Chris Peters-Bond

A music video is being filmed for local songwriter, Michael Mullan’s song to celebrate Swansea’s 50th anniversary as a city

While the video launch has been timed to coincide with the anniversary of the investiture of HRH Prince Charles as the Prince of Wales, Michael has provided a sneak preview of some of the people and places featured.

Michael said: “There are some amazing community projects, volunteers, creative organisations, and local heroes who enrich the tapestry of our beautiful city. They all feature against the backdrop of our iconic landscapes in our ‘This is our City’ video.

“It has been an incredible effort. One of the iconic images of the video is when all of the leaders of the main religious denominations in Swansea met together at the iconic Kardomah cafe in Swansea. 

“This picture of harmony and togetherness, of spiritual cousins talking and laughing together, is a true representation of how we can all live in harmony and understanding - the things that make us different make us the same.”

Filming continues with live performances of the song at today’s St Helen’s Street Party and Windrush concert at the Grand Theatre.

It will include members of Dancerama performing arts school, Dance by Rebecca dance school, the Tenovus Choir and the Talking Hands British sign language choir.

HRH The Prince of Wales is to visit the historic Morriston Tabernacle next month.

The Prince of Wales visited Swansea Guildhall in 1969, to announce the decision to grant city status. On the same day he attended an event at the Tabernacle.

HRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall will also be in Swansea on July 3 this year to mark Swansea’s first half century as a city. Events will take place in the city centre, in Victoria Park and at the Patti Pavilion that day.

His Royal Highness will also return to the 147-year-old Grade 1 Listed Tabernacle.

Rob Stewart, Leader of Swansea Council, said: “It will be wonderful for the people of Morriston and supporters of the Tabernacle to welcome HRH The Prince of Wales.

“The council is driving work which aims to revitalise the Tabernacle, making this incredible building a focus for community activity in the years to come and I’m sure The Prince of Wales will be interested to learn how this is progressing.

“We want to increase the community use of the building so it will remain a local treasure for many years to come. We have already started breathing new life into this historic location.”

The Tabernacle event will see The Prince of Wales entertained by choristers, briefed on restoration work since 1993, meet local religious leaders including Tabernacle Minister The Rev Jill-Hailey Harries and talk with the conductors of five choirs - Morriston Ladies, Morriston Orpheus, Morriston RFC, Morriston Tabernacle and Twrw Tawe.

The Prince’s host for the visit to the venue will be Huw Tregelles Williams, chair of the Morriston Tabernacle Steering Group.

Mr Williams said: “We look forward to a visit by HRH The Prince of Wales. It will mark exactly 50 years since the Gymanfa Ganu, the national hymn-singing festival, held at Tabernacle on July 3, 1969, to mark his Investiture.

“During the past 25 years a restoration programme has ensured that this remarkable building is now in better condition than in living memory; His Royal Highness will have the opportunity to see how this work has been achieved and to hear of plans for the building’s sustainable future.”

The chapel’s revitalisation plan - Morriston Tabernacle: Sustaining for Future Generations - is being funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund under its Resilient Heritage Programme. The National Lottery Heritage Fund grant was made possible by National Lottery players.

The £71,300 The National Lottery Heritage Fund award is supporting the work of Jacqualyn Box to develop a business plan and fundraising plan.

HRH The Prince of Wales is visiting Swansea next week to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the announcement of the community’s city status

The Prince came to the city on July 3, 1969, two days after his investiture as Prince of Wales to announce the decision at Swansea’s Guildhall.

And on the same day 50 years later the HRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall will be welcomed back on July 3 for the anniversary celebrations.

Rob Stewart, Leader of Swansea Council, said: “This is great news for the people of Swansea and we are delighted to be welcoming back HRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall 50 years since his investiture and the exact 50^th anniversary of the announcement that Swansea was to become a city.

“His Royal Highness is no stranger to Swansea, he’s been here on many occasions in the intervening years. But July 3, 2019, will be a special day for all of us and the city is planning a very warm welcome for him and The Duchess of Cornwall.

