Society receives Heritage Lottery grant for the renovation of Sir S T Evans’s grave

Posted on December 6, 2021 by Annie

President Brian Lodwick with members of the committee standing next to Sir Samuel’s grave at St. John’s

The Society is delighted to announce that its bid to the National Heritage Lottery for the Sir Samuel Thomas Evans’ Grave Restoration Project has been successful. We have received £9,966 from the HLF. Additionally, £200 has been received from Coedffranc Town Council. A further £200 has been contributed from our own funds.

Sir Samuel Thomas Evans (1859 – 1918) is a man of significance in Skewen, having risen from a grocer’s son, living at 40 Main Road, Skewen to become one of the most senior figures in the nation’s Judiciary during his lifetime with roles in the Dr. Crippen and Titanic affairs. Due to his connection with Andrew Carnegie, Samuel Evans was instrumental in establishing the Carnegie Hall Community Library at Evelyn Road, Skewen. Despite living away in London, Samuel Evans returned to Skewen to participate in local events and it was his request that he be buried in Skewen. The funeral of Sir Samuel Thomas Evans in 1918 was the largest ever seen in the village after his coffin was brought back from London by train. Thousands of people lined the streets as a mark of respect. The funeral service was held in Tabernacle Chapel where Samuel Evans and his family had worshipped. Sir Samuel Thomas Evans was finally laid to rest in the churchyard of St. John the Baptist.

The family grave of Sir Samuel Thomas Evans is currently in a state of disrepair. Skewen & District Historical Society’s grave restoration project will be collaboration with the vicar of St. John’s Church, Revd. Chris Coles. Additionally, there will be Heritage Displays on the life and achievements of Samuel Evans and an Information Board near the grave provided by the local Men’s Shed. A future Heritage Trail and booklet about Samuel Thomas Evans is planned along with other community involvement. It is anticipated that restoration work will start in 6 to 8 weeks.

The Society is very grateful to the Heritage Lottery and Lottery players for making this work possible.

Replacing Sir S T Evans’s plaque on his childhood home Saturday, 11th September

Posted on September 6, 2021 by Annie

The plaque that commemorated the childhood home of Sir E T Evans at 40, New Road was replaced and unveiled by Leader of the Council, Arthur Davies, on Saturday 11th September in a short ceremony.

: Councillor Mike Harvey looks on as Leader of the Council Arthur Davies gives his speech

: Councillor Davies preparing to unveil the plaque

: Councillor Davies unveiling the plaque

: The Plaque revealed

: The plaque that had been on the wall of 40, New Road for many years is finally replaced

: Vice Chairman Virginia Jones gives a vote of thanks to Councillor Davies

: Councillor Davies and Virginia Jones

: Mike Harvery chats with Virginia Jones and Kitty Griffiths

: Treasurer Sandra Davies films the unveiling for the Society

Not sure where 40 New Road is located – next door to the old Barclays Bank, opposite the Bloom Inn.

Not sure who Sir S T Evans was and what was his claim to fame – read on –

SIR SAMUEL THOMAS EVANS 1859 – 1918

Samuel Thomas Evans was born in Skewen, May 1859, the only son of John Evans, a local
grocer, and Margaret Evans. After attending the Collegiate School at Swansea, he
proceeded to Aberystwyth College and took a London degree. He became articled at Neath
and qualified as a solicitor in 1883. He served on the town council at Neath and took an
active part in local politics. In 1890 he was returned to Parliament for Mid-Glamorgan,
which he represented continuously for the next twenty years. His abilities and his gifts as a
debater made him a prominent member of the Welsh Parliamentary Party. In 1891 he was
called to the Bar and he soon acquired a large practice on the South Wales circuit. He took
silk in 1901, being the last Q.C. to be created by Queen Victoria. In 1908 he was made
recorder of Swansea; in the same year he was appointed Solicitor-General. In 1910 he
became president of the Probate, Divorce, and Admiralty Division of the High Court. He was a G.C.B. and a member of the Privy Council. A modest man, he refused a peerage.
It was while presiding over the Prize Court during the First World War that Evans established his reputation as an international jurist of the first rank.

