Swansea: 40 years of city status
Last updated: 15 April 2009
It was the year of the first landing on the moon, John and Yoko staged their 'bed in' for peace, and Swansea won city status.
Days after his investiture at Caernarfon Castle in July 1969, the Prince of Wales announced from the Guildhall steps that Swansea was to become a city, an honour that was officially granted five months later.
Below you can enjoy people's memories of those heady days and visit our new gallery for your
past pictures of the area.
Back then there was no Quadrant Centre, little nightlife in Wind Street, Castle Gardens had not yet become Castle Square, and Oxford Street had not been pedestrianised.
Email us your memories of that time and the changes that Swansea has undergone since then or use this pop-up form.
your comments
We're making some changes to the sites shortly and although this form will be closing, you will have other opportunities to contribute on our new-look site.
Jean and Dai Thomas, Toronto Canada
We just came back from a visit to swansea after 25yrs. What beautiful changes we found. We enjoyed ourselves immensely except for one incident...but Swansea is lovely and my family ( which is huge)really enjoyed seeing us.looking forward to coming back soon.
Sun Jun 28 18:46:05 2009
Anne Gall Port Talbot
I must say that Swansea has improved a great lot over the 40 years. I can remember the old Victoria Railway station, where the now L2 centre now stands.
The lovely Mumbles Trams that I have ridden on for many years on my holidays to Limeslade Bay where my late parents used to hire a caravan in Plunch Lane, the ruins of the once Weaver Mills where Sainbury's now stands, but have no idea where the bus station used to be, but do remember them building the current one - that's so grotty these days.
Swansea Prison has never changed - just the road along by it has I also remember them building the current Civic Centre on the seafront.
The High Street has not changed much over the years, but the now Swansea Railway Station has its front for the better I wish they would bring back the old steams trains which I loved for many years and still do.
Wed Jun 3 11:30:38 2009
John
Its been a long time. My last visit to Swansea was 1955. I hopped on the train from Swindon, arrived at my favorite spot in the world and used the time tosay goodbye to my friends.
I'm sure I wouldn't recognise the city today but I still picture the old town and wish I could turn the clock back to thatwonderful time.
I realise my friends are old nowand my Swansea is gone. Still the city will remain in the early 1950s for me and all my friends will be forever young. God Bless.
Tue Jun 2 17:13:57 2009
Ian Mattey, Augsburg Germany
As one who remembers how the Post Office tower behind the Castle looked (really grotty) before the Prince did something about it, I would like to comment that Swansea and Wales owes a lot over the years to the Prince's untiring attention to detail and commitment to his Principality. Aside from his personal problems, he really has done a wonderful job.
Fri May 22 17:34:09 2009
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