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Blogiau YMCA

Phil Treseder yw’r Swyddog Dysgu a Chyfranogiad yn Amgueddfa Abertawe ac mae hefyd yn Ymddiriedolwr YMCA Abertawe.

Ar hyn o bryd mae’n ymchwilio i hanes YMCA Abertawe, ac mae’r blogiau hyn yn tynnu sylw at wrthrychau yng nghasgliad Amgueddfa Abertawe sy’n gysylltiedig â’r YMCA, ynghyd ag ambell un o Archifau Gorllewin Morgannwg

Bydd yr un ar ddeg o flogiau’n gweithredu fel cynllun peilot ar gyfer cyfres bosib o flogiau ar yr YMCA a’r deunydd hanes ac archif sylweddol sy’n perthyn i’r YMCA, ac yn darparu hanes cymdeithasol diddorol o Abertawe. Gobeithio y byddant yn cael eu cyflwyno yn ddiweddarach yn 2022.

Bydd pob blog yn dechrau gyda chyfeiriad at y casgliad a disgrifiad o’r gwrthrych neu’r ddogfen fel y mae’n ymddangos yn yr amgueddfa neu ar y cofnod archif.

Catalog Llyfrgell yr YMCA – 1900

Casgliad Llyfrgell Amgueddfa Abertawe

Mae’r llyfryn A6 bach yn bedair tudalen ar hugain o hyd, gyda thair tudalen arall o hysbysebion. Mae’n rhestru’r 699 o lyfrau a oedd ar gael yn llyfrgell fenthyca YMCA Abertawe yn y flwyddyn 1900.  Ar yr adeg hon, roedd yr YMCA yn Dynevor Place, cyn ei symud i’r YMCA a adeiladwyd at y diben ar Ffordd y Brenin, a agorodd ym mis Hydref 1913. Mae’r catalog wedi’i rannu’n saith adran gan gynnwys diwinyddiaeth, bywgraffiad, hanes, ffuglen, barddoniaeth, morio a theithio ac amrywiol.

Yn y 19eg Ganrif gwelwyd cynnydd sylweddol mewn addysg a dysgu.  Agorodd Llyfrgell Gyhoeddus Abertawe ym 1887 ar Alexandra Road yn dilyn Deffet Francis yn rhoddi casgliad sylweddol o lyfrau.

Cyn hyn, defnyddiwyd llyfrgelloedd tanysgrifio i fenthyca llyfrau.  Ym 1815 roedd chwe llyfrgell danysgrifiad yn Abertawe.

Byddai’r llyfrgell a’r ystafelloedd darllen mwyaf mawreddog yn Abertawe yn agor ym 1841, yn Sefydliad Brenhinol De Cymru (RISW), sef Amgueddfa Abertawe bellach.

Ym 1835 ffurfiwyd Cymdeithas Athronyddol a Llenyddol Abertawe, a enillodd Siarter Frenhinol yn fuan wedi hynny i ddod yn Sefydliad Brenhinol De Cymru. Ym 1841 agorwyd yr adeilad.  Roedd yr ardal i lawr y grisiau yn cynnwys darlithfa, llyfrgell gyfeirio a llyfrgell ac ystafell ddarllen. Swyddfeydd staff yw’r llyfrgell gyfeirio ar hyn o bryd, ac roedd y brif lyfrgell ac ystafell ddarllen yn y brif oriel arddangos bresennol. 

Mae’r ddelwedd hon o brif ystafell ddarllen Sefydliad Brenhinol De Cymru o ddechrau’r 20fed ganrif ac ar hyn o bryd, dyma’r oriel lle caiff y casgliad hanes naturiol ei arddangos.

Byddai llyfrgell ac ystafelloedd darllen gwreiddiol YMCA Abertawe wedi bod yn debyg ond mae’n siŵr eu bod yn llai, yn llai mawreddog ac yn cynnwys llai o lyfrau.  Yn anffodus, nid ydym yn ymwybodol o unrhyw ffotograff sydd wedi goroesi.

Sefydlwyd YMCA Abertawe ym 1868 (neu gellid dadlau ym 1857, i’w drafod mewn blog yn y dyfodol).  Y prif nod ar y pryd fyddai dargyfeirio dynion ifanc i ffwrdd o demtasiynau tref Abertawe, fel tafarnau, theatrau a phuteindai, tuag at Gristnogaeth ac achubiaeth drwy Iesu Grist.  Mae adroddiad yr heddlu ar gyfer Abertawe ym 1888 er enghraifft yn cofnodi bod naw puteindy a chwe deg pump o buteiniaid yn y dref.

Y prif ddull fyddai darparu llyfrgell ac ystafell ddarllen. Heddiw mae’r rhan fwyaf o staff YMCA Abertawe yn weithwyr Ieuenctid a Chymunedol, felly efallai y bydd yn syndod i chi mai’r swydd staff â thâl gyntaf a hysbysebwyd ym Mhapur Newydd y Cambrian oedd llyfrgellydd ym 1872, gyda chyflog o £20 y flwyddyn.

Disgrifir agoriad ffurfiol yr Ystafelloedd Darllen yn fanwl ym mhapur newydd y Cambrian ar 19 Awst 1870.  Yn yr erthygl, nodir eu bod ar gornel Dillwyn Street a Herbert Place.

