Born this day 1890, in Tenby

Nina Hamnett - artist and writer who became known as the Queen of Bohemia.

After leaving the London School of Art, Hamnett went to Paris to study and became a well-known bohemian personality.  Over the course of her life, she was associated with many leading figures in the artistic community, such as; Dylan Thomas, Augustus John, Amedo Modigliani, Pablo Picasso and Serge Diaghilev.  She was flamboyant, unconventional and sexually promiscuous, one story says that she once danced nude on a Montparnasse café table just for the "hell of it".  She died in 1956 after falling  forty feet out her apartment window.

Born this day 1983, in Sennybridge, Powys

Rhydian Roberts popularly known as Rhydian, is a classically trained baritone, musical theatre actor and television presenter, who is best known for finishing as runner-up on The X Factor in 2007.  

Born this day 1829, in Tregaron 

Thomas Benbow Phillips, who was a pioneer of an attempted Welsh settlement in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. 

In May 1851, Phillips was sponsered by cotton traders from Manchester to establish a colony in Brazil to grow cotton for their mills in Lancashire and was joined by six groups of Welsh immigrants. However, the settlement failed, because most of the immigrants had backgrounds in the mining industry and found work in the Brazilian coal mines more profitable than growing cotton. 

He later moved to the Welsh colony of Y Wladfa, in Patagonia, becoming one of it's most prominent members, travelling to London in 1898  to present the British government with a list of the community's grievances against the government of Argentina. However, the government in London refused to entertain demands that it should assert sovereignty over the settlement.

The Landshipping mining disaster

On 14th February 1844, 40 men, women and boys were killed by the flooding of the Garden Pit coal-mine at Landshipping on the eastern branch of the Cleddau River.

The pit extended out under the river for as much as a quarter of a mile and when water suddenly burst through the walls of the mine, trapping the 40 miners underground at the time.  The cause of the disaster was put down to the pressure of the water, as that particular heading had not, previously, been worked at high water.

Coal mining in Pembrokeshire; 

Pembrokeshire once had a thriving mining industry.  There had been mining in the area since the Middle Ages but it was transformed in 1800, when Sir Hugh Owen brought in a steam engine at his mine in Landshipping and soon over 10,000 tons of coal were being produced each year.  The industry developed further with the subsequent building of a quay at Landshipping , after which over 50 pits and mines were located throughout the county.

Some remains can still be found, at Wisemans Bridge, Cresswell Quay and Trefrane Cliff Colliery near Nolton.  The demand for coal declined at the second half of the 19th Century and this led to the closure of most of the collieries.  However, Hook Colliery remained open until 1948 and the one at Wood Level at Kilgetty until 1950. 

Born this day 1891, in Rhosgadfan, Gwynedd.

Kate Roberts, who was one of the foremost Welsh language authors of the twentieth century.

Known as Brenhines ein llên ("The queen of our literature"), it was the death of her brother during World War I, that inspired Roberts to start writing, using it as a means of coming to terms with her loss.  Her work mainly deals with how ordinary people overcome life's problems and disappointments.  Roberts was also a prominent Welsh nationalist and was an early member of Plaid Cymru.

RAF Valley in Anglesey opened on 13th February 1941, with the task of providing defence cover for England's industrial north-west and shipping in the Irish Sea.

Royal Air Force Station Valley provides fast-jet training for jet planes and aircrew working with search and rescue.  It is also used as Anglesey Airport. 

Born on this day 1993 in Tonypandy. 

Sophie Evans - Singer and actress who gained wide public notice as being the runner-up on the 2010 BBC talent show "Over the Rainbow", with its chief judge being Andrew Lloyd Webber.  She went on to play Dorothy in Lloyd Webber's West End production of "The Wizard of Oz".

On 12th February 2007, a report by the National Trust revealed that more than 70% of the coastline in Wales is under threat from coastal erosion and flooding.  The report, Shifting Shores, stated that the massive likely impact of global warming on the shape of Wales is that our coastline will be transformed beyond recognition if climate change is not halted.

However  broadcaster and environmental campaigner, David Bellamy believes that to state that global warming is caused by man, is poppycock and that climate change is historically proved to run in cycles.   

Born this day 1371, in Usk.

Elizabeth Mortimer, who was the great-granddaughter of Edward III.  She is best known for her marriage to her first husband Sir Henry Percy (Hotspur), when she was eight and he fifteen.

Hotspur, one-time ally of Owain Glyndwr was killed at the Battle of Shrewsbury in 1403 fighting Edward IV, who had Hotspur's body quartered and delivered to Elizabeth, who had him buried in York Minster.  Jane Seymour, Queen consort of Henry VII, was a descendant of Elizabeth and Elizabeth is represented as 'Kate, Lady Percy,' in Shakespeare's Henry IV, Part 1 and as 'Widow Percy' in Henry IV, Part 2.  

