Founded in 1963, the society aims to encourage high standards of architecture and planning and to stimulate public interest in the beauty and history of the city and county of Swansea.

The Chair is urban designer Gordon Gibson, Helen Griffin, our Vice-chair, is an actress. Eileen Walton, Philippa Watkins and Eirwen Harry act as secretaries. Our longstanding President, Ivor Russell, is reluctantly standing down this year after 22 years. Brian Kerslake is our Treasurer (if anyone out there would like to take this role on we'd love to hear from you!).

Since its foundation we have had numerous successes in influencing planning outcomes — the old Carlton Cinema, for instance, now beautifully converted into Waterstone's Bookshop in Oxford Street.

There are currently 160 members, a good proportion of whom come to our bi-monthly meetings. Our recent winter programme included Professor John Punter of Cardiff University's planning school on "Shop until you drop: compromising town and city regeneration in Wales." In May this year Lawrence Bailey, leader of the City and County Council, was the speaker.

On 12 September we plan to launch an Open House event within the European Heritage Days programme managed by the Civic Trust for Wales. The buildings taking part will be the Guildhall, County Hall, Dylan Thomas' birthplace, the Grand Theatre, Women in Jazz, the Print Workshop, the Old Post Office in Wind Street, and Morgan's Hotel. A new Heritage Trail will be launched at the same time, designed by the Council's Tourism Department.

Contact Eirwen Harry, 12 Melcorn Drive, Newton, Swansea SA3 4UN
Tel 01792 360799