Welsh Journals

The 'Call to the Valleys' programme for 1975 produced, among other interesting projects, The South Wales Valleys in History: a Guide to Literature by Alun Morgan (privately published, 1975; pp. 46, 75p plus 20p postage and packing). This is an excellent bibliography on historical literature covering the south Wales valleys. It includes sections on Bibliographies, Periodicals, Newspapers, Histories of specific areas, Biographies, and secondary works dealing with Education, Industrial and Labour History, Politics, Religion and Social Studies. All in all, 535 titles are listed, while there is also full cross-referencing. Not the least valuable feature is an introductory section by Mr. Morgan which suggests where particular items might be obtained. Anyone concerned with the history of south Wales since the advent of industrialization should purchase this admirable guide: incidentally, it is pleasing to see the WELSH HISTORY REVIEW so amply represented in its pages. The guide is obtainable from 'Call to the Valleys', Ty Toronto, 55 Aberfan Road, Aberfan, Merthyr Tydfil, CF48 4QJ, Mid-Glamorgan. Cheques should be payable to Ty Toronto Contingency a/c. The enterprising Gwynedd Archives Service, whose projects have frequently featured in these pages, has now produced a splendid selection of photographs relating to the history of the national eisteddfod, ranging from the Portmadoc eisteddfod of 1872 to that of Carmarthen, 1974. Along with extracts from programmes and from minute books, there are some dramatic photographic illustrations of eisteddfodic sessions. None is more imposing than that of Lloyd George, newly-appointed Minister of Munitions, addressing the Bangor eisteddfod in August 1915. Interestingly, this booklet concludes with a photograph of the crowned bard in 1974-Lloyd George's nephew, W. R. P. George: of course, the 1975 eisteddfod was held in Criccieth. Plus ca change. This attractive booklet is available from the Gwynedd Archives Service, Council Offices, Caernarvon, price 50p. Under the same auspices was published Caernarfon, yr Hen Dref; the Old Town (1975, £ 1.25), a fascinating collection of early photographs compiled by Cledwyn Flynn-Hughes, Bryn Parry and Robert Williams, which powerfully evoke memories of the Victorian and Edwardian eras. Mrs. Sunter Harrison's Four Baronets of Emral and Emral Hall (1974) and The Early Pulestons (1975) trace the history of the Puleston family of Emral Hall, Worthenbury, Maelor Saesneg, which retained the estate almost continuously from 1284 to 1936. The first of these volumes describes the architectural features of the Hall in some detail, and also the careers of the four baronets between 1765 and 1896. The second traces the early members of the Puleston family from the thirteenth century to the sixteenth. Attractively produced, with many vivid illustrations, these volumes are available from 26 Chester Road, Wrexham, Clwyd, at £ 1.00 and £ 1.50 respectively.