Through his wife Blanche’s friendship with Andrew Carnegie, Sir Samuel was able to secure the funding for the building of a library –Carnegie Hall on Evelyn Road – in Skewen.

S. T. Evans died 13 September 1918 and was buried at St John’s in Skewen. He was an
honorary Ll.D. (1909) of the University of Wales, and a freeman of Swansea and Neath.
There is a bust of him by Sir G. Frampton, R.A., in the Royal Courts of Justice and there are portraits at the Middle Temple and at the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth. After his death a fund was raised by public subscription to perpetuate his memory, and this was transferred to the University of Wales to establish the Sir Samuel Evans prize to be awarded annually to the best candidate in the faculty of law

Mystery Photographs

Posted on January 7, 2021 by Annie

We have a number of photographs in our archive that lack vital information – dates, names of people or places. Please have a look at these photographs – more will be added each week – and if you can provide any information please get in touch with us – see our contact page for details.

: 296: Nativity play at Llandarcy Institute. Can you name any of the participants?

: 294: A Llandarcy Drama Group production c.1940’s. Many thanks – all names now supplied

: 295: 9th Division Skewen Cubs presenting a cheque to County Councillor Martin Thomas. Can you name Cub number 4 please?

: 292: LLandarcy over 60’s Club. We need the names for numbers 1, 6, 10 and 24 to complete this key.

: 293: St John Ambulance Skewen Division Dance c.1950’s at LLandarcy Institute. We still need half of this group to be named – do you know anyone?

: 290: Tabernacl Male Voice Choir c. 1930. At present we have just four names for this choir.

: 291: Crymlyn Primary School St David’s Day 1969

: 288: Jersey Marine Church group. We have names for everyone except number one – do you know who she is please?

: 289: Jersey Marine: after the carnival to raise money for Muscular Dystrophy. All names now supplied – many thanks.

: 286: Skewen & District Co-operative dance 1938. So far only four are named.

: 287: Pupils of Abbey Infants School c.1965. We have named half the group – can you supply any names please?

: 284: OAP Rally 1997 at the Carnegie Hall – we only have half the group named at present.

: 285: Laying the foundation for the new Methodist Church in Jersey Marine. 1998. All names now supplied – many thanks.

: 282: Jersey Marine concert in Old Tap Ballroom 1937. Do you know any of these amateur thespians?

: 283: 1970 Crylym Primary School Class. We have now been given all the names – many thanks

: 280: St John Ambulance Long Service Presentation to Mrs Doris Cootes

: 281: BP apprentices’s dance 1953 – no names for this group yet.

: 278: Jersey Marine concert in Old Tap Ballroom 1938

: 279: Presentation of the Queen’s Scout Badge to Roy Gammon by J S Mill. We have several names missing in this key – can you help?

: 276: Skewen Co-operative outing 1935. We have just two names at the moment – nos. 28 & 33. Can you add more names for us please?

: 277: Unknown OAP presentation by Mrs Elaine Lloyd. Only three named so far.

: 274: Skewen Old Age Pensioners Choir. We have just seven members of this choir named so far.

: 275: Sunday School Party Jersey Marine Just eight names needed to complete this key – nos. 1,3,5,9,10,12,19 &20.

: 272: Llandarcy W.I. choir at a singing festival in Cardiff 28th April, 1950. Just ten names needed to complete the key for this photograph.

: 273: Crymlyn Primary School class 1971. All names have now been provided – many thanks.

: 270: Skewen Snooker Club dinner 1950’s. We have very few names for this group.

: 271: Skewen Bowls Club c.1980’s or 1990’s. We need half the names to complete this key.

: 268: Skewen Ladies’ Bowls Club. Most of the names have now been supplied but we still have no names for those in the pavilion or lady bowlers nos. 14,16,20,22 & 28.

: 269: Jersey Marine concert in the Old Tap Ballroom c.1950’s. Many names have now been supplied apart from nos. 1,2,5 & 10.

: 266: Jersey Marine carnival 1969. We have the names for nos. 1,2,3,11 & 13 but who are the others?