Mae’r adroddiad yn eu disgrifio fel a ganlyn;

‘Agorwyd yr ystafelloedd darllen a’r clwb newyddion deniadol a chyfforddus iawn a adeiladwyd gan Mr. Henry Jack, perchennog brwdfrydig yr YMCA, yn ffurfiol nos Lun diwethaf.  Mae’r brif ystafell yn gallu lletya tua 200 neu 250 o aelodau mewn argyfwng, ac mae’n foethus yn ogystal â chyfforddus.  Drwy holl led y brif ystafell mae bwrdd darllen mahogani enfawr ac mae’r cadeiriau esmwyth cyfforddus a’r seddi wedi’u gorchuddio â melfed cyfoethog.  Gwnaed y lle tân o farmor caboledig ac mae’r gratiau’n cain o ran dyluniad’.

Roedd yr adroddiad hefyd yn dyfynnu’r Maer John Jones Jenkins, Ysw. yn datgan;

“Nid oedd lle i ddynion ifanc y dref ymgynnull gyda’i gilydd at ddibenion hamdden a gwella meddyliol. Yr unig ystafell a fodolai oedd y Sefydliad Brenhinol (Amgueddfa Abertawe)… ac roedd y ffioedd braidd yn uwch na’r hyn y gallai’r bobl ifanc fforddio ei dalu”.

Mae’r papur newydd yn cofnodi’r papurau newydd a’r cyfnodolion canlynol y tanysgrifiwyd iddynt ar gyfer yr ystafelloedd darllen.  Ymysg y papurau cenedlaethol mae The Times, Standard, Telegraph, Pall Mall, Punch and Judy.  Mae papurau lleol yn cynnwys y Cambrian, Western Mail, Herald a Journal.  Mae’r cyfnodolion yn cynnwys Sunday magazine, Good Words, Christian Observer, Christian World, Leisure Hour, Edinburgh Quarterly review a’r  English Mechanic.

Cyfanswm yr incwm yr oedd ei angen ar gyfer yr ystafelloedd darllen y flwyddyn oedd rhent o £40, £20 mewn trethi, £25 i dalu llyfrgellydd, £15 am y golau, y gwres a’r glanhau a £25 am danysgrifiadau.

Yn anffodus, nid wyf wedi gallu olrhain ffotograff o’r llyfrgell a’r ystafelloedd darllen gwreiddiol.  Roedd nodi’r adeilad yr oedd yr ystafelloedd wedi’u lleoli ynddo yn her ynddo’i hun.  Roedd y cyfeiriad a ddisgrifiwyd neu a roddwyd yn amrywio rhwng Herbert Place, St Helens Road a chyffordd Dillwyn St a St Helens Road. Herbert Place oedd y lôn a oedd yn rhedeg i’r chwith gyntaf oddi ar St Helens Road, ac yn dod i ben y tu ôl i hen adeilad Peter Allen Estate Agents. Yn amlwg, roedd yn y bloc adeiladau sydd gyferbyn ag adeilad presennol yr YMCA.

Fodd bynnag, yn ddiweddar daeth taflen ddwy dudalen o 1968, yn dathlu’i 100fed pen-blwydd, i’r amlwg gyda ffotograff o’r lleoliad.  Roedd adeilad y llyfrgell a’r ystafelloedd darllen gwreiddiol yn uniongyrchol gyferbyn, ac mae yno o hyd.  Roedd ar y llawr uchaf uwchben siopau Subway a Lifestyle Express.

Mae’n ymddangos bod YMCA Abertawe yn y 1870au wedi cael trafferthion i ddechrau. Mae ymchwil yn parhau o hyd, ond mae’n ymddangos nad oedd nodau’r sylfaenwyr yn cyfateb i nodau ac anghenion y dynion ifanc. Fodd bynnag, mae’n ymddangos bod pwyllgor rheoli newydd wedi datrys y sefyllfa erbyn canol y 1870au.  Erbyn diwedd y degawd roeddent yn chwilio am adeilad newydd a mwy, a daethant o hyd i hen adeilad y Coleg yn Dynevor Place ym 1882.  Roedd gan y safle newydd neuadd, campfa, lolfa ac wrth gwrs y llyfrgell a’r ystafell ddarllen. Adroddir am agoriad ffurfiol yr adeilad newydd gan y maer yn y Cambrian ar 2 Chwefror 1883.

Mewn cylchlythyr YMCA ar gyfer 1884, ‘The Record‘, ceir disgrifiad o’r adeilad newydd fel a ganlyn:

“Mae croeso mawr i ddynion ifanc ymweld â’r YMCA yn Dynevor Place sy’n ffinio â phen taith y tramffordd, Gower Street.  Ar agor rhwng 9.30am a 10.30pm.  Mae’r adeilad cyfforddus yn cynnwys:

Ystafell ddarllen olau, llachar a dymunol, wedi’i llenwi’n dda â phapurau newydd, cylchgronau a chadeiriau cyfforddus. Llyfrgell benthyca, gyda llyfrau ar fywgraffiad, ffuglen, hanes, barddoniaeth, teithio ac astudiaethau’r Beibl.

Ystafell eistedd glyd a chyfforddus gyda phiano, harmoniwm, byrddau ysgrifennu, gwyddbwyll a drafftiau.

Ystafell Bagatelle

Ystafell Ping-pong

Swyddfa’r Ysgrifennydd, lle gellir gweld rhestrau o letyau a fflatiau.  Gellir dod o hyd i lythyrau cyflwyno i bob rhan o’r byd.

Ystafell Baddon yr Aelodau, gyda dŵr poeth ac oer a baddon â chawod.

