Previous Talks and Events

The Society has a long and rich tradition of bringing history to life through an engaging programme of talks, visits, and social events. Over the years, the Society has explored a wide range of topics, from local heritage in Skewen, Neath, and Swansea to national and international history, culture, and notable figures.

Our programme reflects the diverse interests of both our members and guest speakers. Regular illustrated talks have covered themes such as industrial history, wartime experiences, influential individuals, and the changing social landscape of South Wales. Alongside these, we have welcomed performances, music evenings, and special commemorative events, helping to create a varied and enjoyable calendar.

In addition to indoor talks, the Society organises trips and visits to places of historical interest, offering members the opportunity to experience history first-hand – whether through guided tours, museum visits, or local excursions.

This archive of previous talks and events highlights not only the breadth of subjects explored, but also the Society’s ongoing commitment to preserving, sharing, and celebrating history within the community.

2026

  • Talk - "Isobel's War: Neath in World War 2 - the Journal of Isobel Lloyd", Tony Hopkins
  • Talk - "The Welsh Women's Peace Petition of 1923", Catrin Stevens
  • Talk - "The Romans in South Wales", Mr John Richards

2025

  • Talk - "Coal out, copper home", Miss Debra John
  • Talk - "Ray Milland", Mr Jonathan Davies
  • Talk - "'Here's a how de do': a life with Gilbert & Sullivan", Mr Adrian Williams
  • Talk - "Gentlemen Only: Changing funerary customs in the South Wales Valleys", Non Thomas
  • Annual Trip - Visit to Newport Medieval Ship with free time in Cardiff Bay afterwards
  • Talk - "The Gilbertson Family: Founders of the University College of Swansea", Dr Hugh Jones
  • Talk - "Women in Coalmining", Ms Norena Shopland
  • Talk - The History of Place Names, John Richards
  • Talk - "Tales of Anne Hathaway's Cottage", John Richards

2024

  • Talk - "The Neath Abbey Ironworks Project", Peter Richards
  • Talk - "Swansea 1941", Debra John
  • Talk - "Mary Rose 3", Phil Bowen
  • Talk - "Fabian's Bay to Fabian Way", Jeff Stewart
  • Annual Trip - A voyage on the "Copper Jack" along the Tawe River
  • Talk - "America, Aeronwy & Me", Peter Thabit-Jones
  • Talk - "Environmental History of Kilvey Hill & the White Rock Copper Works", Nigel Robins
  • Talk - "Princesses of Wales", Mrs Lynda Bryant
  • Talk with music - "Music of Vienna 1950", Rev Clive Williams

2023

  • Talk / performance - "Amy Dillwyn", Miss Debbie John
  • Illustrated Talk - "Titanic Remembered", Mr Tony Walters
  • Illustrated Talk - "Life in a Swansea Workhouse", Mr Bernard Lewis
  • Illustrated Talk - "Swansea's Bad Girls", Mrs Elizabeth Belcham
  • Trip - Afternoon visit to Margam Abbey with tea in the Abbot's Kitchen
  • Illustrated Talk - "The Neath Workhouse", Mr Jonathan Davies
  • Event - Coronation Tea Party for members only
  • Illustrated Talk - "Mary Rose 3", Mr Phil Bowen
  • Talk - "A Pembrokeshire Tale", Mrs Lynda Bryant
  • Illustrated Talk - "Brigadier Dr. J. Gwynne Morgan of Clydach", Mr Alun Griffiths

2022

  • Talk - "Welsh Myths & Legends", Miss Debbie John
  • Talk - "The Origins of the Tinplate Industry", Mr Peter Rees
  • Illustrated Talk - "Swansea Aviation Pioneers", Mr John Ashley
  • Talk - "King Richard III", Mr John Richards
  • Anniversary Tea Party - Celebrating the Society's 25th Anniversary
  • Talk - "History on My Doorstep - Taillwyd", Mr Martyn Griffiths
  • Illustrated Talk - "Finding History in Some Swansea Streets", Mr Gerald Gabb
  • Illustrated Talk - "Friendly Societies of the Area", Mr David Michael
  • Talk - "Surnames", Mr John Richards

2020

  • Event - All events cancelled until further notice - please keep checking the website and Facebook for updates
  • Illustrated Talk - "From Welsh Mam to Modern Woman", Non Thomas
  • Illustrated Talk - "The Life and Times of Gerald of Wales", Colin Wheldon James

2019

  • Talk - "Ghostly Tales of Wales", Miss. Debbie John
  • Illustrated Talk - "Tareni Colliery", Clive Reed
  • Trip - The National Botanical Gardens of Wales
  • Illustrated Talk - "Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show in Swansea", John Ashley
  • Annual Trip - St. Fagan's National Museum of History
  • Illustrated Talk - "Neath Abbey Iron Works", Bill Zajac
  • Illustrated Talk - "Child Evacuation to Wales in World War 2", Peter Rees
  • Illustrated Talk - "Voices & Images of the South Wales Jewish Community", David Jacobs
  • Illustrated Talk - "The Parishes and Parish Churches of the Lordship of Gower", Mr. Jeff Childs
  • Illustrated Talk - "From Cadoxton to Carnage - the Coombe Tennant Boys in Two World Wars", Mr. Bernard Lewis

2018

  • Talk - "Gower Dreaming - A Night Time Journey Through Gower", Miss. Debbie John
  • Illustrated Talk - "The Vikings", Vice President John Richards
  • Illustrated Talk - "The History and Treasures of Swansea Museum", Mr. Philip Treseder
  • Annual Trip - Tewkesbury Abbey and canal boat trip
  • Illustrated Talk - "Nabobs in Wales", Mr. Paul Richards
  • Illustrated Talk - "Dr. Joseph Parry, a Welshman of Note", Mr. Colin W. Jones
  • Illustrated Talk - "Adelina Patti", Mr. Barry Davies
  • Illustrated Talk - "Aneurin Bevan and the Road to the N.H.S.", Mr. Huw Pudner
  • Illustrated Talk - "Neath in the 18th Century", Mr. Martyn Griffiths