: 267: West Point Cadets event unknown. We have been given the names of seven people in this photograph but who are the others?

: 264; An OAP event in 1996 -“Easter Bonnets”. We have the names for nos. 4,5 & 6 -can you name the others please?

: 265: A presentation evening for St John Ambulance cadets in Skewen. We have names for only three in this group photo – can you name more for us please?

: 262: Coedffranc schoolchildren using the crossing patrol on New Road 1956. We only have the names of three childrean for this one, and the crossing lady Mrs Dorothy Flletcher.

: 263: Group outside the Memorial Hall celebrating the 40th anniversary of VJ Day. We have now been supplied with all the names.

: 260: Choir of St John’s Church 1949 with Vicar John Richards.

: 261: Skewen Discussion Circle celebrating their 40th anniversary.

: 258: Early years of the New Mission Chapel on Dynevor Road a Facebook donation from Craig Davis. We do not have the names for nos. 5, 16,18 and 19 – can you help?

: 259: Coedffranc Girls’ School class 4 1922 donated by Ann Davidson. We still need the names for nos. 1,2,5,7,12,29 and 30 – can you help?

: 256: St John Ambulance Skewen Division Cadets Presentation Evening 1979. We have been given many names but still need to identify nos. 3,4,15,17,19,21,26,27 and 28.

: 257: Fancy Dress Parade in Llandarcy – date unknown

: 254: Royal visit to the NOR 15th November 1945 – the King and Queen leaving Britannic House. Can you name anyone else in the photograph?

: 255: Investiture Party July 1969 Facebook donation from Sue Williams. We have only five names so far.

: 252: A Mothers Union event – we need the names for no. 7.

: 253: All Saints concert – no names yet.

: 250: Can you name this cottage please?

: 251: A royal visit to the NOR 15th November 1945. Only nos. 7 & 11 have been named so far.

: 248: A street party in Grove Lane c.1930’s. Was this a celebration for the coronation of George VI in 1937? We only have a few names for this large group – can you help? A Facebook donation from Rita Kennedy.

: 249: NOR Transport Staff 1950’s. We have no names for this photograph.

: 246: Armistice Day Service outside Carnegie Hall 1955. So far only eight people have been named.

: 247: An event at the LLandarcy Institute in the late 1950’s. Only five have been named for this large group

: 344: An event in LLandarcy Institute – possibly a Wit Sunday tea or a wedding reception donated by Geraldine Davies. Can you complete the key by naming number 2 please?

: 245: All Saints social event donated by Ann Davidson. We need the names for numbers 3, 8 & 11.

: 242: Skewen OAP Choir – we only have seven names for this large group.

: 243: Tabernacle Sunday School cast of “Peggy and the Pixies” operetta 1936. Only one person named in this group at the moment.

: 240: Tree planting ceremony at Carnegie Hall to mark the 100th birthday of Mrs Edith Bailey. All names now supplied thank you.

: 241: NOR (later BP) WW2 Bomb Disposal Officers donated by Lyndon Pritchard

: 238: St. David’s Day at Mynachlog Nedd 1954 donated by Joan Gilbert

: 239: The marriage of Winston and Margaret Evans c. 1940 donated by Sue Sear. Can you name numbers 2,3 and 8 and do you know the bride’s maiden name please?

: 236: Llandarcy Over 65’s Club donated by Geraldine Davies

: 237: Coedffranc Youth Club donated by Avis Moule Bishop

: 234: Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the ending of World War 2. We need names for numbers 6,11 and 15 and confirmation of number 16.

: 235: A group possibly from Gorffwysfa donated by Miriam Phillips

: 233: The Saint Players 1947 production of “Gaslight” donated by Margaret Wluka. We just need a name for number 7 to complete the key..

: 232: Skewen & District Co-operative Operatic Society cast of “Waltz Time ” 1952

: 230: The wedding of Harold Stephens & Audrey Ware 1948 donated by Vicki Jarvis.

: 231: Evelyn and Winifred Road residents at Porthcawl donated by Ann Davidson. We just need a name for number 7 to complete the key.

: 228: Unknown darts presentation donated by Gaynor Edwards. All now named.

: 229 Rhydhir School 1954 the gymnastics winning team at the Urdd Eisteddfod at Caernarvon Castle. David Massey has provided the photograph for us and he has named all the boys except numbers 5 and 19 – can you name them please?

: 226: Ebenezer Chapel group c.1950. We have no names for this group.

: 227: An Armistice Day Service outside the Carnegie Hall early 1950’s. We have only two names for this group.

: 224: Skewen Carnival First Prize Winners June 1953. We have no names for this photograph.

: 225: Skewen Pensioners being presented with two cheques from the proceeds of two concerts held in Skewen 1959. We have just two names for this group.

: 222: Methodist Chapel, New Road, cast of a play c. 1939. We have just two names for this large group.

: 223 New Mission Church group on Dynevor Road Facebook donation from Craig Davies. We have only two names for this group.

: 220: Mynachlog Nedd class 1966 d. Jeffrey Gould

: 221: Mynachlog Nedd cricket team c. late 1950’s early 60’s d Hugh Cranny

: 218: Saint Players 21st Anivsary Celebration 1965 Facebook donation from Geraldine Davies

: 219: Sidings Terrace outing 1937

: 216: Skewen First Eleven August 1959

: 217: Gospel Hall Sunday School c.1962

: 214: Mynachlog Nedd Class c. 1970’s

: 215: Coedffranc Boys’ Class 1931

: 212: Mynachlog Nedd School Cricket team 1962 – all have now been named

: 213: Skewen group on day trip to Barry 1938

: 210: Wesley Chapel past Cricket Team 1930

: 211: Skewen Lower Class c1937 donated by John Notzing

: 208: Skewen Cricket Club runners up in the Worthington Cup 2003. All names have been supplied – thank you.

: 209: Who is the driver of Gough’s haulage lorry?

: 206: Skewen Division St John Ambulance attending a review (at Crynant?) c. 1960. We have the names of the adults – can you name any of the cadets please?

: 207: Skewen Division St John Ambulance Boy Cadets c. 1960. We have the names of the adults – can you name any of the cadets?

: 204: Lonlas School std. 6-7, 1929. We have no names for this photograph.

: 205: Coedffranc Girls’ School a dance group on St. David’s Day.

: 202: The opening of St Mary’s Church Hall 1930

: 203: Skewen Co-operative Society, The Quaker Girl production 1954

: 200: Coedffranc Boys’ School Class c. 1946

: 201: BP Karate Club c. 1990’s

: 198: Skewen Cricket Club Second XI, 1988. All names have been supplied thank you.

: 199: BP Cricket Team on a visit to London, sailing on the Thames. All names have now been supplied – thank you.

: 196: The Tai Level Team. We have just two names 4 & 7 are Hanford brothers Charlie and David.

: 197: Skewen Cricket Club First X1, 1975. All names have been supplied – thank you.

: 194: Coedffranc Bowls Club c. 1950

: 195: Skewen Scouts 1960

: 192: Coedffranc Girls’ School class c. 1940’s. So far we have only thirteen names for this class.

: 193: Group of girls in the playground of Coedffranc Girls’ School 1955/56. We need names for nos. 5, 7 & 9.

: 190: St John & Red Cross on duty at an NOR Sports’ Day 1953. We do not have names for nos. 7 and 10 to 12 – can you help?

: 191: Are you able to identify this family please? We have no names.

: 188: The seventh annual dinner dance for Skewen Snooker Club 1950’s

: 189: NOR (BP) Rugby Team 1950’s

: 186: Miss Stone’s class Rhydhir 1953 – we have two names only for this class.

: 187: Coedffranc Girls’ Primary School, Miss Tucker and staff in front of the Dolls of the World cabinet. All names have now been provided.

: 184: We not only need the names for this group but also confirmation that is a Skewen Bowls’ Club group.

: 185: Skewen Co-operative Society Ladies’ Cricket Team 1950. We only have eight names for this group.

: 182: Seldon’s Millinery Shop, Burrows Road. Mrs Seldon (2) is in the middle of this group – can you name 1 & 3 please?

