Twisted Chimney

"Reflects upon history to understand the present"

Just off the Heads of the Valleys road, north of Butetown, sits an eye-catching sight. Is it the remains of an old chimney from an ironworks?

 

No, its a sculpture by New York based Brian Tolle. It is his first UK installation, using imagery from the past to create something new.

A fascinating sculpture, nevertheless an image which could become iconic for South Wales. Exactly why it has been positioned here is a puzzle, but you may learn more from the link below.

http://www.butetownhistory.info/en/history-of-upper-rhymney-valley/the-twisted-chimney/

View from the Twisted Chimney

 

Parc Taf Bargoed

Parc Taf Bargoed is totally unexpected. Imagine the site of three coalmines landscaped:

Open parkland ?

Woodland ?

Children's Play Area ?

Yes, all these and more!

A coal dram with real coal welcomes visitors

The centrepiece is a series of lakes and cascades created along the length of the river, Afon Bargoed Taf, previously submerged when the pits were active. Angling and kayaking groups form an important part in the story of this place. Wild flowers, butterflies, otters, have all been encouraged and returned.

 

A dipping pond and dog paddling pond have been constructed to try to provide for human visitors without disturbing visiting water birds on the lakes.

 

 

Iron seeping from the top pit can be witnessed in a large rust-coloured pond. This liquid used to discolour and pollute the river. It has now been filtered through reed beds, ensuring nothing enters the river but clear water.

 



Water from the pit before being filtered through the reeds.

At the top of the site a large indoor climbing centre caters for all comers - novice to expert, and a cup of tea is available for those less energetic, should the onsite hut be closed.

 

A restful place to spend a day enjoying nature and man's ingenuity in enabling plants and wildlife to recolonise this once derelict industrial site. I can only imagine the comments that would have been made by men who worked underground here. They would have seen this as an industrial site covered in coal dust and soot. Its now a truly remarkable reclamation by nature.



blossom of the buddleia, the butterfly bush

 http://www.visitmerthyr.co.uk/attractions/parc-taf-bargoed/nature-environment.aspx

 

Meadowsweet - its scent flavours the air.

 





 

Ebbw Fach Treckers

Nature enveloping a fence post, Aberbeeg

The group, as with many others, divide their walks into three grades.  This allows anyone to join in, no matter how fit they are.

Easy:               short walk with little gradient.
Intermediate:   likely to contain some steep ascents and descents and/or longer in length.
Difficult:         walks which contain longer and steeper ascents and descents and/or                                     longer in length.


The ancient Packhorse Bridge, Aberbeeg, now
almost lost, surrounded by the modern road system.

Further information on the walks, registration, transport as well as meeting points can be found at:

Tel: 01495 325200
Mobile:  07545 210504
Email:  info@stilltydscommunitiesfirst.co.uk
Web:  http://www.stilltydscommunitiesfirst.co.uk

A list of Treckers' walks can also be found on The Ramblers' walksfinder website:

Naturalised quarry above Pantygasseg

http://www.ramblers.co.uk/walksfinder/search.php?

 

Liberty Bodice

To some younger readers the term "liberty bodice," may not mean anything. But to older generations it brings back memories of rubber buttons and fleecy lined cotton.

Image from Victoria & Albert Museum site

My liberty bodices were worn during the time I attended Infants School.  I gazed at the teachers smooth flat sweaters and felt jealousy and embarrassment.  When I looked at my front it was lumpy and bumpy from the series of rubber buttons cascading down the front of my liberty bodice, hidden underneath.  The one in the picture opposite doesn't have buttons at the bottom edge.  Mine did!
I often wondered whether they were supposed to be buttoned to your nickers or somewhere.  I never did find out.  If anyone out there knows, please contact me.

Chepstow Museum (NP16 5LH) is holding an exhibition showing the story of R & WH Symington & Co. Ltd. the corsetry manufacturer who was responsible for developing this (useful?) garment.  Produced from 1908 until 1960s the liberty bodice was very much like Marmite - you loved them or hated them.

The exhibition is open at the moment and until 6th October, Monday to Saturday 10.30am to 5.30pm and Sundays from 2pm to 5.30pm. Admission free.


Victoria & Albert Museum

Chepstow Museum



 

Welsh Poppies

 

 

Floating above fern-like foliage, the delicate yellow flowers bob their heads in the slightest breeze.  The plants seed into pavement cracks, but can in no way be judged to be a weed.

The plants compliment a cottage garden, a border or even a windowbox.  The flowers keep coming, even long after the brown seed pods have developed.  Whenever you brush past, the tiny back seeds scatter with a rattling sound, ready to form next year's plants.

The welsh poppy has been adopted by the political party Plaid Cymru.


 

Senghenydd Memorial Concert

Blackwood Miners' Institute, Caerphilly County Borough's leading arts & entertainment venue presents a concert in tribute to the 440 miners who lost their lives in 1913.

Tel: 01495 227206
e-mail: bmi@caerphilly.gov.uk

Book online at:  www.blackwoodminersinstitute.com
 

Busing in the 1960s

In the early 60's the old Peake's buses used to travel up and down Penygarn Hill rattling and banging and blowing out huge clouds of exhaust fumes onto innocent passersby. Sometimes even dropping pieces of bodywork.

Ralfs buses, Red & White buses, and Western Welsh all travelled through my village of Sebastopol on their way up to Pontypool, and down to Newport.  I remember the flock fabric seats and the ashtrays in the back of the seat in front - usually all black with cigarette ash and the occasional cigarette stump.  The conductor wore a twin strapping arrangement holding cash bag over one shoulder and ticket machine over the other.  Lurching up and down the aisle as the bus travelled along the winding valley roads, he or she would issue a ticket for your journey.  If you were making a "return journey", then they would use a handy little gadget attached to their belt to punch holes in your ticket.

A timetables would be attached to a wall near the bus stop, and generally had a chunk torn or worn away, (usually the section you needed to find details of your bus.)

To save on bus fares, men would take to the bicycle.  They'd tuck their trousers into a set of bicycle clips to prevent their turnups being ruined by oil from the chain. Then away.

Now we have Traveline Cymru and all travel arrangements can easily be found online. Covering coach, and train timetables and even cycle routes this not-for-profit organisation is based on a partnership between the Welsh Government, local authorities and transport operators. They are there solely to provide impartial journey information for all modes of public transport throughout Wales.

They collate information from local authorities, bus, coach and train operators and use a variety of different methods to inform the public. Traveline's aim is to encourage less carbon intensive methods of travel throughout Wales.

www.traveline-cymru.info  Their bi-lingual website

Tel: 0871 200 22 33 is their bi-lingual call centre based in Wales.

You can text your bus stop code to 84268 and a free reply will advise the next four buses passing through that stop.  The code is available on their website.

NextBuses.mobi  is a mobile internet service

Also a free App is available for iPhone & Android, providing travel details whilst you are on the move.

TravelineCymru

 

Guardian, Six Bells, South Wales

The Six Bells Guardian stands twenty metres into the sunshine from deep in a small valley.  This Miners’ Memorial was created by the sculptor Sebastien Boyesen to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the UK’s largest post-war mining disaster. 

Standing as tall as “the Angel of the North.”  Guardian has not been erected to be seen from afar.  Drivers pass on the A467, many unaware of this colossus hidden deep in this sheltered valley.

Sunk in 1891 by John Lancaster, the Six Bells pit provided work for nearly a hundred years, slowly engulfing the cottages and hillsides with soot, grime and coal dust. Then, in an explosion, on 28^th June 1960 in “W” District of the Six Bells Colliery near Abertillery forty five men were tragically killed. The mine, owned by the National Coal Board, eventually closed in the 1980’s.

But nature will prevail and with the aid of the community, Blaenau Gwent Council and Communities First, the colliery site has been landscaped.  It forms a peaceful setting for the statue, and has brought the valley close to its original state in 1890.   

Gradually news is spreading. It is now a regular haunt for countryside lovers. Dog walkers and families make Guardian their daily or weekly stop-off with plenty of space to run and play, picturesque views to sit and admire, and intriguing footpaths for those more adventurous.  Locals bring relatives, tutors bring students and holiday tour companies bring foreign tourists, all to enjoy tours by local volunteers, and hear the history of this valley and the construction of this emotive sculpture. With easy parking nearby, well-maintained pathways allow access for the disabled and wheelchair bound.

 

Ffos Las Racecourse, Carmarthenshire

The first racecourse to open for 70 years, Ffos Las has been the passion of Chairman Dai Walters.

                             "My motivation was driven by a passion for
                                                          horse racing."

Located in Carmarthen, West Wales, it competes with Chepstow racecourse, further east.

Raceday
With a variety of weekday, weekend and evening fixtures there is an opportunity for anyone interested in visiting the race course.  Experience the thrill of a raceday, the roar of the crowds and all the fun of a flutter amidst fine surroundings.


What to wear
Everyone knows Ladies Day at Ascot and the hats and outfits which cost a fortune.  Ffos Las operates a relatively relaxed dress code with customers recommended to wear smart/casual clothing.  Unfortunately trainers, ripped jeans, rugby and football shirts are not permitted to be worn in hospitality areas.

Parking & Admission
Parking is free, as is admission for under 18's accompanied by an adult. Prices range from £10-£20 dependant upon the fixture, and can be paid on the day or pre-booked.
www.ffoslasracecourse.com

Food & Drink
Refreshments are available to suit all pockets and tastes, at a variety of venues from Restaurants to fast foot outlets.

Pictures taken at racedays are welcomed on their website at:
www.ffoslasracecourse.com

There will be a winner for each quarter of the year.  This winner will be in with a chance of winning two hospitality tickets to a day at the races.  So get snapping.

For more information on race days, you can contact the race course office:
Tel: 01554811092
info@ffoslasracecourse.com
Post Code: SA17 4DE

discovercarmarthenshire.com/ffoslas