Swansea Museum’s sails into the city’s past

Sx_Museum_200pxAn exhibition focussing on the history of sailing as a recreational and semi-professional activity in Swansea is being prepared at Swansea Museum.

The exhibition at the Victoria Road attraction will include photos and stories that stretch back to the 1930s. It will be open to the public from December 18.

Some of the trophies local sailors have won over the decades will also be on display as well as scores of nostalgic photos, model ships and local artwork inspired by sailing on Swansea Bay.

A sailing dinghy from Mumbles Yacht Club will be a centrepiece of the exhibition which will celebrate local sailors who have gone on to compete in yachting and sailing events at the Olympic Games and other prestigious competitions over the years.

Swansea Council is behind the exhibition.

Cllr Graham Thomas, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Recreation and Tourism, said: “Sailing has a rich and colourful history in Swansea as a recreational and sporting activity and this exhibition will tell a fascinating story.

“The combination of artefacts and information on display will both bring the past to life and show how popular sailing continues to be in the Swansea area.

Swansea Museum does a terrific job in educating people about local history and this exhibition will follow in the footsteps of countless others over the years.”

Roger Gale, Swansea Museum‘s Exhibitions and Events Officer, said: “We’re pleased to showcase sailing in Swansea Bay our thanks go to Mr Ronald Austin for his recollections and research on sailing in Swansea.

“Mumbles Yacht Club has also been enormously helpful with the exhibition content.”

The Crime and Punishment exhibition that’s currently running at Swansea Museum will continue to be available until early next year.

It includes a rich history of local robbers, thieves, murderers and protestors as well as the chance to find out more about punishments that have been dished out over the years. Mugshots of some of Swansea’s most infamous criminals are also included.

The exhibition will be replaced in the middle of February by Skin Deep- a look into the history of skin decorations and tattoos from ancient times right up to the present day.

Have a look at www.swansea.gov.uk/swanseamuseum for more information or call 01792 653763.

•           A DVD that includes still images of the devastation caused in Swansea by the German Luftwaffe during World War Two will soon be available to buy at Swansea Museum.

The narrated documentary looks at the damage caused by German air raids over the city during three terrifying days and nights in the winter of 1941.

A short piece of film showing Swansea Market‘s reopening after the war is also included.

The DVD costs £8.99 and will be available at the Museum from Saturday December 5 when a launch is taking place at 11.30am.

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