles Head and Mumbles Lighthouse
by Carol Powell
The building of the cutting was a way for the village to commemorate and benefit from Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee in 1887. Until that time, one would have had a steep climb up over Mumbles Hill or sail round the Headland to reach Bracelet and beyond.
His book 'Didn't Quite Make It!' is a treasure trove of memories.
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.
Edited by Carol Powell
NEW
NEW
By Neil Norman
By Neil Norman
The cliffs near Langland
or
Tom Nicholls' Hole and Ginny's Gut by Malcolm Webborn
The hazardous journey down into Ginny's Gut, Langland, leads to the forbidden depths of 'Doctor's Mine,' an iron mine, which extended up into the fields off Higher Lane, Thistleboon.
The Dodson Gang at Mumbles Head, Photto: MA Clare.
Mumbles Pier
Mumbles Pier
More photos: The Copperfish Restaurant and the old Cinderellas Dance Hall/Disco were totally destroyed in a fire around 11am on Wednesday 31st August 2022.
Mumbles Pier: Past and Present >
Mumbles Pier was opened on 10th May 1898, along with an extension of the railway, from Oystermouth to Mumbles Head.
by Carol Powell
WHEN Charlie Cottle, the last keeper of the Mumbles lighthouse, finished in 1934 at the age of 61, the event was considered important enough for the popular national daily, the Sketch, to devote nearly two pages to the story and pictures.
The American Army in WW2
Louis Amundson, a GI with 11th Port of Embarkation at Swansea
Fanny Catherine Davie celebrated her 104th birthday
Fanny Catherine Davie celebrated her 104th birthday
Fanny Davie was born on 21 May 1852 and died in Mumbles on 8 February 1957, aged 104.
Photo: South Wales Evening PostWOULD you say there is over a hundred years difference in the ages of these two persons in the photo?
Fanny Catherine Davie, Mumbles, celebrates her 104th birthday. At her side is 3 year-old Michael Beynon, her great-great-grandson. Mrs. Davie is also proudly displaying a basket of fowers sent her to mark the occasion.
Thomas & Co, Draper, The Dunns
Nurses Lucy and Margaret Wood. Known by patients as 'Nurse Sunshine'
Wendy Cope
Wendy Cope
by Pauline Belton, nee Phillips
by Pauline Belton, nee Phillips
Includes a pictorial journey of The Dunns down the years
The Elms, Photo: Stuart Bishop
by Doreen Peregrine, née Harris
Doreen was born in Village Lane in 1923 and says,
'There can't be many people who have been as lucky as I have been - a husband in a million together with a mother who to this day everyone speaks about with love and affection. Neither of them will ever be forgotten
What more could I want!'
by Jeanette MacAdam
Jeanette's father, William MacAdam, was a firman, known as 'Bill Mac, who was well known as a house painter in his spare time. Jeanette and her her sister Susan are pictured.
My grandmother, Leopoldine Konetschny, around 1940.
Can you please Help?
Can you please Help?
My grandmother worked at Langland Convalescent Home > as a cook and lived there for three years from 1938 during the 2nd World War, after escaping Sudetenland, Czechoslovakia.
If anyone could fill me in on her days at Langland Bay, I would be ever so grateful. As my mother, Bridgitte, now 92, has never really came to terms with a forced separation from her mother in the 1930s, when only nine years old..
Asks Audrey Beaumont
Louise Fleet, West Glamorgan Lord-Lieutenant opened an Arch at Southend Gardens, Mumbles, May 2022
Louise Fleet, West Glamorgan Lord-Lieutenant opened an Arch at Southend Gardens, Mumbles, May 2022
Grandpa (Max Gronow) and Dad, (John Cooke) age 24, are in overalls and are pictured with the builders while building their bungalow at number 30, Riversdale Road, some time during 1955.
by Louise Davies
A glimpse through the ages
A glimpse through the ages
Oystermouth Library in October 1936, The Library then had 8,000 books, of which 5,000 were out on loan and 1,000 out for re-binding, leaving shelves looking empty.
Hours in
Oystermouth Library >
By Grafton Maggs
Victor Morgan, the unruffled head librarian, was always ready to advise and to get us more involved, we were invited to assist behind the counter. Mr. Morgan would be besieged by many youngsters begging him, ‘Can I help stamp the books, Mr. Morgan?’ To be fair, he would allow us an hour each and the rest of the time would be spent in returning books to the appropriate places on the shelves, not difficult in those days because only the top two or three shelves were stocked.
