Arts
Postcard from Aberystwyth
In September it was our 29th wedding anniversary and we decided it would be good to celebrate by spending a couple of nights away somewhere. As is usual, it was my job to organise these [more…]
Wales
19th Century
England Wales Wendyball Preview
The Football Association was formed on 26th October 1863, the Football Association of Wales on 2nd February 1876. One wonders what they got up to in the intervening years as it wasn’t until January 1879 [more…]
Hobbies
A short walk in the Cymraeg Kush, Part Four
Previously we have had Part 1 (Planning), Part 2 (Days 1-5), Part 3 (Days 6-9). Welcome to the final instalment. Day 10 — Careg-y-Big to Llandegla (20 miles) The day started easily enough with some [more…]
Hobbies
A short walk in the Cymraeg Kush, Part Three
Previously we have had Part 1 (Planning) and Part 2 (Days 1-5) Day 6 — Kington to Knighton (14.5 miles) It was a cold night at Fleece Meadow, I was awake at 03:00 putting on [more…]
Hobbies
A short walk in the Cymraeg Kush, Part Two
Previously we have had Part 1 (planning). Day 1 — Home to Sedbury to Beeches Farm (8 miles) I’ve checked the weather forecast, all set fair for the next 10 days. Excellent, checking the forecast [more…]
Hobbies
A short walk in the Cymraeg Kush, Part One
Foreword by Warble on Augh Yes, I have read it, re-read it and revisited more times than I probably should have. I refer of course to that wonderful piece of literature “A short walk in [more…]
20th Century
Newport Dock Disaster
Newport in South Wales sits astride the mouth of the River Usk and so its history has long been connected to maritime commerce, with wharfs recorded lining the banks of the river since the 1500s. [more…]
20th Century
Postcard From Summer 1954, Part Six – Rhyl
In 1954, the Manchester Evening News launched a “Special Investigation” and tasked my uncle, John Alldridge, with answering the question – Holidaymakers, do you get value for your MONEY? What follows is his report on [more…]
Arts
A Postcard From Tintern Abbey
Tintern Abbey (or Abaty Tyndryn if you speak Welsh) was founded on 9th May 1131 by Walter de Clare, Lord of Chepstow. It is located near the border between Wales and England (Gloucestershire) on the [more…]