The observatory, Swansea Marina

We visited a new place on our recent dance out last Thursday. Swansea Observatory was a place once used by the local astronomical society to probe the far reaches of the Cosmos, but now it is a thriving cafe down on the sea front at Swansea Bay where locals and tourists alike can explore more earthly pleasures from the bar menu. It’s a very likeable place.

We were asked to dance on the terrace half way up the building, and the following photos show us dancing Rose Tree Bampton. Not many folk came up to watch but we enjoyed the challenge of dancing there, whilst keeping watchful eyes out for gulls which have been a recent source of menace to Messrs Dixon and Tarrant.

Following half a dozen dances, we attempted to dance on the promenade outside the Observatory, but the wind was just too strong and was blasting sand, painfully in our faces from the beach. We quickly realised that dancing would be impossible, so we ventured over to Dylan Thomas Square by the Pumphouse, where we danced several dances for a passing audience, and kept going until the clouds darkened and threatened to rain on us. Some ventured up to the Queen’s Hotel for a beer to finish the evening.

The internationally acclaimed actor, Johnny Depp played in a band at the Swansea Arena on the Friday evening, and after was very keen to visit No. 5, Cwmdonkin Drive, in Uplands. This was the birthplace of Dylan Thomas, and during the 1970s it was a student let. Some of Sweyns Ey Morris, who had formed the Pig’s Ear Ceilidh Band, held some practice sessions in No.5 and it was an atmospheric practice venue, knowing of the associations with Dylan. Sweyn’s Ey members (there were many others in the band including the late ace Accordion player Mike Stafford) who are remembered to have been in that band were John Jeater, MJ Searle, Olly Athelstan-Price, Darrel Hurt and Paul Tarrant.

Pics & Words by Paul Tarrant.