Swansea Building Society has donated £10,000 to Mumbles Community Association’s Go Underhill development.

The building society, with branch offices in Swansea, Mumbles, Carmarthen and Cowbridge, has made the donation to help MCA with its plan to redevelop the facilities in Underhill Park to protect and enhance the asset for the local community and visitors to the area.

MCA’s multi-phase plan aims to redevelop and refurbish the much-loved green space in Mumbles, which is regularly used by around 17,000 local residents, as well as visitors to the area, with more than 50 grass-roots sports teams regularly using the site for training and matches.

The £10,000 donated by Swansea Building Society will help fund the completion of an additional two changing rooms, which had been omitted from the original contract let at the start of the year due to cost increases.

Once the first stage of the development is completed, MCA will take on management of the park and the new facilities under a 125 year lease, and the charity will work with existing and potential users to create more opportunities for the community. MCA is currently working to secure the funding needed to build a new all-weather pitch at the site, further expanding sports and recreational use at the park.

Alun Williams, Chief Executive of Swansea Building Society, said:

“We’re delighted to be able to make this donation of £10,000 to the Go Underhill project. The plans Mumbles Community Association has for the park are ambitious, but much needed, and will ensure that the site can be utilised to its full potential for generations to come.

 

“Sites like Underhill Park are vital for the health and wellbeing of the local community and make a huge difference to the experience of those visiting the area. They also provide important opportunities for people of all ages to take part in outdoor activities close to their homes. Swansea Building Society has a branch in Mumbles, just down the road from the park, and we are very much looking forward to seeing how the project develops, across its phases, over the coming months and years.”

Simon Tse, Chair of Mumbles Community Association, said:

“We’d like to say a big thank you to Swansea Building Society for this fantastic donation to Go Underhill, which will make a real difference to what we are able to deliver.

 

“Underhill Park is an important and valued resource for local people and the funding from the Society will help us ensure that the new facilities are in place to enable more people to enjoy this fantastic asset.”

Swansea Building Society was established in 1923. Its head office is located at 11/12 Cradock Street. It also has branch offices in Swansea, Mumbles, Carmarthen and Cowbridge.

The Society is one of only three remaining mutual building societies in Wales and the only one with its headquarters in South West Wales. As of December 31, 2021, it had total assets in excess of £463.5 million.

The Society’s principal objective is the provision of mortgages secured on residential property. These mortgages are funded by savings balances deposited in a variety of traditional savings accounts.

To facilitate a start on the construction of Changing Rooms 5 & 6 of the new developments at Underhill Park, Mumbles RFC have agreed to allow some further partial demolition of their existing home team changing rooms.

Being closest to the new development, Mumbles RFC had already allowed a portion of the existing changing rooms to be demolished at the start of the project. This reduced the changing rooms’ space but enabled the contractors, T.A.D. Builders, to commence work on the main changing room block. And with that element now well underway, T.A.D. are keen to move on to construction of the extra two changing rooms.

To enable this to happen whilst work continues on the main block, a further 5.5m of the home team changing room will be demolished. To ensure the changing rooms are still usable, T.A.D. will be providing a temporary six-person shower block and a separate unit for the physiotherapist, thereby replacing the facilities being demolished. These will be located behind the existing facility and will be connected by an enclosed link.

The away team changing facilities are not affected by the works.

MCA Trustee and Mumbles RFC representative, Clive Davies, said:

“It is essential that we work with the contractors to ensure we get the fantastic new Underhill facilities built and available for our players as soon as possible. Whilst not ideal for our home team players, allowing this extra demolition will keep the construction programme on track.

 

“And with the arrangement of the temporary shower and physio facilities, we will still have the facilities needed to enable us to play on during the rest of this year whilst the development is completed. We are sure that when the new changing rooms are built and ready for use, everyone will agree that it has been worth the short period of disruption.”

We are delighted to announce three new donations to Go Underhill, which together will bring the prospect of completing all of the changing rooms in Phase 1 a big step closer.

Former Mumbles RFC club member, Nick Hansard, has stepped forward to make a fantastic £5,000 donation to Go Underhill.

