The Anorak's Journal

Long before the yellow daffodil became the recognisable symbol of Wales, the humble leek reigned supreme. But what are the other sides to its story? Here are five short anecdotes... King Cadwaladr holding a leek. AN ARMY OF LEEKS The noble leek of Wales begins its story in a boggy field in what is now South Yorkshire. The year is 633 AD and Welsh troops led by King Cadwaladr are preparing for battle against the Northumbrian King Edwin's forces. Legend says that Hatfield Chase, the arena in which this great battle would occur, was brimming with leeks. Seeing this abundance, Cadwaladr had a bright idea. He ordered his men to don the leeks in order to differentiate themselves from the advancing enemy. Cadwaladr's leek-clad army were victorious, and the pungent vegetable became a symbol of Cymric pride and good fortune.   Bust of Emperor Nero. THE EMPEROR WHO ONLY ATE LEEKS The leek's influence was not exclusive to Wales. In Ancient Rome, the vegetable gained celebrity status d...

Spotlight On: In this series, we aim to explore the stories of some interesting characters we've stumbled across and who you might also like to meet. In this instalment, we encounter Mary Elizabeth Williams, Leasowe's last Lighthouse Keeper. Leasowe Lighthouse c.1905. Could this be the Williams family? Credit: Geoff Topp's Postcard Collection. In its 500-year history, Trinity House - the official authority for lighthouses in England and Wales - has never appointed a woman to the post of Principal Keeper . Mersey Docks and Harbour Board adopted an entirely different attitude, appointing Elizabeth Wilding as keeper of Bidston Lighthouse in 1797 after the death of her husband. Leasowe Lighthouse boasted two female principal keepers in the last sixty years of its service: Ann Jones in 1854, and Mary Elizabeth Williams between 1894 and 1908. And so it was, that for the last fourteen years of its active life, Leasowe Lighthouse was expertly manned by a middle-aged single mother...

Over the past two weeks we embarked on an unusual expedition to document the post boxes in our local area and do some research into the history of these cultural landmarks. We thought this would be an interesting and tangible way to learn more about our town and its history.  Along the way we encountered 39 red-faced fellows. Notable mentions included  a  lonely village wall box, a  rebellious black box ,  an ironworks forging the way for the Industrial Revolution,  a dateable Edwardian model,  a nd even a pillar that appears to have been moved to the other side of the road.  We hope you enjoy accompanying us on our casual meander, and that you might be compelled to take a peek at your local box next time you’re out on a wander. Let's begin with a bit of post box history!   A SHORT HISTORY OF THE BRITISH POSTAL SERVICE Penny Black. FIRST CLASS! In a world before online ordering, e-mail, and real-time video calls, writing letters was the only ...