In late February this year, East Terrace editor James Stafford and illustrator Raluca Moldovan released ‘An Illustrated History of Welsh Rugby: Fun, Facts and Stories from 140 Years of International Rugby’.
As part of the book’s launch, Stafford featured in a webinar hosted by the National Library of Wales (Llyfrgell Genedlaethol), which you can watch here:
Stafford was joined by Lloyd Roderick (Aberystwyth University) and Gruffydd Jones (People’s Collection Wales) to discuss the book, the use of illustration and the sources used in its research.
The webinar drew attention to the vital work both the National Library and the People’s Collection Wales do in preserving the nation’s sporting and social heritage. In particular, it was mentioned how rugby fans, clubs and players can contribute directly to preserving Wales’s sporting heritage by uploading their own documents, images or artefacts.
Help preserve Welsh rugby history
The East Terrace wanted to raise awareness of their work as there are millions of fascinating items that tell us so much about the history of Wales that no doubt languish in people’s attics, mouldy storage boxes or are fading away in the greenhouse atmosphere of a clubhouse’s trophy cabinet. The stories of the village XV can hold as much value as those of the national XV, perhaps at times even more.
So if you have (or know a person or club that does) anything you think should be saved for future historians, history lovers, academics or curious citizens, please take a look at the website of the People’s Collection Wales.
Order your copy of An Illustrated History of Welsh Rugby: Fun, Facts and Stories from 140 Years of International Rugby here.
