An Exhibition of films and voices from
the Ebbw Fach Valley.
| ||||
|
Wednesday, 29 May 2013
Vanishing Point
An Exhibition of films and voices from
the Ebbw Fach Valley.
Friday, 24 May 2013
Mining Disasters List
 |
| Tools carved to scale by H Williams of Llanhilleth |
A website for a social club seems a strange place to find 110 year old history, but I found it a very good site for those interested in the coal mining industry of the UK.
The "Mining Disasters" page provides some harrowing statistics and should help us appreciate the development of the modern world, which would not have been built without the sacrifice of men working underground, sometimes never seeing daylight for months on end. Also, their wives who, with no running water, washed and cleaned using only a coal fire to boil kettles of water, and a tin bath to wash.
http://www.florencesportsandsocial.com/page17.htm
 |
| Adding a new ring to the roof of a coal mine - painting by H Williams, Llanhilleth |
Friday, 17 May 2013
A valley's town, South Wales, then & now
1930s
In the industrial South Wales Valleys, trees had been stripped from the mountains over centuries to burn in the iron furnaces or prop up miles of tunnels beneath the ground. Smoke from the iron forges and tin works, lay heavy in the air, suppressed by layers of smoke and fumes from the day before and the day before. Smells from industrial waste and sewage lingered in the nostrils of poorly clad people trying to avoid queuing for the feeding stations of the Depression.
The river flowed black with coal dust from the washeries, and sewage.
Industrial waste was dumped, if not in the river, then as close as possible to its place of origin, on any unused land. The outline of these huge mounds mirrored the glorious mountains they were fouling, and blocked out the view from small cottages and farms.
In winter, snow turned everything white for a mere minute or two before being covered in a layer of coal dust from the mines, and soot from the many house fires.
Women, after working hard with a rubbing board and soap on the week's laundry, often found it soiled on the washing line.
1700s
According to Edmund Jones, born 1702, the Minister of Tyllwyn Congregational from 1739 to 1779, quoted by Arthur Gray-Jones in his book Eve of the Industrial Revolution 1779
... was a pleasant, remote, well-wooded upland valley. There were good pastures on the hillsides and cornfields along the bottom of the valley, but the valley was not very fertile, especially at its northern end where the soil was thin and the land poor and barren. There was no village or hamlet, merely scattered whitewashed farms and cottages in a beautiful setting.
Every house had its clear wholesome springs of water and delightful prospects of hills and mountains, and an abundance of flat stones for tiling the roofs and flooring the kitchens and making pathways and plenty of coal for firing.
Who, he asked, would exchange a dwelling here for one in any other part of England or Wales?
Air was wholesome and inhabitants healthy and the climate a temperate one, though it was certainly colder on the hillsides and in the north of the district than in the sheltered valleys.
In the industrial South Wales Valleys, trees had been stripped from the mountains over centuries to burn in the iron furnaces or prop up miles of tunnels beneath the ground. Smoke from the iron forges and tin works, lay heavy in the air, suppressed by layers of smoke and fumes from the day before and the day before. Smells from industrial waste and sewage lingered in the nostrils of poorly clad people trying to avoid queuing for the feeding stations of the Depression. The river flowed black with coal dust from the washeries, and sewage.
Industrial waste was dumped, if not in the river, then as close as possible to its place of origin, on any unused land. The outline of these huge mounds mirrored the glorious mountains they were fouling, and blocked out the view from small cottages and farms.
In winter, snow turned everything white for a mere minute or two before being covered in a layer of coal dust from the mines, and soot from the many house fires.
Women, after working hard with a rubbing board and soap on the week's laundry, often found it soiled on the washing line.
BUT TOWNS HADN'T ALWAYS LOOKED LIKE THAT !