Nick, who started with Mumbles at U11s and finished as a 1st XV player, moved away many years ago but has many happy memories of his playing days with the club. His time with Mumbles RFC included the period when the club turned professional and current chair, Simon Evans, together with Mike Morgan, took over the team and coaching.

Speaking about his donation, Nick said:

“Mumbles RFC was a huge part of my life when I was living in the area. It was a great experience and I have many happy memories of playing for the club and going on away trips, including on tour to France.

 

“My dad, Chris Hansard, was also heavily involved in the club, and not just during my playing days. Although he has now sadly passed away, I know that he would definitely have been excited by and playing an active role in the Go Underhill development.

 

“I’ve made the donation in part as a thank you to Mumbles RFC for the fantastic memories, and in part as I know that’s what dad would have wanted. It’s brilliant to know that my donation will mean that the less good memories of the awful changing rooms will be a thing of the past for future generations!”

Mumbles RFC Chair, Simon Evans, said:

“I also have great memories of the time when Nick was playing for Mumbles, and of his dad, Chris, who was team manager for Mumbles 1st XV for several years whilst I was coach, so there are lots of stories that should probably only be shared over a pint of something cold in the clubhouse.

 

“The new facilities in Underhill Park are going to make a huge difference for all the players, coaches and volunteers who help make the experience memorable. So on behalf of everyone at the club and in the community, I would offer our grateful thanks to Nick for his donation to Go Underhill.”

In addition to donation from Nick, we are delighted to announce two more donations to Go Underhill.

Local Businessman Rob Davies

Rob Davies, a well-known local businessman who has been a major supporter of football, cricket and rugby in the Swansea area for many years, has made a £10,000 donation to the development. We are hugely grateful for his generous donation to Go Underhill and his continued support for local sports and the Mumbles community.

Surfside Cafés

Nigel Calcutt, owner of the much loved Surfside cafés at Langland, Caswell and Rotherslade, has stepped up to help Go Underhill, with a donation of £3,000 toward the development. Whilst an integral part of the local beachside scene, Nigel is keen to support Go Underhill which will provide more opportunities for young people and the community as a whole. On behalf of everyone, we would say a big ‘Thank you’ to Nigel.

Mumbles Community Association and been welcomed as a new member of the Welsh Sports Association (WSA).

WSA is the membership body for the sport and leisure industry in Wales, charged with the task of providing leadership, advocacy and a gateway to business & governance services for the sector.

As Full Members, MCA will be able to take advantage of the wide range of resources and business support offered by WSA. These include help and advice on matters such as Safeguarding, Insurance & Risk, and HR, as well as discounted training courses and DBS checks and the opportunity to join WSA live webinars and events.

Simon Tse, Chair of Mumbles Community Association, said:

“Whilst MCA is not just about sport, it is a large part of the life of Underhill Park, so joining the Welsh Sports Association and becoming a Member made complete sense to us.”

 

“Being able to access the support and opportunities available through WSA will be very helpful for us, particularly as we move beyond the planning and building stage and start to manage Underhill Park and the fantastic new facilities for our community.”

WSA Business Development Manager Tom Sharp, stated:

“The WSA is delighted to welcome Mumbles Community Association to its membership base.

 

“Our vision is to facilitate the prosperity of the sport and leisure sector in Wales – an objective clearly shared by MCA, evidenced by their work creating a welcoming and social environment in Underhill Park for the benefit and wellbeing of the surrounding community.

 

“The WSA looks forward to offering its resources and providing support to MCA and helping in their future work.”

Peter Hixson, a stalwart of Mumbles Rugby Club who is sadly no longer with us, will be remembered through the new developments in Underhill Park after his son, Rob Hixson, made a fantastic donation of £2,500 in Peter’s name.

A lifelong member of Mumbles RFC, Peter started out as a player, but continued his support for the club he loved long after his playing days, serving as committee member, vice chairman, Chairman, and President. Peter was hugely respected for the time he gave to rugby, not just within Mumbles RFC, but by everyone he came into contact with.

