North Ceredigion and West Montgomeryshire was well-known in Victorian times for its metal mining. The main producing area was bounded by the villages Talybont, Dylife, Van, Cwmystwyth and Pontrhydfendigaid. The produce was ore in the form of galena (lead sulphide) and zinc blende (zinc sulphide). Silver was found in the lead ore. Copper ore – […]
After a few years of waiting, I am now delighted to announce the prequel to ‘Forest Brothers’ and book 1 of the Estonian trilogy. Entitled ‘Finnish Boys’, it tells the story of an estranged family of three Estonians, beginning with the night of the ‘Red Terror’ – when the Soviets rounded up 10,000 people from […]
In the hinterlands of North Ceredigion lie many ruins of a long lost industry. The crumbling grey walls of buildings with the occasional large mounds of grey stone. Small man-made lakes and miles and miles of water channels in the hillsides, all point to a part reclaimed industrial landscape. These are testament to a concerted […]
A quick update, that my latest novel, ‘The Turn of the Wheel’ is due for official release on January 31st. The first of the novels charting the story of Owain Thomas, a young lead miner at the Frongoch lead mine, in Mid Wales. Owain is the father of Dafydd, the protagonist in the railway novels. […]
As with previous novels, I kick-off the process with some information in the form of an interview Q. A new novel, that was quick! A. It seems that way, doesn’t it. However, ‘The Long Way Home’ was actually released in September. It may appear to be newer than that, but a combination of me learning […]
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The Turn of the Wheel
I am very pleased to announce the release of my latest novel on January 31st. The Turn of the Wheel is set in a small lead mining community, near Pontrhydygroes, about 12 miles east of Aberystwyth in the Ystwyth Valley. The story is that of Owain Thomas and begins with his first day underground at […]
At the end of ‘The Long Way Home’, Dafydd Thomas is involved in a railway accident at Abermule. This is based on a real event that happened one hundred years ago this month. As the last of a series of blog posts giving background to the novel, it is only fitting to put a spotlight […]
According to the history books, the Great War ended on November 11th 1918. We commemorate this every year on Armistice Day, which has become a focal point for remembrance of all people killed in war. However, the Long Way Home has a scene taking place at the point of the armistice. This is a deliberate […]
In The Long Way Home, the story focusses on Dafydd Thomas’ journey through the Great War in the Railway Operating Division – and his emotional ties back home. He is posted to the western front at a depot in Poperinge. This was one of only two Belgian towns not invaded during the war and was […]
Some more snippets: One factor that grew in this country in the early years of the Great war, was the nationalistic fervor for which it was received. A combination of jingoistic press, advertising campaigns and peer pressure. People from all walks of life joined and recruitment centres sprang up in all towns. As a rule, […]