#penclawdd — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #penclawdd, aggregated by home.social.
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The Swansea photographer chasing the last VW Beetles across Mexico
Paul O’Connor has spent years photographing protests, human‑rights abuses and environmental scandals. But it’s the humble Beetle — or Vocho, as it’s known in Mexico — that has pulled him into his first ever photography exhibition.
And now, the Gower‑based filmmaker is touring that exhibition across Mexico, documenting what may be the final chapter of one of the world’s most iconic cars.
A silver VW Beetle parked in a Mexican town square — one of the surviving Vochos documented by Swansea photographer Paul O’Connor.
Photo: Paul O’Connor‘I grabbed my camera — they were everywhere’
Paul first noticed the Vochos during his annual visits to San Cristóbal de las Casas, a highland city where the Beetle never really went out of fashion.
“It’s nearly 60 years since the first VW Beetle rolled off the production line in Mexico,” he said. “The vintage car has been an integral part of Mexican life for generations. But on the streets of Wales the classic car is now a rarity.”
What struck him wasn’t nostalgia — it was survival.
Classic VW Beetles on a steep, colourful street in San Cristóbal de las Casas — scenes that inspired Paul O’Connor’s exhibition.
Photo: Paul O’Connor“The streamlined, symmetrical look of the car has made it timeless and instantly recognisable, even in silhouette,” he said. “I was intrigued that so many versions are still on the roads of San Cristóbal, so I grabbed my camera.”
Some are family cars held together with love and luck. Others are customised, lowered, painted, stickered and worshipped by younger drivers. All of them are at least 20 years old. The last Mexican‑built Beetle rolled off the line in 2003.
“How long before we see the vehicle completely disappear from the roads?” Paul asks. His exhibition is, in part, an attempt to answer that question before the answer arrives on its own.
A red VW Beetle parked behind a political mural in Mexico — part of Paul O’Connor’s series capturing the Vocho in everyday life.
Photo: Paul O’ConnorA Welsh photographer in the middle of a Mexican car cult
The exhibition — EL ÚLTIMO DE LOS VOCHOS (Last of the Beetles) — has already shown at the Nauyaca Gallery, complete with live piano, snacks and a packed opening night. It now moves to El Paliacate Espacio Cultura, with a launch event on 14 February, followed by a Vocho club gathering at Las Grutas de Rancho Nuevo on 21 February.
Paul will be exhibiting his work at both events, surrounded by the very cars he’s been chasing with his camera.
One shoot even went wrong enough to earn its own write‑up — a reminder that photographing moving Beetles on busy Mexican streets is not without its hazards.
Visitors at a gallery event viewing Paul O’Connor’s Last of the Vochos photographs, celebrating Mexico’s enduring love for the VW Beetle.
Photo: Paul O’ConnorFrom Dublin to Penclawdd to the mountains of Chiapas
Paul was born in Dublin and began his career as a sports photographer before moving into documentary filmmaking in London, producing award‑winning investigations into environmental and human‑rights abuses.
But it’s the Vochos that have given him his first standalone photography exhibition — a project that blends nostalgia, social history and the quiet dignity of everyday objects that outlive the world that built them.
His images show a city where the Beetle is still king: bright colours, rounded silhouettes, and a sense that time moves differently when you’re behind the wheel of a car that refuses to die.
A customised yellow VW Beetle outside Cinema Kinoki during a cultural event in San Cristóbal — one of the standout images from Paul O’Connor’s project.
Photo: Paul O’ConnorA row of classic VW Beetles photographed in black and white — part of Paul O’Connor’s effort to document the Vocho before it disappears from Mexican roads.
Photo: Paul O’ConnorCrowds gather around Paul O’Connor’s Vocho photographs at a gallery event in Mexico, celebrating the country’s last surviving Beetles.
Photo: Paul O’Connor‘A place with only one type of vehicle’
“My exhibition shows the city as a place with only one type of vehicle — the colourful curves of the Vocho,” Paul said. “It’s adored by all generations.”
And while the Beetle has all but vanished from Welsh roads, Paul’s work captures a world where it remains part of the landscape — a rolling piece of history still doing the school run, still carrying groceries, still rattling through the mountains.
A convoy of VW Beetles driving through a decorated street in Mexico — one of the vibrant scenes featured in Paul O’Connor’s exhibition.
Photo: Paul O’ConnorA Welsh eye on a Mexican icon
For Paul, the project is part love letter, part time capsule.
“The last Vocho was produced in Mexico more than 20 years ago,” he said. “So just how long before we see the vehicle disappear from the roads?”
His exhibition doesn’t answer the question. It simply records what’s left — before what’s left is gone.
A white VW Beetle with a ‘Spirit Adventure’ banner parked outside a colourful building — one of the everyday Vocho scenes captured by Paul O’Connor.
Photo: Paul O’ConnorFull details of the exhibition are available at: https://www.undercurrents.org/vocho.html
#ELÚLTIMODELOSVOCHOS #ElPaliacateEspacioCultura #LasGrutasDeRanchoNuevo #LastOfTheBeetles #Mexico #motoring #PaulOConnor #Penclawdd #Photographer #photography #PhotographyExhibition #SanCristóbalDeLasCasas #Vocho #Volkswagen #VolkswagenBeetle #VWBeetle -
New health monitors installed in local GP surgeries
Patients across parts of Swansea can now monitor their blood pressure, weight and body mass index (BMI) in their GP practice waiting rooms, thanks to new health pod machines designed to encourage healthier lifestyles.
Available in local surgeries
The monitors have been installed at Gowerton Medical Centre, Penclawdd Health Centre, Penybryn Surgery, Princess Street Surgery in Gorseinon, Talybont Surgery and Ty’r Felin Surgery in Loughor. Patients can use them without booking an appointment, simply by dropping in during practice opening hours.
