I was quite small when we lived in the Mayals and we left when I was 10.  We lived in WIllowbrook Gardens, on a new estate bounded by Clyne Park and Clyne farm built, according to my mother, largely to house the middle management being brought to South-west Wales to encourage the growth of industry to provide employment. My father worked for Thyssens, a civil engineering company, and other employees of the company also lived in the same estate.

     My next-door friend was Kara Doyle, whose father was captain of the pilot boat and we used to see him sometimes when we went on Mumbles Pier.

    I have the fondest memories of my time at Mayals School, which was very small in those days — I think there was one class in each year, with 25 or 28 children per class, and it was a friendly and personal school. The headmaster at the time was Dai Minty and the two teachers I remember best were Mr. Taylor and Mr. Trew, both truly inspiring teachers.

      Mr. Trew taught us songs in Welsh, which was a strong cause at the time. The class used to be taken out to the woods beyond the playground to dig into the soil and see the different layers, or to the beach to see shore life, things, which are rare in today's large classes and crowded roads.

More: Oystermouth Schools' class photos

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