Born this day 1843, in Llanelli

John Graham Chambers, who was a sportsman and newspaper editor, who devised the Queensbury Rules in 1865, which is a code of generally accepted rules in the sport of boxing that were publicly endorsed by John Douglas, 9th Marquess of Queensbury.  

Born this day 1978, in Cardiff

Gethin Jones ,  television presenter, best known as a presenter on Blue Peter and Daybreak.  

Born on this day 1788 in Llanpumsaint, Carmarthenshire.

William Williams - who was the MP whose speech on 10th March 1846 expressing his concerns as the state of education in Wales unwittingly culminated in the "Treachery of the Blue Books" and a furious backlash on himself personally. 

In 1804 as a youth of sixteen and having had only a basic education, Williams set out from Carmarthenshire to seek his fortune in London. He began working in a cotton warehouse and soon built up his own business.  He was elected MP for Coventry in 1835 and after losing the seat in 1847, he became MP for Lambeth in 1850.

Although he spent the whole of his adult life in England, he never forgot Wales or his native language.  He deeply resented the squalid social conditions most of his compatriots were obliged to suffer and believed that if given education, the position of the masses in Wales would improve. It was this conviction that led him to persuade the Government to set up an inquiry into the state of education in Wales.  However, the storm of controversy that followed was something that neither he nor anybody else could foresee.

William Williams was a generous benefactor to the village of his birth, paying for the building of a school in 1862.  Then in 1863, he chaired the meeting that was instrumental in establishing a campaign for a University of Wales.  William Williams died on 26 April 1865, after falling from his horse in Hyde Park, London.

Born on this day 1848 in Nant y glo, near Ebbw Vale.

Beriah Gwynfe Evans - journalist, Congregationalist, dramatist, Liberal politician, Welsh Nationalist and a member of the Gorsedd.

Initially, a teacher, in 1891, Evans switched to a career in journalism with the South Wales Daily News in Cardiff, whilst also editing Welsh items in the South Wales Weekly News and the Cardiff Times. In 1892, he moved to Caernarfon to become managing editor of the Welsh National Press Co and in 1917 he became editor of the Congregationalist weekly Y Tyst.

Politically, Beriah Evans was an ally of David Lloyd George, an active member of Cymru Fydd and in his final years, joined the newly formed Plaid Cymru. 

Born this day 1934, in Blackheath (daughter of Welsh parents)

Mary Quant fashion designer and icon, who has been immortalised as the originator of the mini skirt and whose work has come to epitomise the 60's fashion era.  

Born this day 1882, in Llandinam 

Gwendoline Davies, philanthropist and patron of the arts who, together with her sister Margaret created a vast collection of art, whisc they donated to what is now the National Museum of Wales.  

Born this day 1914, in Swansea. 

Mervyn Levy ,  who was an artist, art dealer, writer and critic, best known for his association and lifelong friendship with Dylan Thomas, both of whom were members of the group of bohemian friends known as the Kardomah Gang. Painting of Mervyn Levy is by fellow Kardomah Gang member, Alfred Janes.

In February 1959, the flag currently in use was officially recognised as the Welsh national flag.  The flag incorporates the Red Dragon of Cadwaladr, King of Gwynedd from c.655 to 682, along with the Tudor colours of green and white.

A history of the Welsh Flag;

*  It is thought that the Romans brought the dragon emblem to what is now Wales in the form of the Draco standards carried by Roman cavalry units. The Draco itself originated with the Sarmatians, a unit of whom were stationed in Britain from the 2nd to 4th centuries.

*  The red dragon is popularly believed to have been the battle standard of king Arthur.

*  The oldest known use of the dragon to represent Wales is from the Historia Brittonum,written around 830

*  The red dragon is popularly believed to have been the battle standard of King Arthur.

*  In 1400 Owain Glyndwr raised the dragon standard during his rebellion.

*  It was used by Henry VII at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485 and the red dragon was then included in the Tudor royal arms.

*  In February 1959, the flag currently in use was officially recognised as the Welsh national flag at the urging of the Gorsedd of Bards.

On 10th February 1557, Robert Recorde was imprisioned.  He is best known for introducing the equals sign = and the plus sign + into mathematics.

Robert Recorde, was a physician and mathematician, born in Tenby. He is best known for introducing the equals sign = and the plus sign + into mathematics in his textbook "The Whetstone of Witte" published in 1557.  