1700s
According to Edmund Jones, born 1702, the Minister of Tyllwyn Congregational from 1739 to 1779, quoted by Arthur Gray-Jones in his book Eve of the Industrial Revolution 1779
... was a pleasant, remote, well-wooded upland valley. There were good pastures on the hillsides and cornfields along the bottom of the valley, but the valley was not very fertile, especially at its northern end where the soil was thin and the land poor and barren. There was no village or hamlet, merely scattered whitewashed farms and cottages in a beautiful setting.
Every house had its clear wholesome springs of water and delightful prospects of hills and mountains, and an abundance of flat stones for tiling the roofs and flooring the kitchens and making pathways and plenty of coal for firing.
Who, he asked, would exchange a dwelling here for one in any other part of England or Wales?
Air was wholesome and inhabitants healthy and the climate a temperate one, though it was certainly colder on the hillsides and in the north of the district than in the sheltered valleys.
TODAY !
2013
Today the clamour of the great industries of iron, steel, coal, copper and tinplate have ceased, replaced by a new-found identity. Tips have been removed and hillsides landscaped. Trees are returning to the hillsides.
Historians and tourists still seek out evidence of our industrial heritage, but the natural greenery has returned with abundance, with the help of volunteers and local governments. Nature is healing many scars. Rows of cottages as quaint as any Cornish village can be seen on the hillsides, but without Cornwall's clamour of summer traffic jams clogging the narrow streets.
Local people banter with each other and are always willing to help a stranger with directions, or to pass the time of day.
Positioned on the path of the Gulf Stream, valley towns have a mild (if rather damp), climate, creating lush vegetation. Plant enthusiasts find wonderful wild flowers and garden species. In spring, magnolias thrive in a garden in nearly every street. Kerbside primroses and daffodils add to the spectacular scenery of mountains all around.
Many towns have a weekly market, as well as 'out of town' shopping, often wtih free parking and places to eat.
SO!
2014/5
If you haven't already done so, perhaps you will find the time and opportunity to pay us a visit. I'd love to hear from you.
Wednesday, 15 May 2013
Wales Coastal Path
 |
| Newport's Historical Transporter Bridge |
Fantastic!!
It has only been open a year, and already it is estimated to have brought around
£16million to the Welsh economy.
 |
| Barry Lighthouse |
To celebrate this anniversary, Brendan McNally, a Canadian writer is opening a seven-part web series titled:
"The Wales Coast Path: Walking the South Coast of Wales."
Each episode takes listeners from Chepstow around the coast of Wales. Brendan helpfully gives ratings to sections of the path.
 |
| Barry Island Beach |
walkingthewalescoastpath.wordpress.com
 |
| Winter sun reflected on Penarth Beach |
www.walescoastpath.gov.uk
www.llwybrarfordircymru.gov.uk
Monday, 13 May 2013
Llanyrafon Manor, Cwmbran, South Wales
For over 250 years Llanyrafon Manor was home to the Griffiths family. They bought the
"great mansion" in 1616 and as they grew in wealth, so the Manor grew in size, becoming one of Cwmbran's principle estates.
The Manor was downgraded to a farm in the Victorian period,producing hay, bread and cider.
Low doorways and uneven floors add to the atmosphere of this historic building.
The Raspberry Tearoom produces a wide variety of home-made baking, light lunches and afternoon teas, using only locally sourced ingredients.
Admission is free and the Manor is open between 7 Jan and 23rd Dec, 10am-4pm everyday.
Llanyrafon Manor Rural Heritage Centre is home to a monthly Food & Craft Market, 10am-2pm selling local produce and interesting gifts.
30 June 2013
28 July 2013
18 August 2013
29 September 2013
27 October 2013
24 November 2013
15 December 2013
Elvis alive and well in Porthcawl, South Wales
This sounds like one person's idea that has taken off dramatically over several years.
Elvis Festival
September 28th-30th 2013
Porthcawl, South Wales
Typically, the end of the summer season means a slowing down in visitor numbers for seaside towns. Not so in Porthcawl at the end of September. Every year hundreds, or more like thousands descend on this seaside venue dressed as Elvis. Black wigs, stand-up collars, spangles and diamante are all respectable wear no matter your age or size. The entertainment for the weekend at many pubs, clubs and hotels includes an Elvis impersonator.
