The Valleys' Top 10 Castles, Railways & Sights, South Wales

 

 

thevalleys.co.uk

ycymoedd.co.uk 

 

1. Ruperra Castle

2. Pontypool Museum & Park

3. Caerphilly Castle

4. Eglwysilan Church

5. Kidwelly Castle

6. Brecon Mountain Railway

7. Ynysangharad War Memorial

8. Vaynor old and new churches

9. Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway

10. Nantyglo Roundhouses

 

This map reveals ten places to visit.  There are many, many more depending on your interests:  History, Heritage, Cycling, Rambling, Pubs & Real Ale, Shopping, Bird Watching.  South Wales can provide the ideal holiday, or short break for your favourite hobby.

 

www.castlewales.com

 

www.visitwales.co.uk

 

www.walesinfo.com

 

Welcome to Wales (via Severn Bridge)

Note:  Unfortunately there is a charge of £6.20 per car to come to Wales from England.
Return trip to England is free.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth - online data

Records at the Steelworks Museum at The Works, Ebbw Vale

The British Library and National Library of Wales have preserved every book they could lay their hands on for viewing and research by future generations.

This weekend they announced that they plan to now preserve online websites, blogs and even tweets. This means that, hopefully, this blog on the South Wales Valleys, will be preserved in perpetuity fo future generations to view and enjoy. (Rather a daunting thought.)  All the more reason for me to make it relevant and interesting.

Unfortunately there are no plans at present to make this collection available online.  Interested parties would have to visit one of their libraries.

Thank you National Library.

www.llgc.org.uk/
https://twitter.com/NLWales

www.bl.uk/

Six Bells near Abertillery, South Wales

When the Six Bells Pit closed in 1964, the area lost its purpose.  With a strong community spirit and a little help, they have created a village to be proud of.  Their first project was to revitalise a rather dreary tunnel under the railway.  The history of the village, complete with farms, the pit and chapel was illustrated.

Gateway signs were also erected along with Pippin art in the tunnel under the roadway.

The Community Council erected a miners' memorial in the 1990's, but unfortunately, made of sandstone, it is absorbing groundwater and eroding badly.


Miners Memorial created 1990s (showing erosion)

The Ebbw Fach Trail passes this way on its way from Llanhilleth, via Brynmawr to Black Rock.  The Trail uses the disused railway line to link points of historical interest and beauty spots.  As well as cycling or walking the trail, the points can be accessed by car.

Guardian oversees the Six Bells valley, his arms outstretched in desperation.  Sebastien Boyesen's intention was to create the impression of a survivor or rescuer from the disaster in 1964 when 45 men were killed from 48 who were down the pit at the time.

The original miners' memorial with Guardian in the distance, between the hills

Guardian measures 20mtrs in height, as tall as the Angel of the North. 

Ty Ebbw Fach, once the Coach & Horses Inn, is open (except on Monday) for a welcome cup of tea and slice of cake.  The Heritage Room harks back to the 1960s (the time of the biggest postwar mining disaster).  The story of the village, the people and the disaster, is told through multi-media, photographs, and newspapers.

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

http://www.blaenau-gwent.gov.uk/15510.asp

www.facebook.com/GuardianWales

https://twitter.com/TyEbbwFach

http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/cy/art/online/?action=show_item&item=2192
Shows Lowry's painting of Six Bells Colliery, Abertillery.  Painting is on display in Cardiff Museum.

Ynys Gwydr - Island of Glass - Merthyr local Opera, South Wales

In April, Head for Arts will be staging a new opera being created by the people of Merthyr for the people of Merthyr, telling a little-known story from our early medieval past.

Yn Ebril 2013, bydd Celf ar y Blaen yn llwyfannu am opera newydd a gaiff ei chreu ar gyfer pobl Merthyr gan bobl Merthyr, adrodd stori fach adnabyddus gan ein gorffennol canoloesol cynnar.

Tickets are available from Head4Arts, details on the poster below.

Llangorse Lake has always been a place of mystery and atmosphere. 
The island on the lake has been explored and found to be a Crannog -
an artificial island constructed by man. 

