The more I have come to know Gower the more I want to know. I feel that I would like to begin again: to study the birds of Gower, to follow up the family histories, to clear up a few historical mysteries surrounding the Norman castles and to lie on the cliffs and beaches of the peninsula, to learn, too, more of the early ironworkers and copper smelters of the Swansea Valley.

Gower by Olive Phillips, 1956

Quick Reads

Swansea Oysters

26 November 2025

At our recent meeting addressed by Gareth Thomas on Laverbread he mentioned the demise of many fishing practices around our local coast. I found the following explanation in Sanitising Swansea by Peter E Rees. A copy of the full monograph is in the Society’s library.

Youth Hostel

27 October 2025

The picture of Lily Taylor in front of the Youth Hostel which was at Cwm Ivy Court Farm which appeared on the Llanmadoc website (not available at present) inspired the present owner to explore the history of hosteling at Cwm Ivy. The YHA sign is quite prominent on this photograph.

Lost Lanes of Gower

29 May 2025

There is a series of walks (two so far) under the heading of Lost Lanes of Gower on the Gower Society website. The most local one covers a circular walk starting at The Britannia, up Coal Lane, then upstream the Burry Pill until the “Roman Bridge…

Upcoming Programme

11 May 2026

Annual General Meeting

8 June 2026

North Gower in the 12th century