Why not join the fun and go Elvis spotting. See how many you can see.
I'm sure the sun will shine this year, but even in the renowned Porthcawl breeze, those wigs will be holding fast.
http://www.bridgendreach.org.uk/rural-community-map/i/37/desc/newton/
Friday, 10 May 2013
Sebastopol National School, South Wales
This school, erected in 1861, was the idea of Rev Dr David James who was located at St Mary's Church, Panteg. Funds were raised by a Bazaar held in the grounds of the house of the Hanbury family (later to become Pontypool Park). The building was demolished during the 1960s and has been replaced by St Oswalds Close. Children of all ages attended and were required to complete at least 100 hours of schooling.
It had been planned that the building, now St Oswalds Church, was to become part of the school located nextdoor, but this didn't happen.
The design is similar to a school to which the Reverend gave priority - Pontymoile - because of the high population of tinworkers there. The Pontymoile school building was partly demolished a few years ago to make way for a pedestrian bridge near the Maesderwen roundabout.
In 1910 the Wern School Building was erected opposite the original Sebastopol National school and the older children were moved in. In 1949 this was to become the Wern Secondary Modern School, with students from not only the village, but around the local area. This was later closed and destroyed by fire.
Note how all the buildings have a similar layout. Wern School, externally was also similar in plan to Sebastopol National School.
www.gwentarchives.gov.uk
Sebastopol, A Local History, by W.G. Lloyd, ISBN 0 9520543 0 2
Gwent Archives at Ebbw Vale has a collection of School Log Books, including Sebastopol National School.
It had been planned that the building, now St Oswalds Church, was to become part of the school located nextdoor, but this didn't happen.
The design is similar to a school to which the Reverend gave priority - Pontymoile - because of the high population of tinworkers there. The Pontymoile school building was partly demolished a few years ago to make way for a pedestrian bridge near the Maesderwen roundabout.
 |
| Part of Pontymoile school, now a home. |
In 1910 the Wern School Building was erected opposite the original Sebastopol National school and the older children were moved in. In 1949 this was to become the Wern Secondary Modern School, with students from not only the village, but around the local area. This was later closed and destroyed by fire.
 |
| St Oswalds Church, Sebastopol
|
www.gwentarchives.gov.uk
Sebastopol, A Local History, by W.G. Lloyd, ISBN 0 9520543 0 2
Gwent Archives at Ebbw Vale has a collection of School Log Books, including Sebastopol National School.
Tuesday, 7 May 2013
Bethany Baptist Chapel, Six Bells, South Wales
 |
| Bethany Baptist, Six Bells |
Much work goes into this annual event. Its well worth a visit, especially if you love flowers and old buildings - the cakes are good too !!
Flower Festival Thursday 19 - Saturday 21 September
Opening times: Thursday 11am-6pm
Friday 11am-5pm
Saturday 11am-7pm
"Special Christians of the Past"
Home-made cakes and preserves for sale, crafts, plants and refreshments.
 |
| Welsh cakes, known also as bakestones |
Bethany Baptist Chapel commenced 1897 when weekly meetings were held in local cottages. Six Bells Infants School was used for Sunday Services until it was found to be too full.
13 March 1989 a piece of land was donated. Local free labour cleared the coal tip which covered it and foundation walls were laid.
15 May 1901, It was decided it would be known as "Bethany."
7 July 1901, Rev.T.G.James officiated at the opening service.
Welsh Revivalism struck Six Bells in 1904-5 when Mr Prichard baptised 53 in four months.
25 August 1919 the chapel was solemnised for Marriage Services.
28 June 1960 the chapel was the first resting place for many of the 45 men who died in the Six Bells Mining Disaster. The pit was located next to the chapel. The pit closed in the 1980s and the landscaped site is now overshadowed by Guardian, a 20mtr tall memorial to all miners, created by Sebastien Boyesen for the fiftieth anniversary of the disaster.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)