How Green was My Valley

Published by New English Library 1975, cost 96p

"How Green was My Valley," by Richard Llewellyn, a book about a Welsh mining family, was first published in 1939. In 1975 it became a major BBC TV serial starring Stanley Baker, pictured on the above book cover. With his fair skin and facial hair, you may notice Baker resembles many miners in photographs from the 40's and 50's.  Unfortunately, perhaps its me, but just below the picture, I can imagine pristine creases in the front of his slacks and suede slip-ons, not heavy hobnailed boots.  Not that valleys guys were scruffy. They took pride in their appearance, many sporting white silk scarves and three-piece suits on their 'day off.'

The cover photograph gives an idea of the valley geography which gives rise to the rumour that us valley kids grew up with one leg longer than the other in order to walk on the steep slopes.

Creating what has come to be recognised as the period's stereotypical welsh family, Richard Llewellyn also created a book title which everyone knows, but far fewer have read.

Both Richard Llewellyn and Alexander Cordell portray the valleys of years gone by.  Since my childhood, the pits and coal tips have gone.   So too have the hacking coughs so often heard on street corners, caused by coal dust on the lungs, and the pale complexions of the men who spent day and night in the dark.

Terraced houses in the distance

The welsh valleys are truly beautiful, more so because of nature's recovery from the abuse they suffered to provide coal and iron to the Empire.

How Green was my valley, and is once more.