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.

Wild horses on the Preselis

Posted on June 10, 2014 by bookvolunteer

You can often see horses, roaming wild in the Preselis around Dinas. They seem to be quite friendly and may come close to you if you stop for a rest while out walking. I remember, as a child, being encouraged … Continue reading →

Posted in Farming, Nature, Walking, Wildlife | Tagged Dinas, Dinas Cross, hills, mountain ponies, mountains, Pembrokeshire, Preseli, Tegfan, Wild Horses | Leave a comment

An acquired taste

Posted on June 6, 2014 by bookvolunteer

If you associate corrugated iron with shanty town poverty – a cheap, light, waterproof building material that soon crumbles into rusty shards – you might be surprised by the ‘Tin Tabernacles’, some of which are listed buildings, or Dinas’ Mercury Garage. I didn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in History | Tagged Dinas, Dinas Cross, Mercury Garage, Pembrokeshire, Tegfan | 5 Comments

A blank slate

Posted on June 3, 2014 by bookvolunteer

I no longer flinch and go into shutdown when I hear the phrase ‘Ordovician mudstone’ because Andrew Lingham (geologist and recent Tegfan visitor) has taught me a little and encouraged me to read further: http://www.pembrokeshireonline.co.uk/geology2.htm. This is obviously a simplified … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Nature, Sea | Tagged Dinas, Dinas Cross, Geology, slate, Tegfan, West Wales | 2 Comments

On the tube at Moorgate?

Posted on May 30, 2014 by bookvolunteer

Never mind. Look out onto the platform and cheer up!

Posted in Art, Walking | Tagged Dinas, Dinas Cross, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, vintage posters, Visit Pembrokeshire | Leave a comment

The usefulness of arsenic

Posted on May 27, 2014 by bookvolunteer

In the late 19th century, when doctors were still speculating about the possible causes of typhoid fever and worried about the high mortality of children working in factories, they already knew that arsenic in the home constituted a health risk. But, before the discovery of penicillin, … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Nature | Tagged Cwm yr Eglwys, death penalty, Dinas, Dinas Cross, Pembrokeshire, Penfeidr, Troed-y-rhiw, Yokohama | 1 Comment

Matisse in Dinas

Posted on May 23, 2014 by bookvolunteer

The door on the left was designed by Matisse for the Chapelle du Rosaire at Vence. The door on the right was inspired by Matisse’s work and made by Dinas potter, Len Rees. If you have enjoyed the Matisse exhibition at … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Crafts, Religion | Tagged Dinas, Dinas Cross, Len Rees, Pembrokeshire, porcelain, Potter, pottery | 2 Comments

What to get for the person who has everything?

Posted on May 20, 2014 by bookvolunteer

Doesn’t every family have someone who is a nightmare to buy for? They already have everything they need or don’t care much for possessions; they don’t want anything at all and certainly don’t want you spending any money on them. They … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Farming, Food, Nature | Tagged Celebration du Fumier, Dinas, Dinas Cross, Good ideas for a birthday present, manure, Maurice Lelong op, Pembrokeshire, Robert Morel Editeur, vegetable gardening | 4 Comments

Finden’s Splendid View of The Mumbles Rocks and Lighthouse

Posted on May 16, 2014 by bookvolunteer

If you want to see Swansea as it was known by the many Dinas mariners who were apprenticed to masters from that port, have a look at a copy of ‘Finden’s Views of the Ports, Harbours, Coast Scenery and Watering Places … Continue reading →

Posted in books, History, Sea | Tagged apprenticeship, Dinas, Dinas Cross, Docks, Finden's Views, Harbour, Master mariners, Pembrokeshire, Swansea, W H Bartlett, William Beattie | 2 Comments

How long have you had your surname?

Posted on May 13, 2014 by bookvolunteer

I have been wondering why most of the common Welsh surnames end with an ‘s’: Jones, Edwards, Davies, Harries, Philips, Evans, Howells, Thomas, Williams, Owens, Hughes, Roberts, Jenkins, Stevens, Lewis, Richards and more. This observation lead me to think further about … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Welsh language | Tagged Dinas, Dinas Cross, education, family history, George family, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, N W Frontier Province, Pembrokeshire, Peshawar, School, Tegfan, Welsh surnames, working children | 4 Comments

Bethan’s cawl

Posted on May 9, 2014 by bookvolunteer

Cawl (broth) has been part of the staple diet of Wales for centuries and this recipe* has pedigree. It’s the real thing, handed from mother to daughter 70 years ago and cooked in West Wales for generations. And like all … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, History, Welsh language | Tagged broth, cawl, recipe, school dinners | Leave a comment

Don’t let the sheep lead you astray

Posted on May 6, 2014 by bookvolunteer

Don’t let the sheep lead you astray when you walk on the mountain above Dinas. They won’t try to disturb walkers, in fact they are generally timid and scamper away even when you are keen to take a photo, but they … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Farming, History, Walking | Tagged Dinas, Dinas Cross, paths, Pembrokeshire, Preselis, sheep, Tegfan | 4 Comments

First quarry your stone ….

Posted on May 2, 2014 by bookvolunteer

Until recently, if you wanted to build in Dinas, you dug the stone out of the hill-side first. The first Baptist chapel in Dinas was built at the end of the eighteenth century. After acquiring the land “preparations were made … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Crafts, History | Tagged Dinas, Dinas Cross, Macpela, Pembrokeshire, Preselis, quarries, quarrying, Stan Posenthal, Tabor, Tegfan | Leave a comment