Campfa fawr â digon o gyfarpar a chawodydd poeth ac oer, baddonau, ystafell wisgo a loceri.

Cynhelir digwyddiadau cymdeithasol, darlithoedd etc. o bryd i’w gilydd.  Dechreuodd cymdeithas lenyddol a dadlau fis diwethaf”.

Byddai’r llyfrgell a’r ystafell ddarllen yn parhau i fod yn nodwedd yn yr adeilad presennol ar Ffordd y Brenin a agorwyd ym 1913.  Mae ymchwil yn parhau i ganfod dyddiad cau’r llyfrgell a’r ystafell ddarllen, ond roedd yn dal i fod yn nodwedd yn ystod y Rhyfel Byd Cyntaf.

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YMCA & the Swansea Museum Collection

Phil Treseder is the Learning and Participation Officer at Swansea Museum and also a Trustee of YMCA Swansea.

Currently researching the history of YMCA Swansea, these blogs highlight objects in the Swansea Museum collection linked to the YMCA along with a few from West Glamorgan Archives.

The eleven blogs will act as a pilot for a potential series of blogs on the YMCA from the substantial history and archive material that belong to the YMCA and provides a fascinating social history of Swansea, which hopefully will begin later in 2022.

Each blog will start with a reference to the collection and a description of the object or document as it appears on the museum or archive record.

YMCA Library Catalogue 1900

Swansea Museum Library Collection

The small A6 booklet is twenty four pages long, with another three pages of adverts. It lists the 699 books available in the lending library of YMCA Swansea in the year 1900.  At this time the YMCA was based in Dynevor Place, prior to moving to the purpose built YMCA on the Kingsway which opened in October 1913. The catalogue is divided into seven sections including theology, biography, history, fiction, poetry, voyages and travels and miscellaneous.

The 19th Century saw a considerable expansion in education and learning.  Swansea Public Library opened in 1887 on Alexandra Road following the donation of a significant book collection by Deffet Francis.

Prior to this, access to borrowing books was through subscription libraries.  In 1815 there were six subscription libraries in Swansea.

The most prestigious library and reading rooms in Swansea would open in 1841, at the Royal Institution of South Wales (RISW), now Swansea Museum.

In 1835 the Swansea Philosophical and Literary Society was formed, which soon gained a Royal Charter to become the Royal Institution of South Wales. In 1841 the building was opened.  The downstairs consisted of a lecture theatre, reference library and library and reading room. The reference library is currently staff offices and the main exhibition gallery was the main library and reading room.

This image of the main RISW reading room is from the early 20th century and is now currently the gallery where the natural history collection is displayed.

The initial Swansea YMCA library and reading rooms would have been similar but no doubt smaller, less grand and less books.  Unfortunately we are not aware of any surviving photograph.

YMCA Swansea was established in 1868 (or it could be argued 1857, to be covered in a future blog).  The primary aim at the time would be to divert young men form the temptations of the town of Swansea such as public houses, theatres and brothels towards Christianity and salvation through Jesus Christ.  The police report for example for Swansea in 1888 records nine brothels and sixty five prostitutes in the town.

The primary method would be the provision of a library and reading room. Today the majority of YMCA Swansea staff are Youth and Community Workers, so it may come as a surprise to know that the first paid staff post advertised in the Cambrian Newspaper was for a Librarian in 1872, salary £20 per annum.

The formal opening of the Reading Rooms is described in detail in the Cambrian newspaper on the 19th August 1870.  The location in the article is given as the corner of Dillwyn St and Herbert Place.

The report describes them as;

“The very handsome and commodious reading rooms and news club erected by Mr. Henry Jack, the spirited proprietor for the YMCA were formally opened on Monday evening last.  The principle room is capable of accommodating upon an emergency some 200 or 250 members and has not only been comfortably but luxuriously fitted up.  Through the whole width of the principal room runs a massive mahogany reading table and the comfortable lounges or seats are covered with rich velvet.  The fire place is of polished marble and the grates elegant in design”.

The report also quoted the Mayor John Jones Jenkins, Esq as stating;

“There was practically no room in which the young men of the town can congregate together for mental recreation and improvement. The only room which existed was the Royal Institution (Swansea Museum)… and the fees were rather above what the young people could afford to pay”.

The newspaper goes onto record the following newspapers and periodicals which have been subscribed to for the reading rooms.  National papers include The Times, Standard, Telegraph, Pall Mall, Punch and Judy.  Local papers include the Cambrian, Western Mail, Herald and Journal.  Periodicals to include, Sunday magazine, Good Words, Christian Observer, Christian World, Leisure Hour, Edinburgh Quarterly review and the English Mechanic.

The total income required for the reading rooms per annum would be rent £40, taxes £20, librarian £25, light, heat and cleaning £15 and subscriptions £25.

Unfortunately I have not been able to trace a photograph of the original library and reading rooms.  Actually identifying the building the rooms were located in was a challenge in itself.  The address described or given varied including Herbert Place, St Helens Road and the junction of Dillwyn St and St Helens Road. Herbert Place was the lane running first left off St Helens Road and ending behind what was Peter Allen Estate Agents. Obviously it was in the block of building opposite the current YMCA building.

However, recently a two page leaflet from 1968 celebrating the 100th anniversary emerged with a photograph of the location.  The original library and reading rooms was directly opposite and is still there. The upper floor above what is currently Subway and the Lifestyle Express shop.

The YMCA in Swansea the 1870s appeared to have struggled at first. Research is ongoing but it would appear that the aims of the founders were not matching up with the aims and needs of the young men. A new management committee however appears to have turned matters around by the mid-1870s.  By the end of the decade they were looking for new and larger premises which they found in the former Normal College building on Dynevor Place in 1882.  The new premises had a hall, gymnasium, lounge and of course the library and reading room. The formal opening of the new building by the mayor is reported in the Cambrian on the 2nd February 1883.

In a YMCA newsletter for 1884 `The Record’, a description of the new building is included as follows;

“Young men are most welcome to visit the YMCA in Dynevor Place which adjoins the Tramway Terminus, Gower Street.  Open from 9.30am to 10.30pm.  The commodious building includes:

Reading Room, light, bright and pleasant, well supported with newspapers, magazines and easy chairs. Lending library, stocked with books on biography, fiction, history, poetry, travel and bible studies

Sitting Room, cosy and comfortable, provided with piano, harmonium, writing tables, chess and draughts

Bagatelle Room

Ping-Pong Room

Secretary’s Office, where lists of lodgings and apartments can be seen.  Letters of introductions can be obtained to all parts of the world

Members Bath Room, supplied with hot and cold water and shower bath

Gymnasium, large and well equipped and fitted with hot and cold showers, baths, dressing room and lockers

Social gatherings, lectures etc. take place from time to time.  A literary and debating society started last month”.

The library and reading room would continue to be a feature in the current building on the Kingsway opened in 1913.  Research is ongoing as to the date of the closure of the library and reading room but it was still a feature during WW2.

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`The Record’

Swansea YMCA newsletters early 20th Century

One of the drawbacks with visiting archives is you find a lot more information than you expected.  It can result in extra research or a new line of enquiry or both.

The YMCA archive has no newsletters from the 1st WW period but West Glamorgan Archive Service do. There are one hundred names on the YMCA Swansea Roll of Honour (those members who served) and I was hoping I may find some extra bits of information and hopefully identify some of the many Evans, Jones and Thomas etc. Instead I ended up with another seventy individuals to research. Former members that were mentioned but not listed on the Roll of Honour and a whole load of names on the list of junior section members and scouts serving. This no doubt will result in another week or two of research.  Further information in future blogs when I look at the WW1 period in more detail.

The bundle of newsletters in archives also had some which overlap with YMCA archives for 1911/12 period. Looking through them again, I made a note of the name Arnt J Morland, who wrote a few letters back to his friends at YMCA Swansea and who was now back residing in Arundel, Norway.  The letters themselves were of no significant interest, a little update on how he was getting on, at this point undertaking his national service. The fact that he was involved in a much smaller YMCA association in Arundel and words of encouragement to keep up the good Christian work in Swansea. However, a quick google of his name and the town and this resulted in yet another story of interest to record.

Arnt Jacobson Morland was born on the 23rd June 1888, son of a merchant.

In 1907 he secured some form of Norwegian state sponsored trade placement in Britain and obviously ended up in Swansea. The placement was shipping related but as yet I have been unable to identify with whom exactly.

Judging by the date of the letters he would have been in Swansea for maybe two or three years and being very religious I would guess a member of the Norwegian Church. By 1911 he was definitely back in Norway.  The last mention of him is news of his engagement to Miss Thomsen of Arundel.

In 1916 he started his own shipping company, named Agdesidens Rederi, followed by two more companies, Morland Rederi in 1927 and Morland Tankederi in 1930. 

Morland became a very prominent citizen of Norway, he chaired the Regional Ship Owners Association and for a number of years was a member of the Executive Committee for Arundel City Council. In 1953 he was elected to the Norwegian Parliament but died in 1957 before the end of his term.  Morland was also prominent in the church becoming Vice Chair of the Diocesan Council for Agder.

In 1940 Norway was occupied by the Nazis. A puppet government was installed led by the collaborator Vidkun Quisling, whose name would become a byword for collaborator or traitor. Following the war Quisling was found guilty of murder and high treason and was executed by firing squad on the 24th October 1945.

The resistance in Norway like most countries included both passive and aggressive resistance.  One of the passive resistance measures was led by the church. Local church leaders in Norway were employed and paid for by the state.  Church leaders therefore refused to take the salaries in protest at the occupation and the collaboration of the Quisling government.

Morland in partnership with Hans Sande, the General Secretary of the Joint YMCA and YWCA in Norway organised the network for raising money for what was effectively a strike fund.  Money would be raised and collected to support the local church leaders to enable them to continue to work but refuse their salaries from the Norwegian state.

Morland was arrested on the 24th February 1944 for resistance activities and initially held at the Arkivet building in Kristianstand.  Arkivet is Norwegian for archive.  Built in 1935 for the local archive service, the building was taken over as Gestapo Headquarters for Southern Norway.  It is now a museum to the Norwegian occupation and the names of those killed in concentration camps in Norway are listed on a memorial outside the building.

Moreland was later transferred to Grini Concentration Camp, his prisoner number was 11696. Numbers killed at Grini are unknown but we do know they included British Airborne troops who survived Operation Freshman, the attempt to destroy the Norsk Hydro Heavy Water Plant, vital for any potential development of a hydrogen bomb by the Nazis. The surviving British Airborne troops from the operation were held at Grini before being taken to nearby woods and executed by the Gestapo.

Finally Moreland was transferred to Berg Concentration Camp in February 1945.  Berg was a transit camp where many Jews and political prisoners were kept before transfer to one of the death camps in Germany or Eastern Europe. It is possible that he was due for transit but the war at this point was nearing the end and he survived. 

