60 photos which show what life was like in Wales 20 years ago
There was plenty going on in Wales in 2003

Ready to feel old? It's time to take a trip down memory lane back to the year 2003 to get a glimpse of what life was like in Wales 20 years ago. Featuring pictures from cities and towns across Wales, we've taken a look back into our archives and found snapshots of some famous nights out and memorable family occasions.
You'll also be reminded of some moments from school, sporting memories, talent show achievements, protests, busy shopping days and see the work of charity champions going the extra mile to help good causes. There's also some photos of old night time venues which were once wildly popular but now no longer exist, and a few famous faces along the way.
Do you recognise yourself or your loved ones in any of the pictures in our gallery? Join the discussion in our comments section and tell us the story behind the day that was photographed.
Christopher Wood, Sandra Davies, Graham Davies, and celebrating her 41st birthday Susan Wood at Barry Island seafront on August 6, 2003
(Image: Peter Bolter)1 of 59Paul and Alison Grimstead of Pontllanfraith enjoying an ice cream at Barry Island on July 16, 2003
(Image: Paul Rose)2 of 59Richard Palmer then aged 19,Douglas Rogers, then 19, Stuart Giles, then 20, and Graig Morgan, then 20, pictured at Barry Island seafront on August 6, 2003
(Image: Peter Bolter)3 of 59Fireman Bob Underwood with Pamela, a Hunslet-built 0-6-0 Austerity Saddletank locomotive built in 1956, as steam power returns to Barry Island for the first time in almost 40 years on May 8, 2003
(Image: PA)4 of 59Barry Island primary school nativity on December 20, 2003
(Image: Mark Fraser)5 of 59Fairground worker Richard Gardener polishes a Roman statue at the entrance to Barry Island pleasure park before the easter holidays on April 14, 2003
(Image: Western Mail archives)6 of 59Taking part in the beach volleyball champions at Barry island on July 18, 2003 are Debbie Spokes and Hedda Meijer of the Dutch team and Christna Callejon and Suzanna Gomes for Spain
(Image: SOUTH WALES ECHO)7 of 59The 20th annual Barry Island Beach Party, for more than 500 special needs children, was staged by the Variety Club of South Wales on July 31, 2003
(Image: Alan Grist)8 of 59Rhiannon Wynne and Stephen Jay enjoy a heatwave at Barry Island on August 23, 2003
(Image: Dave Hurst)9 of 59Barry Island visitors enjoy a nap in the sun at Barry Island on August 19, 2003
(Image: Colin Robertson)10 of 59The IKEA building being built at Ferry Road, Grangetown, Cardiff on May 24, 2003. Picture in front of the store is Gay Gwinnutt, then store human resources manager for the new store
(Image: Alan Grist)11 of 59A Don't attack Iraq peace protest was held outside the Nye Bevan statue, Queen Street, Cardiff on February 17, 2003. Protestors sign a petition
(Image: Peter Bolter)12 of 59Christmas shopping at St David's Shopping Centre in Cardiff on December 2, 2003
(Image: Rob Norman)13 of 59The old Life nightclub in St Mary Street, Cardiff pictured on February 8, 2003
(Image: Peter Bolter)14 of 59A charity premiere of the then new Bond film, Die Another Day, at the UGC Cinema, Cardiff in November 2003, Pictured are the late Stuart Cable of the Stereophonics, with rugby star, Rhys Williams
(Image: Alan Grist)15 of 59South Wales Police community police officer Nick Olsen from Butetown Police Station, Cardiff, took pupils from St. Marys, Church in Wales Primary School, Butetown, on a street crime survey on July 11, 2003. They checked cars over and warned owners if they left any valuables on view
(Image: Peter Bolter)16 of 59The start of the Cardiff Marathon on September 29, 2003
(Image: Western Mail archives)17 of 59Llandaff Under-10s stormed through the Caldicot Rugby Festival lifting the trophy without conceding a try. Pictured on April 16, 2003
(Image: Western Mail archives)18 of 59Robert Earnshaw playing for Cardiff City against Walsall at Ninian Park on December 31, 2003
(Image: Peter Bolter)19 of 59Merthyr College, where a then record number of students were going to university in July 2003
(Image: Western Mail archives)20 of 59Goetre Junior School pupils in Merthyr get dressed up for St David's Day in March 2003
(Image: Western Mail archives)21 of 59Merthyr Town AFC v Bromsgrove Rovers. Pictured is Chris Bale back in February 2003
(Image: Richard Williams)22 of 59A St Aloyisus Primary school arts project with local artists in June 2003
(Image: Robert Prosser)23 of 59Entertainer Brightsparks demonstrates his balloon magic during a Merthyr town centre funday
(Image: Western Mail archives)24 of 59The Taff Merthyr Colliery reunion in June 2003
(Image: Western Mail archives)25 of 59Youngsters meet the cast of MTV's Dirty Sanchez at Bubba Joe's boardwear shop in Merthyr in July 2003
(Image: Western Mail archives)26 of 59The Heolgerrig Hockey Team in June 2003
(Image: Western Mail archives)27 of 59The Cana Centre at Gwladys Street, Penywaun, near Aberdare after the after school club received a top child care award in July 2003
(Image: Peter Bolter)28 of 59Market day in Merthyr town centre back in May 2003
(Image: Nick Treharne)29 of 59A busy night outside the old Yates's Wine Lodge on Swansea's Wind Street back in April 2003
(Image: SWWP)30 of 59Pink Ladies kerry Shaddick, left, and Sara Thomas, right, taking part in the annual Swansea Three Legged Pub Crawl in December 2003
(Image: SWWP)31 of 59Sandfields then 18 year olds Lauren Bevan, left, and Jenny Chapman, right, were amongst the first away in the annual Swansea Three Legged Pub Crawl in December 2003
(Image: SWWP)32 of 59The 'No War' march through Swansea in April 2003
(Image: Howell Davies)33 of 59Boxing Day shoppers brave the wet weather for the first day of the sales in Swansea in 2003
(Image: South Wales Evening Post)34 of 59Red Nose Day fundraisers from Hair by Penny at Middle Road, Gendros, Swansea, were donating part of their day's takings to the charity in April 2003. Pictured around owner Penny Hole, (seated), are, from left, Tanya Thomas, Danielle Thomas, Kelly Dean and Gemma Huxtable
(Image: Phil Davies)35 of 59Leon Britton slides in to cross the ball in front of Yeovil's Lee Johnson at the old Vetch Field in December 2003
(Image: Gayle Marsh)36 of 59People gather on Wind Street in Swansea in December 2003
(Image: SWWP)37 of 59Swans and Ospreys and Swansea All Whites rugby side and ward staff join in the Christmas party with the children at Morriston Hospital in December 2003
(Image: Howell Davies)38 of 59Brother and sister Jamie (then six) and Hayley Davies (then 10) and their friend Hanna Morgan (then 10) of Carmarthen visited the Megabowl at Parc Tawe Retail Park in Swansea during the Easter break in April 2003
(Image: Gayle Marsh)39 of 59