Crickhowell 1881

Description

‘This is social history presented in a most powerful and evocative manner … Crickhowell 1881 is a marvellous read and one that will certainly tug at your emotions. … an impressive piece of work’ Brecon & Radnor Express

‘Many themes of wide relevance and resonance are covered in Crickhowell 1881 and, without exception, the stories are told in a sure-footed and engaging way. … Crickhowell 1881 is an excellent book and I strongly recommend it.’ John N Gibbs, Brycheiniog LIII

Saturday, 1 October 1881. About 7 p.m. A young woman stands in the shadows towards the bottom of New Road, in her arms a sleeping child, wrapped in a shawl, its head covered with a red cap. She is exhausted. She has no money and no food, and has spent the last hours trying to comfort her hungry baby. Her name is Alice Dewsbury, she is 19 years old, and in a moment she will make a desperate and irrevocable decision.

Alice’s story is just one of many in this richly detailed and engaging portrait of life in Crickhowell in the late nineteenth century. Beginning with a great snow storm, Crickhowell 1881 takes you through one year in the life of the town; along the way, you meet sweeps and laundresses, hawkers and tramps, poachers and farmers.