How the machines work
The pods guide patients through a short process: entering their date of birth and gender, answering lifestyle questions, and then measuring height, weight and blood pressure. Results are stored directly on the patient’s clinical record, and a printout can also be taken home.
‘Convenient and accessible’
Dr Sowndarya Shivaraj, who leads the project locally, said:
“The introduction of the health pod monitors in our GP surgeries offers patients a convenient and accessible way to check their blood pressure and BMI without needing to wait for a nurse appointment. By flagging risks early, we are better able to offer timely health advice and support.”
Supporting healthier lifestyles
Lorraine Thomas, practice manager at Princess Street Surgery in Gorseinon, said the machines were already proving popular.
“Everything appears on a screen and there’s a questionnaire where patients are asked if they smoke and want help to quit, and it will ask about alcohol intake too. The information then gets stored on their clinical records so GP practices can monitor them.”
She added:
“Most people aren’t aware of their blood pressure and other readings, such as their BMI, so it is helpful for them to be able to come in and check and then they can monitor it.”
Early detection of health risks
Staff will review the results and contact patients if readings are higher than recommended.
Dr Shivaraj said:
“High blood pressure is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and stroke, so regular monitoring is vital for early detection and management. If the health pod detects high blood pressure, our teams will be alerted and the patient will be offered a follow‑up appointment for further assessment.”
The initiative is part of wider work to encourage people to take an active role in monitoring and maintaining their health, with additional support available for smoking cessation and reducing alcohol use.
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Rugby pays tribute to Roy ‘Shunto’ Thomas, Llanelli and Swansea stalwart, who has died aged 82
Scarlets confirm passing
In a statement, the Scarlets said they were “deeply saddened” to hear of Thomas’ passing. Between 1970 and 1977 he played 184 games for Llanelli, including that unforgettable 9–3 victory over New Zealand at Stradey Park.
“The thoughts of us all at the Scarlets are with Roy’s family and friends at this time,” the club said.
Swansea RFC: “A great club man”
Swansea RFC paid tribute to Thomas’ toughness on the field and humour off it. He made 169 appearances for the All Whites between 1966 and 1970, featuring in the 1966 win over Australia at St Helen’s and the 1969 clash with the touring Springboks.
The club noted his unenviable record of being named as Wales’ reserve hooker 25 times without winning a full cap, sitting behind internationals Jeff Young and Bobby Windsor.
“He will be remembered in Swansea not for that unwanted statistic, but for his tough uncompromising play and his great sense of humour off the field,” the club said.
Loughor RFC: “A true legend of the game”
Thomas’ home club, Loughor RFC, described him as a “true legend” and highlighted his family ties, with his daughter Karen now coaching at the club.
“Our minis paid their respects to not only a great figure in Welsh rugby, but also to a much‑loved father of their coach, Karen,” the club said.
The ‘nearly man’ of Wales
Despite never winning a full cap, Thomas was a near‑permanent fixture in the Wales squad throughout the 1970s. In an era when substitutions were only permitted for injuries, he was repeatedly named on the bench but never took the field.
He was later awarded a Welsh Rugby Union President’s cap for appearing in an uncapped match against Tonga in 1974 — a prized possession he kept on display at his Loughor home.
Memories of 1972
Thomas’ career highlight came on 31 October 1972, when Llanelli stunned the All Blacks 9–3 at Stradey Park. He recalled the pitch invasion and wild celebrations that followed:
“The All Blacks players couldn’t believe it. After the game, when we were sitting together and drinking, they were telling us you were much better than us on the day.”
It was, famously, the day the pubs ran dry in Llanelli.
“I had a load. I had a lift home to Penclawdd. They took me back to the club at about 8pm. I was well‑oiled!” he laughed in a later interview.
Life beyond rugby
After finishing with Llanelli in the late 1970s, Thomas returned to Penclawdd RFC for a spell as coach and remained a regular supporter of “The Donkeys”. Away from rugby, he worked delivering coal around Gower, transporting cockles across the UK, and later for British Steel.
Reflecting on his career, Thomas once said he would never have swapped the All Blacks victory for a full Welsh cap:
“No, I wouldn’t give that up. No‑one can ever take that day away from me.”
Legacy
Known for his fierce scrummaging, quick left foot, and lineout accuracy, Thomas was admired by teammates and opponents alike. He will be remembered as a determined player, a loyal club man, and a gentleman of the game.
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Local leaders welcome the Ospreys’ move back to Bridgend, strengthening ties with the community.#AllBlacks #AllWhites #Loughor #LoughorRFC #Penclawdd #RoyShuntoThomas #Rugby #Scarlets #Swansea #SwanseaRFC
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Right time of year before school breaks up and the hordes arrive. Staying where? Nice eating places in #mumbles and lovely country pub in #reynoldston called The Kings Head. South Gower is very busy, North Gower not so busy. If kiddies in tow head for GiGi's Icecream Parlour at #penclawdd north gower.
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So true, which is why I make a point of going to a local coffee shop to engaging in real conversations with strangers and often with friends.
This morning a young lad, probably early 30s with camping equipment strapped to his back stopped off for breakfast in #Penclawdd while on his Wales Coastal Walk, #Chester to #Caerleon. Over 700 miles done and about 170 miles left. He tells me he needed to ditch tech and his unfaithful girlfriend, so decided to embark on a #BucketList task. -
#Photograph, not an #oldpostcard this time, with on the back written "Penclawdd Belles sort cockle shells, c1944". Size - 3.5 inches x 4.75 inches. #Cocklepickers #Wales #Penclawdd #Gowerpeninsula #Glamorgan #Swansea