Peter started his playing days at Bonymaen Youth, as Mumbles did not have a youth section at the time. Wanting to follow in the footsteps of his father, Ivor, who had played for the club in 1930’s/40’s, he returned to Mumbles and to Underhill Park as soon as the opportunity arose.

In 1965/66 he donned the first team jersey, playing in a variety of positions from fullback through to outside half, but perhaps his most memorable game was in 1975/76, playing against the Scarlets in the Welsh Cup after a memorable win over Cross Keys in the previous round. Playing as one of the Mumbles RFC centres, Peter was one of those tasked with marking Wales legend Ray Gravell. He was reported to have spent the afternoon ‘defending heroically’, although sadly to no avail after the club fell to a heavy loss. This was made up for, to some extent, after Ray spent a lot of time in the clubhouse with Peter after the game, making sure he was all right.

Peter was passionate about encouraging and developing future talent in the game and, perhaps linked to the lack of opportunity in his younger days, in later years he gave his time to coaching youngsters at the Mumbles club, from under 12s to under 16’s.

Rob Hixson said:

“Dad was hugely passionate about rugby and about Mumbles RFC. He always had an eye on the future and was fully behind any plans which would improve training and playing facilities for everyone wanting to take part. He was involved in some of the earlier attempts to develop the park and thought the plans for Go Underhill would be a game changer. So, although he hasn’t lived to see the excitement of these plans being turned into a reality, I know that he would have wanted to do what he could to support them.

 

“To me, it seemed the right thing to do to make a donation in his name, so that dad could continue to be associated with the development of the sport he loved, in the Park where he spent so much of his time both playing and coaching rugby.”

Peter sadly passed away in 2018

Chair of MCA, Simon Tse, said:

“We are enormously grateful to Rob for making this donation in memory of his dad, Peter. He sounds like an amazing man who gave to Mumbles and Mumbles RFC over many years.

 

“It is both a pleasure and an honour to know that he was so supportive of the development of Underhill Park, and we look forward to ensuring many youngsters benefit from the new facilities we are bringing for local club players and the wider community.”

MCA Trustees are excited to be announcing the news that Mallards Chartered Surveyors has made a fantastic £6,500 donation to Go Underhill.

Mallard Chartered Surveyors assists individuals and companies with residential and commercial property matters, including surveys and valuations. Two of their directors, Jason Williams and Rhodri Poiner, were brought up in Bishopston and have spent many happy years working and socialising in Mumbles.

Speaking about Go Underhill, Jason Williams, said:

“We know what a difference the new facilities will make for people in Mumbles, particularly Rhodri as he is a coach for Mumbles Rangers. We are both fully behind Go Underhill and are making the donation as a way of doing our bit to contribute to this fantastic and urgently needed development.

 

“Mallard Chartered Surveyors has been trading in Chapel Street for exactly 10 years and as a business we have received enormous support from local people and businesses. This donation is a way for us to thank the community for their support over the last 10 years.”

The donation by Mallard Chartered Surveyors is part of a package of funding which has enabled MCA to award the contract for construction of the waterproof shell for changing rooms 5 & 6, an element which had to be omitted from the original contract due to cost increases.

Chair of MCA, Simon Tse, said:

“On behalf of the people of Mumbles, MCA is delighted to receive this £6,500 donation from Mallard Chartered Surveyors. It’s fantastic to have such support from businesses based in our community.

 

“We are still seeking funding to enable the fit out of the two extra changing rooms, and beyond that to deliver the much wanted all-weather pitch, but this donation is already making a big difference to what we will be able to deliver at Underhill Park over the coming months.”

Mallard Chartered Surveyors is an independent chartered surveyors and estate agency business, with offices in Mumbles, Llanelli and Ammanford.

The Mallard team actively assist both residential and commercial clients with all aspects of property sales, lettings and management, whilst their qualified team of chartered surveyors ensure that prospective buyers can purchase property and land with confidence.

The company is committed to providing a professional yet personal approach and offering an unparalleled understanding of the local market.