Author Archives: bookvolunteer

About bookvolunteer

I'm passionate about books, about Oxfam and about making the world a better place. When I'm not filling the shelves in Oxfam Wilmslow, I might be found reading the books I've bought in the beautiful surroundings of North Pembrokeshire.

Plant a tree in ’73 – View the scene in 2016

Posted on May 2, 2016 by bookvolunteer

This little grove of Austrian or Corsican pines, planted in 1973, provides shade at the back of Dinas’ old school field, an area that had been the garden plot worked by the older pupils. The national campaign to ‘Plant a tree … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Nature | Tagged Bara Brith, Dinas, Dinas Cross, Y Hen Ysgol | 3 Comments

Surprise visitor

Posted on April 19, 2016 by bookvolunteer

Vicky Moller, local Plaid Cymru candidate, called this afternoon. She is standing for election to the National Assembly for Wales, on May 5th. She’s third on Plaid Cymru’s Mid and West regional list. Canvassing on the doorstep is a brilliant way to gauge … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Dinas, Plaid Cymru, Vicky Moller, Welsh assembly elections 2016 | Leave a comment

Undergrounding

Posted on April 18, 2016 by bookvolunteer

The imminent disappearance of these power lines and their poles really took me by surprise. Click on the notice to read what’s planned. The delights of baby rabbits, lambs and spring flowers, however, were to be expected along the old … Continue reading →

Posted in Farming, Wildlife | Tagged power lines going underground, Spring, Western Power Distribution | 3 Comments

Red Kites in Dinas

Posted on April 11, 2016 by bookvolunteer

The two red kites I failed to photograph were above the flat path between Pwllgwaelod and Cwmyreglwys. The beautiful birds didn’t seem in a hurry and turned our rather unexciting walk into a wonderful opportunity to observe their flying display. For brilliant … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature, Wildlife | Tagged Dinas, Dinas head, Red kites | Leave a comment

Our Aunt Emily

Posted on April 4, 2016 by bookvolunteer

Aunt Emily earned her place among the sea captains of Dinas by having spent nine years at sea, mainly on the poop deck of the ‘Comliebank’. John Griffiths, her nephew, standing third from the left in the back row, coaxed her … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Sea | Tagged Albatross, Australia, Canada, Captain's wife, Chile, Comliebank, Dinas, Port Germien, Sailing ships, Sydney | 1 Comment

Truly free range eggs in Dinas

Posted on April 1, 2016 by bookvolunteer

Look on the pavement just to the left of Dinas’ petrol station and you’ll find this black, water-proof box. Open it up and you’ll find egg boxes, free-range eggs and a money box so that you can make your purchase. ‘Free-range’ can … Continue reading →

Posted in Food | Tagged Dinas, Dinas Cross, free range eggs | Leave a comment

The Frenchman’s Feet

Posted on March 28, 2016 by bookvolunteer

The Frenchman Motel*, Goodwick, that hosted bands such as Status Quo, The Tremeloes, The Trogs, Sassafras and Elvis Costello in the 1970s has long gone. Did these feet bop along with the fans that were drawn to the events in … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, History | Tagged 1970s, Dinas, Dinas Cross, Frenchman's Motel, Goodwick | 3 Comments

Mudlarking at Newport

Posted on March 25, 2016 by bookvolunteer

The River Nevern must have carried and dropped this weighty item into the estuarial mud and its origins are clear to anyone willing to stop and read. The Goodwick brickworks, established in 1908 just a year after the arrival of the Great Western railway, produced … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Nature | Tagged Dinas, Goodwick brickworks, Newport | 1 Comment

Bara Brith – 5* review

Posted on March 21, 2016 by bookvolunteer

The year after our visit and review, the café moved to Tabor Chapel Vestry, just along the main road towards Fishguard. It closed at the beginning of 2020 at the start of the COVID pandemic lock down. The operators decided … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Crafts, Food | Tagged Bara Brith, cafe, Dinas, Dinas Cross, Ye Hen Ysgol | Leave a comment

Sneak Preview

Posted on February 23, 2016 by bookvolunteer

Dinas’ Primary School closed in 2002 but it didn’t take long for local people to negotiate, fundraise and recruit supporters so that it could open again as ‘Yr Hen Ysgol’. There are activities on offer now for everyone, ranging from … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Crafts, Entertainment, Food, Welsh language | Tagged cafe, Dinas, Dinas Cross, Yr Hen Ysgol | Leave a comment

Gedeon

Posted on February 9, 2016 by bookvolunteer

Coflein tells us that Gideon Independent Chapel was built in 1830, restored in 1930 and again in 1960. The present chapel…. is built in the Vernacular style with a long-wall entry plan. The facade dates from 1830 with improvements made in … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Religion, Welsh language | Tagged Chapel, Dinas, Gedeon | 3 Comments

What would John James Esq think?

Posted on February 5, 2016 by bookvolunteer

The plot of land, generously donated by John James to the Temperance Cause, now houses Fishguard’s Theatr Gwaun. It not only serves alcohol in its friendly bar but allows us to take the glass into the auditorium. Is John James, who supported the … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Farming, History, Religion | Tagged Dinas, Fishguard, Temperance, Theatr Gwaun | 1 Comment