Scriveners, Critiquing Group, South Wales

Scriveners is a group intended as a forum for writers to give and receive literary criticism of its members' work.  Work brought 'on spec' is not discussed, because members need time to consider their comments.  Only members' work is discussed.  No speakers, exercises or workshops are included and members are not obliged to provide work for discussion or give comments on others' work - some prefer to be observers, at first, while others join in straight away.  Although the atmosphere is very friendly, the task of criticism is taken seriously.

Scriveners has been in existence for many years.  Recently the group changed its meeting place from Abergavenny to Brynmawr.

The group meets on alternate Wednesdays at 8pm at the Royal Exchange, Davies Street, Brynmawr, Blaenau Gwent.  A Journal of submitted work is issued by mail to members who then have the opportunity to provide constructive criticism during the evening.  After each piece has been discussed the writer has the opportunity to comment on the feedback received.  Prospective members may attend three meetings without joining and would receive the fortnightly newsletter, free of charge, during that time.

For details of membership, please submit a comment to this piece.  Your details will not be published.

Mamhilad, South Wales

The Star Inn

Walk along the Mon & Brecon Canal between Goytre and Pontymoile and you will find a turn off which will take you to Mamhilad.  Most famously known as the home of British Nylon Spinners, later to become ICI Fibres and then du Pont, but now the site is leased as rented units.

But Mamhilad existed long before the 'Nylon Factory,' or 'the Nylon,' as it was known.  Follow the lane from the canal, and, as it meets the road, you find The Star Inn on your righthand side.  It has changed hands several times over recent years, but you can always be sure of a friendly welcome, a pint, and possibly some food.  (If not, why not just have a packet of crisps.)

Mamhilad seems to be the home of that rare commodity 'the red telephone box.'  Situated against a cottage opposite the pub, I wonder how often it is used in this age of mobile phones. 





Mamhilad Church

On the opposite side of the road is an ancient church, surrounded by a grave yard.  Just inside the gate you will find the traditional yew tree.  Some say they were placed in churchyards to protect the dead. Others give a more practical reason.  The wood was used to make arrows and it would remain protected in the churchyard as no-one would dare destroy the tree.  Whatever the reason, its interesting to see if a churchyard has a yew tree within its bounds, a sign of medieval history.

 

 

Old Gravestones in Mamhilad Churchyard

 

Ancient Cwmbran Society, South Wales

The Ancient Cwmbran Society held an event at the Congress Theatre, Cwmbran last night.  The event was organised in co-operation with the University of Wales.

Ian Daniel spoke briefly on the Ancient tribe of Silures who inhabited South Wales.
Although we have museums exploring Roman History, there is very little on our Celtic Heritage. It is hoped this will be corrected.

Madeleine Gray's topic was Slab Crosses of the Medieval period.  These stones can still be found on the floors of churches around the area.  Often they have been reused as part of the fabric of a building, so great fun can be had trying to spot the carving that may remain which reveals it was originally a memorial cross.  Many, under foot have been obliterated over time, or damaged by, for example, drilling for more modern fittings.

Les James spoke, after the break, on the urgent need to fill gaps in our knowledge of the Chartist Riots of Newport by researching online documents which have recently become available.  Lottery Funding has been applied for the transcribe and digitise more documents.

Lastly Gary Tuscon, from Gwent Archives spoke about the sorts of records available for examination by local people, and their new facility at The Works in Ebbw Vale.

These talks were a taster to encourage people to sign up for a 15 week course on History Research.
This course would be worth 20 credits towards applying for a Degree Course.

Anyone interested should contact Caerleon or Newport Campus as details will be forwarded shortly.
It is planned to hold courses both during the daytime and evening, to enable more people to attend.

Membership of the Ancient Cwmbran Society costs £5.  You can join and find details of their activities on ther website and also on their Facebook page.


http://www.ancientcwmbran.co.uk/

http://www.newport.ac.uk/Pages/home.aspx

 

Lavernock Point, South Wales

 

 

 

Lavernock beach was a favourite day out in the 1960s and 70s, via St Mary's Well Bay.  Parking in a private car park alongside a caravan park and using precipitice steps.  Rock pools and seaweed surround areas of beach, making it a safe and interesting place for children at low tide, (usual parental supervision recommended).   Rapid underwater currents can make bathing in the sea quite dangerous.  This access has long been denied to the public, but recently we followed signs to Lavernock Point.  

A single track lane leads to a rather disappointing car park for very few cars.  Parking was easy in December, but could prove difficult in high summer, especially with such a narrow access lane.  The coastal path is easily followed eastwards with spectacular views and quite difficult access to the beach, used by anglers.

Near the car park is another beach access, along a small valley, but is quite steep and requires 'sensible footwear.'

