Welsh History

At a time when awareness of local history and local history sources, become more popular and widely available, it is refreshing to re-examine a local classic.

The History of the Hamlet of Gellideg deals with a very important area of the County Borough of Merthyr Tydfil and overflows with local information and detail. The author, Fred Pedlar, was absorbed by local activities and kept meticulous lists of events. He uses his exhaustive files and knowledge to take us on a fascinating historical tour of his beloved hamlet. The style is very personal and surprisingly fresh and the content is outstanding. It puts meat on the bones of history.

There have been many excellent books about the history of Merthyr Tydfil but if you read nothing else, read this!

ISBN 1-899025-12-X £11.95

The publisher of the 1894 reprint of this work described it as 'unpretentious' and reprinted it because of 'wishes generally expressed'. It is not difficult to understand why this book has attracted such attention. Quite simply, no page fails to interest even a casual reader. It is concise, readable and authoritative.

Over 100 years after the last reprint of A Guide to Merthyr Tydfil, local historians have suggested that it should be returned to print and Cardiff Academic Press has responded to these requests.

The book provides an unfailingly fascinating glimpse into Merthyr Tydfil in the last century. Through its pages, we can share in the fund of information and stories about the town which were gathered by T. E. Clark. Anyone with an interest in local or Welsh history will be delighted by this book.

ISBN 1-899025-01-4 £7.95