Lord Mayor's Column - 1st January 2020

As we have reached the end of 2019, it is an opportune time to take a look back at the events of the past year. Swansea marked its 50th anniversary as a city, and the year has been filled with celebrations.

I’ve hosted close to 50 community groups from all parts of the city at the Mansion House. There were garden parties for those sharing a 50th birthday or wedding anniversary with the city. We also recognised the newest additions to the city with baby coins for children born on our anniversary date of 3 July.

The people of Swansea came together and held street parties, such as the excellent one in St Helen’s Road in the Sandfields. There was also celebrations of the city’s cultural heritage at the Glynn Vivian Gallery, Swansea Museum and Brangwyn Hall.

I even made an appearance in a pop music video, as the people and culture of Swansea were celebrated by local songwriter Mike Mullan in ‘This is our City’.

We marked the day itself with a Royal visit as HRH Prince Charles returned to Swansea exactly 50 years after proclaiming it was to become a city at his investiture as Prince of Wales.

We recognised some of the city’s famous sons and daughters, granting honorary Freedom of the City to Wales, British Lion and three-time Grand Slam-winning rugby player Alun Wyn Jones – and to Swansea-born Hollywood star Catherine Zeta-Jones.

Singleton Park, which itself celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2019, hosted some spectacular concerts featuring Stereophonics, Jess Glynn, Pete Tong and the BBC Proms in the Park.

There was a free fireworks display across the bay and a celebratory Christmas parade.

A huge thank you to everyone who helped celebrate this golden year for the city. I look forward to seeing what the new decade will bring. Happy New Year!