Penarth Dock, South Wales - the heritage and legacy

Volume Eight - Pre-Victorian to the present day - more aspects - Cardiff, Penarth and Environs - [vintage photo and postcard album] . . .

A postcard which proclaims 'The prettiest girls one can but say are met in Cardiff town to-day.' And very obliging they are too! The postcard was sent in June 1908 from Cardiff to an address in Swansea and states:- 'Dear Sir, I will be in Cardiff till monday if any think please let me know doing nothing Yours G. Parry' - Who needs the Queen's English when you are Welsh in't it Taff? [001]

A postcard view of the River Taff from the early twentieth century and prior to the embankment works. [001]

I recall that my mother's version of the origins of Taff, or Taffy, are that they are those born within sight of the river Taff which runs through Cardiff - Using this version of the origin, my son, Martin and I are true Taffs! Mum also used to recite the following verse to me when I was a young boy at our home in Murch Road, Dinas Powys:-

Taffy was a Welshman, Taffy was a thief;
Taffy came to my house, And stole a piece of beef.

I went to Taffy's house, Taffy was not home;
Taffy came to my house, And stole a marrow bone.

I went to Taffy's house, Taffy was not in;
Taffy came to my house, And stole a silver pin.

I went to Taffy's house, Taffy was in bed;
I took up a poker, And threw it at his head.