HM Customs & Excise at Swansea Docks

Probably the least loved members of the dock fraternity were the staff of HM Customs and Excise who occupied premises at the Pier Head, Kings Dock, Swansea. Prior to 1975 the building was solely occupied by the uniformed members of the service (Waterguard). However, diminishing and changing trade patterns and the UK's entry into the European Union coupled with departmental re-organisation brought about the demise of other local offices and the transfer of their functions to the Pier Head Office at Swansea. Over the years, offices that closed included Burry Port Harbour; Llanelli North Dock; Custom House, Station Road, Llanelli; Swansea West Pier; Swansea Custom House, Cambrian Place; Landing & Shipping Office (opposite 'B' shed Kings Dock); Custom House, Eagle Street, Port Talbot, and the Waterguard Office, Pier Head, Port Talbot.
 

Staff undertook a variety of tasks, both physical and documentary; their primary functions being the collection and protection of revenue and the control of the import and export of prohibited and restricted goods. Their area of responsibility stretched from Carmarthen Quay to Nash Point, including Swansea Airport, together with inland excise control. From time to time officers were required to serve in other locations throughout the United Kingdom.
 

In addition, agency work was undertaken on behalf of other government departments and public bodies, e.g: Registry of British ships and fishing vessels; Receiver of Wreck; collection of light dues for Trinity House; collection of statistics for balance of trade purposes; CAP (common agricultural policy) monetary payments and refunds relating to the import and export of foodstuffs; issue of  'Pratique' (Public Health Ships Regulations), and the issue of writs on behalf of the Admiralty Marshall.
 

In 2005 HM Customs & Excise amalgamated with the Inland Revenue to form HM Revenue & Customs and, although the newly formed department adopted the revenue aspects of the work carried out at the dock, other functions were transferred to the Border Agency, SOCA (Serious & Organised Crime Agency) and MCA (Maritime & Coastguard Agency).

The Pier Head Office of HM Customs & Excise finally closed its doors in February 2010
 

The above article and the photos below were kindly provided by former HM Customs & Excise Officer Peter Hopkins

 HMC&E Waterguard dinner dance. at the Mackworth Hotel on 7th December 1959.
 

L - R back row :-  Len Hall, Graham Enoch, Alan Douglas, Rev Jasper Swansea Flying Angel, Malcolm Booth, Dick Bartlett, Wyn Symmons, Roley Bickley, Captain J Teunissen skipper of the mv 'Pieter S' ( probably one of Swansea's most regular ships in the 50's & 60's and a vessel renowned for it's smuggling activities), Ted oliver & Norman Taylor.
 

L - R front row :-  Bill Sutton, Fred Hill and Mr Ambrose of Ambrose Davies & Matthews famous Swansea ship owners and brokers of yore.  All the faces named are members of the Waterguard in the South Wales ports except those otherwise described. We are unable to name the ladies?