An account of the connection between the Welsh people and the sea over the centuries, in the fields of fishing and commerce, smuggling and leisure, presented by an experienced broadcaster and based on the BBC Wales television series of the same name. 45 colour and 20 black-and-white illustrations. First published November 2003.

Hanes y cysylltiad rhwng pobl Cymru a'r môr dros y canrifoedd ym meysydd pysgota a masnachu, smyglo a hamddena, wedi ei gyflwyno gan ddarlledwr a theithiwr profiadol ac wedi ei seilio ar gyfres deledu BBC Wales o'r un enw. 45 llun lliw a 20 llun du-a-gwyn. Cyhoeddwyd gyntaf Tachwedd 2003.

Fishlock’s Sea Stories is a charming little book, of fewer than 100 pages, which explores the history of Wales’s relationship to the sea. Trevor Fishlock will be familiar to many through his series of televised walks exploring the history of localities in Wales, in Fishlock’s Wildtracks. His eloquent narrative style and mesmeric television voice is reassuringly heard as each page is turned. The book supports a television series of the same name, filmed by BBC Wales, that has already aired on BBC 2W and is currently being shown on terrestrial BBC 2 (February 2004).

The author sails aboard a 100-year-old Welsh trading schooner, the Kathleen & May, and rather than taking us on a journey along the 200 mile Welsh coastline, contemplates and explores different aspects of the Welsh seafaring traditions.

The first chapter charts the dangerous parts of the coastline, covering developments such as lighthouses, lifeboats and pilots. Some of the stories behind infamous places on the coast, such as the Skerries lighthouses, are discussed and it gives a lovely insight into the changing nature of small lifeboat communities and the bravery of the volunteers. From there it moves on to some fascinating tales of the Welsh Navy, so-called because so many Welsh seamen were hired to take rich cargoes all over the world, in particular sailing out of Liverpool. The local community basis for the ship-building tradition and the links to industrial Wales that sent their craft around the World are covered next. The fifth chapter examines the avoidance of tax through smuggling and the efforts of the Customs Officers then and now to prevent it. The not insignificant role of Welshmen in the story of high seas piracy is also touched upon. Finally, the changes brought by the invention of steam, on the speed and scale of sea travel brings this journey up-to-date and to a conclusion.

Fishlock’s Sea Stories is a concise and very readable exploration of the marriage between Wales and the sea.

Andy & Kim Bradick

It is possible to use this review for promotional purposes, but the following acknowledgement should be included: A review from www.gwales.com, with the permission of the Welsh Books Council.

Gellir defnyddio’r adolygiad hwn at bwrpas hybu, ond gofynnir i chi gynnwys y gydnabyddiaeth ganlynol: Adolygiad oddi ar www.gwales.com, trwy ganiatad Cyngor Llyfrau Cymru.