Engineers in core bid to save iconic Mumbles Big Apple
ENGINEERS are expected on site this week to begin the delicate task of trying to save the much-loved Mumbles Big Apple.
The landmark concrete curiosity was badly damaged after a car ploughed in to it last month.
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The Mumbles Big Apple
An initial examination showed the 70-year-old kiosk suffered extensive structural damage in the crash, throwing its future into doubt.
Within hours of the smash a campaign was launched to save it — 26,500 people have now joined an internet support group, and almost 1,300 people have signed an online petition.
Petition to save Mumbles Big Apple
A spokesman for the apple's owner Ameco said: "Protective screens will be going up around Big Apple and engineers will be assessing the full extent of the damage.
"Samples of the concrete have been taken and sent for analysis. We still don't know whether it can be repaired in situ, or has to be taken away."
The Big Apple — a single sphere of reinforced concrete — dates from the 1930s, and was one of a series built as a publicity stunt for an apple drink.
It was only intended to last a couple of years, but the Mumbles apple proved resilient, and is believed to be the only one left standing.
It has become a Mumbles landmark, selling snacks and buckets and spades to generations of holidaymakers.
Ameco, which also owns Mumbles Pier and the headland around it, last year unveiled a £39 million plan to turn the Victorian pier and surrounding area into a modern tourist attraction with a luxury 150-bed hotel and spa, including a family entertainment centre and restaurants.
As part of the scheme, the firm was looking at moving the apple to a prime spot by the pier.
The company spokesman said it still hoped to preserve the fruit.
"The Big Apple is an important part of Mumbles' heritage," he said. "Looking long-term, it might need to be placed on a safer site."
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by Margaret Nicholls, Mumbles, Swansea
Sunday, September 27 2009, 10:27PM
“I live not far away from the Big Apple, and I pass it nearly every day on my way home. Unfortunately it looks very mangled now, so unless it can be restored properly and put in a suitable position, then it's demise is inevitable. Better to have a smart new entrance to the Pier development than have a mouldy old apple. Restore it properly and put it near the actual Pier!”
by Logan, Bury
Friday, September 11 2009, 8:40AM
“adam.
You are referred to you as "adam" because you sign youself as "adam".
You should start each sentence with a capital letter and end each sentence with a full stop.
Note: It's a "capital letter" not, a "Capital letter".
A question mark should be inserted immediatey after the final word of a sentence. You inserted a "space".
It is "didn't" not, "didnt".
It's "I" not, "i".
Surnames should start with a capital letter, if the poster has used them. So, it's "Granny Smith" not, "Granny smith".”
by adam, Mumbles
Friday, September 11 2009, 12:57AM
“@ mango
did they not teach you in school that a persons name always begins with a Capital letter ?
Then again they probably didnt teach that in school in the early twenties”
by Mango, Putney
Thursday, September 10 2009, 11:31AM
“adam.
Granny Smith is a pseudonym.
Ask your supervisor/leader and others at the centre and they will explain the article to you.
I know what a crab apple is but, I've never come across a "crabb apple".
Do you know the difference between a question mark and an exclamation mark?”
by adam, Mumbles
Thursday, September 10 2009, 10:54AM
“@Granny smith, what did i fail to understand then crabb apple!!”
by Millie, Swansea
Tuesday, September 08 2009, 8:52AM
“I agree. It's an eyesore which now looks worse than ever. A modern kiosk in a safer spot would make far more sense.”
by Mike, Swansea
Tuesday, September 08 2009, 7:59AM
“Safer site? - no doubt it will end up on the prom in the next year or two with a promise to be returned anytime soon. Theres a good spot right next to the slip bridge.”
by Richard John, Neath
Tuesday, September 08 2009, 12:22AM
“I don't visit Mumbles that often, but I've always found the Big Apple an eyesore.”
by Achmeds, Uncle
Monday, September 07 2009, 11:32PM
“put it on a roundabout where the bendy bus can go around it”
by Gowerview, Limeslade
Monday, September 07 2009, 7:14PM
“By 2020 this apple will have been regenerated making it a landmark mixed use attraction with a stunning panorama of Swansea Bay, which is both golden and delicious!
Representatives from the pier and the Council commented this will enhance Swansea's reputation and move us closer to becoming a landmark destination....we think the land train might have to be stopped while the works take place ...we hope the patient Swansea public stick with us though.”