Mum’s saintly mission

Aug 2 2007 by Our Correspondent, Celtic

A MISSIONARY-TURNED-MUM with an international family may not be the first person you expect to write about Saint Tydfil.

But Coral Smith of Park Crescent, Twynyrodyn is doing just that, penning a historical novel called Giant Steps that traces the history of Merthyr Tydfil’s patron saint.

Depicting St Tydfil’s life through the journey of a giant across the country, Coral’s tale takes some large steps of its own.

Coral traces the possible lineage of St Tydfil, a woman whom very little is known about, to the landing of Joseph of Arimathea in Britain and their settlement at Glastonbury.

Along the way, the novel draws upon legends including King Arthur to illustrate its case.

Coral is keen to stress her book is not a theory set in stone, instead hoping to promote debate.

“Ideas shouldn’t be too fixed, we have to look at everything,” said the 50-year-old .

“Exploration always happens when things are put in an exciting enough way.”

Her first book, Little Miss Tearful, also explored the history of Merthyr Tydfil, examining its construction through the eyes of an angel.

Coral ultimately hopes books such as Giant Strides will be the tip of a historical iceberg.

“People perhaps need to be more proud of Merthyr,” said the mother-of-seven, “if people started to create more, then the history of Merthyr could become something to explore and be proud of.”

Having adopted her children on her missionary travels from places such as Zambia and Mauritius, Coral is very aware of having to juggle the responsibilities of parenthood and work.

When asked how her children feel having an author for a mother, Coral said: “The little ones are still quite excited by it.

“I try to sneak time in when they are in bed, but they understand that sometimes mum has to write her book.”