Popular local author John Woodcock has just released his latest book looking at the history of Caldey Island.

John, an Emeritus Professor of Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering at Cardiff University and a Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales, published his first book about Tenby, entitled ‘Tenby Shops 1870-1970’ in 2012 and followed it up with ‘Tenby History’ last year.

His latest release, ‘Caldey Island History’, is intended to look in more detail at the island’s prehistory by consulting the original archaeological papers published in ‘Archaeologia Cambrensis’.

“It is my aim to distil the information published so that a more readable but informative record is available for the non-specialist reader,” explained John.

“The book also contains the original architectural drawings by Coats Carter which are published here for the first time explaining what the magnificent monastery and gate-house would have looked like had they ever been built,” he continued.

“I owe a large debt of gratitude to my wife, June, and all the family for the encouragement they have given me. I would also like to thank Abbot Daniel and Fr. Gildas for their wholehearted support and for giving me a conducted tour of the Abbey.

“Without their support and blessing this would have been much more difficult to complete,” added John, who would like to thank Mark Lewis, Neil Westerman and Kevin Thomas from Tenby Museum for their generous support and for permission to reproduce images which they own.

John has also expressed his gratitude to Dr. Rhys Morris for help and advice with some of the images, the editor of ‘Archaeologia Cambrensis’ and the director of Dyfed Archaeological Trust for permission to reproduce a number of images, and Albie Smosarski for the initial idea to publish the book and for supplying many rare postcards and photographs.

‘Caldey Island History’ is available to purchase at Tenby Bookshop on Tudor Square.