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Swansea: Building on the Past

Last updated: 26 July 2006

Professor Malcolm ParryJoin architectural expert Professor Malcolm Parry on an audio visual tour around Swansea.

The former head of the Welsh School of Architecture visited the city to record a programme for the second series of BBC Radio Wales' Building on the Past. To listen to the clips that accompany the pictures, scroll down the page and click on the links.


Swansea Gaol
Swansea Gaol, 200 Oystermouth Road next page
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Swansea's most undesirable residence - the Gaol! The solid double-doors and the heavy stonework speak of security, but the 'eye of the needle' door inset into the left-hand main door has an arrow pointing left which directs us to the new entrance. Increased 21st Century security has dictated another entrance - the railings are to the ramp which also satisfies the current building regulations for access.

This is a listed building of 1861 which means that new buildings within the precinct must fit in with the character of the main building which the Glamorgan Pevsner describes as designed in "...a half-hearted attempt at architecture of menace." This may be the case but, as I approached, all thoughts of Ronnie Barker and Porridge disappeared and as I was finger-printed (as are all visitors) and my mobile phone was taken from me, I began to feel nervous.

Malcolm Parry speaks to Helen Davey and Kim Morgan about the prison.



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