Recorde graduated from Oxford University in 1531 and  in 1545 he moved to London where he practised medicine.  In 1549, he was appointed controller of the Bristol mint, where he refused to give money to Sir William Herbert, who was governor to the young king Edward VI. In 1551 Recorde was appointed by the King to be general surveyor of the mines and monies in Ireland and in this capacity he was in charge of silver mines in Wexford and technical supervisor of the Dublin mint.

On his return in 1953, he attempted to regain his court position, by charging Herbert with misconduct, this was a misjudgement as Recorde, who was a supporter of the Reformation was unlikely to get a positive result against someone so close to the Catholic Queen Mary.  Herbert countered Recorde's charges by successfully suing him for libel and Recorde was ordered to pay Herbert £1000 which he could not pay and was therefore sent to prison, where he died in 1558. 

On 10th February 1722, Black Bart (Barti Ddu) the pirate was killed by grapeshot.

Barti Ddu, born John Roberts in Little Newcastle, near Fishguard in about 1682, was one of the most successful and the last great pirate of the Golden Age of piracy.  He was responsible for the capture of over 400 ships and over 50 million pounds of loot during his career.  He encouraged prayer, drank a lot of tea and forbade the drinking of alcohol and gambling.  His preferred attire was rich crimson waistcoat and breeches, a hat with a red feather and a diamond cross hanging from his neck.  His success was due to his organization, charisma and daring.  He was also responsible for introducing the pirate code, which crew members had to swear on a Bible to uphold:

In 1719, while working as a third mate on the British slaver Princess, he was captured to be a forced hand by noted pirate Howell Davies and after Davies was killed he was elected captain by his fellow pirates.   At the height of his power, he had a fleet of four ships and hundreds of pirates under his command.  His legendary 30-month career then took him to the West Indies, New England, Newfoundland and Liberia, before coming to an end on February 10, 1722, when the warship HMS Swallow  caught up with him off the coast of Cape Lopez (now Gabon) and he was killed by grapeshot. His crew threw his body overboard as he had requested.  

On 10th February  1056, Gruffydd ap Llywelyn defeated an English army at Glasbury and claimed sovereignty over the whole of Wales. 

Gruffydd ap Llywelyn (c. 1007–1063 or 1064) was the son of  Llywelyn ap Seisyll, King of Gwynedd and Deheubarth, who claimed descendency from Hywel Dda. 

According to an early story, Gruffydd was watching a cook boiling pieces of beef in a cauldron.  The cook was complaining that there was one piece of meat which kept coming to the top of the cauldron, however often it was thrust down and Gruffydd apparently took this, as applying to himself, and thus began his rise to power.

1023   On the death of Grufydd's father, Iago ab Idwal ap Meurig became ruler of Gwynedd.

1039   King Iago was killed and  Gruffydd, who had already conquered Powys regained the rule of Gwynedd.  Soon after gaining power, he totally defeated a Mercian army at Rhyd y Groes near Welshpool. 

1041   Gruffydd defeated Hywel of Dyfed at the Battle of Pencader 

1044    Hywel returned with a Danish fleet to try to reclaim his kingdom, but Gruffydd defeated and killed him.

1047   Gruffydd ap Rhyderch of Gwent expelled Gruffydd ap Llywelyn from Deheubarth. 

1052   Gruffydd ap Llywelyn was active on the Welsh border, he attacked Herefordshire and defeated a mixed force of Normans and English near Leominster.

1055   Gruffydd ap Llywelyn killed Gruffydd ap Rhydderch and recaptured Deheubarth. He then allied himself with Aelgar of Mercia and they marched on Hereford, defeating the force of the Earl of Hereford, Ralph the Timid, sacking the city and destroying its castle.   Gruffydd was also able to seize Morganwg and Gwent, along with extensive territories along the border with England.

1056   He won another victory ovner an English army near Glasbury

1062   Harold Godwinson obtained Edward the Confessor's approval for a surprise attack on Gruffydd's court at Rhuddlan, Grufydd was nearly captured but escaped out to sea.

1063   Harold's brother Tostig led an army into north Wales while Harold led a fleet to meet up with him. Gruffydd was forced to take refuge in Snowdonia, and according to the Ulster Chronicle he was killed by Cynan ap Iago, son of  Iago ab Idwal whom Grufydd had killed in 1039.  Gruffydd's head along with the figurehead of his ship was then sent to Harold.

Following Gruffydd's death, Harold married his widow Ealdgyth and his realm was divided back into the traditional kingdoms.

Pembroke Dock ( Doc Penfro) lies north of Pembroke on the River Cleddau.  It was originally a small fishing village known as Paterchurch.

1814 - The construction of a Royal Naval Dockyard was to signal a great expansion for the town. 

1816 (10th February), the first two ships were launched from the dockyard – HMS Valorous and HMS Ariadne.  Over the span of 112 years, five Royal Yachts were to be built, along with 263 other Royal Navy vessels.

