ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to express my gratitude to all those who helped with the writing and research of Swansea Summer.  Jill Forwood for her friendship, impeccably researched articles on Swansea’s past for the South Wales Evening Post, and her unstinting help whenever I asked for it.

Dr Marguerite Aitcheson for her assistance in researching private adoption in the 1950s and the horrendous effects back-street abortions had on women and young girls half a century ago.

The ‘old guard’ of Swansea Writers’ Circle who took the time and trouble to guide a novice writer at the outset of her career, especially Irene ‘Topsy’ Evans, Peggy Carter and Geoff Hemmings.

My husband John, our children Ralph, Ross, Sophie and Nick and my parents, Glyn and Gerda Jones for their love and the time they gave me to write this book.

Margaret Bloomfield for her friendship and help in so many ways.

My agent Ken Griffiths and his wife Marguerite for their friendship, and for making my life so much more interesting than I ever thought it could be.

No writer can exist without readers. I am truly privileged to have so many sympathetic and understanding people among mine. Thank you.

Catrin Collier, September 2001