Casgliadau Arlein

Interview with Cyril Geldard, Solicitor, at his office in Mountstuart Square, Butetown. Content summary: Been a member of the Exchange Club since 1917. Docks used to be business centre of Cardiff. Fortunes were there to be made for the enterprising. Coal and Shipping Exchange - after First World War about 200 people on the exchange floor, all buying and selling coal and chartering ships. All done by word of mouth - Solicitors' business. How Cardiff compared to London where he was before - how in Cardiff everyone knew everyone else, and he mentions various shipowners and colliery owners, most of whom were knighted. Gives personal details of these men, such as Henry Radcliffe, who was at first 'blackballed' from the Exchange Club because he was unpopular. Decline in Cardiff Docks - only about 2 shipowners down here now. Reardon Smith moved uptown. Second World War - docks busy but nothing like First World War. How people worked here, made their money here, but didn't live here. Trams. Redundancy and unfair dismissal. Mr Geldard used to deal with these on behalf of the workers. The liveliness of the docks, the excitementand the fortunes to be made practically overnight. Riots in Cardiff in 1919 - Mr Geldard thinks reports of them very exaggerated. 1926 - General Strike - Mr Geldard worked as a conductor - used to carry a cosh in case bus met the strikers and used it.

Recorded as part of the Below the Bridge project.