A local author is appealing for memories and photos of “eccentric” Borth-y-Gest café.

Richard Walwyn, 75, has decided to publish a book compiling accounts of The Bobbing Boats café in Borth-y-Gest, which existed from 1938 to the late 1960s.

The Bobbing Boats has remained in the family and is now a holiday cottage, owned by Richard’s sister.

The café was run by Richard’s two aunties, Mary and Sarah Howe.

Both the sisters and the café are described as “eccentric” by Richard, who says they became well known in the village.

Of the café, Richard said: “It was a café come craft shop. It was Mary’s thing. She was the driving force behind it. But she had absolutely no concept of the meaning or value of money.

“Her eldest sister, Sarah, was good at accounts. She looked after the financial side of things. But she didn’t do anything in the aesthetic side of it. She helped with the cooking, but it was Mary’s baby.

“They made a splendid team. The café became some sort of an institution in this area.”

At the time of its existence, Mary Howe wrote a detailed account of the café and things associated with it – its operation, its furniture, its garden, its staff and even its clients.

Richard said: “The café did become quite famous in the area. It had a clientele who returned again and again and again. She employed quite a lot of young ladies from abroad.

“She wrote this account which exists in the form of a monstrous typescript. I have recently put it on the computer.

“She was eccentric; she was both feared and admired in roughly equal measure.”

The account is being compiled into a book by Richard who is a current resident of Borth-y-Gest.

Richard is also the author of the book A Little History of Borth-y-Gest.

Richard is asking the community to come forward with photos, memories or accounts of the two sisters or the café.

Richard said: “We, as a family, would love to hear from people. It is quite a large part of our lives. We’re keen to know more about it, both positive and negative.”

Anybody who wants to get in contact with Richard can do so at 2 Ralph Street, Borth-y-Gest LL49 9UA or via email at [email protected].