Friday, August 31, 2012

John Woodcock’s Tenby Shops 1870-1970 launched at historic museum

Jumbo Editorial Team

Tenby, meaning little town of the fishes or little fortress of the fish, is a walled seaside town in Pembrokeshire, South West Wales, on the west side of Carmarthen Bay. Its notable features include 2.5 miles of sandy beaches, the 13th century medieval town walls, including the Five Arches barbican gatehouse, the 15th century St Mary's Church and a museum with art gallery.

The famous Tenby Museum and Art Gallery, the oldest independent museum in Wales having being set up in 1878, was the venue of the launch of a new publication, Professor John Woodcock’s Tenby Shops 1870-1970, on August 29. 

The event was extremely well attended and Woodcock’s book, researched in great detail and written over five years, proved very popular. 

In his opening remarks, Woodcock shared with the audience that he had found the experience of bringing the book to fruition ‘hugely rewarding’ and that he had enjoyed the whole process.

He revealed that he and his family had first come to Pembrokeshire in 1975 and had fallen in love with Tenby immediately, calling it ‘one of the most beautiful places we had ever seen’. 

Woodcock recalled that he had started collecting local guide books and had become fascinated by the old photographs and advertisements for the town’s shops and his researches had extended from there. 

He acknowledged his family for their patience and support, the local people for their time taken to impart their knowledge and memories and the museum staff for their assistance, particularly Kevin Thomas whose help had been invaluable. The book is available for purchase in the museum shop.

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