John Idris Jones – författare

Porthmadog was once host to a wide variety of industries. Its slate went to Germany and exists there today on the roofs of thousands of dwellings, as well as to America, where the Boston Court House is roofed with Welsh slate. The slate often travelled in Porthmadog-built vessels – over 200 sailing ships were built in Porthmadog between 1830 and 1914. The Moelwyn mountains' mines, which held the world's largest deposit of slate, employed around 3,000 men in the nineteenth century. In the 1830s, the Festiniog Railway Company was formed, in order to carry slate between Blaenau and Porthmadog harbour, leading to the development of the famous 'Double Fairlie' locomotive there.Using a wonderful collection of images and drawing on his background in the area, John Idris Jones explores the fascinating history of these industries.

Secret Chester offers a unique insight into one of England’s most visited cities through a series of little-known and forgotten stories, facts and anecdotes. Author and historian John Idris Jones takes the reader on a fascinating journey from Roman times to the present day, blending dark deeds and strange tales from its long and often grisly past, as well as introducing us to some interesting characters along the way. Fully illustrated in colour throughout, the book delves beneath the surface of this ancient city revealing a lesser-known history that most local people don’t know.

Famous for its breathtaking mountain scenery, beautiful beaches, ancient culture and heritage, North Wales is a region with huge appeal. From the delights of the Ffestiniog Railway at Porthmadog to the wild landscapes of the Snowdonia National Park, this book takes the reader on a fascinating journey along ancient routes and through spectacular scenery, sleepy villages and historic castles. Beaches and coves, castles and museums and magnificent mountains, they’re all here in a lovingly painted picture of North Wales today. In 50 Gems of North Walesauthor John Idris Jones explores some of the places that make this part of the United Kingdom so special.

The town of Wrexham and its immediate vicinity has a rich heritage of industry, including coal, iron and steel, brewing, tanning, brick and tile making and lead mining. In Secret WrexhamJohn Idris Jones takes the reader on a tour of the town’s past, illustrated by his own photographs. Here you’ll meet John ‘Iron Mad’ Wilkinson, who made cannons for the American Civil War; the striking remains of the once huge Bersham Colliery; John Godfrey Parry-Thomas, the racing driver who broke the land speed record on Pendine Sands; and Rosemarie Frankland, Britain’s first Miss World.Outside of this area is extensive farmland with interesting, charming towns and villages. From Chirk, the author takes you up the magical Ceiriog Valley, and in Penley he gives an account of the Polish camp that became a hospital for wounded US soldiers. In a woodland in Overton he finds the grave of the extraordinary horse Poethlyn, who won the Grand National in 1919. The nineteen-year-old Luciano Pavarotti also features, who visited Llangollen for the International Eisteddfod in 1955. This wide-ranging illustrated collection tells the story of Wrexham’s varied past in an informative and engrossing way.