The terrible Dolgarrog Reservoir disaster of November 1925 in the Conwy Valley is the subject of my latest article in Welsh Country Magazine ( November 2019).Two dams, built to provide hydro-electric power for industrial purposes failed due to inadequate construction techniques. On a cold November evening 70 billion gallons of water poured down the hillside,…
Category: News
St Julitta’s Church, Capel Curig
We had a very good visit to Capel Curig in Snowdonia. We managed to avoid the worst of the showers at St Julitta’s Church as we researched a future article about Alice Douglas Pennant who is buried in the beautiful graveyard. We can certainly recommend a visit to this grade 2 listed building on the…
The Story of Daniel James
My piece on page 7 of the September edition of Welsh Country Magazine is about the life of Daniel James, the man who wrote the words to the song Calon Lan, regarded by many as the alternative Welsh National Anthem. He was born in Treboeth in Swansea and had a tough life labouring in the…
Llywelyn Fawr
My piece in the July 2019 edition of Welsh Country Magazine is about one of the great treasures of Wales, the sarcophagus of Llywelyn Fawr , who for a short time in the twelfth century was the ruler of most of Wales.You can find it in the Gwydir Chapel of St Grwst’s Church in Llanrwst in…
Arise Evans (1607 – 1660)
I have been busy recently writing some articles for Welsh Country Magazine. I have enjoyed researching the lives of three interesting women and clarifying the locations of their graves. Amelia Earhart is remembered in Pwll and in Burry Port, the late Victorian novelist Allen Raine ( her real name was Ada Puddicombe) from Tresaith is buried…
Charlie Chaplin in Swansea
Appearing at the Swansea Empire during the first week of June in 1899 were “The Eight Lancashire Lads”, described as “Part Singers and Champion Clog Dancers.” They were in third place on the bill after the “charming light-comedy singer and specialist dancer” Miss Nellie Randall and what were described as “animated photographs” of the Epsom Derby.…
Radio Interview
The big news is that I am to be a guest on the Wyn Thomas show on Radio Tircoed on Friday 17 May 2019 at 5.00 pm to talk about my novel In Knives We Trust. So everything you need to know, you’ll hear it on your radio. And let’s be honest here. Radio might…
Gwenllian – the Warrior Princess
My piece in the May edition 2019 of Welsh Country Magazine is about Gwenllian the Welsh Warrior princess – a beautiful wife and mother, defending her people in the great revolt of 1136 and the only known example of a medieval woman leading an army of Welshmen into battle. She has no grave. Her two…
50 Gems Price Reduction
In anticipation of the holiday season that is almost upon us, I have reduced the price of both 50 Gems of Mid Wales and 50 Gems of South West Wales. The cover price is £14.99 but they are now available on this website for £10.50 each or £20 for both, prices which include postage and…