New Book Out Now

Legends and Folklore of Bridgend and The Vale is written by Graham Loveluck-Edwards. It is a compendium of twenty-six amazing  stories based on myths, legends, superstitions, customs, ghost stories and tales of the supernatural originating from the counties of Bridgend and The Vale of Glamorgan on the South Wales coast (UK). 

It includes all the favourite and well known stories based on historical fact; such as the ship wreckers of Dunraven, the story of the eighteenth century, mass murdering highwayman - Cap Coch, the pirates and smugglers of Barry Island, Sully, Aberthaw and Porthcawl, the lost city of Kenfig and many more.

It also tells a wealth of lesser known ones like the dragons of Penllyn and Penmark, when the Devil terrified travellers on the road to Cowbridge and in a pub in Maesteg, when the streets of Llantwit Major were plundered by rioters, the sacred well of Newton, the miracles performed by St Cadoc and St Illtyd and all the local ghost stories such as the haunting of the white lady of Ewenny and the spectres of Second World War RAF Airmen in Stormy Down and Llandow. 

To give the reader further insight into these great stories, many are balanced against a backdrop of historical context and where possible, information about the origins of the stories and their authors. Authors like Sir Edward Stradling and Iolo Morganwg. They were characters as colourful and fascinating as the stories them selves.

The book also looks at folklore, customs and superstitions native to our counties. Such as ancient cures and remedies, ways to get the object of your desires to fall hopelessly in love with you and how people safe guarded their homes in Bridgend and the Vale of Glamorgan in days gone by, to protect them from evil spirits and bad luck.

The final chapter is dedicated to the origins of some of the more interesting place names in the region. Such as Rhoose, Dinas Powys and Llancarfan. They are not what they might seem to be.

Every chapter is accompanied by photography and hand drawn illustrations by local artist and photographer; Jessica Loveluck-Edwards.