Where are you from? I am from Birmingham and have lived in Carmarthenshire since 1989.
What is the subject of your doctoral research project? 'Aloof Among its Beeches’: Welsh Writing in English – representations of the Gentry House from the Late Eighteenth century onwards.
What are your main research interests? Houses, families and gardens.
Tell us about your career so far and what led you to ISWE and your doctoral research project? I have an academic background in English studies, tourism management and landscape archaeology. I worked in horticulture for many years and on European funded business support projects. I developed an interest in local history which resulted in two books, one being the history of the local school and the other a landscape history of the farms and field names in Blaenau Tywi. I was recently commissioned by the National Botanic Garden of Wales to edit the history of the site, formerly Middleton Hall. I now work as a freelance historian for heritage organisations and private clients.
What is your favourite thing about ISWE and being a doctoral researcher? I joined ISWE as a PhD candidate because it encapsulates so many of my interests and has a supportive cohort of staff and fellow researchers. I like the breadth of knowledge and support from the ISWE community.
What is your proudest achievement since joining ISWE? My research potentially shining a light on the unsung and forgotten women writers of Wales.
What is your favourite historical period and why? The early nineteenth century is my favourite historical period in Wales. the changeover from the rural and pastoral, to an urban industrial society which is strongly reflected in English language fiction from Wales.
Your favourite place in Wales? My favourite place in Wales is the Dinas near Rhandirmwyn at bluebell time in May, the well wooded, hillside hide out of Twm Sion Cati in the late sixteenth and early seventeenth century.
Can you recommend any books, TV shows, podcasts, blogs that you have enjoyed recently? I have recently been reading Cambrian Pictures by Anne of Swansea, whose own life was almost as adventurous and melodramatic as her novels and Olivette Otele’s ‘African Europeans an Untold History’ a scholarly overview of the many fascinating stories of the long presence of African-Europeans in the continent. Salman Rushdie’s ‘Through a glass darkly’ on BBC iplayer about the recent attack on him and it’s aftermath. William Dalrymple and Anita Anand’s ‘Empire’ podcasts are a must for anyone interested in empire and its fallout.
What are your hobbies or favourite extracurricular activities? Have you got any other interesting projects on the go? I love reading women’s writing from the 30s and 40s and Persephone Books is my go to publisher for these writers. I love growing unusual varieties of plants and garden in a scruffy way. I go church bothering and walking on the hills that surround the valley I am so lucky to live in.
How can people keep up to date with your research project? People can contact me on X @HouseHistorian1 or Instagram @thehousehistorianwales
Contact Sara:
srf21svz@bangor.ac.uk
