An old postcard of Penarth Pier

Taken before the fire of thirty-one

On a summer’s day, mostly clear,

With a steamer passing under the summer sun.

It must have been a wonderful view

For the large crowd gathered here

With the channel painted sky blue

Though a black and white picture of Penarth Pier.

The ladies’ skirts inched past their knee

Almost naked compared to Victorian days!

Men wore hats, children paddled in the sea,

Women in deckchairs enjoyed the sun’s rays.

Clouds ghosted across, folk below

Just as transient, disappeared from the world’s face,

But people will flock here a century from now

To watch the sea and pier at this tranquil place.

Guy Fletcher

Pantmawr

Cardiff