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Killay

Killay photos

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Killay maps

Historic maps of Killay and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis.   View all Killay maps

Killay area books

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Killay books
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Memories of Killay

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West Glamorgan memories

Ghostly Happenings!!!

Llwynderw Annexe c1960
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I recall my father Gerry Richards of West Cross telling me that when the building was no longer being used( he was then an acting security man having formerly tended the gardens and the boiler system) that he and his colleague were in the kitchen when they heard footsteps(the clicking of high heels) coming from the internal corridor towards the closed door. Thinking it was a visiting hospital worker he went to the door to open it. As the footsteps reached the door he opened it, the footsteps stopped - there was no one there!! then they realised that all the external doors were locked and bolted, CREEPY!!!!

Happy Days

I was thrilled to see your photo of Cecil Road as the houses on the left are in Hill Street and my Grandmother lived at number 2, the left hand house.
I have very Happy Memories of holidays with 'Mam' at Hill Street. My Dad, Dudley Williams was born a Hill Street along with his 7 siblings. The Williams family were very much a part of Gowerton life at the turn of the last century. My Great Grandfather, John Williams, lived in Church Street and raised 10 children. He was very involved in the local Baptist Chapel and all aspects of local life. My Grandmother's family ran Thomas butchers, on the corner of Sterry Road opposite the Gower Inn, also featured in your photos so this has been a very enjoyable visit to your web page.

Mumbles Memories

The Cemetery 1899
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My Great, Great, Grandfather planted these trees which you can see running down the middle of the photo in 1883 when the cemetery was opened and they are still present to this day.
His name was Henry Harris (1827-1911).  He died at 84yrs old. His wife Elizabeth Harris passed away in 1920 aged 88yrs at the Cemetery Lodge where they both resided.

One of my Trips From London to The Mumbles to Auntie Connie's House

The Grand Hotel c1965
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This looks exactly like the picture I took to prove to Mom I had been on my way to Auntie Connies' house.  I took the train from Doncaster in England to Swansea - one of the train ticketers' kept bothering me, so I snuck past him when he got to Swansea and ran over to the Grand to book a room for the night.  
I made my way to go to Auntiie Connie's in the morning, or so I thought.  I was going to take the bus - everybody I asked knew who my Auntie Connie Thorpe was.  So, they probably knew the young girl she raised, who would be my Mom, Robina.  Anyway, being only 17, I got scared (I can't figure out why??) and went back to Barton on Humber where I was staying.
This trip was a 6 week stay for my Graduation present in 1971 - for graduation from High School in Michigan USA.

Swansea Deaf And Dumb School

Deaf And Dumb School 1896
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I was born and bred in the Mount Pleasant area of Swansea, in which the D&D Institute was based.  My schooling was Terrace Road infants & juniors.  Lots of football in the street, Cwmdonkin Park and playing in and around the quarry off the Promenade, that overlooked the Institute.  The quarry was wild, with steep drops and the cause of many mishaps.  A lad of my age was the son of the caretaker at the Institute and a group of us kids frequently used to wander the corridors of the school, which was a dark, auspicious and sprawling affair, very much reminiscent of the Victorian building I subsequently learned it to be.  Dropping out of the back of the Institute's grounds, it was possible to slide down a slope, peppered with trees and foliage, until appearing down the bottom at railings overlooking Heathfield.  I don't know why, but railings in those days always seemed to have convenient gaps - great for escape in games of tag!  More often or not... Read more

Choirboy 1936

St Mary's Church c1965
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My brother Joe joined St Mary's church choir about 1936. We lived on Pantycelyn Road, Town Hill and every Sunday morning he was forced to drag me, his sister (sixteen months younger), down the hill and across town to the church. He went into the choir loft and I was left to find a seat somewhere. The place looked enormous to me and not many people attended the service. Sometimes I sat in the back row, sometimes in the middle, sometimes in the second row from the front. I wasn't allowed to sit in the front row. On the days communion was held people would line up in the aisle, and I always remember one man kept rubbing the side of his head as he walked along.
All the time I attended the church -  a little girl, sitting all by herself, surrounded by empty seats - not one member of the clergy came near me. I can still remember the Vicar, a little plump with a red face.
On... Read more

Trick And Price Families 51 Westbury Street.

St Mary's Church c1965
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Most of my relatives in Swansea got married in St Mary's.
I have traced my Trick ancestors to Hartland in Devon.
My great uncle Thomas Gilbert R Trick was down on the Swansea 1911 census as being an ice skating instructor , I have asked my father if he knew of a rink in Swansea and he cannot remember one in his time 1930 onwards. He also doesn't remember his Gran Gwen Trick having a brother.
Does anyone remember a rink or have a link with him ?

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