Photography by John Ball - 1st February 1998
(with Agfa ePhoto-307 digital camera)

This public park in the centre of Neath (Castell Nedd), was established inthe reign of Queen Victoria.

Image 1:

The Gorsedd Stones in Victoria Gardens, on a sunny Sunday morning.

Image 2:

General view of the park, showing the Victorian bandstand, and in the foreground, Welsh heather flowering through the winter.

Image 3:

The bandstand is great for kids to climb on!! The tower of St. David's Church (left) overlooks the scene.

Image 4:

The bandstand is traditionally used for performances by the town brass band. Some may remember the famous Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers dance routine in a bandstand in the 1930s movie Top Hat. Astaire and Rogers sheltered from the rain and performed the delightful Irving Berlin classic Isn't This A Lovely Day?

Image 5:

A statue of local benefactor Howel Gwyn.

Image 6:

St. David's Church. The tower (below left) is a Neath landmark which can be seen from many miles away.

Image 7, 8:

February 1st, and the crocuses are in full flower in Victoria Gardens.

Image 9:

Pigeons are disturbed while basking in the February sunshine on the roof of the bandstand.