Swansea’s 50^th anniversary celebrations have been in full swing for a number of weeks and they are set to go on right through to December which is when formal city status was bestowed upon the city.

Cllr Stewart said: “HRH The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall have always taken great interest in Swansea over the years. It was a special day for us all back in 1969 when thousands of people flocked to the Guildhall to greet the new Prince of Wales.

“We hope to ensure there will be yet more special memories 50 years on from that great day.”

Swansea Council is on the hunt for guests at the Guildhall reception 50 years ago which announced the community was to receive city status.

Two days after his investiture as Prince of Wales, Prince Charles came to Swansea on July 3, 1969, to announce that the town was to become a city.

Crowds flocked to Swansea see the new Prince of Wales and a select group were invited to his address at the Guildhall.

Now the council would like to hear from you if you took part in the ceremony and have a story to share. 

Peter Black, Lord Mayor of Swansea, said: “July 3, 1969, was a big day for the town that was becoming a city. That announcement has shaped the way we see ourselves in the years since.

“If you were there on the day, perhaps as a member of a school choir or as another guest, the council wants to hear from you so we can include you in the city’s 50th anniversary celebrations.”

Anyone who took part in the ceremony and have a story to share from that day in 1969 should contact Joanne Jones on 01792 637553 or [email protected]

Residents, school children and famous names are joining in Swansea’s 50th anniversary celebrations by wishing the city a happy birthday via video.

Wales rugby star Alun Wyn Jones, world-famous composer Sir Karl Jenkins as well as local school children and residents are all becoming part of the celebrations.

Shortly after his investiture as Prince of Wales in the summer of 1969, Prince Charles travelled to Swansea to announce that Swansea had gained city status.

Now local people are joining in the fun by putting together their own videos to wish the city well in its anniversary year. And local people can join in too, simply by posting their own videos to the Swansea 50 web page.

In his video Sir Karl Jenkins said: “Growing up on Gower, Swansea was very much my home town, so it gives me enormous pleasure to wish Swansea happy anniversary on the occasion of its 50^th anniversary as a city. Best wishes to all.”

Anyone who sends us a video that we publish will be entered into a free draw with the chance to win a pair of tickets to see either the Swans or the Ospreys in action next season.

Contributing a video to the celebrations could not be easier - just direct message @50swansea on twitter, facebook or Instagram or tag your video #Swansea50

And watch the first video here: https://www.swansea50.co.uk/video-greetings/

The people of an historic neighbourhood are gearing up for a free street party celebrating 50 years of Swansea – and residents from across the city are invited!

Residents of Sandfields will get together with friends from across Swansea on June 27 to help mark half a century of city status.

Starting at 3.30pm - convenient for those towards the end of their school and work day, it will feature live music, other performances, street food and free activities. There will be art, poetry, drumming, a pop-up skate park, rides and games.  

Also being planned are a 50 years pop-up museum, outdoor art, talks and conversation along with a local heritage exhibition, tai chi and henna tattoos.

Robert Francis-Davies, the council’s cabinet member for investment, regeneration and tourism, said: “This community event aims to embody all that’s good about Sandfields and Swansea – and people from all over the city are invited. I’m sure there’ll be a real buzz on the day and I hope that residents and visitors have a great time!

“There’s a lot planned for Swansea 50 and neighbourhood activity like this is part of the celebration.

“I urge other communities to host their own street parties – the council will do all it can to help.”

Prince Charles visited Swansea in July 1969 after his investiture as the Prince of Wales. He delivered the proclamation that the town was to become a city. Swansea officially became a city that December.

The council has much information about holding a street party, including whether road closures or licences are needed.

The Swansea 50 logo is free to use for the event.

Local councillors may be able to assist if party organisers would like items such as Swansea 50 branded bunting or other decorations. 

The Sandfields event, in St Helen’s Road, is being backed by the Fusion Programme, a Welsh Government-backed initiative managed by the council’s cultural services team.