1844 - As the dockyard  grew, work began to build defensible barracks, which were first occupied by the Royal Marines. 

1849 - 1857 - Two Martello towers of dressed Portland stone were constructed at the dockyard. 

1925 - The Royal Dockyards were made redundant, which greatly added to high unemployment through the Great Depression. 

1931 - The Royal Air Force made a base at Pembroke Dock.

1940 - During the Second World War, Pembroke Dock was targeted by the Luftwaffe, who bombed a series of oil tanks sited at Pennar.  The fire lasted for 18 days and was recorded as the largest UK conflagration since the Great Fire of London.

1943 - Pembroke Dock was used to house the Sunderland flying boats and became the largest flying boat base in the world.  Following the war the town enjoyed a degree of prosperity; 

1957 - It was announced that the RAF would be drastically reducing its presence and a few years later the final British Army regiment also left the town.

1979 - Irish Ferries opened a ferry terminal, connecting to Rosslare, Ireland.  

Born on this day 1889 in Cardiff.

Howard Spring - author and journalist.  His most successful novel was "Fame is the Spur", which has been adapted into both a  film and a television series.

 Spring's father died when he was still at school and from the age of twelve he was forced to find work to help his family make ends meet.  He worked as a butcher's errand boy and an accountant's office-boy, before becoming a messenger boy at the South Wales Daily News, where he taught himself shorthand and went to night school to enable him to become a reporter.  He found work as a reporter for the Yorkshire Observer and the Manchester Guardian, where he reported on the First World War, whilst also working for the Intelligence Department in France.  In 1930 Spring joined the Evening Standard, replacing J.B. Priestley as the newspaper's book reviewer and it was at this time that he started writing his series of best-selling novels.

Born on this day 1905 in Alltwen, near Pontardawe.

Rachel Thomas - film and television actress, best remembered for her role as a miner's wife in the film "Proud Valley".

 In 1968 she starred in the television version of How Green Was My Valley and in 1971 appeared in the film version of Under Milk Wood, with Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. She was also a mainstay of Pobl y Cwm, the BBC Wales television soap opera.

30 miners were killed In a mining accident at Morfa Colliery, Port Talbot on 10th February 1870. 

On 8th February 1870, the following entry was recorded in the Llansantffraid board school log book; 

"Endeavoured to compel the children to converse in English by means of a piece of wood. Offenders to be shut in after school" 

This refers to the 'Welsh Not' which was used in some schools during the nineteenth century in a bid to prevent pupils from speaking Welsh. The 'Welsh Not', which usually consisted of a small piece of wood or slate inscribed with the letters 'W.N' was hung around the neck of a child who was caught speaking Welsh. At the end of the school day, the child wearing the 'Welsh Not' would be punished by the schoolteacher.

During the mid-19th century there was a feeling among some MP's in Westminster, that the continued existence of the Welsh language was one of the reasons for perceived lawlessness in Wales, which  resulted in a parliamentary report being commissioned with regard to the role of the Welsh language in education.  The report, which became known as the Treachery of the Blue Books was published in 1847 and caused a considerable anger in Wales, as its commissioners, three monoglot Anglican barristers from England, refered to the Welsh language as a drawback and that the moral condition of Welsh people would only improve with the introduction of English.  Therefore the "Welsh Not", although not official policy became commonly used in some schools.

On 8th February 1915 D.W.Griffith's controversial film "The Birth of a Nation" premiered in Los Angeles.

David Llewelyn Wark Griffith, of Welsh descent, was a pioneering American film director and this film although commercially a success, drew widespread criticism for its portrayal of the Ku Klux Klan as a heroic force, whilst African-American men, were portrayed as unintelligent and sexually aggressive.

The outcry of racism was so great that Griffith was inspired to produce "Intolerance" the following year, showing the history of prejudiced thought and behaviour.

    
Sydenham Teast Edwards (1768 – 8 February 1819) -, who was born in Usk, was an extremely popular natural history illustrator for magazines and encyclopaedias, at a time when there was great demand for illustrations of the new plants being found on discovery voyages to previously unexplored regions of the world.  

On 8th February 1889 sixteen people perished in the Pembroke river ferry tragedy.

The ferry between Bentlass and Lower Pennar was regularly used by workmen at the Royal Naval Dockyard at Pembroke Dock as well as people shopping and doing business in Pembroke Dock. On this particular day, 14 women were on board returning from the weekly market, when an unusually strong tide rushed in, driven by strong winds, causing the boat to rock severely.  It is thought then that some of the passengers moved to avoid the spray of a wave and unbalanced the boat.  Almost immediately the boat started to take in water and sink.