: 183: Coedffranc Girls’ Class – we have no names for this group.

: 180: 1960’s Coedffranc Girls’ class. We need the name for no.27 and confirmation of the names for nos. 9,19,25 and 26

: 181: Coedffranc Girls’ Class c. early1960’s. We have no names for this class.

: 178: Coedffranc Girls’ School – one of Miss Joan Gilbert’s classes. Still missing nine names – 6,8,11,15,22,25,28 & 31

: 179: Mynachlog Nedd Primary School football team. All names have been supplied.

: 177: New Road residents celebrating the 1953 Coronation. Ruth Davies ( nee Moule) who donated the photograph has named most of the residents but we are missing 9 names – can you supply those names please?

: 175: Neath Abbey Infants School play time in the yard. Only two names supplied.

: 176: 2nd Skewen Guides & Brownies March 1968. So far we have just eight names.

: 173: Coedffranc Primary 1993

: 174: Coedffranc Primary girls in costume. We still need names for 1,5, 7 & 8.,

: 171: NOR (later BP) apprentices’ function at the Llandarcy Institute c. 1947.

: 172: Unknown women’s group – possible W.I. or Red Cross group. We have only four names.

: 169: Coedffranc class 1976 donated by Lisa Williams. We are lacking names for nos. 4,7,9,11,17,18,21,23,24 & 29.

: 170: Rhydhir class 1959 donated by Frank Long. We only have nine names at the moment.

: 167: Pupils from Mynachlog Nedd 1969. All names have now been supplied – but confirmation needed for no. 30.

: 168: Skewen Carnival c. 1930’s. Lady Godiva has now been named as David (Dai) Griffiths. Still no name for the groom however.

: 165: St John Choir c.1930’s. We only have four names for this choir.

: 166: BP Chairman visits LLandarcy c. 1957. We need the names of numbers 1 and 4 for this.

: 163: Bowling in Skewen Park. Number 1 is David Thomas – who are the others?.

: 154: Neath Boys’ Grammar School Festival of Britain Choir 1951. We only have three names for this photograph.

: 161: Ebenezer Chapel Sunday School class 1915

: 162: Bethania ladies dressed for St David’s Day 1960. All the ladies have now been named for us – thank you.

: 159: Skewen’s winning rugby team in 1951.

: 160: Skewen Lower Class c. 1935 donated by John Notzing number 16.

: 157: Home Guard unit from World War 2. Donated by John Notzing

: 158: All Saints Church group in costume for a play. Donated by Ann Davidson

: 155: Pupils from Mynachlog Nedd c. 1968 taking part in a school event

: 156: Coedffranc Girls’ School, Class 7, 1922

: 153: Two unknown men standing outside Thomas the Bazaar near the cockle seller c. 1960’s

: 154: Rhydhir School class photograph 1962

: 151: Skewen & District Co-operative Society production “Lilac Domino” 1953

: 152: An unkown Skewen choir – possibly Skewen Music Lovers

: 149: Do you know anyting about the Nomad Cricket Team shown here? We would like to have any information about the team and names of the players in the photograph.

: 150: Another photograph of the Nomads.

: 148: Coedffranc Girls Scottish dancers appearing at the National Eisteddfod held in Neath 1934. We have most of the names for this photograph but not attached to a particular girl – we need to make sure the correct name is assigned to each number. So if you can identify anyone please let us know .

: 146: Coedffranc Infants class 1900. A rather poignant photograph as number 19 Mary Hughes died from Diphtheria within a year of the photo being taken.

: 147: This mystery has been solved – Mayor of Neath 1937 – 38 Cecil Hedge

: 144: Coedffranc Boys’ School class 3 1931. We have no names for this group.

: 145: An unknown man – who is he?

: 142: Group outside the Queen’s Public House (now the Curry Knight Restaurant). We have been given most of the names – but still need names for numbers 4, 9 & 10.

: 143: BP Choir 1950. We only have six names for this photograph.

: 140: Coedffranc Nursery pupils 1990. Names have been provided for most of the group, but who are numbers 3,4 and 5?