Partners include the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, the Ethnic Youth Support Team, Swansea Museum, Urban Foundry, Natural Resources Wales and St Helen’s Primary School. Other partners include Elysium Artists, Arts Council of Wales, The YMCA, Swansea Mosque and Exist Skate Park.

Organise a Street Party

Want to organise your own street party? Take a look at all the information you need here: www.swansea50.co.uk/organise-a-street-party

Eye-catching music memorabilia is helping Swansea celebrate its modern cultural heritage.

It includes images from an official booklet that fans bought when they sang and danced to rock legends The Who at the Vetch Field in 1976.

The items are among those being submitted by music fans eager to contribute to a unique exhibition and film, both being created this year to help Swansea mark its first 50 years as a city.

The 50 Years of Music in Swansea project is being run by the Fusion Programme, a Welsh Government-funded initiative managed in the city by Swansea Council’s cultural services team. Fusion enables individuals and communities to benefit from participating in culture, arts and heritage.

More: 50 Years of Music on Facebook

Oscar-winning actor Catherine Zeta-Jones CBE is set to receive Honorary Freedom of her home city of Swansea next month.

The A-list actor, born and brought up in Mayals, Swansea, has been a high-profile ambassador for the city for more than 25 years.

And now councillors at Swansea Council are being asked to agree to offer her Honorary Freedom of the City and County of Swansea in its 50^th year since being awarded city status.

Full Council on June 27 will be asked to agree to offer the city’s highest accolade to Catherine Zeta-Jones with a view to an award ceremony taking place on July 24.

Catherine Zeta-Jones CBE is a multi-award winning actress whose talents range from theatre to film.

She began her career on the stage in London before becoming a TV star in the popular adaptation of HE Bates’ The Darling Buds of May. 

She won an Academy Award for her portrayal of Velma Kelly in the screen adaptation of the Broadway musical Chicago. Catherine was also nominated for a Golden Globe and won the Critics’ Choice Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award and a BAFTA for Best Supporting Actress for her performance.

During her career Catherine has been an ambassador for Swansea and has worked with a number of charities. In 2010, she was awarded a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for her services to the film industry and charity.

She is married to Michael Douglas. They have a son, Dylan, and a daughter, Carys.

Rob Stewart, Leader of Swansea Council, said: “This honour will be richly-deserved. Thanks to her long and varied career on stage, TV and in the movies, Catherine Zeta-Jones is one of the best-known faces on the planet.

“Most people know that Swansea is Catherine’s home city and we have always been hugely-proud of Catherine’s achievements over the years.

“Due to her ambassadorial role for Swansea and her services to film and charity, it is particularly fitting that we are offering Catherine the highest honour we can confer in the 50^th year of Swansea’s status as a city.

“I am sure everyone will be thrilled at this news.”

Following the Honorary Freedom ceremony, Catherine Zeta-Jones CBE will also be taking to the stage with an ‘Evening with Catherine’ featuring anecdotes, stories and tales of her early Mumbles life through to her multi award winning career. 

The show is sponsored by Morgans Hotel and hosted by JR Events & Catering in partnership with Swansea Council. The evening will include a four course meal, live entertainment  and auction and will be supporting Swansea charities.

Wales, British Lion and three-time Grand Slam-winning rugby player Alun Wyn Jones has been given the honorary freedom of his home city of Swansea.

The Wales and Ospreys player stepped up in front of his family, friends and councillors to receive his city’s highest honour, the first person to do so in the city’s 50^th anniversary year.

Alun Wyn Jones said: “I was initially apprehensive to receive the award, due to my awareness of the significant contribution to our city of people in far more important occupations and services. Thus I am supremely flattered to accept the award.”

Rob Stewart, Leader of the Council, said: “We’re delighted Alun Wyn Jones accepted our offer of the freedom of his home city. He’s a great ambassador for Swansea.”

Alun Wyn Jones captained the British Lions in the historic tour-winning test against Australia in 2013. He was also in the side that secured the famous drawn series against New Zealand in 2017.