Sean of Wales
Well-known member
I still kick myself for not finding a way in here before the fire, because it looked awesome. I know some other folks have been, and I was always mega jealous. Ah well, at least I got in now!
Swansea Boys Club
Swansea Boys Club
Swansea Boys Club was formed in the early 30s, by members of Swansea Strand Mission who wished to form an organization for the youths of the area to have something to occupy themselves with. There were many concerns about children falling into antisocial habits and other unscrupulous activities (where have I heard that before?) and something had to be done because there wasn't exactly much on offer.
The Chief Constable of Swansea Borough Police Force, Mr. J.F May decided to finally take action and organized a task force of willing volunteers and members of the police force to form a club for young lads to attend and entertain themselves. Their original building was a disused printing works, but about a decade later they realized that it was no longer adequate and purchased a new lease of land overlooking Swansea from high up on Mayhill. This new building was completed around the same as the outbreak of World War 2, and sadly was thrown into immediate use in the effort, depriving the Club of its brand new building.
Over the decades since then the building saw plenty of use as the Boys Club conducted their activities up until the mid-90s, when the building was closed for good. Since then it has remained derelict and sealed up, although people have got in over the years and snapped lovely photos of. Sadly in 2020 the building was left a charred shell following an arson attack, which is sadly all too common now. The place is trashed with big chunks missing, and loads of collapsed bits. The site is set to be sold off in auction and developed, which is probably for the best considering the state its in now, so I'm glad I got to see it before that happened!
I'd finished college early today, and I wanted to take a classmate up to Mayhill to see the club because he was new to the area, and I've lived here for a few years. We'd initially just gone up to snap exterior shots because I thought it'd be sealed up, but... well, I'm not one to pass up an inviting entrance!
Please excuse the varying quality in photos, I'm still trying to find my way around a camera. Probably helps that it's a photography course I'm on, too. Lol.
The main room on the ground floor, it was a gymnasium once. Now it's just a big cavernous square with a collapsing floor in the middle.
The old staircase leading up to the second floor. Well, one of them anyway!
One of the rooms upstairs.
Looking into the gymnasium from the rooms at the back.
By far the best part of the club was the view from the upstairs windows. Absolutely stunning view of Swansea.
Looking down the north staircase from the top floor.
Look, it's Swansea!
Looking down the south staircase from the top.
The top floor
The fire just tore a big chunk out of the front and completely got rid of the roof.
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I live in Swansea myself and found my way here a couple of days ago. I went all around the exterior as well as inside, but I wasn't brave enough to go upstairs as I didn't know how safe it was. Absolutely fantastic views of Swansea and I hope to make a return visit.
