1963 - above and below - 2 views of the Penarth Dock Basin during January of that freezing winter. The boats are ice bound and the large chunks of ice would make a trip rather treacherous in most wooden hulled craft. Although not exactly of titanic proportions, the sea ice was nevertheless extremely hazardous that winter to many classes of shipping throughout the Severn Sea and Bristol Channel sea areas.

Both of these wonderful photographs are part of a collection by Mary Gillham. 'Dr Mary Gillham MBE (1921 – 2013) was a pioneering female naturalist and prolific wildlife author, who took an active interest in our natural heritage for over 50 years. In 1959 she was part of the first Antarctic expedition to include women, and in 2008 she was awarded an MBE for services to nature conservation. She spent many years educating people about their natural heritage, as a lecturer for Cardiff University, and campaigned tirelessly for nature conservation throughout her life.' Many thanks to Alan Reeve at the South East Wales Biodiversity Records Centre (SEWBReC) - www.sewbrec.org.uk - for permission to use these images on the Penarth Dock website. [048] [634] [635] [20180215]