: 141: NOR (BP) Rugby team from the 1920’s. We have no names for this photograph.

: 138: All Saints tea fete 1938. We have about a third of the names for this photograph – do you know anyone?

: 139: Skewen Music Lovers 1908 – 1909. We have no names for this photograph

: 136: An unknown group of ladies – possibly a W.I. group dating from the 1950’s. We have names for numbers 2,3 and 10 but who are the others?

: 137: The only clue to these men’s identities is that written on the back of the photograph is “To Mrs & Mrs Randall from George”. Can you name them please and are they from Skewen?

: 134: Coedffranc Boys’ 1963 class donated by John Richards. We have now named all pupils and teacher.

: 135: Gospel Hall Sunday School c1962. Only number one is named so far.

: 132: Opening of the tennis courts at Skewen Park, 1926. So far we can only name Tom Lloyd, number 3. Who are the others?

: 133: The Wedding of Leonard Llewellyn Evans. We have now been supplied with the names for numbers 1 – 4, can you help with numbers 5 – 8 please?

: 130: Neath magistrates on a visit to Westminster donated by Ann Davidson. We have only half the names for this photograph.

: 131: Coedffranc Girls’ class from 1922 – we have no names for this class.

: 128: Holday group donated by Ann Davidson. Date and location not known.

: 129: St Mary’s Church production “Mystic Mirrors”. No names known.

: 126: Travellers’ Wells outing. We have only six names for this photograph which has been donated by Jaki Charles.

: 127: No one has been named in this photograph of a Skewen NSPCC dance- donated by Ann Davidson.

: 124: Residents of Evelyn, Winifred & Christopher Roads celebrating the Festival of Britain 1951. We are missing names for numbers 2 to 7 in this photograph.

: 125: A Calfaria Chapel production. We are missing names for numbers 2,5,9,10, 16,19,31 and 36 to 38.

: 122: BP choir 1950

: 123: Coedffranc football team 1952 – 55.

: 120: BP apprentices donated by Craig Davies

: 121: Retired United Welsh staff 1997

: 118: Neath 9th (Skewen) Cubs c. 1976

: 119: Female staff at Skewen Lower c. 1930’s

: 116: An unknown group of men donated by Maria Griffiths

: 117: Greyhound Whiplash and friends donated by Ann Doran

: 114: Neath Boys’ Grammar School class c. 1953. We only have three names for this photograph nos. 6, 9 and 14. Can you help with the other names please? –

: 115: Coedffranc staff c. 1910. Once again we only have names for nos. 1, 15, 20 and 22. Do you know anyone else?

: 112: Unknown Girl Guide function. Still no names for nos. 9, 11 and 12 – can you help?

: 113: Coedffranc Girls’ School St David’s Day c. 1975 donated by Lisa Williams. All names have now been supplied apart from nos. 2, 6, 16 and 22.

: 110: An unknown event, possibly celebrating the Investiture in 1969. Can you name number 1 please?

: 111: World War 2 ARP wardens at Bryn Awel. We only have a name for number 10, Jack Badham, can you name anyone else?

: 108: A Boys’ Night Out donated by Janet Thomas

: 109: A Mothers’ Union Trip donated by Ann Davidson. Can you help us name numbers 6,7, 9 and 18 please?

: 106: Skewen Discussion group celebrating their 25th anniversary

: 107: NOR Rugby Team 1950

: 104 Skewen Co-operative Society staff dance at Burton’s Hall, Neath, 1950

: 105: An All Saints Church trip. We still need names for numbers 2,3,4 and 8.

: 102: Coedffranc Girls’ School 1951. We have been supplied with all the names apart from 16 and 17 – do you know who they are?

: 103: Skewen Carnival Queen. No. 2 is Joan Randall – can you name 1 and 3 please?

This week – 22nd March – we post the one hundredth photograph in our search for information on the photographs in our Archive. A big thank you to all those who have supplied the names, locations and dates for so many of the photographs and for giving us information on local history associated with the photographs as well. We are also grateful for the many photographs that have been donated to the Society over the past months.

