CLUB HISTORY

In the beginning

The MMBFC began its existence in 1952 and at that time the premises were a half-boat on the promenade opposite what used to be the Canopic, then became the Sea View Restaurant and later a block of apartments.  Members Held their early meetings in The Pilot public house.

Among those who formed the Club were Miss J Barnes, Miss D Gammon, A Harris, A M Henderson, George Howells, P B Kift, Charles Kostromin, S Lewis, R Stroud, Ivor E Thomas, Mr Wyatt, Alf Boyle, Ron Edwards, Bill Owen, Tony Walker, Herbert Rott and Jesse Webbon, and around 170 members were attending the meetings, paying 1s 6d for each meeting. The early meetings were held in the Pilot public house.

1953 Committee

Move to the 'Old School House'

Some famous feet trod the boards there - Dylan Thomas was a member and he appeared in five productions in the early 1930s.  It is reported that Dylan's theatrical career came to an abrupt end after he ignored the producer's warning not to slip off to the Antelope for a drink during rehearsals.  The producer is supposed have told Dylan, 'if you go, don't come back'.  Dylan didn't come back. and was sacked for it.  The Players eventually  moved on and it is believed that the building was then used as a badminton court and later as an asbestos factory.

Eventually, when the 'old school', previously a Church school, Church boys club, Little theatre, Badminton club, and asbestos factory, became vacant and available for rent the Club decided to rent the building from the Somerset Trust. With the proviso that the Club kept the building 'in a reasonable state of repair'.

A committee was formed under the chairmanship of Mr Ivor Thomas with Mr Reed as secretary, and the name Mumbles Motor Boat and Fishing Club was adopted. The room used for the early meetings was in what became the beer cellar. The annual subscription fee was set at 5 shillings and unfortunately, this led to the Club getting into financial difficulties for the first time. These financial difficulties were overcome with great determined effort.

The next Commodore was Arthur Owen, who held the position for a period of six years. During that time the membership gradually increased, to such an extent it was decided to hold a dinner dance in the Pier Hotel. This proved to be such a success that it was made an annual event. Another outstanding event which took place in the old club building was a sausage and mash meal, complete with trimmings. A local butcher member provided the sausages and he dressed in all his butcher regalia and along with a few lady members cooked and served the meal.

Around this time with the Club doing so well it acquired its first boat, a 112ft ex-M.T.B hull vessel. Over the next few years the boat was moored in several places in the bay. Unfortunately, it kept breaking loose and finally

finished up on the beach where it was burned by a local 20^th century 'wrecker' for the bronze fastenings.

About 1961 the condition of the roof of the Club building was so bad that the Somerset Trust decided that it was not viable to repair and decided to sell the building. With this event, a substantial increased Club membership and with members keeping upwards of 300 on its mooring at Mumbles, the building was purchased by the M.M.B.F.C

Following several Club meetings it was decided to rebuild the Club house, incorporating a hall for building and repairing boats, with a club room and bar above boat hall. Len Rees, Herbert Rott, George Hill, 'Paddy' Taylor and several other members commenced the rebuilding by removing the roof, demolishing the rear wall and one end wall. The start date of the rebuilding the back wall was marked in a cement patch in the cliff face at the rear of the Club house. By this voluntary labour, and using the skills available within the membership, Members developed the old school site and constructed a large boat hall with club facilities on the ground floor, and a banqueting/dance hall with bar and kitchen on the top floor.

The building of the new Club house took the members of that time about 9 years, with the exception of the Foc'sle Bar, which was a later addition installed by Club members.  In the end the Club had a club house which everyone could be proud of, and especially so, since it was built by the members, for the members.

The Main Hall was call the 'Bermuda Room' in recognition of the cruiser HMS Bermuda. The first bar facilities of the Club came from her when she was being broken up at Wards of Briton Ferry. It was on the top floor of the building, with a large bar, stage and dance floor. The capacity of the Bermuda Room was 220 people and this where the Club held its discos, live bands, concerts and other socail functions. From the windows there was a great view over the roof tops of the local houses of Swansea Bay and part of the moorings. Underneath the Bermuda Bar there was a large workshop for boat building and repair of boats up to 16ft.

To assist in fetching up and taking down boats from the clubhouse there was a winch that helped to take out most of the effort required for this action. There was also a reasonable amount of space around the building for storage of small dinghies and punts. Separate from the main building the members also constructed a storage building for outboard motors and oars.

The Club issued to members with boats a Coast Guard form C.G.66, which was filled in by the owners with all the particulars of their boat, including owners address and an alternative shore contact address. This form was then kept at the Coast Guard to assist in finding the boat if it went missing or was overdue from a trip. The owner could also have been contacted should the boat break free from its mooring.

The Club was also RYA Affiliated and ran regular radio and navigation courses. A full programme of fishing competitions was run during each year with shore and boat events that culminated in a Prize Presentation Evening in the clubhouse. The Club also organised fishing trips to Ireland.

There was also a cruising section within the Club for those people interested in motor and sail cruising. Regular cruises of the local waters were arranged in the summer months with BBQs and over night stays. These members also cruised in convoy over to Ilfracombe for weekends.

In its heyday the Club had almost 400 members, it was very active and ran regular fishing competitions from both boats and shore, and the premises were in regular use for Club activities.  Pool and dart competitions were also held, along with participation in the local leagues. Live music was put on at weekends in the Bermuda Room. The clubhouse was very popular with members and guests for birthday parties, anniversaries, meetings etc.  At least four functions each year were run to benefit charities including cancer research and the NSPCC, which were always well supported. In the early years the Club levelled part of the old railway to provide hard standing for boats and dinghies at Village Lane and extended and improved the slipway. Around this time more than 300 members' boats were moored off Knab Rock.

Members having a BBQ, probably at Oxwich beach.  If you recognise any one please let us know

Meetings at Mumbles Rugby Football Clubhouse