2017

  • Talk - "A Victorian Christmas", Miss. Debbie John
  • Talk - "John Nixon and the South Wales Coal Trade to France", Mr. Brian Davies
  • Trip - To be arranged - details to follow
  • Illustrated Talk - "The Chapel Down in the Swansea Coal Mine", Mr. Paul Richards
  • Trip - Aberglasney Gardens
  • Illustrated Talk - "Richard Price", Mr. Paul Frame
  • Talk - "A True Story and a Mystery", Mr. Martin Price
  • Talk - "The Merthyr Rising", Mr. Phil Knight
  • Illustrated Talk - "The Glove Trade", Mr. Ken Thomas
  • Talk - "Court Herbert", Mr. Martyn Griffiths

2016

  • Illustrated Talk - "The Truth about Anna and the King of Siam", Mr. Paul Richards
  • Illustrated Talk - "White Rock - 200 Years of the Copper Community", Mr. John Ashley
  • Trip - Visit to Powys Castle
  • Talk - "Naval Battles Under Sail", Mr. Hugh Evans
  • Annual Trip - Visit to the Royal Mint in Llantristant
  • Illustrated Talk - "The Role of Women in Medieval" Wales, Ms. Rhian Rees
  • Talk - "World War One", Miss. Debbie John
  • Talk - "A Childhood in Patagonia", Mrs. Elvira Mosleley
  • Talk - "Games We Used to Play", Rev. Canon J.P.H. Walters
  • Talk - "A Night in the Graveyard", Mr. M. Griffiths

2015

  • Talk - "World War One", Mr. Huw Williams
  • Talk - "Chinese Customs and Beliefs." Illustrated, Mr. Paul Richards
  • Trip - Llanelli House
  • Talk - "Death of Kings and Queens", Mr. Huw Evans
  • Annual Trip - Llanerchaeron near Aberaeron
  • Talk - "The Swansea Debtor" A Victorian Lady in Swansea Castle's Debtor's Prison, Miss. D. John
  • Talk - "The Bells of Santiago." Illustrated, Rev. Canon K. Evans
  • Talk - "The Tudor Manor House, Neath Abbey", Mr. Bill Zajac
  • Talk - "Old Skewen in Pictures",, Mr. John Bailey
  • Talk - "The Normans in Wales",, Mr. John Richards

2014

  • Event - Social Evening
  • Talk - "500 Years of Trinity House",, Mr. Carl Richards and Mr. Anthony Hontoir
  • Talk - "An Edwardian Maid",, Miss. Deborah John
  • Event - President's Day: World War 1 Heritage Day
  • Visit - Caerleon
  • Talk - "The Life and Times of Richard III",, Mrs. Hayley James
  • Talk - "Emmeline Pankhurst and the Suffregette Movement in South Wales ", Mr. Huw Williams
  • Visit - Tredegar House, Date to be confirmed
  • Talk - "Vernon and Dylan",, Mr. Gary Gregor
  • Talk - "St. Teilo's Church", Rev. Canon J.P.H. Walters
  • Talk - "A Day in the Swansea Workhouse", Mr. B. Lewis

2013

  • Talk - "Swansea Valley", Dr. Edith Evans
  • Event - Date to be confirmed
  • Talk - "R.A.F. Aerodrome at Fairwood", Mr. Steve Jones
  • Talk - "Oxwich Reserve", Mr. Gareth Dockery
  • Annual Trip - St. David's Cathedral - details to follow
  • Talk - "Osborne House", Mr. Phil Bowen
  • Talk - "Tower Clocks in the South Wales Area", Mr. David Mitchell
  • Visit - The National Woollen Mills of Wales
  • Talk - "The Aberdulais Tinplate Works, History and Recent Dvelopments", Mr. Ray Savage and Mr. Roy Thomas
  • Talk - "The History of the Neath Borough Police Force" (Illustrated), Mr. Martyn Griffiths

2012

  • Talk - "Amy Dillwyn - From Her Diaries", Mrs. Debra John
  • Vist - Theatr Na'Nog at Dylan Thomas Theatre
  • President's Evening -
  • Talk - "Welsh Nicknames", Mr. Brian Quick
  • Talk - "Brunel's Paddington" (Illustrated), Mr. Glyn Williams
  • Annual Trip - Forest of Dean and Tintern Abbey
  • Talk - "Carisbroke Castle", Mr. Phil Bowen
  • Talk - "The Bevin Boys", Mr. Derrick Warren
  • Trip - River Tawe Boat Trip
  • Event - Glamorgan Family History Open Day, Waterfront Museum, 10am to 4pm
  • Talk - Shakespeare and Stratford-upon-Avon, Mr. John Richards
  • Talk - The Swing Bridge, Mr. Gerald Williams

2011

  • Talk - "Joyce Grenfell" - Part 2, Miss J Pitts
  • Talk - "Craig-y-Nos, up to 1920", Mr Len Ley
  • Event - Heritage and Family History Open Day
  • Talk - "The Ghurkas and Nepal", Mr Mike Roberts
  • Trip - Highclere Castle, Newbury
  • Talk - "From Llangyndeyrn to Salt Lake City", Mr Glyn Griffiths
  • Talk - "The Life and Times of Dylan Thomas", Mr Jeff Phillips
  • Talk - "Life aboard the Mary Rose", Mr Phil Bowen
  • Talk - "It Was Not Marconi", Mr. Viv Phillips