Much research has revealed its history (more later), and inspired exhibitions and
this opera.

www.head4arts.org.uk

https://www.facebook.com/notifications?clk_loc=1#!/events/299136733546744/

Caerleon Festival 2013 - Arthur Machen

Join the Caerleon Festival in celebrating the 150th Anniversary of Arthur Machen's birth.

 

5th to 14th July 2013

 

 

Born on 3rd March 1863 at 33 High Street Caerleon.  His father became vicar at Llanddewi Fach just north of the village and the family moved to the Rectory there when Arthur was still young.  Although he moved to London on leaving school, and never returned to live in Gwent, the rolling hills, tumbling streams and secret corners had a powerful and enduring influence on his imagination which he used to a great extent in his mainly Gothic Horror writing.

To avoid disappointment, please check the accuracy of this programme before attending.

for further information visit:  www.caerleon-arts.org

http://www.caerleon-arts.org/Programme.html

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

Friends of Arthur Machen website:  www.arthurmachen.org.uk/    

PROGRAMME



As usual there will be a week of varied events leading up to the big weekend on the Hanbury Field - keep an eye on the website for more details.

Children's art will be created by local school children, there will be Shakespeare in the Roman amphitheatre, music and singing - folk, rock, pop, classical, jazz and choir, exotic dancing and art and craft exhibitions.


THE ARTHUR MACHEN WEEKEND
Friday 5th July - POETRY PERFORMANCE– Goff Morgan - Evening

Saturday 6th July 10.15 - 4.15pm - A LITERARY APPRECIATION (WRITERS’ TALKS AND FORUM), at the Priory Hotel
Catherine Fisher, Mark Lawson Jones, Gwillam Gaines,
Robert Kingham, Merlin Coverley, Godfrey Brangham
Films
The Chepstow Bookshop will be providing copies of books for sale at this event

Saturday 6th July - Evening 7.30pm MACHEN RECITATIONS - Machen’s birthplace, High Street
Goff Morgan

Sunday 7th July 9.45am - The MACHEN WALK – starting at Llansor Mill Tickets

FESTIVAL WEEK
Sunday 7th July 4.00pm - SONGS OF PRAISE - A Festival Welcome from St Cadoc's Church

Sunday 7th July 7.30pm - GUITAR RECITAL - Rossini Bartolotti-Hayward
Llanhennock Village Hall

Tuesday 9th July 6.00pm THE DR. MARK LEWIS TALK –
“ANTIQUERIAN CAERLEON - ARTHUR MACHEN & THE MAKING OF A MUSEUM'
- The Roman Legionary Museum (Tickets (£3.50) on sale at Museum - Tel. 01633 423134)

Tuesday 9th July 7.30pm - A CONCERT IN THE CHURCH
Blaenavon Male Voice Choir
and Robert Urban-Nagy (Baritone) in St Cadoc's Church

Wednesday 10th July 7.30pm - MACHEN’S LONDON TALES – Robert Kingham
– the Old Baptist Church

Thursday 11th July 7.00pm - BATH HOUSE BARDS with Danny Abse and the Young Scribblers Society
The Chepstow Bookshop will be providing copies of books for sale at this event

Friday 12th July 7.30pm - SHAKESPEARE'S 'A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM'
The Festival Players - The Roman Amphitheatre

Friday 12th July 8.30pm - BLUES CENTRAL - Electric Blues Band
The Bell Inn Free Entry

THE LITERARY WEEKEND
Saturday 13th July 10.15 - 3.30pm - MEET THE AUTHORS - the Priory Hotel
Adrian Masters (Political Editor at ITV Wales) will be interviewing
Prof. Bernard Knight CBE, Phil Carradice, M.R. Hall, Grant Sutherland & Jasper Fforde
The Chepstow Bookshop will be providing copies of books for sale at this event
a Welsh bookshop will also be available

Saturday 13th - Evening 8.00pm - JOHN HEGLEY in the Town Hall
The Chepstow Bookshop will be providing copies of books for sale at this event

