News

Between the mid 1840s and late 1860s about 5,000 Welsh people, inspired by the Mormon faith, left Wales to start a new life in the far west of the United States. In Welsh Saints on the Mormon Trail, written by Wil Aaron, the story is told of their journey by ox-carts and on foot from the Mississippi and the Missouri to Salt Lake City, and of their subsequent lives in Utah.  read more

2019 was the year that Wales climbed to the Number 1 spot in the world rugby rankings for the first time ever, knocking the All Blacks off the top for the first time in 10 years. It was also the year of the first Rugby World Cup to be held in Japan, and the year that Wales’ respected and much-loved Head Coach Warren Gatland’s period in charge came to an end. Gatland’s Last Bow: Wales in Japan 2019 is the inside story of Wales’ campaign at the Rugby World Cup, as witnessed by ITV journalist Richard Morgan.  read more

Photographs from the Gresford mining disaster, the drowning of Capel Celyn, Lloyd George’s funeral and many other iconic moments in twentieth century Wales are published for the first time in an English book by Y Lolfa.  read more

In a sport full of characters, Glenn Webbe was one of rugby union’s most colourful and his character shines through in a new autobiography, entitled Glenn Webbe: The Gloves Are Off which has just been released.  read more

Everyone in Wales swells with pride to think of the amazing achievement of Bale, Allen, Ledley, Ramsey and co. in getting to the semi-finals at Euro 2016. Hardcore Wales football fans will also talk of the 1958 squad that included Ivor Allchurch and Mel and John Charles and made it to the quarter-finals of the World Cup. But what about the boys of 1976? Wales’ strangely unsung success of the 1976 European Championships is finally celebrated in a new book by Nick Burnell – Trailing Clouds of Glory: Welsh Football’s Forgotten Heroes of 1976, which fêtes the success and achievement of a group of people who restored pride in the Welsh football jersey. The book is also the Books Council of Wales’ Book of the Month for November 2019.  read more

The most comprehensive study of Wales’ maritime history ever commissioned, taking over a decade to research and produce – sees publication this week. Entitled Wales and the Sea: 10,000 years of Welsh Maritime History, the volume delves into every aspect of Wales’ connection with the sea, from earliest history to the present day: from archaeology to paintings and poetry, from naval history to seaside holidays.  read more

The author of an unusual new handy pocket-sized book is hoping to use humour to inspire people to learn a few basic bits of Cornish. Unlike many traditional phrasebooks, Teach your Dog Cornish, shows that learning useful expressions doesn’t have to be boring or daunting, and makes picking up a few basics accessible to everyone – and Dawn French is already a fan, commenting: “At last, my dog and I will be able to understand each other!”  read more

This week sees the publication of In Passing: A Welshman’s bizarre adventures from Merthyr to Mecca by distinguished Welsh academic, Professor Randall Baker.  read more

According to the Top Gear television programme, the Black Mountain road, the A4069, between Brynaman and Gwynfe in the Brecon Beacons National Park is, ‘Five of the most memorable miles you can drive in any country.’ In 2019 this road, with its hairpin bends, dips, twists, climbs and amazing views of the surrounding countryside, celebrates its 200th anniversary.  read more

This week sees the publication of a book of delicious vegetarian and vegan recipes from the hugely successful catering company No Bones Jones. No Bones Jones: Festival Cookbook shines a spotlight on the authentic, wholesome vegetarian and vegan food that the company supplies to festivalgoers across the UK.  read more