The appearance of the town has changed dramatically during the last forty years and it is difficult in many instances to appreciate how it appeared to our forefathers. Many of the old public houses have gone from the town and some of the out of town drinking establishments have gone or have been re-invented as restaurants. The railway station is like any other in any town; as are the red brick-like streets. Change is metered to us as progress, some will disagree but the upside is that many examples of the substandard housing have been swept away. Nostalgia is a recreation many of us revel in. Robert King attempts to capture Neath as it was and as it is now together with old characters hidden in sepia photographs. Hopefully this book will preserve their memory for another generation to enjoy them.