Sunday 14th July 2.00pm - THE ALL WALES COMIC VERSE COMPETITION - the Priory Hotel
Compere – Goff Morgan
Judges – Rhys Hutchings, Chris Edwards, Peter Manley, Paul Flynn, Richard Frame
- Includes a performance by Dawson-Banks

THE BIG FREE FESTIVAL
Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th July
MUSIC and DANCE – the Hanbury Arms and the Bell Inn – Day & Evening
SCULPTING – the Hanbury Field - Day
ARTS and CRAFTS – the Hanbury Field - Day

AND LATER IN THE YEAR -
Friday 4th October 7.30pm
RICHARD DIGANCE – Llanhennock Village Hall

Saturday 19th October 7.30pm
STEFAN GROSSMAN – Llanhennock Village Hall

Saturday 20th December - 7.30pm
BELSHAZZARS FEAST - Llanhennock Village Hall

CADW

CADW has some interesting sites, here are just a few:



Make the most of Easter by getting out and about with the family and exploring a Cadw site. They have some spectacular events on offer, including walks and tours, egg hunts, and 'medieval mayhem'. Their seasonal sites will reopen on Good Friday and will be ready and waiting to welcome you.

Caerphilly Castle: Architectural Design A 'walk and talk' lecture exploring the architectural and defensive features of one of the most impressive and largest castles in Wales. £10 per ticket. Tickets are available from the Celtic Learners Network website. Caerphilly Castle - 20 April, 11am-1.30pm

            Heritage Cottage, Cwmdare

     The Cadw App is available for Android, Download from Google Play Stores.

See the recently refurbished visitor centre at Tintern Abbey and enjoy 2 for 1 entry at Chepstow Castle (14 April).
Happy Easter - let the adventures begin...

Ignore the cold icy weather and enjoy the daffodils and spring blossom on the trees.

http://cadw.wales.gov.uk/daysout/?lang=en

Arthur Machen 1863-1947, born South Wales

My friend is involved with the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary celebrations of Arthur Machen's birth, taking place around Caerleon and Machen.  Arthur was a literary Gothic (horror) writer who used his experiences in South Wales to help colour his fiction.  Sue will be displaying her wall-hanging at The Priory, Caerleon, as part of the Caerleon Festival.  She intends the piece below to illustrate the thinking behind her design.


Far off Things - Arthur Machen and the landscape of Gwent.

An exhibition celebrating the 150th anniversary of the birth of Arthur Machen remains until Sat 6 April at Newport Museum and Art Gallery, John Frost Square, Newport, South Wales, NP20 1PA. Free admission. For more information, contact richardframe@hotmail.co.uk

Sue Thomas' Musings on the writing of Arthur Machen and his Books

1863-1947

Arthur Machen, while just a child, his imagination running wild, roamed freely down the Gwent countryside paths. Wandering along these ancient dark, dank and deep sided track ways encouraged the ideas to imprint stories in his mind.

As he watched the glowing furnace-like skies over theTwmbarlwm hillside, from his rectory bedroom window the slowly sinking rays of light darkened into an ink black landscape.

Sometimes as the sun slipped away below the hill, fearful dragons were conjured out of the stormy billowing clouds the howling wind evoking the shadowy fanciful creatures, frightful and fierce.

Later, when a grown man, remembering these childhood memories, he wrote of his ambling journeys recalling the wonderful sunlit landscapes, but also like a Janus mask looking both ways using a slight shift of vision something half glimpsed like stepping from a sun dappled path onto a shadow filled lane his writing could be both revealing and light or enveloped and dark.

Each story turning a page at a time he used his pen as an archeologist uses his trowel peeling back one layer after another to reveal hidden horrors, mystic creatures; his words and sentences allowing many a complex spine chilling character to evolve.

You have to read his books to discover them.

Sue Thomas 2013

For Arthur Machen’s 150^th Anniversary

Some of Arthur Machen’s books to read

Hill of Dreams

Great God Pan

The Three Impostors

Far off Things

The Bowman

The LondonAdventure or the Art of Wandering

All the pictures taken in Caerleon area

 

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Machen

www.litgothic.com/Authors/machen.html

www.arthurmachen.org.uk/

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/booksblog/2009/sep/29/arthur-machen-tartarus-press