While it makes sense to use the word 'community' and not give a second thought to what it actually means, it is important for us to bear in mind that 'community' is a complicated term.

Townhill is a single electoral ward in Swansea with 3 Councillors and a population of approximately 9,000 (8443 in the 2001 Census).

Townhill has 3 distinct communities - If you ask people where they are from they will say either Townhill, Mayhill or Gors (Gors is the area which runs roughly parallel to the Cwmbwrla ward boundary on the map).

Townhill has numerous 'communities of interest'. Not everyone who lives in a particular area will share a common set of interests, beliefs and experiences. Some work, some don't. Some are high-fliers in education while others will leave school unable to read or write. Some have lived on the estate for 60 years and more while others moved into the area, from elsewhere in Swansea or the UK or perhaps from overseas, very recently. Most are white but some are not. Some people have an all-engulfing passion for sport while others avoid exercise like the plague. Some would never dream of missing religious services while their neighbours are staunch atheists. Some are young and some are old. Most live in the area but some work here and live elsewhere. Some are criminals who prey on their neighbours, some are criminals who would never streal from their own, other would never dream of breaking the law.

When we start to consider just how different we all all it becomes harder to explain what we might mean by 'community' as the word implies a common set of interests, beliefs and backgrounds. The key is to remember that we all belong in one way or another to a particular geographical community in Swansea - 'Townhill' or just 'the Hill' as it is popularly known, and whether we are conscious of it or not we do touch each other's lives in many ways.