First proofs received...the checking commences.

The first proofs for 'Swansea in the Great War' arrived from the publisher today and I (and my wife!) need to check them very carefully. Even with modern day computer techniques there is plenty of room for error when e.g. the images are inserted into the text for the first time. The images obviously have to appear in the right places and accompanied by the right captions - not alway as easy as it sounds in a 228 page document!

After the first proofs are checked they go back to the publisher for correction and then the second and final proofs come back to me so that I (yes, I) can complete the index. Getting published is an enjoyable if hard slog!

Book launch in October 2014!

It has been confirmed that 'Swansea in the Great War' will be launched at the Civic Centre in Swansea before an invited audience on 22 October 2014. Both the Lord Lieutenant of West Glamorgan and the Lord Mayor of Swansea have indicated that they will be in attendance, with the Lord Mayor kindly providing light refreshments for guests.

Great War Swansea - TV documentary

I have been contracted to act as adviser/researcher to BBC Wales for its forthcoming documentary on Great War Swansea.

I met with the producer this week and, as part of the contract, I am providing the Beeb with material from my forthcoming book, Swansea in the Great War, which will be published in October 2014. The documentary will be fronted by Eddie Butler and will be a half hour in length.

The BBC will also be looking at issues that I may not have covered though I suspect that my content will save them a lot of digging in the archives!

Interest in the Great War centenary...

Unsurprisingly the amount of interest in the centenary is rising fast. In recent years I have given the occasional talk on the Swansea Workhouse or the Swansea Pals to local history societies.

In the next 12 months or so I am giving talks on Swansea in the Great War at Swansea Museum (twice), two libraries in Swansea, Swansea U3A, Newton WI, the Bynea and Llwynhendy history society, Blackpill History Society, Swansea Probus Club, Neath U3A and one or two others...

I don't charge a fee for local societies (Swansea/Neath area in the main) but instead ask for a modest donation to a local charity of my choice.

Hopefully the high interest will translate into book sales once 'Swansea in the Great War' hits the shops in October! I don't suppose JK Rowling is trembling in her boots, though...

First public talk...

I gave my first public talk on `Swansea in the Great War` to the Oystermouth Historical Society on Thursday. Good turn out and the talk seemed to go down well as two attendees booked me for a talk to their organizations.

I didn't charge a fee but accepted a donation for a local charity. And they kindly gave me a bottle of red! More talks booked for the coming months...busy time ahead and book to be published early October.

Media interest..?

BBC Wales have commissioned two half hour programmes, each one to focus on a Welsh community in the Great War. One of the towns is Swansea and I have been approached to see if I would want to contribute to the programme in some way.

Production begins in early May and is estimated to take six weeks to complete from research to editing.

I might be able to help though, after sweating blood for a year on 'Swansea in the Great War', any efforts on my part have to be made worthwhile by the BBC. Not keen on handing over my research for a 'token gesture' on the part of the BBC!    

We'll see...

Evening Post article today...

An article I wrote a while back was re-featured today by the Evening Post as part of its ongoing Great War coverage.

It was the story of Captain John Stanley Strange and his service in the Swansea Battalion.

There will be more articles in the Post as the months go on to August 2014.

NOTE: NOT ALL THE ARTICLES THAT APPEAR IN THE POST ARE INCLUDED IN THE BOOK!

I CAN'T DRIP FEED THE UNPUBLISHED BOOK TO THE NEWSPAPER...

Bernard Lewis
18 February 2014