The January 2017 edition of Welsh Country Magazine is now available in newsagents, supermarkets (and Marks and Spencer) across Wales, price £2.95. I write this time about the strange eccentric Richard Jones from the Llyn Peninsular who was born in 1780. He became better known as Dic Aberdaron, an itinerant with a peculiar gift for…
Tag: Welsh Country Magazine
Violet, Victor, Violence
My latest article in Welsh Country Magazine (July 2016) explores the story behind the murder of Violet Pick, strangled on the Vauxhall Bridge over the river Monnow in Monmouth by her boyfriend in 1910. When Victor was sentenced to death at the assizes a couple of months later, he waved to the public gallery shouting “Ta…
Frances Power Cobbe
My article in the May edition of Welsh Country Magazine is about Frances Power Cobbe (1822 – 1904). She was a fascinating nineteenth century personality- a journalist, a campaigner for women’s rights and a leading anti-vivisectionist. She is a buried in a quiet grave in the cemetery of St Illtyd’s church in Llanelltyd near Dollgellau,…
Daniel Thomas
My piece in the July Edition of Welsh Country Magazine is about Daniel Thomas a mine owner from Porth. He was renowned for his bravery as a rescue worker in colliery accidents – of which of course there were many. He died in 1880 in a rescue attempt following an explosion at the Naval Steam Coal Colliery…
Latest piece in Welsh Country Magazine – Portmeirion
I am delighted to report that the new edition of Welsh Country Magazine (May 2015) contains a piece I wrote about one of my favourite places – Portmeirion, a place of dreams and relaxation – and of course of The Prisoner! I really enjoyed the research – including the obligatory visit. It is a magical…
Welsh Country Magazine – March 2015
My article in this month’s edition is about the strange man Dr William Price from Llantrisant. He was wilfully unconventional and had a mania about druidism. He invented an alternative history in which Greek history was an invention of Welsh bards – in fact Homer he said was a Welshman. But it was his personal…
January 2015 – The Rebecca Riots
My piece in the new edition of Welsh Country Magazine – available in all newsagents and supermarkets – is about the Rebecca Riots which swept across South Wales in the 1840s. The riots reached a bloody climax in Pontarddulais in 1843 when the gatekeeper Sarah Williams was killed. Find out more in the magazine for just…
William Williams VC
My new piece in the September edition of Welsh Country Magazine is the remarkable story of William Williams, awarded the Victoria Cross during World War One for his bravery whilst serving on a Q ship. These were decoy vessels designed to tempt German U boats to attack them. Indeed the ships would often slow down…
Welsh Country Magazine for May
Out now – £2.95 from newsagents and other outlets like Waitrose, Marks and Spencer’s and Sainsbury’s. This edition contains my story about a grave at Pant Teg in Ystalyfera. It is truly a hidden treasure of Wales. It is the grave of Morgan Lewis, gamekeeper and local thug who was killed by David Davies who hit him…
The Robber’s Grave
My piece in the latest edition of Welsh Country Magazine is about The Robber’s Grave in Montgomery. A man condemned to death for a crime he hadn’t done prayed to God not to allow grass to grow on his grave for a generation as an indication of his innocence. Read the full story in the…