The Kilo rescue attempt.
A painting by Derek Scott, courtesy of Mrs Pat Scott
A painting by Derek Scott, courtesy of Mrs Pat Scott
“They were all great men.”
by Kate Jones
This is a story of courage, gallantry and skilful seamanship battling force-10 winds, extremely rough seas and the most dreaded danger on board ships – FIRE!
The Cross Country Tropy, 1974, rediscovered by Phil Stockton
The Cross Country Tropy, 1974, rediscovered by Phil Stockton
Delving into the attic I rediscovered this relic from 1974, Phil Stockton
When asked What do you remember from those days? Phil replied -
When asked What do you remember from those days? Phil replied -
Too much! Those cross country runs would never be allowed these days - 100 kids through Underhill - across Langland corner - down to Rotherslade over to the golf course then up Mary Twill through Newton and down through the park - with never a worry about the Green Cross Code!
Wet kit stuffed in lockers and fermenting for a couple of weeks; the ritual of 'The Rack' behind the gym to welcome the new kids to the school; chucking iron fillings up the chimney in metalwork and turning the blowtorch on and melting lead for fishing weights; getting rainbow sherbert from Shute's and pasties from Eynon's; getting conkers from the tree by the old surgery and selling them for 2p each; climbing into the bins behind the school to retrieve dozens of confiscated water-pistols; mince in gravy and mash at school dinners -
not to mention Minnie Morgan, the Edneys, Mr Bailey, Mr Aston - And Mr Thomas - who once went bonkers when he heard a kid actually call him 'Noddy'...
Lilliput Hall and Cottage, demolished in 1960
The fallen tree at Lilliput, near the site of the Hall and Cottage
Sidney Davies, c. 1950
By Carol Powell
A little way beyond Blackpill on the seaward side of the main road to the Mumbles, stood picturesque Lilliput Hall and Cottage, but all that remains now are one or two aspen trees from its garden.
Sidney Davies, age 77, who grew up at Lilliput Cottage, said in 2021, 'I still enjoy the view from the nearby seat, when I return home.'
When Mumbles was ‘The Mumbles'
'Billy Howell’s tea shop nestling on the beach'
Howell's Tea Rooms -
A postcard sent to A History of Mumbles by Giorgio Tortorella, from his maternal grandparents collection, who visited Wales in the 1930sThis postcard shows “Billy Howell’s tea shop nestling on the beach”, as referenced in the poem
“When Mumbles was ‘The Mumbles’
a poem by Cyril Gwynn
When Billy Howell’s tea shop nestling on the beach,
Was washed in each sou’wester by the tide,
When Mabel Higgs had donkeys on Langland’s sandy reach,
And used to charge a penny for a ride.
Yes, Mumbles was The Mumbles but twenty years ago.
Now paving stones have covered up the furrough,
And Mumbles isn’t Mumbles, for I would have you know,
‘Tis ‘Oystermouth’, a section of ‘The Borough’.
An extract from The Gower Yarns of Cyril Gwynn
published by the Gower Society
The full poem
Harborne Tea Rooms, another postcard sent by Giorgio Tortorella
A modern view and It is now the Red Cafe
From Google Street View
and later
The popular forerunner of several discothèques or nightclubs in the same building.
Bently's Nightclub opened in the 1980s and there were more . . .
Tiffany's,
by Stuart Batcup
by Stuart Batcup
The time has come for us to press on in a southwards direction towards ‘the Plunch’ and Limeslade Bay.
Having spent an idyllic childhood playing and exploring all these places, I thought it would be fun to retrace some of my childhood steps.
A Trek through old Mumbles Village and Thistleboon >
by Stuart Batcup
My 3 yr old sister Viv, dressed as Red Riding Hood, won 1st prize in a Fancy Dress event
NEW
by Beverley Rogers
Mumbles has been recently featured at the top of the list of 52 Places to Love in 2021 in the New York Times. It has also appeared in the Sunday Times’ Best Places to live for three years in a row. This is a glowing accolade for our lovely seaside village . . .
by Gerald Gabb
by Carol Powell
Page updated
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