Just goes to show how much development has gone on over the years , anyone guess/know where this is ? please log in to view this image
Nearly so right , up the road from Llansamlet heading towards Bonymaen / Winch Wen . The building in the top centre is the Colliers pub (opposite is where Pic Up Spares are ) and running left to right the Swansea Paddington railway with the over bridge just out of shot . To the top right & beyond would be where Tesco/Halfords etc are right now and a long way before the by pass was built in the bottom left corner
Many happy memories of BP. My father worked there from 1953 until he retired (aged 54) in 1986. The chauffeurs’ garages are on the left of the photo. 1973 was when I made my debut (just before my 16th birthday) for the 2nd XI in a Neath League match - we won 5-2. Modesty prevents me naming the hat-trick hero
It was my first place of employment for a few months after leaving school before going into the Army , no embarrassment in saying it was cleaning toilets and the many messrooms . Working along side my Dad who was the contract supervisor for the work . I was on the same wage as him ( the family firm, nice one Uncle Bill ) . I was always fascinated by the large boot cleaner in the foyer entrance, which was basically a large rotating roller My other abiding memory was the designated smoking huts dotted throughout the site within their constant small gas flame to light the then obligatory No6 fag or roll your own ( No matches or lighters allowed outside ) A massive site with Tank Farm running alongside Fabián Way , good memories .
I worked there as a Summer student (for 8 weeks at a time) in 1976,77 & 78. In 1977, I also worked for a few weeks for a contractor digging bloody trenches (in the Tank Farm area within the works, not the area alongside Fabian Way).
Most of Swansea and the surrounding area had links to the place directly or indirectly , when you consider the various large employers in the area at that time how the hell do we manage now with the growth of the population and seemingly less job opportunities . BP Chemical & Steel Works the mines, Fords Gearbox & transmission on Fabian way , Trostre , etc were we blessed
I agree Matt - those were employers who tended to pay (relatively) well, and where people could spend their entire working lives, with a decent pension to boot.
