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Y Gwyliau - A Welsh Christmas.
Geese at Cowbridge via People's Collection WalesFrom The Plygain to the Mari Lwyd, I'll be exploring some of the weird and wonderful customs/traditions our ancestors took part in during Christmastide....
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"People of the Poorest and Dirtiest Class." - Caepantywyll.
Girl in a graveyard, Bruce Davidson - 1965.Many of you will recognise this photograph taken by American photographer Bruce Davidson in 1965. Part of the 'Welsh Miners' series, it is one of many taken...
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“Get up, you old sow, you are drunk.” - The Manslaughter of Selina Jones.
On the night of 12th of August 1872, Selina Jones was found dead at her home at Newcastle Hill. It was suspected that her death was caused by series of falls she had earlier that evening but over the...
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Sin-eating & Singing: A Welsh Funeral.
A funeral at Llansteffan - Peoples Collection WalesFrom Ty Corff to Sin-eating, I'll be exploring death, burial and mourning customs/ traditions relating to Wales. Although some of these will seem...
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Death and Cake: St Fagans Death Café.
What is a Death Cafe?In simple terms, a Death Cafe is an event where people meet, eat cake and discuss death. It is an informal get-together and an opportunity to talk about themes that are not often...
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Demented, happy, and useful | Who is Buried Here? - Thomas 'King' Rees
A view of the orginal Angelton Asylum Cemetery.Following my posts about Dr Robert Sloss Stewart, Eleanor Davidson and Francis Hill, I have continued my research into the lives of the other seven...
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Glamorgan History Society | Writing for the Morgannwg Journal
Morgannwg Journal - 1957.In late 2018 I was approached by Lisa Tallis, the Assistant Librarian at Special Collections and Archives at Cardiff University and co-editor of the Morgannwg Journal to write...
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Useful, harmless, and demented | Arthur Henry Banner
A postcard of Angelton Asylum, Bridgend.Those who follow my work will know that I am currently researching and writing about the patients of Glamorgan County Lunatic Asylum. This is my second blogpost...
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'My dearest Sarah' | A Bridgend Love Letter.
Detail of the letter. While going through the National Museum of Wales Collections, I came across a love-letter. Addressed to a 'Miss Sarah Al..' of the 'Glove and Shears, Bridgend', it is posted...
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The Stench is Unbearable | Clark's Inspection of Bridgend.
A view of Bridgend. On the 4th of June 1849, two petitions were sent to the General Board of Health on behalf of the inhabitants of the hamlets of lower Coity and lower Newcastle – what we now know as...
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The Lonely Soldier | Charles William Murphy
The headstone of Pte. Charles William Murphy.Those of you who live locally will know the story of the 'lonely soldier' buried in a 'field' behind Glanrhyd Hospital. People say that he died of...
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An Overdose and Heart Failure | The Deaths of Mrs Yellowlees & Mrs Pringle.
A view of Angelton Asylum. In this blogpost, I explore the lives of two women; Margaret and Jessie. Known simply as Mrs Yellowlees and Mrs Pringle, they were the first wives of Dr David Yellowlees and...
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"a widespread manifestation of public sympathy and sorrow" | Nurse Hannah...
The CWGC War Grave of Nurse Hannah Dunlop Mark.While researching those who died during the First World War, I came across a local woman who was buried in Bridgend Cemetery. Nurse Hannah Dunlop Mark of...
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A Perfect Nuisance | Donald Mortimer Warner.
A view of Glamorgan County Lunatic Asylum (Angelton)In this blogpost, I write about Donald Mortimer Warner. When I read Donald's case-file, I found myself wanting to know how and why this young man...
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Finding Alice Edwards.
In affectionate memory of Alice,The dearly beloved daughter of Charles & Martha Edwards, of The Bush, Died October 19th, Aged 13.Interred at Evancoed Church, October 22nd, 1881.A while ago I...
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A horse skull draped with ribbons | The Mari Lwyd
The Mari Lwyd at St Fagans 2019.The Mari Lwyd is perhaps one of Wales' most well-known folk customs. A horse skull draped with ribbons, the Mari Lwyd (The Grey Mare) often startles those who meet her...
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In Loving Memory • Death Collections at the National Museum of Wales.
Portrait of Mrs William Williams of Caernarfon. It shows her wearing a mourning dress, and a brooch with an image of a man - possibly her husband, Captain Williams. The National Museum of Wales is home...
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"So help me God she won't come down for me again in a hurry."• The Bridgend...
On the night of the 12th of August 1872, Selina Jones was found dead in her home at 34 Newcastle Street. Later known locally as “The Bridgend Murder” - It was initially suspected that her death was...
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"Nothing short of locks or bolts could keep out the lifters."• Welsh Easter...
"I recall the inhabitants of Llangollen, Denbighshire, ascending Dinas Bran on Easter Day to greet the rising of the sun with three somersaults." An account of Easter Sunrise from Rev. John Williams of...
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"If at any time, at any place, and under any circumstances, you can do a good...
John Rankin B.A.For those who attended Bridgend County School, Heol Gam or Brynteg Comprehensive School, John Rankin B.A. will be a familiar name. The first headmaster of Bridgend Intermediate School...
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