A little known Neyland photographer was the focus of attention at a recent book launch.
Frederick Roberts was an amateur photographer who took hundreds of pictures of his adopted County in the early 20th century.
Now his life and work have been captured in a new book by local historian, Simon Hancock.
Frederick Roberts’ Camera was launched at Neyland Library last Friday.
It is the sixth book on local history by Simon Hancock, who is the Curator of Haverfordwest Museum as well as a County Councillor for Neyland.
“Local history is a very important aspect of the work of the Council’s library service, which endeavours both to support individual’s and groups who are researching local or family history projects and to provide access to such works for all those who want to read about the past,” said Councillor Rob Lewis, Cabinet member for Cultural Services.
“We are delighted that the service has enabled Simon’s research into the life and work of Frederick Roberts, a lesser know Neyland photographer, to be published simultaneously in both English and Welsh.”
A Neylander by adoption, Frederick Roberts was a gentleman of enthusiasm and talent, with a lively and enquiring mind. He ran the town’s general stores and was a keen motorist, pharmacist and dentist.
Above all he was a passionate amateur photographer, who took hundreds of photographs recording events, people and places along the Haven between 1910 and 1940.
“Frederick Roberts’ present is our past and many of the images he captured, are reproduced to a very high quality in Simon’s book,” said Councillor Lewis.
“In some cases this is the first time some of them will have been seen. It is these visual memories of the past, coupled with Simon’s great ability to tell the story of Frederick’s life and the events going on at the time, that make the book so accessible, fascinating and enjoyable to read.”
Simon Hancock said social history was never better displayed than through the medium of photographs.
“In these images Frederick Roberts gives life to three decades which covered the period from Edwardian times to the outbreak of the Second World War,” he said.
Copies of the book can be bought (at £8.95 per copy) in all full time libraries, (ordered at part time libraries) or borrowed, from several libraries in Pembrokeshire.
