Penarth Dock, South Wales - the heritage and legacy

Volume Twelve - Pre-Victorian to the Present Day - further aspects - Even More Moments Captured in Time - [vintage photo and postcard album] . . .


Free Library & St. John's Church, Cardiff - A hand-coloured postcard view of the Hayes complete with the statue of Mr. John Batchelor 'The Friend of Freedom' which was erected in 1886 just four years after the library was opened. Mr Batchelor was a founding Director of the Penarth Shipbuilding and Ship Repairing Company and hence, an important element of the story of Penarth Dock. [001] The first free library in Wales, i.e. one open to the general public, was established by subscription in Cardiff circa. 1860 in a room above the entrance to the Royal Arcade. The library in the Hayes opened in 1882 and served the community for over a century.


Cardiff, Free Library - A Valentine's Series postcard ; originally a daytime photograph which was hand-coloured to mimic a moonlight view! Interestingly, this postcard, post-dated January 1903, is addressed to the 'Daily Mirror' at 12 Whitefriars Street, E.C. and the message reads 'I should suggest Great Portland Hall'. It is from a H. Berry of Ivydale Road, Nunhead, E.C. Another piece of social history held within the Penarth Dock Collection. [001]


Cardiff. St. John's Church - A postcard view further up the Hayes - St. John the Baptist's Church, which was founded in the 12th Century, is seen left. The original church was destroyed when Owain ap Gruffydd, more comminly known as Owain Glyndŵr, sacked Cardiff in 1404 and the church was almost destroyed, although a small section of the original survives to this day. The passageway through the graveyard used to frighten me as a child! Another heritage postcard from the Penarth Dock Collection. [001]