September 20, 2009 at 7:24 am -September 19, 2009Welsh scholar to speak at WVU Tech about shared mining historyWest Virginia's mining history owes a debt to the knowledge and skills of Welsh coal miners, according to a professor who has been instrumental in starting a history lecture series at West Virginia University Institute of Technology.By Susan WilliamsStaff writerAdvertiserMONTGOMERY, W.Va. --West Virginia's mining history owes a debt to the knowledge and skills of Welsh coal miners, according to a professor who has been instrumental in starting a history lecture series at West Virginia University Institute of Technology.Thursday evening a noted Welsh historian will talk about those contributions, particularly through the eyes of one Welsh miner who later became a writer.Bill Jones, who earned his doctorate in Wales, is also co-director of the Cardiff Centre for Welsh American Studies. In his lecture that begins at 6 p.m. Thursday in the Tech Center Ballroom, Jones will talk about the history of the South Wales coalfields, particularly as seen through the eyes of B.L. Coombes.Coombes, who died in 1974, wrote several books including "These Poor Hands: The Autobiography of a South Wales Miner." After its publication in 1939, Coombes gained an international reputation. In his writings, Coombes gives readers special insight into the underground world of the miner.Jones titled his lecture "With Dust in His Throat: Miner-Writer B.L. Coombes (1893-1974) and the History of Coal Mining in South Wales." South Wales is one of the most intensively mined areas in the world.Paul Rakes, an associate professor of history at Tech, said he and other planners at the college wanted to honor the late Otis K. Rice by naming the lecture series for him. Rice taught history at Tech and published many books including several on West Virginia history that are still widely used.Rakes, who started his work life as a coal miner, said Jones plans to give a brief overview of the history of coal mining in South Wales, then focus on Coombes' life and work.Rakes said Jones would show the many ways that Coombes' understated yet compelling voice emerged out of the mines of South Wales. Coombes also can be seen as one who speaks for the experiences of coal miners and mining communities everywhere, Rakes said.When he learned Jones would be traveling in the United States, Rakes contacted him. Rakes said Jones was happy to come to Tech, not only to point out the similarities between mining in West Virginia and Wales, but for a chance to walk in the mountains."He loves to walk in the mountains," Rakes said.Tech Provost Scott Hurst wants to make this first lecture "the kickoff for an annual event," Rakes said. Hurst has wanted to establish a series for some time, Rakes said, so Jones' visit to America gave them the opportunity to start the series.Jones has written many books and taught in several schools. He is currently the reader in Welsh history at the School of History and Archaeology at Cardiff University. He has also served as curator of the coal mining collection at the National Museum of Wales. In addition to writing, teaching and lecturing, Jones has also made several television documentaries about Welsh history.Rakes said he hopes people who attend the lecture will come away "with a greater appreciation of the similarities between the mining experience here and in Wales. Mining also influences an individual's thinking and changes the way one sees the world."The lecture is free and open to the public. Montgomery is east of Charleston on WVa. 61. The Tech Center Ballroom is near Old Main on campus.MONTGOMERY, W.Va. --West Virginia's mining history owes a debt to the knowledge and skills of Welsh coal miners, according to a professor who has been instrumental in starting a history lecture series at West Virginia University Institute of Technology.Thursday evening a noted Welsh historian will talk about those contributions, particularly through the eyes of one Welsh miner who later became a writer.Bill Jones, who earned his doctorate in Wales, is also co-director of the Cardiff Centre for Welsh American Studies. In his lecture that begins at 6 p.m. Thursday in the Tech Center Ballroom, Jones will talk about the history of the South Wales coalfields, particularly as seen through the eyes of B.L. Coombes.Coombes, who died in 1974, wrote several books including "These Poor Hands: The Autobiography of a South Wales Miner." After its publication in 1939, Coombes gained an international reputation. In his writings, Coombes gives readers special insight into the underground world of the miner.Jones titled his lecture "With Dust in His Throat: Miner-Writer B.L. Coombes (1893-1974) and the History of Coal Mining in South Wales." South Wales is one of the most intensively mined areas in the world.Paul Rakes, an associate professor of history at Tech, said he and other planners at the college wanted to honor the late Otis K. Rice by naming the lecture series for him. Rice taught history at Tech and published many books including several on West Virginia history that are still widely used.Rakes, who started his work life as a coal miner, said Jones plans to give a brief overview of the history of coal mining in South Wales, then focus on Coombes' life and work.Rakes said Jones would show the many ways that Coombes' understated yet compelling voice emerged out of the mines of South Wales. Coombes also can be seen as one who speaks for the experiences of coal miners and mining communities everywhere, Rakes said.When he learned Jones would be traveling in the United States, Rakes contacted him. Rakes said Jones was happy to come to Tech, not only to point out the similarities between mining in West Virginia and Wales, but for a chance to walk in the mountains."He loves to walk in the mountains," Rakes said.Tech Provost Scott Hurst wants to make this first lecture "the kickoff for an annual event," Rakes said. Hurst has wanted to establish a series for some time, Rakes said, so Jones' visit to America gave them the opportunity to start the series.Jones has written many books and taught in several schools. He is currently the reader in Welsh history at the School of History and Archaeology at Cardiff University. He has also served as curator of the coal mining collection at the National Museum of Wales. In addition to writing, teaching and lecturing, Jones has also made several television documentaries about Welsh history.Rakes said he hopes people who attend the lecture will come away "with a greater appreciation of the similarities between the mining experience here and in Wales. Mining also influences an individual's thinking and changes the way one sees the world."The lecture is free and open to the public. Montgomery is east of Charleston on WVa. 61. The Tech Center Ballroom is near Old Main on campus.AddThis