GOOD MEN AND TRUE: THE LIVES AND TALES OF THE SHEPHERDS OF MID WALES. By Erwyd Howells.

(2005) 2005 2nd printing. 8vo (173 x 247mm). Pp224. B/w photographs. Laminated boards, issued without a dust-wrapper.

Tales and profiles of the shepherds of mid-Wales. The author, who has spent his working life as a shepherd in the north of Ceredigion, "feels deeply rooted in, and passionately attached to, this mountainous area and is well-known locally as a multi-talented and colourful character. He is a natural and skilful shepherd, and breeder and trainer of Welsh sheepdogs and Border Collies; he avidly and passionately researches local and family history; he is a collector of many things - including old Welsh sayings that are fast disappearing, sheep ear marks, old photographs, and old agricultural tools; he lectures to people of all ages on topics such as the pre-drowning history of the area that is now under the Nant-y-Moch reservoir; and he is also the outgoing and enthusiastic caller at many local folk dances. ...Good Men and True is the culmination of all the listening, observation, enquiring and researching that the author has done in the course of many years working as a hill-shepherd and wet winter days spent in the National Library of Wales. Above all, people - especially those from a hill or rural background - are of great interest to him, and he takes every opportunity to pay tribute to those that were born, lived, loved and died in their native area." Contents include:- Dafydd Lewis; Thomas and William Pugh, Bodtalog; Jim Pugh; John Davies, Hirnant, Cwm Elan; Lewis Rees; Margaret Jane Rees; Edward Bonner Rees; Frank Pugh; Richard Rees; Dafydd Evans, Esgair Wen; Alfred Edwards; Predators; Thomas Emanuel, Lluest-dol-gwiail; Thomas Rhuddnant Morgan; Ifor Edwards; John Lewis, Tymawr; Tom Williams; Snowstorms; 1981/82; Hugh Edward Griffiths; William Hugh Griffiths; Pigs; Over-night houses (Tai Unos); Postmen; Isaac Richard Howells; Gathering sheep for marking; John Davies; 'Pay' Bissett; Eisteddfa Gurig; Hengwm-annedd; Tommy Morgan; Richard Morgan (Dick Hengwm); John Jenkin Morgan; Shearing; Shearing food; Identification of sheep; Dogs; Sheepdog trials; Charles Evans; David Richards, Hyddgen; Nant-y-Moch; John Lewis Jones; Dafydd and Mary Ann Owen; John Owen; Quarrels; Tommy Hughes.