: 100: Caewathan Trip to Blackpool donated by Annette Wingrave.

: 101: Ivor All church training at Tennant Park donated by Jeffrey Gould. Can you name the children?

: NO. 99: Rhydhir Secondary School Class 1959 donated by Frank Long

: NO. 98: Committee of the Skewen & District Co-operative Society 1951

: No. 97: Coedffranc Girls’ School class 1961. We have been given all the names for this class – thank you.

: No. 96: Neath Abbey Home Guard (donated by Phyllis Griffiths) – we have no names for this photograph

: No. 95: Skewen ARPs 1940 – 41

: No. 94: Deacons of Tabernacle – we have now been supplied with all names.

: No.93: Madam Annie Davies and the Skewen Choir cup winners – who are nos. 1,2,4,6,12 and 16?

: No. 92: Crymlyn Primary School, Jersey Marine 1998 hockey team All now named – thank you.

: No. 91: Coedffranc Girls’ School concert 1956 / 57 – we still have large gaps in the key for this photograph.

: No. 90: Group of United Welsh busmen circa early 1950’s – so far we only have names for nos. 2 and 6. Can you supply the other names?

: No. 89: Coedffranc Boys’ School class 1939. we only have only pupil identified so far.

: No 88: Salvation Army Sunday School trip 1937. We have no names for this photograph.

: No. 87: Skewen Division St John Ambulance Dance 1954

: No. 86: Coedffranc Girls’ School class 1968

: No. 85: Coedffranc Girls’ School concert 1960

: No. 84: Coedffranc Boys’ School staff 1943

: No. 83: Rhydhir Secondary School 1960

: No. 82: Gorffwysfa Chapel unknown group

: No.81: Crymlyn Primary School, Jersey Marine sports group 1998 All names have now been supplied – thank you.

: No.80: United Welsh staff (Neath Abbey Depot) early 1950’s

: No. 79: NOR (later BP) rugby team. What year is this and who are they – some names have been supplied

: No. 78: Crymlyn Primary School, Jersey Marine. All names have been supplied apart from nos. 52 – 54.

: No 77: Cook at Crymlyn Primary – name now supplied, Diane Copp

: No. 76: All Saints Church group (1949?) We have been supplied with most names but not all.

: No 75: A WW2 knitting group at Hermon Chapel. Can you name anyone?

: No. 74: NOR (later BP) rugby team we still need some names.

: No. 73: Staff and student teachers at Crymlyn Primary School – now named.

: No.72: “Bluebells in Slumberland” a Tabernacle Chapel production – who are they?

: No. 71: 1965 class at Rhydhir Secondary School – now all named.

: No.70: Santa arrives at Skewen Station – we only have two names for this photograph.

: No. 69: St John Ambulance, Skewen Division, diner dance c1955

: No.68: Skewen cricket team – names now supplied

: No. 67: “Bluebells in Slumberland” a concert at Tanernacle Chapel – who are the performers?

: No.66: St Mary’s Church choir c 1947

: No. 65: Deacons of Calfaria Chapel

: No. 64: St John Ambulance Brigade, Skewen Division dance – still no names for nos. 1 and 13

: No.63: Hermon Chapel group – most names now supplied

: No. 62: 1975 Jersey Marine Carnival Queen float – names now supplied

: No.61: NOR (BP) Ladies’ hockey team – we now have most names

: No.60: Unknown group – possibly Llandarcy W.I.

: No.59: NOR (BP) cricket team 1953

: No.58: Skewen Songster Brigade (Salvation Army) 1932

: No.57: Which football team is this?

: No. 56: NOR (BP) staff

: No.55: Skewen Ladies Choir 1939

: No. 54: NOR (BP) cricket team

: No. 53: Coedffranc staff 1950’s – all now named

: No. 52: Coedffranc Primary School girls’ class 1946

: No. 51: Scouts dinner

: No. 50 Coedffranc School percussion band

: No. 49: Skewen Parish Councillors

: No. 48: Possible unveiling of the Arts Weaving project tapestry in Carnegie Hall

: No. 47: These cotages have now been identified as Llwyncrwn Cottages

: No. 46: Coedffranc Girls’ School 1965

: No. 45: Possible workers from copper works

: No. 44: Children in costumes outside Llandarcy Institute c 1946

: No. 43: Skewen Pigeon Club social event

: No. 42: Skewen Angling Club 1949

: No. 41: Festival of Britain celebration Evelyn Road, 1951

: No. 40: BP workmen – all now named

: No. 39: Nothing known about this – was it taken on the BP sports’ ground in Llandarcy?

: No. 38: Garden fete in aid of the national Institute for the Blind organised by the local committee

: No. 37: Skewen RFC 1936

: No. 36: Members of the Skewen Old Age Choir

: No. 35: Evelyn Road residents’ outing to Porthcawl c. 1948

: No. 34: Invetiture for the Prince of Wales committee 1968-69

: No. 33: Skewen RFC 1951 – 52 Champions of West Wales and winners of the president’s Cup

: No. 32: Evelyn Road residents’ party 1936

: No. 31: Who are these ladies?

: No. 30 What as the occasion – who are they?

: No. 29: Jubilee Street party 1977

: No. 28: West Point Cadets Jazz Band, Caewathan c 1960’s

: No. 27: Soup kitchen 1926

: No. 26: Llandarcy Institute production – when/who?

: No. 25: Unkown ladies’ group – Llandarcy W.I.?

: No. 24: 1953 retirement presentation to G Jones at the BP Club

: No. 23: Local councillors – most now named but no date.

: No. 22: Who are these children looking for a swimming pool on a carnival float 1938?

: No. 21: Nothing known about this group

: No. 20 : Identified as Taillwyd Road

: No. 19: This is labelled as “old cinema dance” – which cinema and when?

: No. 18: Unknown soldier

: No. 17: Who are these women and children?

: No. 16: Is this the Sully family?

: No. 15: Skewen snooker group

: No. 14: Where / what is this building?

: No. 13: 1939 – who are these women / what was the occasion?

: No. 12: Possibly a group of Neath Abbey W.I. members celebrating St David’s Day.

: No 11: Skewen/Neath Abbey Nursing Association 1950

: No. 10: Plan for Lon Las House

: No. 9: Holiday group

: No 8: Now identified as Dalas Cottage in Llansamalet

: No. 7: What is the occasion and who are they?

: No. 6: Has been identified as a cottage in Llansmalet

: No. 5: All now identified

: No. 4: Who is this little boy? Photo taken outside what is now Zaffran Indian Restaurant – was Knoyle’s Cafe

: No.3: Dance – was it held at All Saints Church Hall?

: No 2: Skewen Ladies’ Choir setting off for a tour of Ireland – now named.

: No.1: Who is this soldier?

VE Day 1945 and 2020 in Skewen

Posted on May 7, 2020 by Annie

The residents of Graham’s Terrace are shown celebrating VE Day in 1945.

Do you have any photographs of Skewen taken on May 8th, 1945? If so, please share them with us so that they may be archived for future generations to look at and use for research.

If there are any celebrations in your street this year to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day, and it is safe to do so, please take some photos and send them to us.

Here are the first photographs we have received for VE Day in 2020 – showing how the residents of Pant y Sais, Jersey Marine celebrated, and how Picton Terrace, Wern and Winifred Roads decorated their houses. Do you have photographs to share?

: Wern Road

: Wern Road

: Wern Road

: Wern Road

: Wern Road

: Wern Road

: Winifred Road

: Winifred Road

: Picton Terrace May 8th, 2020

: Picton Terrace May 8th, 2020

Thursday night clapping for the NHS

Posted on April 7, 2020 by Annie

Here are some photographs that were sent of the clapping on 9th April and 16th April. Residents of Pant y Sais, Jersey Marine managed to combine the Thursday night clap with Easter bonnets on the 9th and balloons on the 16th.

Here they are on the April 23rd clapping photos and a resident on Hill Road, Neath Abbey has a novel way of thanking the NHS and care workers.

More photographs from Pant y Sais for Thursday, May 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th.