Jack Davies
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tongwynlais.bsky.social
Jack Davies
@tongwynlais.bsky.social
210 followers 130 following 210 posts
Art, local history, photography and adventures around Tongwynlais and Castell Coch in Cardiff, Wales. Running the #CardiffTrails
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tongwynlais.bsky.social
Jack Davies @tongwynlais.bsky.social · Nov 15
I write about Tongwynlais on tongwynlais.com and Castell Coch on castellcoch.com
I also run up hills and share photos on cardifftrails.com
Castell Coch nestled in woodland with a blue sky.
tongwynlais.bsky.social
Some recent views of Castell Coch from the iron bridge.
November 12, 2025 at 3:13 PM
tongwynlais.bsky.social
Castell Coch in World War II

castellcoch.com/2024/11/11/c...
Castell Coch in World War II
The history of Castell Coch in World War II was, and still is, a bit of a mystery. I spoke to a volunteer in the castle recently and she mentioned that they knew very little about this period of it…
castellcoch.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:12 AM
tongwynlais.bsky.social
Tongwynlais War Memorial

tongwynlais.com/2019/10/16/t...
Tongwynlais War Memorial
2018 marked the centenary of the 1st World War and the inter-war period saw the creation of many local memorials to those who served. I visited St Michael’s Church to take a look at the tribu…
tongwynlais.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:41 AM
Reposted by Jack Davies
walesingames.com
#NinoKuni 2 features a few #Welsh references, one of which is Lofty and his lovely south Walian dialect, played by Owain Arthur.

#Cymraeg is present for the location of Cwsg-y-Ddraig (The Sleeping Dragon), and we also have the gloriously Welsh "Proper Tidy" Ring and Pendant.

#Wales #Cymru
November 7, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Reposted by Jack Davies
crowdcymru.bsky.social
Happy #WorldDigitalPreservationDay! 🎉
We harness the exceptional knowledge of individuals across Wales – and beyond - to help improve information about, and access to, historic collections 🎉
#digitalarchives #volunteerproject #WDPD2025 #preservation🎉
Image shows collage of the Crowd Cymru project logo surrounded by logos of all project partners - Bangor University Libraries and Archives, Cardiff University Special Collections & Archives , Carmarthenshire Archives, Conwy Archives, Glamorgan Archives, Gwent Archives, National Library Wales, Swansea University Libraries & Archives and University of Wales Trinity St Davids Special Collections and Archives.
November 6, 2025 at 12:10 PM
tongwynlais.bsky.social
Walking in the woods today.

tongwynlais.com/visit/forest-fawr

#Tongwynlais #FforestFawr
Sunlight casting shadows on autumn leaves in Fforest Fawr, Tongwynlais
November 2, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Reposted by Jack Davies
walesingames.com
Looking for the perfect Welsh-themed video game to play this Halloween weekend?

Here are five titles featuring #Welsh content that are ideal for the spooky season occasion!

walesingames.com/2025/10/31/w...
Welsh Content Video Games Perfect for Halloween - Wales in Games
Forget Resident Evil and Silent Hill. Try something different this year with these Welsh content video games that are ideal for the spooky season.
walesingames.com
October 31, 2025 at 7:51 PM
tongwynlais.bsky.social
If you're looking for a Halloween read, check out "The Recluse Rules" by @edtechie.bsky.social

www.amazon.co.uk/Recluse-Rule...
Front cover of the book, "The Recluse Rules" by Martin Weller. The design is a grey background with a selection of items related to the book illustrated in red.
October 31, 2025 at 11:57 AM
tongwynlais.bsky.social
Spooky sightings at Castell Coch! 🧟

tongwynlais.com/halloween

#HappyHalloween #CalanGaeafHapus
A photo composition of Castell Coch courtyard with zombie hands rising from the ground, which is covered in mist. The sky is red with bats flying overhead.
October 31, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Reposted by Jack Davies
crowdcymru.bsky.social
Happy #Halloween! Here’s the start of a spooky tale from a collection of #CardiffUniversity College Magazines handwritten by students throughout the 1880s and currently being transcribed by our intrepid volunteers.
“One day there called at a hotel in a quiet little town a stranger…” #EYAMonsters👻
Image shows detail of a page from Cardiff University College Magazine dated February 1887. The handwritten page - text as follows: A GHOST STORY Some years ago a story was told me which was said to have foundation in fact. It was a ghost story and is a very good haul for those who do not believe in the existence of these shadowy beings. The outlines of the tale only remain to me, and I shall endeavour to fill them in as best I can. One day there called at a hotel in a quiet little town a stranger… Collection held at Cardiff University Special Collections & Archives.
October 31, 2025 at 9:04 AM
tongwynlais.bsky.social
Some recent spooky creations.

tongwynlais.com/halloween

#FforestFawr #CastellCoch #Tongwynlais #Halloween
An edited photo that shows Fforest Fawr with Castell Coch in the distance. The woods include bats, a spectral figure, flaming torches and spooky mist. An edited photo of Castell Coch that has a large moon and bats. Contains text, "Cast-Hell Coch".
October 30, 2025 at 8:08 PM
tongwynlais.bsky.social
The Ghosts of Greenmeadow.

tongwynlais.com/2023/10/31/t...

