Welsh Journals

Search over 450 titles and 1.2 million pages

CADW'S GUIDE TO SOME GOWER ANCIENT MONUMENTS The castles at Oxwich, Weobley, Loughor and Swansea, together with the neolithic chambered tomb in Green Cwm, Parkmill, are all in the care of Cadw, the Wales Ancient Monuments body. All of these are very fully described in a Cadw guide, written by Dr Diane Williams and published for the first time in 1998. The book has many illustrations photographs, plans and reconstruction drawings which give a comprehensive and detailed view of the four castles and the ancient tomb, together with other related sites in the area. A number of early illustrations of the castles and people associated with them are also reproduced. The production standard is very high and with the clear descriptive text this new multiple guide is exceptionally good value at a mere £ 2.50 per copy. It can be purchased locally at Oxwich or Weobley Castles during normal opening hours. CLYNE WOOD A LANDSCAPE HISTORY The journal Studia Celtica (formerly The Bulletin of the Board of Celtic Studies) may not be seen on the news-stands, but it can be found in local reference libraries and volume XXXI (1997) includes an interesting article by David K. Leighton, of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales, entitled 'The Land-use History of Clyne Wood and the Evolution of the Clyne Landscape'. This examines the documentary and physical evidence for the way in which the features on the western side of the valley, which runs from Blackpill to Killay and forms the natural boundary of the Gower peninsula, evolved. The author considers historical influences, agricultural and industrial, over what is now a large part of the Country Park and his study area also extends to the land covered by Clyne Farm and the Clyne Activity Centre. The article stresses the care needed to avoid inadvertent damage to such historic land- scapes when development (even on a small scale, and even for amenity purposes) is considered. Apart from such important matters, this article can also add to the interest and enjoyment of a walk through a very attractive area.