Book Launch

On Saturday December 1st 2001, I launched my book 'Walking Through Time', a history of Cwmdu between 1850 and 1920. 

In about 1990 the Georgian terrace of shop, inn and cottages in Cwmdu was put up for sale following the death of its long-time owner, Miss Annie Griffiths. In preparation for the sale, her executors started to clear out some of the 'rubbish' from the attic. Among the jumble was a pile of letters, some invoice books and a wooden box containing 66 diaries written by various people who lived in the village between 70 and 140 years ago. I was given access to this magical source while I was doing a short course at University of Wales Lampeter in 1992, and was so enthralled by the material that I carried on to do a PhD on the history of Cwmdu. The Book 'Walking Through Time', is the core of that thesis. It takes the form of walks around the Cwmdu Valley, discussing the history of the houses and the lives of the families who lived there in the past in the context of my own life in the valley today. The book launch was held at Providence Cwmdu at the kind invitation of the Chapel members and gave me the opportunity to thank all those people who helped me with my research, by lending me material and recalling incidents from the history of the village. Some of the sources were on display in the Vestry. The day was a huge success, with well over 100 people attending and enjoying the tea provided by villagers and their friends. With his wife Sheila, D. Emrys Williams kindly made the trip from Aberystwyth to introduce the book, and local girls Dawn, Ann and Catrin all helped me with the presentation of the book in its proper environment. It was particularly gratifying that so many people who had helped me with my research traveled to Cwmdu for the day, in particular Glanville and Gareth Thomas, Jennifer Duncan, Ann Goddard and Catherine Nash. My only regret is that I could not spend time talking to them as I was too busy signing books! Thanks to everyone who made the day so special; I hope you all enjoy the book!

Kate Arblaster    February 2002

Dydd Sadwrn,Rhagfyr Isaf 2001 lansiais fy llyfr 'Walking Through Time',hanes Cwmdu 1850 a 1920.

Tua 1990 daeth y terras Sioraidd gan gynnwys y siop, tafarn a bythynnod yhg Hghwmdu ar werth ar ol marwolaeth y perchennog olaf hir dymor, Miss Annie Griffiths. Wrth baratoi'r arwerthiant, dechreuodd yr ysgutorion glirio peth o'r rwbel o'r atig. Ymhlith y gybolfa yr oedd pentwr o lythrau, rhai llyfrau, anfonebion a blwch pren yn cynnwys 66 o ddyddiaduron a ysgrifenwyd gan wahanol bobl a drigai yn y pentref rhwng 70 a 140 o flynyddoedd un ol. Cefais y fraint o ddarllen y ffynhonnell hudol hon tra oeddwn yn dilyn cwrs byr ym Mhrifysgol Cymru, Llanbedr-pont-Steffan ym 1992, ac f'e'm gweffreiddwtd gymaint gan y duenydd nes i mi fynd ymlaen i ddilyn cwrs PhD ar hanes Cwmdu.

Y llyfr 'Walking Through Time' yw craidd y traethawd ymchwil hwnnw. Y mae ar ffurf' teithiau o gwmpas dyffryn Cwmdu, gan drafod hanes y tai bywyd y teuluoedd a drigai yno yn y gorffennol yng nghyswllt fy mywyd fy hunan yn y dyffryn heddiw.

Lansiwyd y llyfr yng nghapel Providence, Cwmdu ar wahoddiad caredig aelodau'r capel a rhoddodd yr achlysur gyfle imi ddiolch i'r holl bobl a'm cynorthwyodd gyda'r gwaith ymchwil trwy roi benthyg deunydd i mi a thrwy son am ddigwyddiadau o orffenol y pentref. Arddangoswydrhai o'r ffynonellau yn y Festri.

i gyflwyno'r llyfr a chefais gymorth tair o ferched lleol Dawn,Ann a Catrin gyda chyflwyniad y llyfr yn ei wir gynefin. Pleser o'r mwyaf oedd gweld cymaint o bobl a roddodd gymorth gyda'm  gwaith ymchwil wedi teithio i Gwmdu am y dydd, yn enwedig Glanville a Gareth Thomas, Jenniffer Duncan, Ann Goddard a Catherine Nash. Fy unig ofid yw na allwn dreulio amser i sgwrsio a hwy am fy mod yn rhy brysur yn llofnodi llyfrau!