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YMCA Jubilee Campaign Poster 1919

West Glamorgan Archive Service reference SL WL 5/9/1

The poster is advertising a week long campaign to raise £20,000 to build a new support centre in Swansea for those veterans who served in WW1.  The end of the Great War coincided with the 50th anniversary of YMCA Swansea. 

On the right of the YMCA Red Triangle logo is a notice which seems rather odd.  It states;

“The balance sheet of the National YMCA is published every six months, properly audited and is a document representing a marvel of enterprising work for God and humanity”.

The reason for the rather odd notice was that the appeal had already been effectively sabotaged and from a most unexpected quarter.

As well as providing YMCA huts at the front line, a considerable amount of work was being undertaken to support troops in Swansea.

50,000 meals had been served at St Andrews Hall (now Swansea Mosque), and where YMCA operated from May 1917 to March 1919. 80,000 sheets of writing paper given out to troops, sleeping accommodation provided to over 250 soldiers and sailors and

7,000 to 8000 free suppers provided. Food and accommodation provided also to 129 survivors of the Rewa, a hospital ship torpedoed in the Channel.

At an Executive Committee of YMCA Swansea on 1st October 1917 Mr. G. P. Cook-Davies stated that the number of Bit Badge Men in the town was about 900 (Bit Badge Men was a term for men who had done their bit but whom now were invalided out through illness or injury).  After discussion it was decided to appoint a delegation to meet with Sir John Llewelyn (YMCA Swansea President) to consider what could be done.  One idea considered was a hostel for soldiers and sailors and the need to investigate potential need.

In early 1919, the Red Cross notified the YMCA was that the building which had been turned into a hospital was expected to be handed back over on the 30th March

It was agreed to hold an open meeting and in the meantime that the ground floor be used as a club for past and present members of H.M Forces.

A Jubilee planning meeting was held on the 15th March.  The minutes are difficult to read but discussion involves a possible extension to the hostel as well as a new build erected to the men who have fallen in the war, on the model of the Red Triangle huts.

At a special meeting in March 1919 the appeal was launched with a target of £20,000

Ward lists were produced to target 20,000 houses via 260 canvassers and the Rev. James would target markets and businesses.

Newspaper adverts were also to be placed.  The appeal weeks would be the 28th April to 10th May. 300 posters and 500 window bills printed.

The appeal started well with the following promises:

Mr. Napier £200

Mr Cook £200

Richard Lewis £200

J. P Giles £100

S Palmer £52

W J Watkins £50

Total £802

The first indication of the appeal running into trouble comes in a minute dated 1st April, under a heading the Bishop of Swansea.  The minute states:

“Mr Napier gave a brief report on the meeting of the National Council in London and stated that the Bishop of Swansea would be given an opportunity of substantiating or withdrawing his charge against the YMCA before a Commission appointed by the Council”.

A special meeting of the Executive Committee 16th April minute states

“The Chairman referred to the Bishop of Swansea attack on the YMCA in the Times Newspaper.  In reference to the Bishops letter, Mr Highman gave exact information with regard to the Association building at Brecon and the success of that enterprise”.

The Cambrian newspaper reported on the allegations and subsequent inquiry by Lord Askwith on the 23rd May 1919.  The central allegation by the Bishop was that the YMCA national body was competing with existing social organisations and that money subscribed for war purposes was now being used for peace schemes. It would appear that the criticism was triggered by something to do with Brecon YMCA but it is unclear what.  The report by lord Askwith rejected the Bishops criticisms. 

Although the Bishops letter to the Times had nothing to do with YMCA Swansea, the publicity effectively sabotaged the campaign.  The appeal was pretty ambitious anyway, particularly when it was only eight years since a similar appeal had raised the £20,000 for the cost of the building on the Kingsway.

In June the Rev Newton Jones reported that Len Palmer had succeeded in collecting £131, the highest amount secured by a member. The campaign figure now standing at £4548 with another £100 promised from Messrs Baldwin’s.  Another £250 was promised by the Butchers Association.

The minute’s state:

“Mr Napier moved thanks to Rev Newton Jones for his service as the campaign manager.  The campaign had not reached its target.  The attack upon the YMCA by the Bishop of Swansea and prevailing industrial unrest had doubtless influenced events.”

Mr Cook endorsed Mr Napier

“Campaign efforts had been largely controlled by unfortunate circumstances”

The appeal was finally closed with a total figure raised of £5692, well short of the £20,000 target.

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Swansea YMCA newsletters early 20th Century`The Record’

Swansea YMCA newsletters early 20th Century

One of the drawbacks with visiting archives is you find a lot more information than you expected.  It can result in extra research or a new line of enquiry or both.

The YMCA archive has no newsletters from the 1st WW period but West Glamorgan Archive Service do. There are one hundred names on the YMCA Swansea Roll of Honour (those members who served) and I was hoping I may find some extra bits of information and hopefully identify some of the many Evans, Jones and Thomas etc. Instead I ended up with another seventy individuals to research. Former members that were mentioned but not listed on the Roll of Honour and a whole load of names on the list of junior section members and scouts serving. This no doubt will result in another week or two of research.  Further information in future blogs when I look at the WW1 period in more detail.