#Halloween #Tongwynlais
Photo edit that shows the old Greenmeadow mansion in Tongwynlais under a spooky sky and large moon with bats swarming overhead.
October 30, 2025 at 10:54 AM
tongwynlais.bsky.social
It's spooky season...

tongwynlais.com/halloween

#PixelTon
Pixel art illustration of the Lewis Arms with a trick or treater. Pixel art illustration of a shop in Tongwynlais with a ghost and pumpkin outside.
October 30, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Reposted by Jack Davies
inksplott.bsky.social
Next May, people of Wales will take to the polls to elect their Senedd members. If you have no idea what the Senedd is, what it does or the changes to the electoral system, pop to Splott Community Volunteers this Tuesday for a drop-in with Senedd staff. www.inksplott.co.uk/the-senedd-c...
The Senedd comes to Splott | Inksplott
The free event takes place on Tuesday 28th October from 6pm-7:30pm at the STAR Centre and will feature a presentation from Members of the the Senedd Engagement team.
www.inksplott.co.uk
October 27, 2025 at 5:54 PM
tongwynlais.bsky.social
With a blog that's now 13 years old, I often go back and read old posts. (I also take the time to update the post and remove old links if necessary.)

Back in 2016 I interviewed Dewi Griffiths. He was a real gentleman and it was lovely listening to him reminisce.

tongwynlais.com/2016/03/25/r...
Radio Legend Dewi Griffiths Opens the New Lewis Arms
Although I missed the official ribbon cutting of the newly refurbished Lewis Arms, I did manage to speak to the honoured ribbon cutter and radio legend Dewi Griffiths. Dewi is best known for the lo…
tongwynlais.com
October 24, 2025 at 8:00 PM
tongwynlais.bsky.social
The Glamorganshire Canal at Tongwynlais

tongwynlais.com/2025/10/24/t...

#TonHistory
Old photo of the canal in Tongwynlais with illustrations of canal boat designs and registration plates.
October 24, 2025 at 4:51 PM
tongwynlais.bsky.social
The Glamorganshire Canal at Tongwynlais

tongwynlais.com/2025/10/24/t...
The Glamorganshire Canal at Tongwynlais
The Glamorganshire Canal was devised by the ironmasters of Merthyr Tydfil to transport their goods from the valleys to Cardiff. Construction of the canal began in 1790 and the final section that li…
tongwynlais.com
October 24, 2025 at 7:25 AM
Reposted by Jack Davies
bobsrailrelics.co.uk
📹New Video 📹.
A wander from Radyr Station, via the weir, around Forest Farm nature reserve, to look at ten industrial relics. Canals, railways, and more. And the sun was shining 🌟
Around Radyr Weir - Ten Industrial Relics
Railways, canals, bridges, locks and some level crossing gates hidden in the undergrowth. 10 things to see around Radyr Weir if you are in the area. Map can be downloaded from Bobsrailrelics.co.uk…
youtu.be
October 21, 2025 at 3:05 PM
tongwynlais.bsky.social
I popped into the new Lego store and noticed this pixel art illustration of the Clock Tower at Cardiff Castle (left).

Having recently produced a series of illustrations of Cardiff landmarks, I couldn't resist creating my own version (right).

#CardiffInPixels #LegoCardiff
Two pixel art illustrations of the Clock Tower at Cardiff Castle. One is from the Lego store in Cardiff, the other is my version.
October 22, 2025 at 2:42 PM
tongwynlais.bsky.social
Anyone still addicted to Balatro?

#LordBute #Balatro #PixelArt
Pixel art illustration of a playing card with Lord Bute on it in the style of the "Balatro" videogame.
October 17, 2025 at 7:10 PM
tongwynlais.bsky.social
I had an idea for a MOC...

Read more about Pumba - bute-park.com/project/pumba/

#CardiffInLego #LegoCardiff #ButePark #LegoMOC
October 16, 2025 at 8:21 PM
tongwynlais.bsky.social
Castell Coch by Mary Traynor

castellcoch.com/2025/01/29/c...

#MaryTraynor
Castell Coch by Mary Traynor
I’ve been aware of Mary Traynor’s work for a number of years but only recently picked up a copy of her book about Cardiff. It includes a chapter dedicated to Castell Coch with a couple …
castellcoch.com
October 16, 2025 at 9:35 AM
tongwynlais.bsky.social
Does anyone recognise this artwork of Cardiff Castle?

#CardiffInPixels
A pixel art illustration of Cardiff Castle with text, "Cardiff in Pixels".
October 15, 2025 at 2:21 PM
tongwynlais.bsky.social
I've been playing Absolum, from @dotemu.bsky.social, and loving it!

I took a break to create this illustration of my favourite character, Cider.
Pixel art illustration of Cider from the videogame "Absolum".
October 12, 2025 at 10:47 AM
tongwynlais.bsky.social
Castell Coch was featured in Country Life magazine in 1962. Architectural writer Mark Girouard took readers on a tour of the famous Welsh landmark over two issues.

castellcoch.com/2022/05/25/c...

#WorldArchitectureDay #Cadw #Tongwynlais
Castell Coch in Country Life – Part 1
Castell Coch was featured in Country Life magazine 60 years ago this month. Architectural writer Mark Girouard took readers on a tour of the famous Welsh landmark over two issues beginning on 10th …
castellcoch.com
October 6, 2025 at 11:27 AM