Artikelname: A Guide to Welsh Place Names
Artikelbeschreibung: The great majority of Welsh place-names, unlike English ones, make very good sense in thier present-day forms provided, of course, that you know something about Welsh itselfl This book is specifically designed to reduce the language problem to a minimum. Drawing on some 500 place-name examples, the author gives their meanings and analyses their different constructions in a simple and concise way; he also sketches in the linguistic and historical background to Welsh names, as well as pin-pointing some of the varied human interests that lie behind them (nor are Brythonic-based names in England overlooked). Although primarily a guide, the book will - ideally - assist readers to find their own way around the Welsh place-name field.

Artikelname: Around Brecon
Artikelbeschreibung: From the mists of the Iron Age, through the Roman and Medieval periods, right up to the present day, Brecon has remained one of the focal points of south-east Wales. This collection of over 200 photographs takes the reader on a journey through historic Brecon and its many surrounding communities, including Talybont-on-Usk, Llanfrynach, and Llangorse. "Around Brecon" charts the development of the area over the past 160 years and includes some very rare photographs from as early as the 1840s, giving the reader a unique insight into the lives of the residents of the town, from the Georgian and Victorian periods to the present day. Now undergoing something of a renaissance, the town of Brecon is once again rising to prominence as a bustling, lively community. This book will appeal to residents and newcomers, old and young alike, and give the reader a chance to experience the highs and lows of life in one of Wales' most historic regions.

Artikelname: Brecknock, Carmarthen & Radnor's Lost Railways
Artikelbeschreibung: The counties of Brecknockshire, Carmarthenshire and Radnorshire are now part of the modern regions of Dyfed and Powys, and although it is easy to think of South Wales as a mainly industrial area, only the southernmost parts of Brecknockshire and Carmarthenshire were touched by the coal-mining industry that they depended on. Thus, most of the areas covered in this book are delightfully rural and, as a consequence, many of the railways were marginal at best. However, there were anomalies: towns such as Brecon and Carmarthen were so important in railway terms that at one time each had four railway companies running trains to them and, of course, local communities suffered when the Beeching cuts were made. The story of the area's railways is told here, accompanied by over 50 period photographs of its lost stations, including: Abercrave, Brecon Free Street, Brecon Watton, Builth Road, Bronwydd Arms, Brynamman, Brynmawr, Burry Port, Clydach, Colbren Junction, Conwil, Craig-Y-Nos, Cwnmawr, Devynock, Garnant, Gilwern, Glanamman, Glasbury-on-Wye, Golden Grove, Henllan, Hirwaun, Llanarthney, Llanbyther, Llandyssul, Llanglydwen, Nantgaredig, New Radnor, Newbridge-on-Wye, Newcastle Emlyn, Pantydwr, Pencader, Pont Yates, Pontyberem, Presteign, Rhayader, Rhydowen, St Clears, Stanner, Talybont-on-Usk, Talyllyn, Three Cocks Junction, and Trefeinon.

Artikelname: Country Churchyards in Wales
Artikelbeschreibung: Churchyards are not mere collections of gravestones. They are nearly always older than the churches they surround and provide much evidence of social activities and local traditions when they were the community centres of the parishes.Which church is dedicated to seven sons born to a Pembrokeshire woman on the same day? Why are there huge churches in tiny hamlets? Where in Wales is a 9-acre village churchyard? Where are the steps in a churchyard wall to provide an easy route from the church to the tavern? These are a few of the strange questions answered in this book. Cock-fighting and Celtic crosses; dancing and sun-dials; prehistoric sites and the burial grounds of Welsh princes; games and lych gates; potent drinks and strange epitaphs - these are a few of the interesting things drawn to our attention. It also includes a personal choice of 130 churchyards described in detail with full directions on how to reach them. Enough to give you a taste of the different regions of Wales and hook your attention on these special places which are so valuable to anyone who has a sense of heritage and who can hear their tranquillity above the sounds of our modern world.

Artikelname: Fragments of Mine & Mill in Wales
Artikelbeschreibung: Industry in Wales was not confined to the Coal, Steel and so on, of the south and of the north-east. Throughout the country mining, quarrying and manufacture formed "islands of industry in an agrarian sea".The wealth of relics they left us are now fast vanishing. This book is intended to be a record of some that have gone and some that are going, leavened with others which are still with us, but are odd or unexpected.

Artikelname: Historic Shipwrecks of Wales
Artikelbeschreibung: Drama and disaster, tragedy and triumph, horror and heroism - this account of Welsh shipwrecks from the earliest times to the present day encompasses all these and more. Lost treasure, smuggling, wrecking, and the most gallant of attempts at rescue. In Dilys Gater's un-put-downable style, this is one book you will read enthralled to the last page.

Artikelname: Lovespoons,Traditional Spoon Carving in Wales
Artikelbeschreibung: By now, the lovespoon has become one of the representative images of Wales, a unique emblem of the culture. There's nothing like it anywhere else in the world. Every year, thousands of visitors take home with them examples of the lovespoon, and every year the lovespoon enjoys a prominent position in Welsh weddings. To tell the story of the lovespoon, this book starts with its humble older sister, the domestic spoon. Long before knives and forks were used for eating, and long before the availability of metal spoons, carved wooden spoons were in wide use, and their manufacture was a major occupation in the Welsh countryside. The craft of domestic spoonmaking developed into that of the lovespoon, and the author details the different styles that emerged, explains some of the symbolism of the designs, describes the woodworking craft from start to finish, and traces the growth, decline and rebirth of this uniquely Welsh craft tradition. Also included is a Gazetteer of Spooncarvers workshops worth a visit.

Artikelname: Talgarth, Jewel of the Black Mountains
Artikelbeschreibung: Talgarth, 'The Jewel of the Black Mountains', means 'Front of the Hill' and is situated some 9 miles from Brecon and 7.5 miles from Hay-on-Wye where stands the world's second largest bookshop. Abergavenny, the said 'Gateway to Wales' is 18 miles to the south, whilst the city of Hereford lies a further 28 miles to the east. Behind Talgarth is Parc Wood which ascends to a height of approximately 900 feet and beyond this, lie the Black Mountains. Their name is attributed to the impression given of a colour change from purple to black determined by capricious weather conditions. The town, through which  flows the gentle river Enig, has an air of typical Breconshire tranquility about it, interrupted only by its weekly cattle market, which is a significant attraction to the livestock industry in particular ewes and lambs. There is magnificent scenery and a collection of historic buildings in the region to attract the visitor and tourist. Some buildings of special interest open to the public include St Gwendoline's Church and Bronllys Castle whilst nearby are LIanthony Abbey, Tretower Court and the beauty spots of LIangorse Lake and The Black Mountains. This book is intended to display a brief pictorial and captioned history of Talgarth and its people through a period of some 100 years. I hope that the selection of photographs will appeal to readers of all ages and perhaps invoke a few memories from local inhabitants as well as the welcomed visitor.

Artikelname: The Thirsty Dragon;Welsh Brewing and Distilling
Artikelbeschreibung: Wales and beer have always enjoyed a love-hate relationship.To many of our bards it was their life-blood, but during the Great War, Lloyd George announced that Wales had three enemies: the Germans, the Austrians, and strong drink. Of the three, strong drink was the worst. The chapel patriarchs of the temperance movement agreed. Yet it was a minister of religion who founded the Buckley brewing dynasty, and there is good reason to believe that the man who taught Arthur Guinness to brew was a Welsh priest. Today, only two major brewers remain in Wales, but our brewing heritage lives on, because when the Saxons invaded our land they also stole our beer, At least thcy showed good taste. Welsh Ale was recognised throughout the British Isles as being the best. This book traces the history of brewing in Wales and also touches on the making of mead, cider and whisky. So, iechyd da! Have a good read.

COPIES ALSO AVAILABLE IN WELSH

Artikelname: THE Welshpool & Llanfair Railway
Artikelbeschreibung: The author,Hugh Ballantyne, has known the Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway since 1945. Thus he draws upon a lifetime?s knowledge in this photographic tribute to the line, a 2ft 6in gauge railway situated in the beautiful rolling hill country of Montgomeryshire. It was opened in 1903 to link Welshpool with the farming communities up to Llanfair Caereinion, a distance of 9 miles. Passenger trains ceased in 1931 and British Railways closed the railway in 1956, but thanks to the valiant efforts of a preservation society this delightful unspoiled line continues to wind its way through the countryside to Llanfair. The photographs cover scenes from the earliest days, and the GWR and BR eras, and through the preservation years up to the present. Each photograph is captioned with an informative commentary by the author.

Artikelname: Wales at War
Artikelbeschreibung: People living in Wales during the Second World War have a fascinating tale to tell and in Wales at War Phil Carradice interviews people from all walks of life about their experiences. School children, evacuees, Home Guard, Land Army Girls, factory workers, Bevin Boys, soldiers, conscientious objectors and prisoners of war are all featured.

Artikelname: Welsh Woods and Forests: A History
Artikelbeschreibung: A new, updated edition of the story of how twentieth-century forestry developments completely changed the landscape of the Welsh countryside during the 20th century, including a detailed bibliography and references. 80 black-and-white illustrations, 15 maps and many diagrams and graphs.

Artikelname: Wings Across the Border, a history of aviation in north east Wales and the northern Marches, Vol 1
Artikelbeschreibung: Wings Across the Border is the first detailed study of the history of aviation in north Wales and the English border counties. This first volume covers the early days from the balloon enthusiasts of the nineteenth century to the 'barnstormers' and airships of the inter-war period. In addition to a chronological narrative of the development of aviation and its pioneers (men such as Vivian Hewitt and Thomas M. Dutton) Wings Across the Border provides statistical data on: all recorded balloon flights from Shrewsbury, 1880–1913; the Llangefni Naval blimps 1915–18 (plus all shipping losses in the Irish Sea due to U-boats); representative aircraft of Nos 244 & 255 Squadrons, 1917–18; RFC, RNAS and RAF stations in north Wales and the border area, 1914–19; details of many of the accidents and casualties in the area.Illustrated with over 70 photographs depicting aircraft, airmen and airfields, this book has become an essential work of reference for anyone with an interest in early British aviation or the local history of north Wales and the border country.