The bundle of newsletters in archives also had some which overlap with YMCA archives for 1911/12 period. Looking through them again, I made a note of the name Arnt J Morland, who wrote a few letters back to his friends at YMCA Swansea and who was now back residing in Arundel, Norway.  The letters themselves were of no significant interest, a little update on how he was getting on, at this point undertaking his national service. The fact that he was involved in a much smaller YMCA association in Arundel and words of encouragement to keep up the good Christian work in Swansea. However, a quick google of his name and the town and this resulted in yet another story of interest to record.

Arnt Jacobson Morland was born on the 23rd June 1888, son of a merchant.

In 1907 he secured some form of Norwegian state sponsored trade placement in Britain and obviously ended up in Swansea. The placement was shipping related but as yet I have been unable to identify with whom exactly.

Judging by the date of the letters he would have been in Swansea for maybe two or three years and being very religious I would guess a member of the Norwegian Church. By 1911 he was definitely back in Norway.  The last mention of him is news of his engagement to Miss Thomsen of Arundel.

In 1916 he started his own shipping company, named Agdesidens Rederi, followed by two more companies, Morland Rederi in 1927 and Morland Tankederi in 1930. 

Morland became a very prominent citizen of Norway, he chaired the Regional Ship Owners Association and for a number of years was a member of the Executive Committee for Arundel City Council. In 1953 he was elected to the Norwegian Parliament but died in 1957 before the end of his term.  Morland was also prominent in the church becoming Vice Chair of the Diocesan Council for Agder.

In 1940 Norway was occupied by the Nazis. A puppet government was installed led by the collaborator Vidkun Quisling, whose name would become a byword for collaborator or traitor. Following the war Quisling was found guilty of murder and high treason and was executed by firing squad on the 24th October 1945.

The resistance in Norway like most countries included both passive and aggressive resistance.  One of the passive resistance measures was led by the church. Local church leaders in Norway were employed and paid for by the state.  Church leaders therefore refused to take the salaries in protest at the occupation and the collaboration of the Quisling government.

Morland in partnership with Hans Sande, the General Secretary of the Joint YMCA and YWCA in Norway organised the network for raising money for what was effectively a strike fund.  Money would be raised and collected to support the local church leaders to enable them to continue to work but refuse their salaries from the Norwegian state.

Morland was arrested on the 24th February 1944 for resistance activities and initially held at the Arkivet building in Kristianstand.  Arkivet is Norwegian for archive.  Built in 1935 for the local archive service, the building was taken over as Gestapo Headquarters for Southern Norway.  It is now a museum to the Norwegian occupation and the names of those killed in concentration camps in Norway are listed on a memorial outside the building.

Moreland was later transferred to Grini Concentration Camp, his prisoner number was 11696. Numbers killed at Grini are unknown but we do know they included British Airborne troops who survived Operation Freshman, the attempt to destroy the Norsk Hydro Heavy Water Plant, vital for any potential development of a hydrogen bomb by the Nazis. The surviving British Airborne troops from the operation were held at Grini before being taken to nearby woods and executed by the Gestapo.

Finally Moreland was transferred to Berg Concentration Camp in February 1945.  Berg was a transit camp where many Jews and political prisoners were kept before transfer to one of the death camps in Germany or Eastern Europe. It is possible that he was due for transit but the war at this point was nearing the end and he survived. 

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Board Game, to raise awareness of issues facing Young Carers

Swansea Museum Collection

Board Game, cardboard, ink, plastic, and wood. ‘I care – do you’?. Board game, produced by Swansea Young Carers as part of an ABMU (Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board) funded project to raise awareness of issues facing young carers.  Used by Swansea Museum Education team as part of ‘Eye of the Storm’ activities in 2017. Game consists of board, 4 counters, dice, two packs of pick-up cards, one blue pack and one white with instruction sheets. The aim of the game is to raise awareness about young people carers; their lives and the issues they face on a day to day basis. The objective of the game is to go through the game on either the path of the young carer or the path of the young person, each step is another aspect of each of their lives. The ‘pick up’ cards are uncontrollable events that either have a positive or negative outcome for each player.

`Eye of the Storm’ is a musical theatre production by Theatre na Nog, a production company based in Neath. The production, aimed at schools, revolved around a female young carer who dreams of becoming a scientist.  Each autumn the performances are held in the Dylan Thomas Theatre along with workshops in Swansea Museum and the National Waterfront. The productions are usually set in a historic period but this production was present day.

In developing the storyline Theatre na Nog consulted with the same group of young carers who later would produce the game.

In a previous life, I was a children’s rights worker, specialising in involving children in decision making processes and consultations. In 1993 to 1995 I was part of the team that co-ordinated the voluntary sector report to the United Nations on the UK Government implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (or to be more accurate how the UK Government was failing to implement it).

Young carers groups were few and far between at that point, but I do recall the main fear of young carers was a worry that if they asked for support from anywhere official, they may end up being taken into care.  As a result it was at the time still a hidden problem and a there was a lack of awareness.

There has been a considerable amount of progress since then but still a long way to go.  Recent data shows that there are approximately 800,000 Young Carers aged 5-17 in the UK and research by the Children’s Society suggests that 1 in 5 secondary school students are providing some care in their home, with a third of these providing high levels of care.

YMCA Swansea Young Carers project is a bespoke provision that increases young carer’s resilience towards their caring role and improves their health and well-being.

Young carers participating in the project are under 18 and care for someone affected by; a long-term illness, physical disability, mental health illness or substance and alcohol use.

Young carers are unlikely to have opportunities that other young people may have. So the project gives young carers opportunities in a safe environment, where they are encouraged to be young people, have fun, make friends, relax and focus on themselves.

Young carers miss out on a lot of experiences and life opportunities due to their caring responsibilities and so the young carers project provides vital support and services that aim to reduce the barriers to young carer’s development.

The difference that is witnessed and is evident in young people from participating in this project is truly inspirational and the transformational changes in young people has an overall impact for the entire family.

Commissioned to deliver the Young Carers Service in Swansea on behalf of City and county of Swansea, YMCA Swansea is providing tailored support to young carers between the ages of 8-18. This includes face to face, online, one to one, and group sessions, as well as trips, activities, advocacy, and signposting.

YMCA Swansea recently launched 4 new programmes on National Young Carers Action Day:

• National Young Carers I.D Card Scheme

 • Online PSE Sessions

 • ‘Understanding Young Carers’ – Agored Cymru Accredited Qualifications

 • Young Carers Awareness Animation Films

The National Young Carers I.D Card scheme is led by Welsh Government, Carers Trust Wales, Local Authorities, and Professional Bodies across Wales.

YMCA Swansea & Swansea Council have been selected by Welsh Government as an early adopter, of the Young Carers Card scheme in Wales.

The Young Carers Service is funded by City and County of Swansea, Children in Need, Waterloo Foundation and Swansea Bay University Health Board Integrated Care Fund.

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Dyddiadur Carcharor Rhyfel

Casgliad Amgueddfa Abertawe

Llyfr ymarfer a ddefnyddiwyd fel dyddiadur, gorchuddion papur glas, papur llinellau gwyn. Dyddiadur y dyn o Abertawe, John Healy, tra bu’n garcharor rhyfel yn yr Almaen yn ystod yr Ail Ryfel Byd. Mae label blaen y clawr yn darllen ‘Sgt John Healy, 1837362 POW Barth Stalag Luft 1 7610 Germany’.  Roedd yr Awyr-ringyll John Healy (1922-2018) yn yr Awyrlu Brenhinol o 27 Rhagfyr 1943 i 5 Mawrth 1947. Ymunodd John â’r gwasanaeth fel gynnwr cefn gan hedfan awyrennau bomio  Lancaster gyda Sgwadron 90 yr Awyrlu Brenhinol Fe’i saethwyd i lawr ym mis Ionawr 1945, ei gipio yn Mutterstadt, yr Almaen a’i gaethiwo yn Stalagluft 1, gwersyll carcharorion rhyfel yn Barth, Gogledd yr Almaen tan fis Mai 1945 pan gafodd ei ryddhau ar ôl i’w warchodwyr Almaenig ffoi. Yn y dyddiadur a gadwodd pan oedd yn y gwersyll, ysgrifennodd am brydau yr oedd yn gobeithio’u cael pan gâi ei ryddhau. Ysgrifennodd John yn ei ddyddiadur rai o’r prydau yr oedd yn dyheu amdanynt pan fyddai’n dychwelyd adref-  ffagots a phys- lympiau o gaws gyda digon o fara a menyn a phaned o de! Ar glawr y llyfr mae’r geiriau YMCA Sweden.

Tra bod YMCA Abertawe yn weithgar gartref fel yr amlygwyd ym Mlog 7, roeddent hefyd yn cefnogi milwyr ar flaen y gad. Anfonwyd llawer o unedau symudol dramor i gefnogi milwyr. I ddechrau, collwyd llawer ohonynt yn Ffrainc yn gynnar yn y rhyfel gyda’r enciliad o Dunkirk. Yn ddiweddarach, anfonwyd uned symudol arall y talwyd amdani gan YMCA Abertawe i Ogledd Affrica.

Roedd gwasanaethau eraill ar gyfer milwyr tramor yn cynnwys trefnu danfon anrhegion i anwyliaid neu drefnu blodau er enghraifft ar gyfer pen-blwydd priodas, a’r cyfan yn cael ei wneud gan Gymdeithas Gynorthwyol y Merched Abertawe.

Mae adroddiad blynyddol Gymdeithas Gynorthwyol y Merched ar gyfer 1944 yn rhoi blas o’u gweithgareddau.

“Roedd bron y cyfan o’r gwaith yn waith rhyfel. Hyd at ddiwedd 1944, gwnaethom ddyletswydd ar 6 chaban bwyd sefydlog a 5 caban bwyd symudol. Oherwydd symudiad milwyr mae Twyni Crymlyn bellach ar gau.

Cynllun Rhoddion i’r Cartref – 100 tusw o flodau wedi’u danfon ynghyd â cheisiadau eraill fel doli, tedi bêr, recordiau gramoffon a thocynnau ar gyfer y pantomeim.

Diddanu milwyr clwyfedig yn y YMCA canolog a £800 a godwyd ac a anfonwyd i Gaerdydd ar gyfer gwaith tramor.

Roedd yn waith caled iawn ond rwy’n gwybod ein bod wedi cael llawer o bleser o wybod ein bod wedi rhoi rhywfaint o help a chysur i’r rheini yn y gwasanaethau sy’n barod i aberthu popeth i ni”

Rôl bwysig arall a gyflawnwyd gan y YMCA yn rhyngwladol oedd lles Carcharorion Rhyfel (POW) a gadwyd yn garcharorion yn yr Almaen a lleoliadau eraill. Darparwyd dyddiadur John Healey gan y YMCA yn Sweden. Roedd y gwaith a wnaed yn debyg i’r Groes Goch. Roedd Sweden yn wlad niwtral yn ystod yr Ail Ryfel Byd, felly byddai YMCA Sweden wedi cael caniatâd i gefnogi carcharorion rhyfel Prydain mewn gwersylloedd.

