THE president of Aberaeron’s Cob Show has been busy highlighting the importance of the Welsh in supplying milk to the population of London.

Megan Hayes was born to Cardiganshire parents, Dan and Eliza Jane Lloyd, who worked in the London milk trade.

Her family ties to the trade prompted her to research and write a bilingual book, charting the history of the important contribution the Welsh from rural areas, such as Ceredigion, made to London and its growing population.

Cows, Cobs and Corner Shops: The Story of London’s Welsh Dairies, starts with the influence of the drovers who journeyed with their cattle from rural Wales to the city of London.

The book then moves on to describe the establishment of the many dairies and corner shops which, open all hours, provided fresh milk to the growing metropolis.

The volume was launched as part of the annual Aberaeron Welsh Pony and Cob Festival, on Sunday, 12 August, and there was a book reading and signing at Gwisgo Bookworm, Aberaeron, on Wednesday, 15 August.

The Aberaeron Cob Festival is now in its 17th year. It celebrates and showcases Britain’s most popular and versatile native breed. Author Megan Hayes is the president for 2018.

This year saw a special display and pageant honouring the long-standing link between Ceredigion and London. ‘Bringing the Welsh Cob Home’ was the main feature of the day, and displayed Welsh cob enthusiasts from London and their beautifully preserved dairy floats.

The display told the story of the thousands of Cardis who moved to London in the 1800s with their Welsh cobs and developed the London dairy trade.

It also recognised the vital part played by the Welsh ponies and cobs during the First World War, when they were used as draught horses, and the use of Welsh mountain ponies in the coal mines.

“It’s the ideal time to celebrate this rarely discussed aspect of Welsh and London-Welsh history,” said Megan.

“With the display and the book I think the profile of the contribution made will be raised greatly."

See this week’s south papers for the full feature, available in shops and as a digital edition now