Lost villages revealed once again

Click here to view some of the images that will shown on Monday night In pictures

Old photographs of two Llanelli hamlets long since wiped from the map are to go on public show for the first time.

The black and white prints of Machynys and Bwlch-y-Gwynt were taken by the late David Hopkins who grew up there.

The land once occupied by the terraced houses and tinplate works is now an 18-hole championship golf course.

Mr Hopkins' brother Gerald donated the photos to the town's historical society which digitally enhanced them for an exhibition due to be held on Monday.

South Llanelli was once dominated by steel and tinplate works but as the town's industrial base declined - many of the factories disappeared.

My brother died at the age of 37 so I'm pleased they are being shown Gerald Hopkins

During the 1960s families were moved out of Machynys and Bwlch-y-Gwynt, many into council houses in the town, as the local authority started to draw up plans to redevelop the area.

Mr Hopkins said the hamlets, where he and his brother grew up, were once made up of more than 100 homes and had their own school as well as the surrounding industries.

"Everybody knew everybody and it was very friendly. No-one ever locked their doors," he added.

Although by the 1970s the area had been flattened it was to be more than 30 years before new developments took place.

Last year a new 18-hole championship golf course designed by Gary Nicklaus, son of golf legend Jack, opened.

The two hamlets have gone and a golf course has taken their place

Close to 200 homes are also being built.

"When I go down there now to walk the dog I look for landmarks for where our house was but I can't find it because it has changed so much," said Mr Hopkins.

He is full of praise for what has taken their place but still misses the lost communities - although he has his brother's photographs as a reminder.

"He took a lot of photographs growing up. He died at the age of 37 so I'm pleased they are being shown," Mr Hopkins added.

Two years ago, dozens of former residents from Machynys and Bwlch-y-Gwynt held a reunion and Mr Hopkins is hoping many of them will be at Monday's showing.

The exhibition Lost Communities will be held at 1930 GMT in Llanelli's Selwyn Samuel Centre on Monday, 13 February.