Here's the first clip of my 'nothing to do with anti-PC' compositions. To listen, please click on the song title. Clips of '47' and 'Barefoot Till Sunset' will be added this week. If you enjoy the Maid of Sker, please drop by again.
MAID OF SKER Wales is rich in legend. One such story was the subject of the novel 'Maid of Sker', published in 1872 and written by RD Blackmore of 'Lorna Doone' fame. Tom was a carpenter who played harp at Kenfig Town Hall dances. There he fell in love with Elizabeth, daughter of the squire of Sker House. The squire wanted a richer son-in-law, forbid the liaison and the couple tried unsuccessfully to elope. The squire locked Elizabeth in her room and arranged her marriage to the son of a local industrialist. She died of a broken heart and her ghost now haunts Sker House. Skeeeerry stuff hey?
47 On April 23rd 1947, in mountainous seas, the Samtampa ran aground on Sker Reef, South Wales. The flare went up from Mumbles lifeboat station, William Knowles called to his ten year old daughter Maureen 'See you soon' and the Edward Prince of Wales set off on its final voyage. The Samtampa's crew of thirty nine all lost their lives. At daylight the wreck of the Edward Prince of Wales was found. Its crew of eight had also perished.
Barefoot Till Sunset By the early 12th century, Norman overlords had procured the hunting grounds of Ogmore, South Wales. Locals were barred from hunting the abundant stag and game. A hapless poacher awaiting torture and death, found an unexpected saviour in the daughter of the then Lord of Ogmore, Maurice De Londres. On the morning of her birthday she asked her father to spare the poacher and return the hunting grounds to the locals. He agreed. His condition being that he would return the area that she could walk between then and sunset. Barefoot. The area is known as Southerndown Common and remains common land to this day.