Mumbles

Read and share memories of Mumbles and West Glamorgan inspired by Frith photos

A Happy Memory

Whenever I heard the words "The Mumbles" as a child, it conjured up a very romantic image in my mind. According to family history, my Great-grandfather Thomas Stokes proposed to my Great-grandmother Matilda Thomas there. I can just imagine them enjoying the lovely view and sea air and planning their future. They left Wales for America in 1908, never to return to their special place. So it was especially sweet for me to be able to visit there in 1992. I still keep the memory of that day close to my heart.
Contributed by Karen Larson

The Pier!

I have many happy memories of Mumbles Pier from the 1950s onwards. It was a place of Penny Slot Machines and there were lots of opportunities to spend your pocket money and have fun! I can remember the Laughing Policeman exhibit - a penny in the slot started a unusual and rather scary model of a Policeman, complete with helmet, swaying from side to side and laughing. There was also the Haunted House where a further penny opened up coffins, cupboards with skeletons and all sorts of ghosts emerging from the spooky house! There was even the naughty machines where we turned handles and which showed What The Butler Saw ... where a further few old pennies were used up!
read more here
Contributed by Gaynor Wingham

Childhood memories in the Mumbles

I was born in London, but my Mother came from the Mumbles, so several times a year we took the train from Paddington on our journey to Swansea. With a large family of grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins, the sea, the beaches and the freedom, I thought I was in heaven! This photo of the Mumbles in 1954 was just as I recall it. You can see Fortes ice cream parlour in the centre, now demolished. I spent many happy times there eating knickerbocker glories! I can taste them now! The sea wall was just to the right of the photo behind the shops and the Mumbles Tram ran along the seafront.  Happy Times !
Contributed by Gaynor Wingham

A Happy Memory

Whenever I heard the words "The Mumbles" as a child, it conjured up a very romantic image in my mind. According to family history, my Great-grandfather Thomas Stokes proposed to my Great-grandmother Matilda Thomas there. I can just imagine them enjoying the lovely view and sea air and planning their future. They left Wales for America in 1908, never to return to their special place. So it was especially sweet for me to be able to visit there in 1992. I still keep the memory of that day close to my heart.
A memory of Mumbles contributed by Karen Larson