1927: Hilda Medd of Stanway Road in Ely died following an illegal termination of pregnancy. The operation had been performed by Reginald Morris, later described as ‘a quack physician and amateur abortionist of the lowest order’. She was discovered dead in bed by her daughter. Her husband, a marine engineer, was away at sea at the time – and not, it was said, the father of the child. Police investigated, knowing that the woman had been ‘medically attended’ by Morris. The baby’s body was discovered buried in the garden, hardened by the winter frost. Morris was found guilty of manslaughter, having induced her miscarriage and left her in a condition that allowed a fatal infection to set in. He was sentenced to four years imprisonment. (Mark Isaacs, Foul Deeds & Suspicious Deaths in Cardiff, Wharncliffe, 2009)
1982: The roof of Sophia Gardens Pavilion collapsed after a snowstorm. Opened in 1951, the pavilion had been used for dances, meetings and exhibitions. The boxing matches in the 1958 Empire Games had taken placed there. (Stewart Williams, Cardiff Yesterday)