Llyfr cofnodion ar gyfer Cymdeithas Gynorthwyol y Merched ym mis Rhagfyr 1945 sy’n cofnodi bod mab Mrs Elliot Seager, yr adroddwyd ei fod goll, mewn gwirionedd mewn gwersyll carcharorion rhyfel yn yr Almaen, ac roedd newyddion amdano wedi dod drwy’r YMCA.

Yn dilyn diwedd y rhyfel, newidiodd y gwaith yn gyflym i’r ailadeiladu. Rhoddwyd rhodd er enghraifft tuag at ailadeiladu YMCA Rangoon yn Byrma.

Roedd cymodiad hefyd yn rhan o’r agenda, ac erbyn 1948 roedd grŵp o staff YMCA newydd o’r Almaen yn YMCA Abertawe ar daith astudio.

Bu Mr D L Davies a oedd yn rhedeg y cabanau bwyd (gweler blog 7) yn ymwneud yn ddiweddarach ag ailsefydlu ffoaduriaid. Gan weithredu ar ran Cyngor y Byd y YMCA yng Ngenefa, trefnodd i 5,000 o ffoaduriaid gael eu lleoli yng Nghanada. 

Nid yr YMCA, wrth gwrs, oedd yr unig gorff a oedd yn codi arian ac yn cefnogi milwyr rheng flaen drwy gabanau bwyd symudol. Ar ôl y rhyfel ymwelodd Mr Davies hefyd â phencadlys y Cadfridog Montgomery yn Fontainbleau. Y tu allan i’r pencadlys roedd caban bwyd symudol a oedd yn dal i gael ei ddefnyddio ac a roddwyd gan bobl Casllwchwr. Mae’n debyg bod y staff wrth eu bodd yn dysgu o’r diwedd sut i ynganu enw’r ardal, a darganfod lle’r oedd Casllwchwr wedi’i leoli mewn gwirionedd.

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Prisoner of War Diary

Swansea Museum collection

Exercise book, used as a diary, blue paper covers, white lines paper. The diary of Swansea man John Healy, while prisoner of war in Germany during World War II. Front label on cover reads ‘Sgt John Healy, 1837362 POW Barth Stalag Luft 1 7610 Germany’. Flt. Sergeant John Healy (1922-2018) was in the RAF from 27th December 1943 to 5th March 1947. John joined the service as a rear gunner, flying Lancaster bombers with the 90 Squadron of the RAF. He was shot down in January 1945, and captured at Mutterstadt, Germany and was interned at Stalagluft 1, a prisoner of war camp in Barth, North Germany until May 1945 when he was released after their German guards deserted. In the diary he kept whilst in the camp, he wrote of meals he hoped to have on his release. John wrote in his diary some of the meals he longed for when he returned home- faggots and peas- lumps of cheese with plenty of bread and butter and cups of tea! On the cover of the book are the words YMCA Sweden.

Whist Swansea YMCA was active in on the home front as highlighted in blog 7, they were also supporting troops at the frontline.  Many mobile units were sent overseas to support troops. Initially many of them in France were lost early in the war with the Dunkirk retreat.  Later, another mobile unit paid for by Swansea YMCA was dispatched to North Africa.

Other services for soldiers overseas was organising the delivery of presents to loved ones or organising flowers for example for a wedding anniversary, all undertaken in Swansea by the Ladies Auxiliary.

The Ladies Auxiliary annual report for 1944 gives a flavour of their activities.

“Almost entire work was war work.  Up to the end of 1944 we did duty on 6 static canteens and 5 mobile canteens.  Due to the movement of troops Crymlyn Burrows is now closed.

Gifts to Home scheme – 100 bunches of flowers delivered along with other requests such a doll, a teddy bear, gramophone records and tickets for the pantomime.

Entertaining wounded soldiers at YMCA Central and £800 raised and sent to Cardiff for overseas work.

It was very hard work but I know we have derived much joy in the knowledge that by giving a little help and comfort to those in the services who are willing to sacrifice their all for us”

Another important role undertaken by the YMCA on an international level was the welfare of Prisoners of War (POW) held in Germany and other locations. John Healey’s diary was provided by the YMCA in Sweden.  The work undertaken was similar to the Red Cross. Sweden being a neutral country during WW2, therefore YMCA Sweden would have been allowed to support British POW in camps.

A minute book for the Ladies Auxiliary in December 1945 records that Mrs Elliot Seager’s son reported missing was in fact in a POW camp in Germany, news of which had come through the YMCA.

Following the end of the war, the work quickly switched to the rebuild. A donation for example was given towards the rebuilding of Rangoon YMCA in Burma.

Reconciliation was also part of the agenda, already by 1948 a group of new German YMCA staff were at Swansea YMCA on a study tour.

Mr. D. L. Davies who ran the canteens (see blog 7) was later involved in refugee resettlement.  Acting on behalf of the YMCA World Council in Geneva he negotiated the placement of 5,000 refugees to Canada. 

The YMCA of course was not the only body raising money and supporting front line troops through mobile canteens.  Post War Mr. Davies also visited the headquarters of General Montgomery at Fontainbleau. Outside the headquarters was a mobile canteen still in use and presented by the people of Llwcher (Loughor).  The staff were apparently delighted to finally learn how to pronounce the name of the area, and find out where Llwcher was actually located.