The Severn and Bristol Channel converge at this point which was chosen by Marconi, an Italian radio enthusiast.   In 1807 he made the first radio transmission across water from nearby Flat Holm Island to a receiving station at Lavernock Point.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/southeastwales/hi/people_and_places/history/newsid_7847000/7847738.stm

We are looking forward to revisiting this coastal path in dryer weather.  The views along the coast must be fantastic, but in winter the path is more of a stream interspersed with boggy areas.  Not ideal for the jogger that passed, wearing white socks and trainers.

A tantalising stone tower stands on the cliff edge.  Inside, now derelict, it contains Penstock control panels and pumps, possibly for excess water or sewage.  A link below shows pictures of inside.




http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lavernock

http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/urban-exploration/lavernock-watchtower/

Valleys of Gwent among UK's best says Royal Geographical Society

This was the headline in the South Wales Argus just before Christmas 2012.  It is accompanied by a photograph showing a view of Festival Park in Ebbw Vale from the mountain above.  I show my own photographs from a similar vantage point.


The Royal Geographical Society has chosen the diverse and sprawling Valleys of Gwent as having some of the most interesting geography to explore in the UK.
A project called Discovering Britain, aims to explain the stories behind the UK's built and natural landscapes through a series of self-led geographical walks.

Dr Jenny Lunn is the Discovering Britain project manager and is quoted as saying,
"On a personal level, being from Manchester, I'm very interested in former industrial areas and how they have reinvented themselves.

"Before we visited I had presumed the Valleys would be all coal, mines and depression and instead we saw this amazing landscape of forests and mountains.  I thought it was just beautiful.  You can even see the Brecon Beacons when its not raining.


"You walk past all the terraces of the towns and villages and suddenly you are in this amazing wild and natural landscape, and it is very easy to see how important that must have been for the people who worked under ground.

 "Its wonderful, and I think people need to know that this beautiful landscape is the real valleys."

RGS-IBG director, Dr Rita Gardner said,
"This is a land of contrasts and surprises with wonderful views, diverse scenery and the fascinating stories that this landscape has to tell.

"You can see how the physical landscape and the Valley towns have changed since the decline of the coal industry.

"We hope that people across the UK will explore the fabulously diverse geography and history that is on all our doorsteps.  The Valleys of South Wales have both these in abundance."

Barry Island, South Wales

Until the Victorian era, when the causeway was built to provide railway access, Barry was really an island.   Today, its more of a Peninsula, but the area has always managed to keep its own unique style.

View from the beach wall
with the tide out, showing people in the distance.

The large shallow beach provides plenty of space for beach activities, although people of an older generation will remember it back-to-back with deckchairs and children digging holes with bucket and spade.   As the tide encroached the squash became more and more with people spilling over onto the already crowded esplanade.   Rain did not deter visitors, their trips already pre-booked with Sunday Schools, Chapels or local Institutes.   Two large pavilions on the esplanade would be crammed with deckchairs, parents in plastic macs, children in bathing costumes, as swimsuits were called back then. Everyone making the most of things, with trays of tea from the cafes, the smell of vinegar on fish and chips in newspaper and the odd stray beach ball bouncing through the chaos.

The TV Series Gavin & Stacey gave the resort a much needed boost, with photographs of the characters popping up all around the area and posters offering 'Celebrity Tours.'

The esplanade looking towards the old Butlins' site

The funfair with its Big Dipper and later the Water Flume, was magical.   Goldfish to be won with pingpong balls as each one expectantly bounced amongst the glass bowls, then disappointment as it fell into an empty glass bowl.   Blood curdling screams echoed from the Ghost Train as travellers encountered cardboard skeletons or cotton cobwebs.

I was sad to hear the owner of the Amusement Park, as it is now known, has plans for a Shopping Precinct - another among many elsewhere.   But rides and attractions are already moving onto the esplanade, replacing the flower clock and rockery.

I remember the excitement of looking in the row of shops at the china momentoes and displays of rock.   Shops unlike anywhere else I had ever been.   Now replaced by fastfood outlets and an amusement arcade.

The esplanade towards the Knap

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR FOR 2013 !!

I wish everyone a very happy 2013.

Here is a little puzzle for your free time:

1. WHAT IS THIS ?

???

2. WHERE DOES THIS PATHWAY LEAD ?

3. WHAT CAN WE DO TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO APPRECIATE THE BEAUTY OF THE SOUTH WALES VALLEYS ?

Primrose in bloom in my garden on 2nd January 2013

Thank you all for supporting my blog, over the past twelve months you have made nearly 10,000 views.   When I started writing I would never have believed so many people would have found this site amongst the millions of sites on the Worldwide Web.  



Answer to first puzzle picture above:

1.

Winter sun, shining along a mossy wall

2.

Sorry, this pathway only leads into the field behind,
but I thought it made an interesting picture.





3.

I'll keep loading photographs of the local area to this blog.
Brecon & Mon Canal between Sebastopol & Pontnewynydd

Thank you again for viewing my blog, even if you never manage to visit South Wales.