New book 'lifts the lid' on local history

A new book by a local author aims to 'lift the lid' on the history of Whitchurch - a North Cardiff suburb which has been the site of conflict, agriculture, and heavy industry over the centuries.

One Man's Whitchurch - A Step Back in Time by Terry Chard is published this weekend (30 November), and it covers parts of Rhiwbina too, as they used to be in Whitchurch parish.

Terry said the book "acts as a reminder of how much history and heritage has been lost and not just lost, but systematically destroyed".

He added: "The main purpose of the book is to share a street level interest in local history so that it bridges the gap between hard-nosed, heavy history research and a more casual, but interesting read.

"It ‘lifts the lid’ on a very complex past in order to reach out to a wider community."

The book describes how the wealth of a few influential people laid the foundations for the North Cardiff areas we know today, but it also exposes the challenges faced by working people.

Terry was born and raised in Whitchurch, and remembers the time when there were still open spaces and farms. And his local roots go deep - he can trace his ancestors living in the area over 200 years ago.

He went to Eglwys Wen School, Whitchurch Grammar School and then University College Cardiff gaining an honours degree in Mechanical Engineering.

His interest in local history was sparked from an early age living close to the old Glamorganshire Canal, the Melingriffith Tin Works and the Taff Vale Railway - his father and grandfathers, between them, worked in all of them.

In the 1980s, he helped colleagues retrace the path of the Glamorganshire Canal from Cardiff Docks to Merthyr.

One Man's Whitchurch is available from Amazon, Kindle, and Waterstones for £14.99 plus delivery. Terry will also be selling copies himself and can be contacted by email onemanswhitchurch@outlook.com or via Facebook.

It will eventually also be available at Rhiwbina, Whitchurch, and Llandaff North Hubs.