Not many people get the opportunity to travel back in time. Not many people get the opportunity to publish a book at the young age of 13 either. But that’s exactly what happened to Gwen Cartwright as she and her family took part in ‘Coal House’, the BBC’s living history TV series. Gwen recorded her daily life in a diary over three weeks as her family left behind all modern-day luxuries for a basic 1920’s miner’s cottage. Now children (and adults too) can read her personal diary and find out more about live at Stack Square as Coal House Diary is published by Pont Books. As well as Gwen’s diary, there are fascinating photographs from the BBC archives and the family’s personal album, throughout the book.
Gwen will be extremely busy over the next few weeks with a number of book signing sessions to promote her book over south Wales. The television series was a huge hit, therefore why not come along to meet her, and ask a few questions too, at the following signings?
Saturday November 15th The Celtic Knot, Cowbridge, 11-12
Saturday November 15th Borders, Cardiff 2.30-3.30
Saturday November 22nd Brownings, Blaenavon, 11-12
Saturday November 22nd Waterstones, Abergavenny, 2-3
Saturday November 29th Waterstones, Cardiff, 11-12
Saturday November 29th Waterstones, Swansea 3-4
Gwen knows what it was like to live without flick-of-the switch technology - something that many a child today cannot fathom. No mobile phone, e-mail or facebook? No electricity, toilet or even hot water in the house? What was life like then? It must have been so hard! By turning the pages of Coal House Diary, we glimpse at life in a nineteen-twenties mining community through the eyes of a child. With a routine of housework for the women, hardwork down the mine for the men and school for the children, Gwen’s diary records many a highlight and lowlight of daily life.
Gwen lives in Sully, Penarth and is a pupil at Howells, Cardiff
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