Roath, Splott and Adamsdown: One Thousand Years of History

Book excerpt: Over 250 old photographs, many published for the first time, appear in this new collection covering the districts of Roath, Splott and Adamsdown. This area, along with Penylan, Tremorfa and part of Cathays, once had a collective unity as the ecclesiastical parish of Roath created in the late sixteenth century. Roath as an historical entity is much older, however. Reputed to be pre-Norman in origin, in its time it has served as a manor, parish and village as well as a latter-day Cardiff suburb. Although earlier centuries are not neglected, particular focus is given to the period 1890 to 1950, which saw the emergence and maturity of these communities so familiar to present-day Cardiffians. Scenes of streetlife, work, worship and leisure are captured in a wide variety of often striking and atmospheric images. These are amplified by the fascinating historical detail in the captions providing the reader with a vivid appreciation of the richly significant past of this part of Cardiff.