This cache is dedicated to Playwright and Author Ivor Novello (who lived opposite cache location), and to raise awareness of the history of the former St David’s Hospital / Cardiff Workhouse (behind cache location).
Yet how many people realise that this sentimental ditty was just one of dozens produced by a remarkable young Welshman who, at the time, was serving in the Royal Naval Air Service?
Ivor Novello was born in Cowbridge Road East in Cardiff on 15 January 1893. The house, just to the west of the River Taf, was called Llwyn Yr Eos (Grove of the Nightingales) and can be identified by a plaque on the front wall.
Ivor Novello's real name was David Ivor Davies; he was the son of Clara Novello Davies, a noted and renowned singer and teacher who had also founded the Welsh Ladies Choir. His father, David Davies, was by comparison a fairly staid and ordinary man - he was a tax collector.
Under his mother's influence the young Ivor Novello was performing at Eisteddfodiau across the country from an early age and, in due course, went on to Magdalene College, Oxford, to study for a degree.
However, the outbreak of war brought a sudden and dramatic change to his lifestyle. In 1916 Ivor joined the RNAS and began training as a pilot. It has to be admitted that he was not a very good airman. He completed his training on dual control aircraft but proceeded to crash during his very first solo flight. Given a second chance he did exactly the same again and, as a result, the RNAS grounded him for the duration of the war.
Cardiff Union Workhouse
Cardiff Union Workhouse was built on Cowbridge Road, Cardiff in 1839 and later rebuilt in 1880-81. The building was added to and extended several times through its history and eventually became St Davids Hospital in1948. The building of the new Workhouse was a consequence of the changes brought in by the 1834 Poor Law. The Cardiff Poor Law Union was formed in 1836.
Peter Higginbotham, considered an expert in the field of workhouses states that
'its operation was overseen by an elected Board of Guardians, 53 in number representing 44 constitiuent parishes.'
There is evidence of an earlier workhouse on the west side of St Mary Street opposite the town gaol. However the building most Cardiff residents would reference is the building on Cowbridge Road.