A PORTHMADOG man is hoping his latest book will find its way on to the bookshelves of the people of Porthmadog and the surrounding areas.

Martin Pritchard has released volume two of Y Dyddiau Gynt yn Mhorthmadog a Thremadog, Past times in Porthmadog & Tremadog.

The release of the first book led to the local history enthusiast being inundated with more wonderful stories about the town, so a second book seemed obvious.

“Since the launch of my first book in 2016, local people were very complimentary of its contents,” said Martin.

“I was given and lent many good quality photos and stories about Porthmadog and Tremadog, a large amount from people’s family albums.

“I was given some for safe keeping but mostly they were scanned and returned to their owners.

“So in 2107 I started to collate the book together. I took on board people’s comments with regards to the first book that the photos should be bigger, a few history notes put against each photo if anything was known, carnival photos, choir photos and photos of the old Romany Gypsies that lived in Porthmadog from 1930 onwards.”

One of the contributors was Tudor Morris the son of Griff Morris who designed the local war memorial.

“He gave me old photos and information on the design of the memorial,” said Martin.

“He told me that the path leading to the memorial was designed to resemble the trenches during World War I. This I did not know.

“I was able to gather information about the opening services of the memorial in 1922 after the first World War, then in 1951 a further addition to the memorial was made to remember the fallen in the Second World War, all from archive newspapers in Caernarfon.”

Martin has included a chapter about local public houses in Porthmadog and Tremadog from 1835 to 2018.

“Assistance with this topic was given by local historians Aled and Helen Elis and Dewi Lewis,” said Martin.

“Glyn Jones had archive licensing meetings dated from 1854 which proved very interesting.

“It appears that the peak period of public houses were from 1876 to 1889 there were 24 in Porthmadog at that time.

“Tremadog, it seems, had nine public houses from 1854 to 1861, then, after 1861 to 1901 had five.

“I have managed to get a few photos of the public houses but I have included modern photos of their locations which has proved very interesting.

“It has got to be remembered that public houses in the old days could well have been a front parlour of a house changed to accommodate the drinking of fine ales! Not as we know them today.”

He went on: “I have also been given photos of Porthmadog during the World Wars with a section on the Dutch commandos that were based in Porthmadog in 1942.

“These were given by Jan Timmer whose father Bill Timmer was one of the commandos that came here, but stayed on after the war to marry a local girl.

“A great deal of photos of Porthmadog fire station’s role during World War Two were given by ex-station officer Ken Wyn Jones MBE, who had collected these over the years.

“They made a very interesting chapter.

“Hopefully I have managed to succeed in producing interesting reading for people which will run with volume 1.”

Looking ahead, Martin would like to produce another volume, and needs your help to do so.

“I would like to appeal for anybody who has photos or history of Tremadog to get in contact with me as they are very rare and will help me in getting volume 3 together. I can be contacted on email:[email protected].”

Y Dyddiau Gynt Ym Mhorthmadog a Thremadog (Past Times in Porthmadog and Tremadog), published by Sara Eade publishing, is available from local bookshops and both local narrow gauge stations.