Author Archives: bookvolunteer

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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.

Master of MV Laurelwood pining for home

Posted on February 17, 2015 by bookvolunteer

  Captain Joseph Francis of Eryl, Dinas Cross, decided to retire at the age of 53. He had just completed two stints as Master of the Laurelwood, one of the largest tankers in the fleet of John I. Jacobs and Co. of … Continue reading →

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Marie Elsie’s list of do’s and don’ts

Posted on February 13, 2015 by bookvolunteer

When* the Scaramanga brothers entrusted a few thousand pounds worth of ship and cargo and a good percentage of their fortune to Captain Joseph Francis of Eryl, Dinas, you’d expect them to mention a few do’s and don’ts. The letter confirming his appointment is typed in purple … Continue reading →

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Ann Gent and Graham Coles invite you to rummage

Posted on February 10, 2015 by bookvolunteer

From the outside you can’t tell that the Carningli Centre is an art gallery and a second-hand book shop as well as a destination for lovers of old railway signage, collectors and connoisseurs of oil lamps and indeed anyone who loves to … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, books, History, Transport | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Dinas County Primary School 1946

Posted on February 6, 2015 by bookvolunteer

Back Row:- From the left in each case D.T.Lewis ( Master), Roy Davies, Derek Thomas, Meurig Harries, Norman Morris, Rhydian Harries, Denzil Rees, Selwyn Harries, Alfie Clark (evacuee staying at Cwm yr Eglwys), Noel Murrow, Roy Jones, Gareth Francis (son … Continue reading →

Posted in History | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Winter seas at Cwm-yr-Eglwys

Posted on February 3, 2015 by bookvolunteer

    This was Cwm-yr-Eglwys last weekend, when the Stena Ferry from Ireland failed to berth at Fishguard to unload its vehicles and had to wait for hours in Cardigan bay for calmer seas. Many thanks to Ann Hughes for … Continue reading →

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There’s nuffin like a puffin

Posted on January 30, 2015 by bookvolunteer

2014 was a dreadful year for Puffins in Pembrokeshire. Research by Dr Matt Wood at the University of Gloucestershire* is revealing the harsh consequences of last winter’s’s storms for thousands of puffins on Skomer Island. Around 50,000 dead seabirds, including … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Nature, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Free university education for Welsh immigrants and their children

Posted on January 27, 2015 by bookvolunteer

In the late 1930s about 9,000 young people, in total, graduated from UK universities per year: an experience that was out of the question for my father and his sisters – with my grandfather a fireman and recent economic migrant. But when his … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Religion, Welsh language | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

You’re looking at the remains of Russia

Posted on January 23, 2015 by bookvolunteer

Russia’s monolithic gateposts might lead you to expect a substantial dwelling, outclassing the cottages on the Dinas mountain. But no. The gatepost on the left was positioned (and broken?) by a JCB about 35 years ago when the farmer removed it from a dip in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Farming, History | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

John Cleal’s Herrings

Posted on January 20, 2015 by bookvolunteer

  This shoal of herrings darts through the air on the quay at Lower Town Fishguard. It’s an arresting image, reminding the passer-by of the historic importance of the herring catch to the economy of the town. The artist doesn’t get … Continue reading →

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Eirian Short – celebrated embroiderer from Dinas

Posted on January 16, 2015 by bookvolunteer

I’ve noticed that many people end up at my blog when they are googling  Eirian Short, the celebrated embroiderer from Dinas. I know that there is very little on the internet about her work and I hope that this post will do something to remedy … Continue reading →

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How Dinas out-shone London

Posted on January 13, 2015 by bookvolunteer

These were the railings of my childhood. Growing up in postwar London, all we had were stumps where iron railings had been removed to aid the war effort. Thousands of tons of decorative iron work, as well as aluminium and … Continue reading →

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Our blue-eyed boy (and another mystery solved)

Posted on January 9, 2015 by bookvolunteer

It would be churlish to ignore totally the little man on the left. He was the Secretary of State for Air, Howard Kingsley Wood, and his visit to RAF Kidbrooke in 1939 occasioned the arrival of the photographer and hence … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Religion | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments