Francis Crawshay's Workers



 ‘Thomas Euston, Lodge Keeper, Hirwaun’

The first of the following links shows all of the naive paintings which Francis Crawshay commissioned of his workers.  They range from quarrymen to farm workers with the tools of their trade.  These paintings were originally hung in his offices, but now form part of the National Museum's Permanent Collection.  Francis Crawshay felt a link with his workers and learnt welsh to help create a relationship with them.

Portraits of domestic servants were quite common, but these paintings by William Jones Chapman are believed to be the only ones in existence of industrial workers of the time (between 1835-40). 

John Llewellyn, foreman of Treforest Tinplate Works

The paintings were donated by a descendant of Francis Crawshay and entry into this summer-long exhibition "Crawshay's Portraits" is free at the National Museum of Wales, Cardiff.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-23246083

http://www.newwelshreview.com/article.php?id=549

http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/2255/

http://www.alangeorge.co.uk/francis_crawshay_photographs.htm


 

J M W Turner in Wales

Turner self-portrait

Joseph Mallord William Turner  (1775-1851)

A book was published by the Mostyn Art Gallery in 1984 as an essay and catalogue relating to the 'Turner in Wales' Project.

"As an inspiration for his art, Wales belongs very much to the first ten years of Turner's career, the decade from 1790, when he first showed a watercolour at the Royal Academy, to 1800 when, having already been elected a very young Associate of that Institution, he was on the threshold of Full Academicianship. He visited Wales five times in eight years: with the except of a brief excursion along the Dee to Corwen in 1808 he never went there again. He was to draw on these early tours occasionally in later life - notably for a group of sixteen subjects in the long series of Picturesque Views In England and Wales that he produced in the 1820s and 30s.But in the great mass of his output from 1800 onwards Welsh subjects are rare, a state of affairs that contrasts startingly with the wealth of Cambrian drawings, watercolours and oil paintings of the 1790s. These are works of a richness and vitality, a readiness of inspiration and a fecundity of technical invention, that rival those of any other period of his life, and they must count among the most intent of all romantic landscapes......"

For a list of titles inspired by Turner's visits to Wales, click on the link below:

http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/wal/Turner.html

For a series of images of Turner's paintings, click below:

http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/turner/

 

Welsh towns quiz

Just in case all this hot weather is making your mind a little lazy !

 

A picture quiz of welsh towns

http://www.ilovesthediff.com/cwtchphrase.html

 

 

 

St Mary's Madonna, Kidwelly

 

 

St Mary's Church is an ancient building with tales going back into time - bullet holes in the tower, ancient peepholes for paupers, lepers or secret worshippers (who knows), a stone screen from the 1950's and a madonna which has moved around the building.

 

As you enter the church today, above the doorway you will see an empty niche.  This once was the location for a statue of the Madonna and child.  Ladies in their finery would bob a curtsy as they entered the church beneath her.  But one minister felt this smacked too much of idolatry and had her statue removed.  For years she remained unseen, during which time she became damaged and broken.

 

 

Now what remains of her image rests on a corbal next to the alter. 

 



 

Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire

A town on the most western edge of the South Wales Valleys, Kidwelly (Cydweli) has a different feel to the valleys ex-mining towns such as Abertillery and Ebbw Vale.

Industrial Museum

The Industrial Museum  covers a large area, with a variety of old machines and equipment, including those for cold rolling and tinplate.  An interesting DVD shows the old steelworks in operation.  The job of a "Doubler" was really dangerous.  A red hot sheet of metal would be tossed across the floor from another worker and the doubler would stop it, fold it over and then stamp on it to flatten it.  Apparently many "ex-doublers" were easily recognised walking through the town by their apparent limp, caused by injuries incurred at work.

The earliest castle in Kidwelly was built of earth and timber by the Normans, and the town was established around 1115AD.  By the 13th century the castle consisted of a stone building with the half-moon floor plan you see today.

Kidwelly Castle

In the 12th Century when South Wales was under Norman rule, Gruffudd ap Rhys, the rightful Prince of South Wales had been trying to reassert his claim.  While he was away raising funds for his cause, his wife, Gwenllian led their army and marched on the King's forces.  After a long and bloody battle her army was defeated and Gwenllian was put to death.  Gwenllian and Boudicca are the only women in history to have led a British army into battle.

Thomas Kymer built the canal and quay between 1766 and 1768. It allowed good to be transported along the canal and transferred across to sea-going vessels without having to wait for high tides.

Kymer Canal basin (Wonderful picnic area with sea views)

 

Castlemartin Range Walk, South Wales

Ebbw Fach Treckers Trip to Castlemartin,

14 July 2013 

Quarter to eight, names and details were taken at Llanhilleth, and we boarded the coach for Pembrokeshire.  More eager faces awaited us at Aberbeeg, complete with walking boots, socks and despite the extremely sunny forecast, I suspect a few waterproofs.

The journey was taken up with chatting with old friends, updates on TV programmes and adventures shared on previous walks.

Carew Castle

Carew Castle will remain an image in the minds of most.  No time to visit the actual site, but the public conveniences opposite.  It was our comfort break before the final destination where only a few bushes would be available for anyone in need. 

Our arrival at the entrance to Castlemartin base was greeted by two tanks;  a Chieftain and a Romulus, which flanked the main gates.

Peter and Nickie our Pembroke National Park Leaders completed the formalities for the walk and entering a restricted zone, then lead us onto the site.

As the troops use live ammunition during training, there is a “safe zone” for walkers.  We were warned to stay between the Cliff edge and the white markers, and to touch nothing that looked remotely like armaments or ammunition, no matter what their condition.

Our first encounter was the smell of guano from an offshore island.  It appeared only as we reached the cliff edge, covered with hundreds of seabirds.

What, at first, appeared to be extensive grassland, on closer examination was full of wild flowers and birds.  Wild thyme flowers in pink and white made vivid exclamation marks in the grey limestone, while deep pink and purple orchids hid in the long grass.

We played “follow the leader” through the grass to see a huge blowhole which extended down through the cliff. We could see the rocks below shining in the sun, but in stormy weather the sea is forced up through to spray onto the surrounding area.

Blow-hole in the cliff from beach level

Further along a rock of layers of limestone revealed changing faces as we passed.  Was it a red Indian, or a boxer with a broken nose?   A welcome lunch break allowed time to enjoy the pleasant sea breeze and spectacular views.  With temperatures around 24-28 degrees, the cliff top was an ideal place to sit.

Indian Chief or Boxer with a broken nose ?

Progress along the Pembroke coastal Path revealed a modern day army fort and the remains of an iron age settlement.  Defensive ditches and mounds were only needed to protect part of the site as the sea cliffs made both a pleasant home and protection from strangers.

A few of our group took the opportunity for a welcome cooling paddle at a large sandy bay, the sea breezes masking the heat of the day which we were to experience as we turned back inland to finish our walk.  Houses and farms in the area have been purchased by the MOD, many used during exercises, except, perhaps this old mill.

The Old Mill, now a little damp underfoot

A pleasant half-hour was spent in Bosherston, perhaps to enjoy a cream tea, or see the water lily ponds a few even enjoyed the pleasures of the local hostelry.

Many thanks to both Peter and Nickie of the National Park Authority for an informative and enjoyable 8 mile walk.  Also thanks need to go to Eva and Caroline for organising this away day.

Bravery in rescuing fellow miners

William Walters was awarded the Albert Medal of the Second Class by Queen Victoria in recognition of his bravery in rescuing fellow-miners trapped underground.  The medal raised £6,900 at auction last week.

The Abercarn colliery disaster of 11 September 1878, when 262 people were killed in an explosion, remains one of the worst mining disasters in British history.

With fear of another imminent explosion, rescue teams were withdrawn.  William was one of a nine volunteers who descended the two-mile shaft.

On 20 August 1879 the Guardian described the rescue:

"The men ... without hesitation descended the pit, and

although they discovered that fires were raging in the

mine and that the chances of another explosion were

considerable, they remained... not ascending the shaft

until they had satisfied themselves that no-one was

left alive below."

82 men and boys were crowded at the bottom of the shaft awaiting their escape to freedom, many severely burned. All were brought to the surface.

Reported by the South Wales argus on 9 July 2013 by Will Bain
01633 777242
wb@southwalesargus.co.uk
Twitter@ArgusWBain

South Wales Valleys Terraces are special

 

The South Wales Valleys' long terraces of predominantly stone houses with colourful windows and doors, slate roofs and large chimneystacks creating a rhythm down the street, are known throughout the world.  Built within a short period of time, often in a random plan, they met the massive demand for housing created by the influx of thousands of people coming to work in ironworks or coalmines.  The sheer quantity of this type of housing, to this day, provides the valleys with its identity.

Iron towns such as Merthyr or Aberdare originally developed as clusters around several ironworks.  Gradually these clusters grew and gaps between filled to form towns.  These 'early' house types generally date from before 1860.  'Later' linear terraces date from 1870s to the turn of the twentieth century.  These generally follow the contours of the land.

The influence of architectural trends from outside the area and the inappropriate use of modern materials has taken its toll on many of our terraces.  But, according to the Valleys Built Heritage Partnership, with care and thought the present decline can be halted and the situation improved.

Creating the original persona of your house by reverting to sash windows and replacing a chimney which may have been removed, could add value to a property.


www.myvalleyshouse.org.uk

http://www.civictrustwales.org/

Tredegar heroes change World History

According to the South Wales Argus  on 15 July, Gwent Heritage Forum gained funding of around £600 to erect steel plaques for two almost forgotten heroes of the age of the industrial revolution.

Rhys Davies is alleged to have had a huge impact on the industrial development of the USA.  His plaque has been raised on the Cambrian pub in The Circle, Tredegar.  Mr Davies left South Wales in 1833 and helped build the Tredegar Ironworks in Richmond, Virginia.  His ironworks helped change American history by producing weapons used in the civil war.  His company was the first to employ black workers in senior roles.

Unfortunately I could not find much information on Rhys Davies.  He is not mentioned in the Wikipedia description of Tredegar Ironworks, Richmond, Virginia. 

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

Daniel Gooch developed a pioneering trans-atlantic telegraph cable.  The Railway Tavern at the bottom of Sirhowy Hill displays his plaque.

According to Wikipedia:
"Gooch was born in Bedlington, Northumberland the son of John Gooch, an ironfounder, and his wife Anna Longridge. In 1831 his family moved to Tredegar ironworks, Monmouthshire, south Wales, where his father had accepted a managerial post, and it was there that Daniel would begin training under Thomas Ellis senior, who together with Ironmaster Sam Homfray and Richard Trevithick pioneered steam railway locomotion. Gooch in his diaries writes: "I look back upon the time spent at Tredegar as by far the most important years of my life... large works of this kind are by far the best school for a young engineer."  He trained in engineering with a variety of companies, including a period with Robert Stephenson and Company, but was aged 21 when recruited by Isambard Kingdom Brunel for the Great Western Railway, under the title "Superintendent of Locomotive Engines", taking office on 18 August 1837."

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

Can't Garden ! Won't Garden !

When the sun's shining, everyone loves to sit surrounded by greenery, (and perhaps a few flowers).  If you don't garden, I hope this will be inspirational...



   

               "Oh I kill everything," I hear you say.
                   Well, stop fussing with each plant !
                   More die from over-watering and over-feeding than ever die of neglect.

cardoon

There seems to be a myth that its easier to grow plants in pots than in the soil. Many look attractive on the patio, but pots can dry out in a day or less of hot sun.  It can then be difficult to wet it successfully.  You can be left with a dry rootball which just dies.  Also, unless drained properly, pots can flood and plants can easily drown in a couple of rainy days.  Like humans, they need air.

Some readers are, at this moment,  looking out of their windows at lush window boxes, glorious planters and luxuriant terracotta pots.  

                 Well Done !!    Please read another article on this blog, I'm not talking to you.

dahlia

 

For those less happy with their horticulture, don't give up.  There's no need for really hard graft, not unless you want it.  Start small.  Gardening's like selling.  You win some, you lose some.  Try and plant something you like in the ground. 

 

                    If it grows, it grows - wonderful !

 

If it dies, give it chance, it may sprout from below ground.  But try something else.  Not everything will like the ocnditions in your garden.  I have always lived in the same village, but each garden produced a different set of successful plants, (and some killed old favourites).  Vigorous plants often need splitting because they become too big for the spot they occupy.  Ask friends and neighbours if they have any they don't want.  (Better growing in your garden then filling their green bin for council recycling.)

  

blossom on banana musa in valleys garden

 



Hawthorn blossom

Planning  (obvious really)    Don't put plants that can grow very large near walkways.  It will only upset you having to cut them back or remove them later.   My husband enjoys that part.  He has a pruning pick especially for the purpose.

Enjoy your garden, don't make it a chore.

 

Ty Ebbw Fach, Six Bells Training Course

River Ebbw through Six Bells

For local residents living or working in the UHOVI (University Heads of the Valleys Institute), area (including Blaenau Gwent).  This course is free and leads to 20 credits at Level 4 (1st year at degree level).  Assessment is straightforward, simple and achieved in small bite-sized parts.  No qualifications are required.  The course would run from week commencing 17 September 2013 until December.  If successful it would be repeated in 2014 from February to May and September to December.

The original miners' memorial from 1990's

COURSE DETAILS:

Eternal Wales:  Exploring and Reporting
on Aspects of Welsh History,
Culture and Heritage for Communities.

This module provides an overview of Welsh history, associated heritage and the development of its unique communities.  It is designed to provide learners with the necessary skills to successfully conduct a small scale historical/heritage/culturalresearch project of their choice.  Students will be introduced to a range of sources and study techniques which will allow them to practice and develop desirable, readily transferable, interpretive and presetnational skills to explore aspects of a unique country of communities which is certainly 'Eternal.'

Course times:  10-12noon or 18.30-20.30pm
For further information or to book a place on the course,
please contact Mair Sheen on 01495 320 497.

Please note, a minimum of 12 participants are required to run these accredited courses.

The Six Bells symbol over the doorway of the former Miners' Institute

(Meg's Note:  I attended this course in Cwmbran earlier this year.  It was really enjoyable and it covers a great deal about local history which I was not taught in school history lessons.)

http://www.uhovi.ac.uk/

 

Six Bells Pit Party, Blaenau Gwent

On the former colliery site for once the 20 mtr sculpture 'Guardian' was not centre stage.

The commemorative benches sported bouquets of flowers.  Green and white stands blossomed like daisies in the freshly mown grass.  Crocodiles of barefoot children bounced excitedly in anticipation in the queue for the gawdy orange and blue bouncy castle, whilst adults salivated in the arguably longer queue for the burger van.

Was it better than last year?  Does it matter?  The sun shone, friends and families met, chatted and laughed together.



Coal from Big Pit hides safety gear

The annual thirty minute commemorative service to the 45 miners lost in 1960, was held beneath the emotive sculpture.  Conducted by Father Patrick of St John's Church in Wales, he spoke the thoughts of many people there.   On 28 June 1960 families lost fathers, uncles, friends and relatives in the disaster.  The Pit Party shows they are not forgotten and that the community can build on their loss and the loss of Six Bells Colliery, to form a new, greener, different future.

I would encourage everyone to visit and experience standing beneath this statue.  Sebastien Boyesen has created an emotional experience from huge amounts of corten steel and masonry.

Its silence says everything.