Small World - Travel in Wales and Beyond

16 October 2010 – 2 April 2011

Few things are as exiting as the idea of travelling, either within your own country or to foreign lands. But have you ever considered how people from Wales have travelled over the centuries?From ancient maps to voyage diaries; railway posters to emigrants’ letters; this major new exhibition showcases the unique National Library travel collections.

Small World Booklet


 Following our request for further information about about Islwyn Roberts, Llanbedr, who hitch-hiked his way around the world, carrying a ‘Pays de Galles’ sign with him. We received a lot of responses:
Islwyn Roberts died in June 1993, and a memorial article was seen in the July 1993 issue of local paper Llais Ardudwy.He was not married and did not have any children.Islwyn lost most of his hearing during the war due to a bomb explosion.He worked in a canteen in Dyffryn Ardudwy in 1967/8 whilst they were building the new sewerage works.When travelling, Islwyn used to carry a red dragon with the words “Taffy from Wales” written on it.He lived, for a while, in a shed next door to his brother’s house.He used to sit on a bench in Llanbedr every day, and he would read stories about his travels to local people, especially children. A plaque has been placed near the bench with Islwyn’s favourite phrase on it – ‘Never cut a friend’A post card with a picture of Islwyn sitting on the bench was produced in the 80s/90s.Islwyn had visited his uncle in South Africa.Islwyn met Lord Haw Haw. They sat on the bench in Llanbedr talking to each other.

The exhibition was officially opened by First Minister Carwyn Jones on the 27th of October 2010.
Short video clips of the event can be seen here

Photos of the official opening, 27 October 2010

Related Events
23 March 2011'Yemen - From Adens Steamerpoint to Cardiff's Tiger Bay'Patricia AithieHaving photographed and written about the Middle Easr for over twenty-five years, Patricia Aithie shares her extensive experiences through the lens of her camera.Free admission by ticket
30 March 2011'Margaret Jones - Y Gymraes o Ganaan'Eirian JonesThe story of this remarkable Welsh woman and her travels on five continents during the nineteenth century.Free admission by ticket

National Library of Wales Blog posts discussing the exhibition:Broadening Horizons: from Calais to Tibet
A David Samwell Manuscript 
Interesting Item
Blog Post by First Minister Carwyn Jones

External EventsTravellers and explorers – a new Rare Book display in Hugh Owen Library