I noticed another report of a dead body being fished out of the river Taff on the Western Mail website yesterday. That's the second in a fortnight. This prompted me to search for other reports. So far I have come across thirteen different drowning reports and one attempted suicide in the past eight years, and there may be more I didn't pick up on. Whether these are accidental drownings as a result of late night inebriation, murders or suicides, it's still cause for concern.
Despite posh railings along the river side in town, despite the Samaritans suicide prevention service, and all those who work in social services, crime prevention and mental health care, little seems to have changed in several centuries. Saint John's 18th and 19th church records abound with accounts of the pauper's burial accorded to unknown people whose bodies were fished from the Taff and left unclaimed by family or friends.
Despite posh railings along the river side in town, despite the Samaritans suicide prevention service, and all those who work in social services, crime prevention and mental health care, little seems to have changed in several centuries. Saint John's 18th and 19th church records abound with accounts of the pauper's burial accorded to unknown people whose bodies were fished from the Taff and left unclaimed by family or friends.
In a city that seems always to be partying about something or other, the shadow of some personal tragedy never seems far away.
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