Volume One - Into the Victorian Age - Some newspaper reports from the 1870's

Mr. Dimond, as the landlord of the Windsor Hotel, was well known for his ability to place the most excellent dinner on the table, but his efforts on Wednesday evening far surpassed all his previous efforts. The bill of fare included the choicest delicacies that could be provided at this seasons of the year. On the removal of the cloth the Chairman gave briefly, but in a very appropriate manner, the usual loyal and patriotic toasts. "The Town and Corporation of Cardiff" was responded to by Mr. D. Lewis, one of the members of the Town Council. The Chairman then gave the health the health of Mr. Dimond, and "Success to the Penarth Hotel." He paid a very high compliment to Mr. Dimond for his ability in conducting such an establishment as was under his charge, and assured him of the confidence the directors of the Taff Vale Railway Company had in him, and that under his management the Penarth Hotel would become one of the first hotels in the locality. The present gathering was a small beginning, which ended in the greatest results. It was certainly a great responsibility to undertake, but he directors were convinced that he was equal to it, and selected him as the lessee in preference to several others almost equally eligible. The toast was drunk with musical honours, and was responded to by Mr. Dimond, who thanked Mr. Bushell for the confidence placed in him by the Taff Vale directors. He also assured them of his desire to give satisfaction to those who might visit the hotel, and hoped that in twelve months' time the hotel would have realized all their expectations. Mr. Bushell stated that it was the intention of the Taff Vale directors to dine at the hotel at an early day. The health of the Chairman was proposed by Mr. Waring, and after being warmly received, was responded to briefly by Mr. Bushell, who proposed the heath of the Vice-Chairman. Other toasts were given, some excellent songs were sung, and the proceedings were kept up to a late hour. As an instance of the necessity for such an hotel, Mr. Dimond stated that several of the rooms were already engaged by families at a distance, who intended to spend a portion of the summer at Penarth. Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian, Glamorgan, Monmouth, and Brecon Gazette [156] 8th January 1870.

• April 1871 - Penarth - Inquest - "An inquest was held at Penarth on Monday, which revealed an extraordinary amount of credulity and simplicity on the part of the labouring classes in that neighbourhood. The wife of a dock policeman was confined last week of a male child, which lived only for three days. The child had not been baptised, and the father acting upon the suggestion of the midwife, put the body into a pasteboard box, and buried secretly at night in Llandough churchyard. The midwife explained her conduct, by stating that "it was the law in old times, so she was told," to bury children who had died under such circumstances at night, without giving notice or obtaining the permission of the clergyman." Monmouthshire Merlin [167] 14th April 1871.