Llandrindod's Timelord
Last updated: 30 August 2006
Joel Williams from Llandrindod Wells published his second volume capturing Llandrindod Wells' forgotten past in 2006. Voices of Llandrindod Wells takes a thematic approach to create a vivid and colourful picture of the history of the town. Read more about Joel's research below.
Article written by Joel Williams from Llandrindod Wells
"I've lived in Llandrindod Wells since I was 3 years old. My parents moved here in 1973. When I was 16 I was given an old photograph of Sheik Audi. Sheik Audi used to have a business in town and is buried in the town. That's how I caught the history bug. I thought there must be more mysteries of Llandrindod Wells.
I got talking to people in the street. At 19 I worked in the local Spar and got talking to the elderly people. I used to write down their memories on pieces of till roll - quick notes about their childhood. I kept the receipts and many years later gathered them all together.
Now I go and speak to the elderly people. I go around collectors fairs collecting old postcards and I also use Powys Archives. I record interviews on to a tape recorder and transcribe the material. I then try and find pictures to illustrate the words.
The first volume took nearly five years to complete. The second volume has taken between two and three years.
The book is self-published. I was helped by Derek Morgan and I also did some study at Coleg Powys to learn how to use a computer and a scanner.
The book is available from The Lakeside Craft Shop. 600 copies were published and each copy is individually numbered. The first volume raised over £7000 for charity.
Sometimes I feel like Dr Who, a time lord who's spent a lot of time in other historical dimensions!"
Article written by Joel Williams by Llandrindod Wells
your comments
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Phil Lloyd
I read the book i was very empressed with the old pictures of old builings which i didn't know which excisited in llandrindod. and the history of people'ss memories of Llandrindod.
D.A.I. Morgan Llandod
I think Joel Williams New Volume 2 is great.And nice to see some different photographs which I have never seen before. Here's to Volume 3!!
Do you have any special memories of Llandrindod Wells? Have you read Joel's book? Add your comments below:
