Te Cymreig: A Vintage Welsh Tea Party by the Sea

 Today, I’m sharing a favourite piece from my collection that perfectly encapsulates the romanticized image of Wales in the mid-20th century: a brightly illustrated postcard titled "Welsh Tea Party" (or Te Cymreig). It’s a colourful, charming scene that contrasts beautifully with the very practical message written on the back.

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Te Cymreig - Welsh Tea Party

The Front: Tradition and Tranquillity

The illustration is rich in traditional Welsh iconography, clearly designed to appeal to tourists and promote a nostalgic view of the country:

• The Dress: Three women are depicted wearing the famous traditional Welsh costume—the tall black hat, the full skirt, the checked apron, and a striking red shawl or cloak. This outfit, established in the 19th century, was a powerful symbol of Welsh national identity, particularly for tourism.

• The Setting: They are enjoying tea near a stone cottage beside a tranquil body of water, likely a lake or a calm coastal bay. The setting suggests peace and rural tradition.

• Local Crafts: Notice the spinning wheel prominent in the foreground. This highlights the region's heritage of wool production and traditional crafts.

The Message: Llandudno in 1951

The reverse side, published by Valentine & Sons Ltd., Dundee and London, carries a postmark dated 9 APR 1951 from Llandudno, Caernarvonshire. This anchors the card firmly in the post-war era of British domestic holidays.

The message, addressed to The Misses Bowden in Surbiton, Surrey, is written from a holidaymaker who seems to be experiencing a rather mixed bag of weather:

"Can you remember... I went there this morning. I came up to the Carnarvon this afternoon. The sea is just below my bedroom window and very rough. My love to Mummy, Daddy and Marjorie."

The Contrast of Reality

The message creates a wonderful contrast with the idyllic image:

• The View: The writer is staying somewhere with a prime view—"The sea is just below my bedroom window"—suggesting a classic seaside guesthouse in Llandudno.

• The Weather: The sea is described as "very rough," suggesting a brisk, possibly cold, spring holiday—a dose of reality against the sunny, timeless scene on the front.

• The Excursion: The mention of going up to "The Carnarvon" (likely Great Orme in Llandudno) is a classic tourist itinerary item, showing the holiday was focused on local landmarks.

This card is a charming window into a 1951 Easter holiday: an illustrated fantasy of Welsh tradition sent from a very real, slightly wind-blown day trip to the coast of North Wales.

Castles, Dragons, and Coastal Routes: Mapping Out Mid-Century West Wales

I'm excited to share one of the most colourful pieces in my collection: an illustrated map postcard of West Wales! This card, published by Judges Postcards Ltd., Hastings, England, is a perfect example of mid-century tourist art, designed not just to send a greeting, but to sell the romance and history of a destination.

West Wales Map

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The Front: A Whistle-Stop Tour of Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire

The map covers the counties of Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire, stretching from Cardigan Bay in the north to Swansea and the Gower in the south.

• Iconography: The map is packed with charming, detailed illustrations of key attractions:

  • Castles: The region’s deep history is highlighted with numerous castles: Kidwelly, Laugharne, Pembroke, Carew, Cilgerran, and Paxton's Tower. These are depicted with colourful flags flying high, ready for visitors.

  • The Welsh Dragon: The famous Red Dragon (Y Ddraig Goch) dominates the upper right, symbolizing the nation's pride.

  • Culture: A figure in traditional Welsh dress stands prominently in the center of the map, representing local culture.

  • Coastal Focus: The importance of the sea is shown with illustrations of Milford Haven, St. Davids Cathedral, and a passenger steamer sailing toward Rosslare.

• The Roads: The main roads are marked in thick red lines, giving the map a clear, easy-to-follow layout that speaks to the rise of car travel for holidays in the post-war era.

The Context: The Rise of the Holiday Route

Although the back of the card is unused, the style strongly suggests a print date in the 1960s or 1970s. This period saw a boom in UK domestic tourism, and this map postcard served several functions:

1. Souvenir: It acts as a comprehensive memento of a driving tour or holiday in the region.

2. Marketing: It visually markets the area, quickly showing off the abundance of things to see, from the rugged coast to the historical sites.

3. Educational: It simplifies the geography, making the rich history of West Wales accessible to the average tourist.

This postcard is a bright, nostalgic reminder of how we used to explore, relying on brightly coloured maps and the promise of ancient castles around every bend in the road. It’s a small, perfect piece of Welsh tourism history!