Episode notes
In this chapter of R.D. Blackmore’s The Maid of Sker, the focus turns from catching fish to selling them. With wit and sharp observation, the narrator reveals the tricks, challenges, and small triumphs of turning a hard-earned catch into a living. Beneath the humour lies a glimpse of everyday coastal life, where survival depended on skill, quick thinking, and knowing how to strike a bargain.
Blackmore captures the rhythm of local trade, painting a lively picture of Bridgend market and people who shaped South Wales mentioning Laleston, Tythegston and Newton in passing, giving us a unique snapshot of our area in the Victorian age.
For listeners in Porthcawl, Kenfig, and the surrounding area, this episode brings another taste of a forgotten classic — reminding us how work, wit, and the sea sustained whole communities.