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Dunns Lane, c1910
Following their marriage in July 1893, my grandparents, John George Morris and Gertrude Amy Morris, lived at No. 4, then known as 'Leslie House’. [photo] My grandmother was Miss Bevan who taught at Oystermouth National School until her marriage, and I was often told how many pupils had their knuckles rapped for their misdemeanors; I am sure they were all the better for it—how times have changed!
My grandfather was a builder and undertaker, hand-making his own coffins which, were known as ‘boxes’ within the family. His workshop and various other outbuildings were situated at the rear of the yard extending behind the house. This same yard is now used by the Co-op supermarket for goods deliveries and staff parking — I wonder what he would have thought of that?
Two massive carthorses were stabled in the yard, and these, in addition to their other tasks, were used to pull the ‘night-cart’, which was operated by Tom Williams. He used to sally forth at appropriate times, to deal with the contents of the ‘little buildings’ belonging to the local cottages that had no ‘mod-cons’. One of my childhood treats was occasionally having a ride around the yard on one of these lovely animals.
No. 4, Dunns Lane, then known as 'Leslie House’
My grandfather built a considerable number of shops and residential buildings in the village and surrounding areas — Lowther’s Pharmacy (now Boots the Chemist) being one example; whilst my grandmother’s father operated a small fleet of Oyster Dredges, which harvested, the oysters for which Mumbles was well-known in those days. Her brother was also a fisherman — so we always had plenty of really fresh fish!
My grandparents were very keen Rugby enthusiasts, and were also staunch members of the local Bowling Club— so, in their way, they were quite well known in the community.
Mr. Lowther’s Pharmacy in 1920s
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