Former miner, Albert Lloyd of Aberfan, Cardiff, brought in a copy of a photograph that hangs in the foyer of the Court Royal Convalescence Home, near Bournemouth’s seafront.

“Mystery surrounds the picture. It is thought the men are mining union officials on the beach at Bournemouth taken sometime after the Court Royal Hotel became a convalescent home”, said Albert who was staying at the home. Even more of a mystery is the identity of the little girl with Shirley Temple like hair in the centre of the picture, who doesn’t appear to be shy of either the group of men in suits or the cameraman.

Andrew Morse of the Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation, said, “The picture was found in a dresser unit at the Court Royal. We have no idea who took the picture, when or who the people are”.

The girl might have been a local girl or she could have been on holiday with her family. She would now be in her 60s.

Court Royal, one of the oldest hotels in Bournemouth, was acquired by the C.I.S.W.O. in 1946 and was in such a poor condition it took 12 months to renovate.

Originally known as Madeira House, the building was notable as being the site where the world’s first wireless telegraph message was received from Alum Bay on the Isle of Wight by the radio pioneer Guigliemo Marconi.

During the Second World War the RAF were billeted there, and then the hotel fell into disuse until 1947.

When the Court Royal opened, it had three main dormitories for miners from South Wales to convalesce from injuries and benefit from the fresh sea air. A levy was taken from their wages to pay for it.

“Court Royal was the only one of its kind on the south coast”, said Andrew.

The home became a registered charity in 1960 and still employed nursing staff until 1999. Only men could stay at the Court Royal until 1980 when wives and widows were allowed to stay.