A PHOTOGRAPHER from Cardiff is planning to hold an exhibition about the Billybanks – but needs the help of Penarth Times readers.

Kate Williams, 37, wants to hear from residents past and present as she aims to piece together a historical overview of the now largely derelict site.

Kate, who admits to first ‘stumbling across’ the estate while house hunting in Penarth, hopes to hear from the many communities who once called the Billybanks home - and from anyone who has memories of the estate.

She said: “The sight of the Billybanks really touched my heart.

“One of my first thoughts was that a community once lived there.

“It also has great sadness with possessions left, curtains ripped and torn but still hanging.

“I felt it was important to remember that people once walked along the corridors and up the stairwells.

“They laughed, cried, loved and smiled.”

Demolition of the estate was due to start last year, to make way for 377 new dwellings called Penarth Heights.

But Compulsory Purchase Orders were served on two remaining homeowners in July after it emerged that talks had broken down with developers Crest Nicholson.

The site has become a magnet for anti social behaviour in recent years with lead stolen, fires started and police called to deal with break-ins and vandalism.

The Vale of Glamorgan council recently sanctioned £70,000 worth of measures to combat rising anti social behaviour, and work to erect a steel fence around the estate has now been completed.

But despite its chequered past, Kate wants to hear Penarthians’ stories about the estate - whether good or bad.

“I have no idea at what point the Billybanks became more of a troubled area, but these were people's lives, however easy or troubled,” she added.

“Every window tells a story.

“I know that many people feel negativity towards the Billybanks, and their views also have a right to be part of this project.

“But it would be so interesting to discover what the people who lived there felt about this unique community, which can often be so different to what is seen from a distance.

“As I don’t know where this project will finally take me, I’m hoping that people might share photographs and memories that I could use in a possible exhibition,” said Kate.

“I wouldn't need to use names unless people wanted me to.

“Hopefully people will be interested to look back on the exhibition in the future when the flats are gone and many of the memories have been lost.”

To contact Kate with your memories and photographs you can call her on 07765 328 389 or email kw.design@btinternet.com