Book Launch - 'A Trek' by Stuart Batcup
Book Launch
'A Trek through Old Mumbles and Thistleboon – A History'
The ‘Official Book Launch’ will take place in All Saints' Church
on Thursday 16th June 2022 at 7 for 7.30
If you can’t wait until 16th June, copies of the Book are on sale at ‘Cover to Cover’ 58 Newton Road, and Stuart will be pleased to sign them on the night.
The book explores a sometimes under-represented history of Thistleboon and Old Mumbles, Stuart Batcup takes the reader on a chatty, yet scholarly and well-researched trawl through Old Mumbles and its environs. A witty and thorough examination of the etymology of Thistleboon - a derivative of Pissle Bourn (water spout), bowdlerised to Ffistle, then Thistle - exemplifies this approach. –
Functioning as a social document, a hyperlocal travelogue, part-personal memoir, part-erudite history, the author's close ties to the area bring a warmth to this welcome addition to Mumbles history.
The profits are to go toward the Organ Restoration Fund
The 'Pre - Launch'
It was with bated breath that we awaited the copies of the Book of this name in time for the ‘Pre-launch’ presentation for parishioners arranged to take place at Mumbles Cricket Club on 24th May. Fortunately, it arrived in the nick of time, and the 70+ parishioners who attended were not disappointed at this first ‘social event’ organized by the Parish in over two years. The profits are to go toward the Organ Restoration Fund and as over 60 copies of the Book were sold a good start was made.
The ‘Official Launch’ will take place in the Church on Thursday 16th June 2022 at 7 for 7.30, and we hope that those who were not able to come on 24th May will come in their numbers with friends and relatives. There will be another visual Presentation and our Director of Music, Hywel will put the Organ through its paces with a rendering of Widor’s Toccata.
The event will have a touch of the Queen’s Jubilee about it as Stuart’s ‘partner in mischief’, ‘Big’ Keith Harris has turned up some photos of the Thistleboon Coronation Party which took place 69 years ago in June 1953. There is an account of it in Part 10 of the Book and on the History of Mumbles website ‘A 1950’s Thistleboon Childhood’ where Stuart recalled that a highlight was the arrival of Peter Harris and Les Wastell as the Queen and Prince Philip. The two photos now received prove that Stuart’s memory was not quite right!
The photos were taken outside Nos 2 and 3 Higher Lane, Thistleboon before Peter and Les processed with their entourage down to the Central Hall on the Parade for the party. As you will see Peter was dressed as the Mayor and Les as the Mayoress and someone with a dustbin lid seems to have taken on the role of ‘Town Crier’. Has anyone any ideas as to who else can be spotted in those photos?
This photo was taken outside Nos 2 and 3 Higher Lane, Thistleboon before Peter and Les processed with their entourage down to the Central Hall on the Parade for the party. As you will see Peter was dressed as the Mayor and Les as the Mayoress and someone with a dustbin lid seems to have taken on the role of ‘Town Crier’. Has anyone any ideas as to who else can be spotted in those photos?
If you can’t wait until 16th June, copies of the Book are on sale at ‘Cover to Cover’ 58 Newton Road, and Stuart will be pleased to sign them on the night.